Damon Albarn shares why he took his daughter on trips to North Korea

Damon Albarn has revealed that he took his daughter on family trips to North Korea as part of an effort to expose her to global politics and different cultures.

The Blur frontman, 57, shared the insight during an appearance on The Adam Buxton Podcast, where he reflected on his parenting approach and the balance between providing comfort and instilling awareness.

“I’m guilty of making life too easy for my children in some ways,” Albarn said. “But I’ve also been very hard on my daughter in terms of culture and education.”

He explained that these lessons included firsthand experiences in one of the world’s most secretive states. “We go on family holidays to North Korea,” he said, adding that the trips have made his daughter, Missy Albarn, 26, more politically aware than many of her peers.

“Maybe she’s more politically aware than a lot of people in her generation,” he noted. “She’s always telling me how frustrated she is when no one seems to care what’s happening.”

Albarn has long expressed a fascination with North Korea, which is led by Kim Jong Un. His experiences in the country even inspired the Blur track “Pyongyang,” named after the capital city.

In previous interviews, the musician described the country as a “magical kingdom,” suggesting that its citizens live under a pervasive ideological system. He also reflected on the limited visibility of elite life, noting that signs of privilege were rarely apparent to visitors.

Albarn further questioned how foreign figures are perceived within the country, referencing former NBA star Dennis Rodman, who famously visited North Korea multiple times in the 2010s and developed a relationship with its leader.

According to Albarn, many North Koreans may not have been aware of Rodman’s visits, raising questions about how such events are presented domestically.