
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
Powerman5000 angry at Final Fantasy 14 for “stealing” its music 【Video】
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to star in upcoming run ‘n’ gun video game based on his life
A real-world Pokémon Poké Ball hotel is opening in Japan at a still-secret location [Video]
Tamagotchi evolves into a ring for its 30th anniversary, preorders now open
Japan’s most popular curry rice restaurant chain, Coco Ichibanya, might be for sale
Family Mart releases Famima convenience store products nationwide, but which ones are worth buying?
One Piece Day 2026 brings new art, music, and new cast announcements
Finally! Japan’s big three convenience store chains announce rice ball price reductions
Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
Onsen Egg Bukkake Udon Ice Cream makes us rethink everything we thought we knew about sweets
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
Farewell Final Ceremony announced for Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue, will stream live
Family Mart releases new Human Made Cup Noodle in Japan, with freebies for Nigo fans
Hikaru Utada sings new song in Shinkansen commercial for Japan’s Supreme Class cabins
Nike x One Piece collection brings Devil Fruits to sneakers and streetwear in Japan
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】