Defector Reveals Impact of K-Pop in North Korea
Refugee-turned-businesswoman and chef Lee Soon-sil recently shared that many people in North Korea have been sent to prison camps simply for listening to songs by Taeyeon, a member of the iconic K-pop group Girls’ Generation.
Appearance on tvN Variety Show
During the appearance on the tvN variety show ‘Amazing Saturday’, Lee Soon-sil joined the Chuseok special to prepare traditional North Korean dishes. When host Boom asked about her favorite idol, she immediately named Taeyeon, stating that her music had severe consequences for listeners in the North.
Stories from North Korean Defectors
Lee shared direct accounts from fellow defectors who expressed amazement upon arriving in South Korea, frequently asking if she could introduce them to Girls’ Generation. She recounted a specific story from an acquaintance whose brother was imprisoned just for listening to Taeyeon’s tracks, highlighting the extreme risks North Koreans take to enjoy South Korean pop culture.
