North Korea’s Mass Games – What are they?

The roots of North Korea’s Mass Games stretch back to the founding years of the state. While the modern spectacle is instantly recognisable for its scale and choreography, its origins lie in earlier gymnastic and mass performance traditions that were developed for state celebrations and political messaging.

1940s–1970s: Origins and Early Years

In the years following the establishment of the Workers’ Party of Korea in 1945, the new state sought to project unity and revolutionary fervour through collective displays. Large-scale gymnastic events and military parades became key features of national holidays such as Party Foundation Day and National Day.

• These early performances were closely linked to state-building narratives – celebrating liberation from Japanese colonial rule and the victory of socialism.

• Participation by school students, factory workers, and soldiers reinforced the idea of a disciplined, united people working toward a shared national goal.

• Over time, these gymnastic parades evolved from relatively simple formations into more complex choreographed spectacles involving music, dance, and synchronised movement.

1980s–1990s: Refinement and Expansion

By the late 20th century, the Mass Games were becoming a defining symbol of national pride. They grew larger in scale and more sophisticated in structure:

• State-run performance schools and youth organisations began training thousands of children from a young age to participate.

• The “human mosaics” – created by students flipping coloured cards in the stands – became a hallmark of the event, turning the audience into a living screen.

• Themes increasingly reflected political milestones: the Korean War, reunification slogans, revolutionary struggles, and loyalty to the leadership.

During this period, the Games were staged periodically to mark key anniversaries, but they were primarily domestic events, witnessed mainly by North Koreans and foreign dignitaries.

2002–2013: The Arirang Era

The Arirang Mass Games, named after the famous Korean folk song “Arirang,” marked the point when the event became globally known.

• The first Arirang performance was held in 2002 at the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium in Pyongyang.

• These were not one-night performances but months-long seasons, often running for several weeks each summer and autumn.

• At their peak, over 100,000 performers – including dancers, gymnasts, students, and soldiers – participated in a single show.

• In 2007, the Games were recognised by Guinness World Records as the largest gymnastics display in the world.

• Themes during this era focused on national unity, reunification of the Korean peninsula, and reverence for leadership figures.

International tourism to North Korea often centred around these events. For many foreign visitors, witnessing the Arirang Mass Games was the highlight of their trip.

2014–2017: A Pause

After the final season in 2013, the Games went on hiatus. While official explanations were not given, analysts suggested that the break was linked to a combination of internal priorities and the logistical demands of maintaining such an enormous performance schedule.

During this period, major national anniversaries continued to be marked with parades and large-scale cultural events, but not the full Mass Games.

2018–2019: Revival of the Games

The Mass Games returned in 2018 with a new production titled “The Glorious Country”, celebrating national achievements and modernisation themes.

• This marked a shift in presentation, incorporating more multimedia and lighting effects, blending modern stagecraft with traditional mass choreography.

• In 2019, a new programme called “The Land of the People” or  “People’s Country” followed, drawing renewed international attention.

• Visitors noted that the shows retained their ideological focus but also featured a more polished, artistic production style.

2020–2025: A Modern Adaptation

After the 2019 season of the Mass Games, the large-scale annual performances stopped entirely, largely due internal priorities during the pandemic. Since then, elements of the Games (such as group choreography and fireworks) were occasionally used in state events – but no official Mass Games production was held between 2020 and 2024.

On 9 October 2025, for the 80th anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, the Games returned in full form with a spectacular stadium performance, echoing the grandeur of the Arirang era and confirming their continued place in national celebrations.