Pop songs are made to appeal to a broad audience, providing catchy melodies, relatable lyrics, and a strong, memorable beat.
These songs are traditionally made for entertainment purposes, commercial goals, memorability, danceability, and more.
But for North Korea, the pop song Friendly Father is made for something more than just that.
Written by An Pun Hui and composed by Jong Chun Il, it's purpose also include cultural expression, and not to mention, propaganda.
The song, also known as Friendly Parent, is a pop song that hymns to praise supreme leader Kim Jong Un.
And the internet loves it.
But South Korea hates it.
Both North and South have been divided since an armistice ended the Korean War in 1953. Because neither of North or South show sign of peace, they are therefore, still technically at war.
So here, just like many things that came out of North Korea, South Korea considers this a propaganda.
Sooner than later, the Korea Communications Standards Commission blocked the music video at the request of the South Korea's National Intelligence Service.
The commission also blocked dozens of alternate versions of the video.
According to the South Korean government, the video a violation of Article 447 of the Information and Communications Network Act, which prohibits the "distribution of illegal information", including North Korean government-produced content outlawed by the National Security Act.
"The video is typical content linked to psychological warfare against South Korea, as it was posted on a channel operated to connect with the outside world and is mainly focused on unilaterally idolising and glorifying Kim [Jong Un]," the commission's official statement reads.
Previously, the Security Act is known for blocking South Koreans from accessing North Korean's government websites and media, and penalizes behaviors and speeches in favor of the regime.
Others describe it as a mix of entertainment, and also propaganda that comes in the form of a comedy.
According to Emma Briant, a British specialist on propaganda and information warfare, the song was created deliberately to be "humorous".
Reports suggest that the North Korean government likely did not expect the song to go viral on social media, but they are nonetheless "not naive about how this may look to Western audiences," because "[the song] is obviously intended for this kind of mass distribution."
"North Korea does not necessarily put this out around the world expecting it to be taken seriously."
But just like many things that are banned, the government's move to ban the video made many South Korean to actually look and check out the music.
Some commented that the authorities should leave the video accessible "so that more people can enjoy the joke."
The song was first played on air on 16 April 2024, sung live by Kim Ryu Kyong at a ceremony celebrating the completion of 10,000 new apartment units in the Hwasong district at the country's capital, Pyongyang.
The music video for the song was released the next day and played on the state-controlled Korean Central Television.
Nothing new at first, because in North Korea, the citizens are known for having ceremonies, and broadcast the event on state media to promote the ruling Workers' Party of Korea.
Then, on 20 April, the state-run Rodong Sinmun newspaper published an editorial which stated: "'Friendly Father' has created a storm of reactions [...] and warmed the hearts of millions of people across the country."
However, unlike others before, the Friendly Father song received considerable media attention outside of North Korea.
This happened when the song made its way to the internet, and was uploaded to social media platforms, like TikTok.
It didn't take long before users created videos of themselves listening or dancing to the catchy song.
Social media users from other countries, including South Korea, were seen dancing, as the song that praises supreme leader Kim Jong Un as a "trustworthy and loving leader" can be heard in the background.
They seem happy with hearing the chorus that encourages the listener to "boast about Kim Jong Un, a friendly parent".
