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This article paints an imagined scene of what life could look like if North Koreans had unrestricted access to global pop culture. In a university classroom in Pyongyang, film students sit in rapt attention, watching the climax of The Shawshank Redemption. As Andy Dufresne stretches out his arms in the rain, embracing freedom, gasps of admiration ripple through the room. Kim Young-chul (21), a junior student, walks down the hallway with friends after class and says, “I wish North Korean films could portray such symbolic direction—not just heroes defeating enemies, but the complexity of human emotion and freedom.” His friend, Choi Myung-hee (20), nods and adds, “Yeah, it feels like we’ve entered a new era where we can finally tell diverse stories.” In the building next door, English majors are intently watching a scene from the Hollywood film Inception. They’re trying to grasp the film’s intricate plot and rapid-fire dialogue, resembling students in a passionate film critique class. “Leonardo DiCaprio is amazing—I didn’t realize he had such depth in his acting,” one student says, and the professor agrees with a smile: “Now we can learn English through films. It’s much more engaging than textbooks.” At a café in downtown Pyongyang, young people are gathered around a speaker blasting BTS’s Dynamite. “We’re finally connected to the world! No more propaganda songs!” exclaims Kim Myung-chul (22), a university student, with a bright smile. His friend, Choi Young-hee (21), adds joyfully, “Now it truly feels like the 21st century has arrived.” Even Pyongyang’s theaters are changing. A local cinema recently screened the Disney animated film Frozen, which became a huge hit among children. After the screening, kids walked out hand-in-hand with their parents, singing Let It Go in unison. Kim Hae-rim, a seven-year-old girl, beamed, “Elsa is my role model! I wish I could control ice too!” The music scene is also evolving rapidly. At the Pyongyang University of Music, a recent pop music workshop featured students practicing Adele’s Rolling in the Deep. One student said, “It felt unfamiliar at first, but now I’m hooked. It has a completely different charm from classical music.” Traditionally, North Korea’s music education has focused on revolutionary songs and folk tunes, but now students have the chance to explore various genres. Even jazz clubs are springing up in Pyongyang. One such venue, known as Jazz Night, holds weekly performances and is popular among both young people and older generations. Park Chul-soo, a factory worker in his 40s, shared, “I love being able to enjoy diverse rhythms and melodies instead of the usual monotonous ones. I was skeptical at first, but now I’m totally into jazz’s spontaneity.” The club is always packed, and after the shows, it's common to see performers and audience members join in impromptu jam sessions. Traditional performances are also embracing modern influences. A recent event at the Pyongyang Grand Theater titled Broadway Night captivated audiences with a style completely different from the usual revolutionary dramas. The show featured dazzling lights, rapid scene changes, and emotional music. Lee Young-soon, a 40-something office worker who saw her first musical there, said, “Performances no longer feel like propaganda—they now feel like real art.” North Korea’s culinary scene is undergoing a transformation as well. Upscale restaurants in Pyongyang now serve dishes like Spanish paella, Japanese sushi, and Mexican tacos. Young North Korean chefs are increasingly experimenting with global ingredients and cooking methods. “Learning recipes from around the world has really improved my skills,” said one proud chef. “Our customers are loving the new flavors too.” Books are also becoming more accessible. A major bookstore in Pyongyang now displays international bestsellers such as Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, The Great Gatsby, and 1984. Store owner Lee Sung-hoon said, “We used to only sell revolutionary texts and party guidelines, but now readers are thrilled to have access to a wide range of genres.” In fact, book clubs and discussion groups are rapidly gaining popularity across the city. This opening of North Korean pop culture is sparking change across all areas—entertainment, education, cuisine, and the arts. Young North Koreans are now dreaming bigger as they experience a broader world. No longer confined by the limits of the past, they are becoming a generation that communicates with the world—learning, exploring, and imagining new possibilities not just in theory, but through direct experience.

“Bravo! Madame Sumi!” Inside the Opéra-Comique in Paris, under the applause of French dignitaries, South Korean soprano Sumi Jo (61), elegantly dressed in a hanbok, slowly stepped onto the stage. Awaiting her was the Commandeur rank—the highest grade of France’s Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, awarded for significant contributions in the fields of arts and culture. On May 26, Sumi Jo will officially receive the honor—a rare distinction for a Korean national. The medal is expected to be presented by Fleur Pellerin, former French Minister of Culture of Korean descent. Established in 1957, the Order is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding achievements in the arts or contributed to the promotion of French culture around the world. 🎖️ “Korean Vocal Art, Recognized Globally” The French Ministry of Culture stated that “Sumi Jo is a representative vocalist who has illuminated French music and art on stages across the globe.” The Commandeur rank is the highest of the three grades of the order. Only two or three Koreans have received this honor so far, including conductor Myung-Whun Chung in 2011. 🎤 “Paris is Like a Second Home on Stage” Since her operatic debut in 1986 as Gilda in Rigoletto in Trieste, Italy, Sumi Jo has graced the world’s most prestigious opera houses for nearly four decades. Among them, her connection with France has been particularly deep. She has performed at Opéra Bastille, Théâtre du Châtelet, Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, and even Palais Garnier, a revered temple of classical music. “Performing in Paris always excites me. France respects music and honors its artists,” she said. 🌍 ‘Sumi Jo Competition’ Bridges the World Last year, she launched the 1st Sumi Jo International Vocal Competition at Château de La Ferté-Imbault in the Loire region of France. The event attracted over 500 participants from 47 countries, once again affirming the global prestige of Korean vocal artistry. “This award is not just a personal honor, but a milestone in Korea’s musical journey onto the world stage.” 🇫🇷 Crossing Borders Through Art Lee Iryeol, Director of the Korean Cultural Center in France, remarked, “Sumi Jo’s decoration signals France’s formal recognition of the depth of Korean art,” adding, “This will mark a significant turning point in cultural exchanges between the two nations.” Even after receiving the medal, Sumi Jo will remain in Paris, conducting a master class and a mini concert. Rather than resting on her laurels, she continues to sing, teach, and connect the world through music. “Art transcends language. I want to keep embracing people through song.”

In the photo, Trump is seen visiting Korea, walking through the Okpo Shipyard and inspecting ships under construction. He also posed for a commemorative photo with his entourage in front of the main building. According to reports at the time, Trump showed interest in Korea’s shipbuilding industry. A shipyard official said, “Records show that he visited Okpo Shipyard on June 5, 1998, at the invitation of the Daewoo Group.” During this visit, Trump not only toured the Daewoo Shipyard but also visited Daewoo Motors in Gunsan. He reportedly showed great interest in golf course projects as well, playing a round with Daewoo Group officials at a golf course built by the group in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province.

Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party has introduced a bill aimed at restricting the activities of independent media outlets and NGOs that receive foreign funding. The proposed legislation would impose heavy fines on these organizations, ban them from receiving donations, and potentially prohibit their operations altogether. While the government has named the bill the “Law on the Transparency of Public Life,” critics argue it is effectively a crackdown on progressive, independent media and civil society groups. 🪧 Mass Protest in Budapest On May 18, thousands of protesters gathered in front of the Hungarian Parliament in Budapest to oppose the bill. Demonstrators waved EU flags marked with the word “HELP,” expressing strong resistance to what they see as government repression of the media and civic organizations. Opposition parties and civil society warn that the bill could effectively criminalize the operations of independent media and NGOs. 🇪🇺 Backlash from the EU and International Press More than 20 Members of the European Parliament have signed a letter urging the EU to suspend all financial aid to Hungary. Additionally, over 90 prominent European journalists and media organizations from 23 countries issued a joint statement condemning the bill as an attack on press freedom and calling for a strong EU response. 🔍 International Concern and Orbán’s Political Direction Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a conservative politician known for his pro-Russia and anti-EU stance, has implemented policies to limit press and civil liberties since returning to power in 2010. Critics say the current bill resembles Russian President Vladimir Putin’s methods of media control. Nick Aiossa, Director at Transparency International, stated, “The EU cannot stand by while Hungary targets civil society and dismantles democracy.” This situation is amplifying international concern over the state of democracy and press freedom in Hungary, with increasing attention on how the EU will respond.

1. A Flame That Sparked a Wave of Change In December 2010, in the small town of Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia, 26-year-old Mohamed Bouazizi set himself on fire after repeated harassment by corrupt officials and an oppressive government. His tragic act was not simply a personal despair—it came to represent the cry of a generation of young people across the Middle East and North Africa who had lived under authoritarian rule for decades. But the flame he lit didn’t stop at the streets. In the digital realm, his cry spread rapidly through the internet, marking the beginning of a great transformation. 2. The Internet Ignites the Power of Citizens Following Bouazizi’s death, thousands of Tunisians flooded the streets. Their voices quickly resonated around the world, amplified through the internet. Videos and posts shared by ordinary people documenting protests and repression went viral, wielding a power that far surpassed traditional means of control. The internet became a new public square—one where suppressed voices could ring freely. It became more than just a tool for sharing information; it became a platform for unity and mobilization. Tunisians coordinated in real time, and ultimately played a decisive role in toppling dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. 3. The Flame of Change Crosses Borders The wave of freedom that began in Tunisia soon spread across borders to Egypt, Libya, and Syria. Cairo’s Tahrir Square became a roaring chorus of millions calling for freedom—and the world watched it all unfold in real time through the internet. Young people recorded violent crackdowns on smartphones, sharing them online, sparking global outrage. Their courage was magnified by this new weapon—the internet—and it helped bring down Hosni Mubarak, who had held power in Egypt for 30 years. 4. Planting the Seeds of Freedom and Hope Soon after, Libya's Muammar Gaddafi regime also fell in the face of digital resistance. In Syria, while the struggle remains ongoing and severe, the voices longing for freedom have not been silenced. These revolutions gave ordinary citizens the sense that they could shape their own destinies. The internet became more than a sea of information—it became a space that carried the voices of those who dared to resist oppression. 5. The Change Continues Now, in 2025, the Arab Spring remains a topic of debate, but its positive legacy is undeniable. The internet has become a new channel for once-silenced voices to speak freely. This shift was not just technological—it was a social revolution . Bouazizi’s fire was not merely one man’s desperation. It was the beginning of change that struck at the hearts of millions yearning for freedom. And that beginning, carried on the winds of the internet, spread across the globe.