North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his sister Kim Yo-jong feature in a satirical music video parody of Rose’s “APT.,” created using deepfake technology. Image captured from YouTube channel Lil Doge
A viral parody video reimagining BLACKPINK’s Rose and Bruno Mars’s hit song “APT.” has taken the internet by storm, featuring North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his sister Kim Yo-jong performing a version titled “Roketeu” (Korean for rocket). The video has garnered significant attention online, blending pop culture with geopolitical satire.
Using deepfake technology, the video creator cleverly replaces the original song’s repetitive “Apateu” chorus with “Roketeu,” maintaining the same “-teu” ending sound in Korean. This wordplay adds a layer of humor while drawing attention to North Korea’s missile program.
The parody takes aim at various North Korean issues, featuring the Kim siblings singing about intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launches, military support for Russia, and propaganda campaigns targeting South Korea. The satirical content provides a unique lens through which to view these serious geopolitical matters.
North Korean broadcaster Ri Chun-hee makes an appearance in the “APT.” parody, delivering a satirical message. Image captured from YouTube channel Lil Doge
The two-minute, 50-second video, titled “APT.,” was uploaded on October 31 to the YouTube channel Lil Doge, which boasts over 280,000 subscribers. Notably, the release coincided with North Korea’s latest ICBM test, adding a layer of timeliness to the satire.
The video opens with a deepfake of well-known North Korean broadcaster Ri Chun-hee announcing, “Our leader’s favorite provocation tactics! Tactics start!” This clever twist on the original song’s introduction replaces Rose’s self-introduction with a humorous nod to Kim Jong-un’s provocative actions.
While maintaining the original video’s rhythm, melody, and color scheme, the parody substitutes Kim Yo-jong for Rose and Kim Jong-un for Bruno Mars. The reworked lyrics highlight pressing North Korean issues, including ICBM launches, North Korea’s alliance with Russia, and propaganda campaigns aimed at South Korea.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his sister Kim Yo-jong perform in a parody music video of Rose’s “APT.” / Image captured from YouTube channel Lil Doge
The parody transforms the original song’s repetitive “Apateu” (Apartment) chorus, which appears over 60 times, into “Roketeu” (Rocket). Even Russian President Vladimir Putin makes a cameo during these segments, further emphasizing the geopolitical themes.
The video’s popularity skyrocketed, amassing over a million views and 7,000 comments within 24 hours. Viewers praised the creator’s skill in adapting the lyrics and dubbed the parody “modern art.” However, the satirical take on serious security issues has sparked debate.
Some viewers expressed concerns about the video potentially trivializing real security threats such as ICBM tests. Comments like “This is risky” and “Why provoke? A war would bring suffering to both Koreas” highlight the complex reactions to this blend of pop culture and geopolitical commentary.
This article, originally from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, has been translated and adapted for an American audience by Military Times staff.
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