Before addressing the main situation at hand, it is necessary to clarify the broader context between North кσяєα and South кσяєα in recent years. As many may already know, relations between the two countries have remained tense for approximately 75 years. Although there have been some minor diplomatic gestures and hints of improvement, the situation is still widely regarded as one of maintained confrontation. In particular, in early 2026, disputes such as allegations involving drone activities, along with North кσяєα’s continued accusations of “provocations” by Seoul, further escalated political and military tensions.
Naturally, under such circumstances, North кσяєα enforces extremely strict policies toward South кσяєαn culture in general, including K-pop. North кσяєαn leader Kim Jong-un has strongly criticized K-pop, labeling it a harmful influence on the country’s youth and warning against the spread of “South кσяєαn cultural influence” nationwide.
North кσяєα views South кσяєαn-style language and cultural expressions as a threat to the regime and has enacted legislation—namely, the Pyongyang Cultural Language Protection Act—which bans the use of South кσяєαn-style language within the country, imposing severe penalties on violators.
For example, individuals arrested merely for watching, listening to, or possessing content such as K-pop may face five to fifteen years of reeducation through labor (rather than ordinary imprisonment). Those who bring such content into the country or distribute it to others—considered a more serious offense—may be sentenced to more than ten years of long-term reeducation, or even indefinite detention. In extreme cases, the ∂єαтн penalty may be imposed.
Yet, within this extremely tense context, there emerged a remarkably daring ARMY whose actions ѕнσ¢кed the entire fandom after they were seen expressing support for BTS ahead of the group’s return with the ARIRANG album. Fans discovered this “exceptional case” while accessing a fan-created application that tracks album presaves counts on Spotify and Apple Music. According to the data displayed, one presave clearly originated from “North кσяєα.”
Witnessing this, combined with ARMYs’ understanding of North кσяєα’s laws regarding K-pop culture, most fans were left utterly stunned, with an immediate “?” appearing in their minds. One fan jokingly speculated, “That’s Kim Jong-un himself,” while another followed up with, “Maybe his daughter,” as they could hardly imagine an ordinary North кσяєαn citizen daring to do such a thing while the risk of imprisonment loomed overhead.
Posts reporting this “simultaneously ѕнσ¢кing and absurd” situation quickly went viral on social media, with some garnering over half a million views. Several memes were also shared to illustrate the moment, including:
Meanwhile, other fans could not help but admire the courage and boundless love shown by what appeared to be the sole, isolated ARMY in North кσяєα, expressing sentiments such as: "Lol who's presaving there? Let's save that soul don't spread", "Clear definition of risking it all for soмєтнing I love. Everyone got to take lesson from that army and focus, stream and vote more seriously", "Her parachute crashed and she landed there", "Hey hey hey.. don't expose our purple sol∂ιєr", "I wish only the best for that ARMY", "Must be the army from Crash Landing on You",...
This incident also reminded fans of a moment involving Jin and a North кσяєαn defector named Chungil during his appearance on the reality show Kian’s Bizarre B&B. Jin referred to him as “my friend” and treated him without any prejudice, despite being a global кσяєαn superstar. Jin even gave Chungil his brand-new pair of sunglαѕѕes after Chungil’s own pair was damaged.
Even more touching was the final night Chungil stayed at Kian’s guesthouse, when Jin prepared кσяєαn-style tofu rice—a dish that was not only Jin’s favorite childhood comfort food but also one deeply αѕѕociated with family reunion and emotional warmth within the North кσяєαn defector community. As a result, Chungil broke down in tears, revealing that it had been 15 years since the last time he had eaten the dish.
BTS themselves have always spoken about respect among people regardless of skin color, ethnicity, religion, gender, or age. The group has also spent an entire decade of their career advocating for justice, equality, and the protection of the vulnerable. The story of the North кσяєαn fan mentioned above once again deepens and reinforces that journey undertaken by the seven кσяєαn artists. It also serves as proof that ARMY and BTS stand together, no matter the barriers or hardships they face.
