Archenemies to Frenemies to Besties: Machiavelli Heads Far East

Summary

Niccolò Machiavelli, the Renaissance-era political theorist, known for his pragmatic, often ruthless advice in "The Prince," gives counsel to none other than North Korea’s Supreme Leader, Kim Jong-Un. The goal? Achieving peace and unification between North and South Korea, with a twist - leveraging the global phenomenon of K-pop.

Machiavelli, dusting off his 16th-century notes, might start by telling Kim Jong-Un, "Dear Leader, remember, it's better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both." But then he'd pause, realizing that his old playbook needs a remix in today's world. He might proceed with, "However, in the age of X (formerly know as Twitter) diplomacy and TikTok revolutions, maybe we need to fine-tune that strategy."

Firstly, Machiavelli would advise Kim to embrace the global popularity of K-pop. "Use what your adversary loves," he'd say. Imagine North Korean state media, traditionally known for military parades and revolutionary songs, suddenly broadcasting K-pop music videos. Kim Jong-Un, previously seen riding white horses over sacred mountains, now grooving to BTS and BLACKPINK. This bold move, Machiavelli argues, would not only soften Kim's image globally but also intrigue the youth in South Korea, creating cultural bridges where political ones seem shaky.

Secondly, Machiavelli would advise exploiting the soft power of K-pop for diplomatic gains. He'd suggest organizing a historic K-pop concert in Pyongyang, headlined by top South Korean artists, attended by Kim himself. The catch? Broadcast it worldwide. "Let the world see you swaying to the rhythm of peace," Machiavelli would say, knowing well that images of Kim clapping to "Dynamite" could do more for his image than any peace treaty signing ceremony.

Third, and most crucially, Machiavelli would counsel Kim to use these cultural overtures as a prelude to serious diplomatic talks. "Appear benevolent, open-minded, a leader who listens to the heartbeat of the youth," he'd suggest. This approach, according to Machiavelli, would not only soften the South Korean public's perception of Kim but also put global powers at ease, paving the way for more productive negotiations.

Machiavelli, with his cunning mind, would also propose an unconventional alliance.

"Collaborate with South Korean entertainment companies," he'd advise. Imagine a joint venture producing a K-drama where the leads are from North and South Korea, symbolizing unity. This drama wouldn't just be a hit; it would be a soft-power masterstroke, subtly weaving the narrative of unification into the minds of millions.

Of course, Machiavelli wouldn't miss the opportunity to talk about economic benefits. "Invest in entertainment, dear Leader," he'd say. By promoting a North Korean entertainment industry, inspired by the South's model, Kim could not only boost his economy but also create a cultural exchange platform, furthering the cause of unification.

Lastly, Machiavelli, ever the realist, would remind Kim that all this cultural diplomacy should be backed by genuine efforts to ease military tensions. "Let your actions in the DMZ reflect your dances to K-pop," he'd advise, emphasizing that cultural efforts must go hand in hand with political ones.

Machiavelli, in his side hustle as a cultural diplomat, would likely argue that in the age of globalization, traditional notions of power and diplomacy are evolving. For Kim Jong-Un, the “only Nixon can go to China” path to peace and unification might just be through embracing the very culture that his regime has long viewed with skepticism. This strategy, blending Machiavellian cunning with the universal appeal of K-pop, could potentially lead to a harmonious Korean Peninsula, united not by force, but by the soft power of music and culture.

Some ideas “can be so crazy, that they just might work”. Behold the power of The Scorpions power ballad whistling, then the Monsters of Rock...if Metallica could in some modest way help push the teetering Soviet Union over the edge in the heady, post-Berlin Wall days of 1991, why not the swoon-inducing Jungkook and the North Korean remix of Psy's Gangnam Style? An unconventional strategy to be sure, but one rooted in cultural understanding, sincere outreach and soft power could pave the way for peace in the most unexpected places and ways.

When Metallica Took Moscow
https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/03/when-metallica-took-moscow.

Jungkook Global
https://jungkookglobal.com/