North Korean propaganda song praising Kim Jon Un becomes a viral hit on TikTok

With its upbeat tempo and catchy melody, "Friendly Father" is reminiscent of any 80s Europop hit — but with a Soviet-sounding twist.

While experts say the song is a calculated attempt to feed North Korean state propaganda to the masses, TikTokers are just enjoying the tune - and caring less about the lyrics. 

Posts about the song have garnered millions of likes on the short-video platform and generated hundreds of thousands of dance videos, remakes and comedic routines.

The surprisingly catchy tune features lyrics praising the leader, with lines such as "let's sing Kim Jong Un, the great leader" and "let's brag about Kim Jong Un, our friendly father".

The music video also features hosts of happy faces, giving their support to Kim Jong Un and also shows North Korean TV news host Ri Chun-Lee.

The song’s production and video are said to have been produced by the North Korean leader and his family. The lyrics are a complete homage to Kim whom it calls the "Friendly Father" while also heaping compliments on dictator, referring to him as “benevolent like your father,” and “warm-hearted like your mother.”

Experts say this phraseology is deliberate as it moves away from the image of Kim as ‘Great Successor’, a title he had when he took over as leader, to a more benevolent figure. 

They say it has echoes of his grandfather Kim II Sung whose two nicknames were “Father” and “the Great.”

Despite the obvious political undertones in the song, TikTokers are having a field day with the song, turning it into an unlikely global hit - even rivalling songs by megastars such as Taylor Swift.

"When are they putting it on Spotify?" one TikToker asks.

Another said, "I don't really like Kim Jong Un but he was really cooking on this song..."

On her part, popular Asian TikToker Stephanie Hui asked, "Is this a single or where can I get the whole album? It's so dystopian in the catchiest way!"

Alexandra Leonzini, a Cambridge University scholar who researches North Korean music, spoke to BBC News about the track, saying: "The idea is they want to motivate, to strive towards a common goal for the benefit of the nation… they don't tend to produce songs like ballads.”

Leonzini went on: “All artistic output in North Korea must serve the class education of citizens and more specifically educate them as to why they should feel a sense of gratitude, a sense of loyalty to the party."

North Korea bans the import of music, and officially, there are only five sanctioned North Korean bands.

Despite the hermit nation's deplorable human rights record, TikTokers still cannot have enough of the viral hit - and Kim Jon-Un must be relishing the unprecedented global adoration he is now receiving.