We’ve been jokingly suggesting that we should use the music of our highly-produced pop stars as military weapons for years. Now South Korea have actually tried it with their version of pop music, K-pop.
And the best part is, it got them exactly what they wanted.
No, I’m not joking. Last week the South Korean army set up two large speakers, pointing them towards the North Korean border. It’s been reported that the songs used were Big Bang’s Bang Bang Bang, Girl’s Generation’s Genie and Tell Me Your Wish and IU’s Heart. These were played loudly through the speakers, just like a angsty teenager might pump heavy metal or punk from their bedroom to accompany their growing pains, and piss off their parents. Messages of propaganda against North Korea were also used.
This came after two South Korean soldiers were seriously injured after stepping on landmines that were allegedly planted by North Korea. Their demands were simple:
“We need a clear apology and measures to prevent a recurrence of these provocations and tense situations. Otherwise, this government will take appropriate steps and continue loudspeaker broadcasts.”
We can assume that the North Koreans were fuming. Their threats of violence failed against South Korea’s epic weapon. After two weeks of G-Dragon on repeat, the North Koreans finally apologised.
Why did this work? International Relations and Comparative Politics Lecturer Dr Justin Hastings from the University Of Sydney provided news.com.au with a fascinating explanation:
“The one thing North Koreans really hate is, and this surprised me initially, is basically tactics that involve sending information about the outside world into North Korea. The loud speakers are good example of that. It’s not that they kill anyone, it’s that they are sending messages to North Korean soldiers in a way that really annoys the North Koreans.”
Maybe our military forces should try blasting Justin Bieber or Iggy Azalea at any violence forces who come our way. Then again, that might make things worse.