PM Anwar’s K-pop playlist boosts Malaysia-South Korea ties

SHAH ALAM – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has become a social media sensation, not just for his diplomacy but for his surprising flair in curating nostalgic K-pop hits during his recent visit to South Korea.

Anwar, or perhaps a savvy member of his social media team, appears to be a second-generation K-pop enthusiast.

His Instagram posts tied to his official visit featured tracks by early 2000s K-pop icons such as Big Bang, Girls’ Generation (SNSD), Super Junior, and 2NE1, alongside contemporary hits like BTS’s chart-topping ‘Dynamite’.

Standout tracks included Big Bang’s Monster, Girls’ Generation’s Gee, Super Junior’s Sorry Sorry, 2NE1’s Come Back Home, and G-Dragon’s Power.

In a viral reel shared on Tuesday, Anwar captured his first meeting with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol at the Yongsan Presidential Office on Nov 25 Nov, set to G-Dragon’s triumphant anthem Power.

The video showcased the warm reception and strategic discussions between the two leaders, marking a renewed commitment to strengthen bilateral ties.

The video, which chronicled the warm reception and strategic discussions between the leaders, also emphasised Malaysia and South Korea’s commitment to celebrating their sapphire jubilee in 2025.

The collaboration aims to strengthen ties in areas including political and security cooperation, cultural exchanges, education, tourism and advancements in medical sciences.

“Malaysia-South Korea relations must be intensified at both regional and international levels, especially as Malaysia prepares to chair Asean 2025 while the Republic of Korea chairs APEC 2025,” read the caption.

The visit yielded significant outcomes, including the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on higher education, carbon capture and storage, and initiatives under the Paris Agreement’s Article 6 Cooperation Approach.

Additionally, Anwar engaged in high-level discussions with top South Korean corporations, such as Samsung, SIMMTECH, and Poongsan Corporation, during the C-Suite Insight Session.

This platform allowed Malaysia to solidify investment strategies with Korea’s industrial giants, opening new avenues for economic collaboration.

Beyond formal diplomacy, Anwar’s itinerary included meeting Malaysians residing in South Korea, reaffirming his commitment to the welfare of Malaysians abroad.

Netizens have warmly embraced the playful yet impactful use of K-pop in Anwar’s social media posts, with the comments section flooded with excitement.

Many users were seen expressing their appreciation for the song selection on the prime minister's reels.

@chewanfarah commented, "This song is so fitting for PMX. Just saying."

@prdlef added, "Finally, GD is out! Been waiting since yesterday."

@appelsenrozen thanked, "Thanks to the admin for listening to the people, hahahaha."

@afhamkamarudin simply said, "Power, power, power, poweerrrr!"

@asiangastronomy praised, "There it is, songs strengthening Malaysia-South Korea relations. Great job PMX, keep up the diplomatic ties. Hope there will be beneficial exchanges for the country."

@zafran_adi20 noted, "With such good collaboration between both countries, the economic growth will accelerate even faster."

The playful yet impactful use of K-pop not only entertained followers but also highlighted the growing synergy between Malaysia and South Korea, setting a positive tone for the future of their collaboration.