"Gangnam Style? Why Isn't Psy Featured?"... Overseas Netizens Mock North Korean Propaganda Video

ICBM Test Launch Followed by Propaganda Video Release
Spread on SNS via North Korean Specialized Media
"Thought It Was Psy Parody," "Pyongyang Style?" Flood of Mockery

The image of Chairman Kim Jong-un in a North Korean propaganda video released on the Twitter account of the U.S.-based North Korea-focused media outlet 'NK News.' / Photo by Twitter capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] "Isn't this a Gangnam Style parody?", "I thought it was a spy movie made by elementary school students."

As North Korea conducted a test launch of its new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) 'Hwasong-17', drawing intense attention from the international community, some overseas netizens reacted by calling it "ridiculous." They said the propaganda imagery released by North Korea looked excessively childish.

According to 'Korean Central News Agency' on the 25th, North Korea successfully conducted the test launch of the Hwasong-17 the previous day. The agency explained that the ICBM was launched using a high-angle trajectory considering the safety of neighboring countries, reaching a maximum altitude of 6,248.5 km, flying 1,090 km for 4,052 seconds, and landing in the designated area in the East Sea's international waters.

Korean Central Television (KCTV), under the Korean Central News Agency, also produced and released footage showing North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un directing the ICBM launch on site.

This video was shared on social media platforms such as Twitter through 'NK News', a U.S.-based North Korea specialist media outlet.

Overseas netizens reacted to North Korea's propaganda video with comments such as "Isn't this a parody video?" and "I can't believe it." / Photo by Twitter capture

However, overseas netizens who watched the video expressed bewilderment. They criticized the video quality as too crude and tacky, making it feel like a parody.

In the two videos released by NK News, Chairman Kim, wearing a black leather jacket and sunglasses, walks away from a massive ICBM transporter vehicle.

Then, Kim looks at his wristwatch, suddenly takes off his sunglasses, stares straight ahead, and nods. Following this, the video cuts between the faces of North Korean soldiers shouting with excitement as an alarm signals the launch, and finally, the ICBM presumed to be the Hwasong-17 blasts off with huge flames.

Netizens who saw the video mocked, saying, "Is this really an official propaganda video? I can't believe it," and "I thought I was watching a spy movie made by a first grader that failed."

Some also commented that Kim resembled the singer Psy, who became famous in the U.S. and Europe through 'Gangnam Style.' Netizens said, "At first, I thought Psy was parodying Chairman Kim," "Why doesn't the 'Gangnam Style' song play at the end? I'm disappointed," and "Isn't this Pyongyang Style?" among other reactions.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.