
Every once in a while we experience pleasant beauty of synchronicity in life, whether it’s listening to Pink Flyod’s Dark Side of the Moon while watching The Wizard of OZ or just listening to The Police’s Synchronicity.
Another such case is the uncannily fitting combination of a North Korean calisthenics video for children with the background music to a Final Fantasy IV boss battle. A video of it was posted on YouTube quite a while ago, but it’s worth revisiting again and again.
First let’s take a look at the original video that’s keeping the DRPK youth fit and active.
Alright, that was pretty awesome by itself, and if you don’t think so you clearly didn’t sit through all four minutes and 14 seconds of it. Please go back and do so now. The rest of us will wait…
Hang on. We’re still waiting for that one lady over ther… Okay.
By the detectable sounds of a Moog synthesizer and Theremin we can assume this is a relatively new video in North Korea made with recently developed musical technology. It’s hard to image how it’s possible to improve on that but we will soon see.
Before that though here is a FFIV boss battle against Zemus so you can hear the background music. You don’t have to watch all of this, Final Fantasy is like bowling. It’s way more fun to play than to watch.
Put the two together and what do you get?
The music adds an extra layer of meaning to the whole routine as the kids put their arms akimbo with added purpose. The whole dance carries a sense of urgency previously unseen in North Korea’s typically laissez-faire videos.
Viewers both Japanese and Western were expecting the children to unite into the FFIV boss Calcabrina.
The rest, on the other hand, were simply confused.
Source: ViRATES (Japanese)
Video: YouTube – Watanuki Makoto Shigatsu Ichinichi Makoto, vinnyfav, MegaUltraJMan, AquaRing, chojiro22
▼ Of course kids don’t get all the fun of movement in North Korea, there are videos for all ages.

Twitter users claim Dragon Quest theme is eerily similar to university song, North Korea’s anthem
Hilarious GIF shows what could have happened to Moon Jae-in when he stepped into North Korea
Final Fantasy gets new vinyl music collection with Final Fantasy IV-Song of Heroes
Election to determine the best Final Fantasy, game, character, boss, and music underway
New dating simulator lets players romance anime-style girls in North Korea【Video】
Downloads of 39-year-old Guns N’ Roses song increase 12,166 percent thanks to Gundam
7-Eleven Japan sells freshly baked pizzas…but are they any good?
Three beautiful places to see Japan’s plum blossoms after starting your day in downtown Tokyo
Here comes a new katsudon: ice cream katsudon?!?
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
McDonald’s Japan partners with anime English teacher, but did they commit a cultural error?[Video]
Japanese anime fans shocked by torii gate collapse at Washinomiya aka the Lucky Star Shrine
Tokyo Station staff share their top 10 favorite ekiben
Dragon Quest Burgers and Slime drinks are coming to McDonald’s Japan【Video】
Viral 3D ice creams land in Japan… but are they worth the hype?
Cherry blossom forecasts map shows Japan’s OTHER sakura season is starting right now
Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
New Studio Ghibli stamps leave an impression on your stationery…and your heart
Japanese women sound off on their minimum height requirements for a husband【Survey】
Huge Evangelion Unit-01 head appearing in lights in Japan to celebrate anime’s 30th anniversary
Kyoto planning surprise late-night inspections of Airbnb-style rentals to fight overtourism
Family Mart releases huge range of cute sweets for Cat Day in Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
New Final Fantasy VII Remake version coming, brings ninja girl Yuffie to Midgar【Video】
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to star in upcoming run ‘n’ gun video game based on his life
Powerman5000 angry at Final Fantasy 14 for “stealing” its music 【Video】
Final Fantasy VII ditches CDs and goes vinyl for two-record music collection
Shortwave radio at our cheap country house in Japanese mountains picks up North Korean broadcast
Ancient Chinese instrument can mimic Super Mario Bros. music with startling fidelity
Final Fantasy XVI’s story and primary development are finished, Square Enix hiring “final” staff
Take a tour of video game history and violin majesty with Teppei Okada
Fan-made intro to 8-bit Pacific Rim game leaves us itching to press start
Let the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra transport you into your favorite Square Enix games!
Nintendo launches new Nintendo Music service with decades’ worth of iconic game tunes【Video】
All-female Final Fantasy musical stage play coming from Japan’s Takarazuka troupe
Japan picks the 100 greatest games of all time in Video Game General Election
Have a Double Dose of Nostalgia Listening to the Dragon Quest Theme Played On a Moog Synth Courtesy of Google’s Latest Doodle
Giant real-world Kingdom Hearts Keyblade plays music and magic sound effects from the game【Video】
Leave a Reply