Following months of pleas from North Korea’s leadership to improve the waning national appeal of the ruling party, state media promoted Kim Jong Un’s favorite new band on Monday for connecting artistically with the population.

The Band of the State Affairs Commission (SAC), a mixed orchestra and chorus band named after Kim’s quasi-presidential office, reportedly met the DPRK leader and received new awards on Sunday, according to the party-run newspaper Rodong Sinmun.

Shaking hands and taking group photos with the band’s artists, Kim reportedly said they “aroused the active response and interest of the people with masterpieces which applied