Footage has been aired on North Korean state television of Kim Jong-un supervising the launch of a new intercontinental ballistic missile,2 wearing a black leather jacket and aviator shades, .
Twitter users compared the heavily-produced video of the launch featuring flashy effects and edits to the movie "Top Gun" or the South Korean K-pop hit "Gangnam Style."
Indeed the K-pop tune was trending in the UK.
The TV footage of the missile launch sparked memes and remixes online calling Kim "Top Kim Jong-un" or referring to the video as "Pyongyang Style."
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un walks away from what state media report is a "new type" of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
KCNA
In the video, Kim flanked by uniformed military officers, is shown in slow motion walking and pointing as hangar doors slowly open to reveal the massive missile.
The intense soundtrack quickens as the shot switches quickly between Kim and the officers looking at their watches before the North Korean leader takes off his sunglasses and nods sombrely to start the missile moving to its launching position.
A countdown begins from nine.
Then one of Kim's aides screams "Fire!" in slow motion, before a quick succession of shots shows another soldier waving a flag, and then others gathered in the command trailer screaming as one pushes the launch button. Red flames pour out and the missile flies into the sky.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un looks through a window during the test firing of what state media report is a "new type" of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in this undated photo released on March 24, 2022.
KCNA
After the missile disappears, Kim celebrates with his two top aides shouting "hurray" and raising their hands.
In the next scene, a smiling Kim walks on the tarmac shoulder to shoulder with soldiers clad in desert-style combat uniforms and body armour.
Earlier, Kim found viral fame when he rode a white horse up the snowy slopes of North Korea's most sacred mountain in recent years.
Under Kim, North Korea has sought to give its state media a makeover with digital effects, seeking more modern ways to tell its stories and the leader was the star of they Hollywood-style video for Pyongyang's latest missile launch.
Thursday's (March 24) launch was the first full ICBM test by nuclear-armed North Korea since 2017 and flight data indicated the missile flew higher and longer than any of North Korea's previous tests, before crashing into the sea west of Japan. Kim said the test was designed to demonstrate the might of its nuclear force and deter any U.S. military moves.
