Something Different: A Surfing-Orientated Music Video Shot In North Korea

Possibly the worst and most interesting music video to be released. English vlogger Louis Cole just dropped a handful of edits from his recent (guided) tour of North Korea including this peculiar surfing pop song clip titled Surfin’ In The DPRK, “the first pop music video to come out of North Korea.” He and Lane Terzieff aka Lancifer, the self-described musician, stuntman, vigilante, traveler, fashion, business and real christian, collaborated on the piece which features skateboarding, breakdancing, wavepools and (non-performance) surfing in the DPRK. Admittedly the scenery shots do look inviting. The beaches have a slight European twist and both the skateparks and lineups look mostly deserted (hmm…). 

We know the country does actually get swell and that they recently discovered that selling beach holidays can earn the government big bank for spending on *various projects*. Though Mr Cole denies having received funding for the production, it’s hard to miss the propaganda flavour in the four-and-a-half-minute piece. It’s just too ‘shiny’. Here’s Loui’s pre-emptive message on that sentiment:

“This was a spontaneous video we had the idea for whilst on our trip to North Korea (DPRK) to surf and skateboard with the people. We went to break down barriers that separate us from the human beings that we all are. We did not plan to make a music video beforehand. It was not staged or in any way funded by the DPRK government. Our intent with this video is to show what we experienced as a true collaboration, with the hope that somehow it can lead to a positive change and be a voice for the people of North Korea. We made it with our new friends. We believe that what we experienced and the making of this video are positive signs that these barriers were at least to some extent, broken down during our time there. We are all making history together by pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and what’s never been done before, from the music video to the promotion of unification in the midst of division.”

“Please do your own research on North Korea and watch these blogs as part of a broader narrative. My aim is to show the beautiful people that live here and help strengthen the fragile bridge of peace and diplomacy through surfing. This was an organised tour showing only some places in the country and I’m sharing what we were shown.”

More from what Loui and co were ‘shown’: