# Kim Jong Un was meant to be their only idol - then North Koreans discovered K-pop

- Published: 2026-07-17T22:14:12Z
- Updated: 2026-07-18T21:33:39Z
- Section: Breaking
- Language: English (en)
- Source: BBC News — https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0jygjezvlwo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Tags: BBC News · Top News
- Canonical: https://www.khabarestan.com/en/news/%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B3%DB%8C%D9%82%DB%8C-K-pop-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%DA%A9%D8%B1%D9%87-%D8%B4%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%84%DB%8C-%D9%85%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%85%D8%AA-%D9%BE%D9%86%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%B1-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%84%D8%AA%DB%8C

Defectors tell the BBC that despite restrictions, K-pop has cut through in the stifling dictatorship.

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