This is a list of musical artists that are of North Korean nationality.
Titles and awards | Name | Korean Name | Instrument | Famous Works | Orchestra | Notes | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Merited Artist | Kim Il Jin | Cello, conductor | Mansudae Art Troupe, Isang Yun Orchestra | Married to film actress Kim Yong Suk. | |||
Kim Yong Jae | 김용재 | Vocals, piano | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
Kim Jong Nyo | 김정녀 | Vocals | Ours is a Family of Soldiers, Arirang of Prosperity | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble, Wangjaesan Light Music Band | |||
Merited Actress | Jo Kum Hwa | 조금화 | Vocals | Wild Geese Flying in the Sky, Campfire, I Can't Tell | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | Only alto in the Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble. | |
People's Actress | Jon Hye Yong | 전혜영 | Vocals | Whistle, Where are You, Dear General?, Cuckoo | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | Zainichi Korean. | |
Yun Hye Yong | 윤혜영 | Vocals | This is an Attack, Stars Whispering One, Two, Three | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble, Wangjaesan Light Music Band | |||
Merited Actress | Ryu Jin A | 류진아 | Vocals | Moranbong Band | Lead singer of the Moranbong Band after succeeding to Kim Kyong Hui. | ||
People's Artist | Mun Kyong Jin | 문경진 | Violin | Unhasu Orchestra, Mansudae Art Troupe | Foreign-educated concertmaster of the Unhasu Orchestra. | ||
Merited Actress | Ri Kyong Suk | 리경숙 | Vocals | Glad to Meet You, My Country is the Best, Don't Ask My Name | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | Married to bassist Kim Yong Il. | |
Merited Actress | Ri Ok Hwa | 리옥화 | Vocals | Moranbong Band, Moranbong Chorus | |||
Merited Actress | Ri Pun Hui | 리분희 | Vocals | Don't Advance Night of Pyongyang, The Voice Calling Me | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | ||
Ri Sol Ju | 리설주 | Vocals | Burn High, Campfire! | Unhasu Orchestra, Moranbong Chorus, Wangjaesan Light Music Band | Current first lady of North Korea. | ||
Merited Actress | Hyon Song Wol | 현송월 | Vocals | A Girl in the Saddle of a Steed, Without a Break! | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble, Wangjaesan Light Music Band, Unhasu Orchestra, Samjiyon Orchestra, Moranbong Band | One of North Korea's most powerful women, close to leader Kim Jong Un. Director of the Moranbong Band. | |
Merited Actress | Ra Yu Mi | 라유미 | Vocals | Moranbong Band | |||
People's Actress | Kim Kwang Suk | 김광숙 | Vocals | The Dear Name, Mother's Song | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | Died in 2018. | |
People's Actor | Kim Won Il | 김원일 | Synthesizers | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | Removed from footage in 2009, probably purged. | ||
Merited Actor | Kim Hae Song | 김해성 | Synthesizers | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | |||
Merited Actor | Kim Mun Hyok | 김문혁 | Synthesizers | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | |||
Kwon Kyong Hak | 권경학 | Synthesizers | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | ||||
Kim Song Ryop | 김성렵 | Synthesizers | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | ||||
People's Artist | Jon Kwon | 전권 | Piano | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble, Wangjaesan Light Music Band | Also arranged foreign music for the Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble. | ||
Jang Jong Won | 장정원 | Piano | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | ||||
Ri Mun | 리문 | Electronic Organ | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | ||||
Merited Actor | Kang Chol Ho | 강철호 | Electronic Organ | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | |||
Kang Kum Chol | 강금철 | Electronic Organ | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | ||||
Pak Ui Hyon | 박의현 | Electric Guitar | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | ||||
Merited Actor | Song Kwang | 송광 | Electric Guitar | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | |||
Merited Actor | Choe Yong Chol | 최영철 | Electric Guitar | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | |||
Kim Yong Il | 김영일 | Bass Guitar | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | Married to vocalist Ri Kyong Suk. | |||
Merited Actor | Choe Mun Chol | 최문철 | Drums | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | |||
Merited Actor | Kim Jin | 김진 | Percussions, vocals | My Love, My Happiness | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | Served often as the only male vocalist in the Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble, besides Kim Hae Song. Possibly deceased or retired. | |
Merited Artist | Kim Yon Su | 김연수 | Conductor | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble, Korean People's Army Song and Dance Ensemble | |||
Labour Hero, People's Artist | Ri Jong O | 리종오 | Conductor, concert flute | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble, Mansudae Art Troupe | Main conductor and leader of the Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble. Died in 2016. | ||
People's Actress | Choe Sam Suk | 최삼숙 | Vocals | I Shall be a Flower Harbinger of Spring, I Know it Now | Korean Radio and Film Music Orchestra, Mansudae Art Troupe | Major film song vocalist, with hundreds of titles featuring her voice. | |
People's Actor | Kim Sung Yon | 김승연 | Vocals | Song of Comradeship | Korean Radio and Film Music Orchestra, Mansudae Art Troupe | Major film song vocalist | |
Ri In Suk | 리인숙 | Vocals | |||||
Mo Yong Il | 모영일 | Vocals | |||||
Kim Hyok | 김혁 | Guitar | Not to be confused with composer Kim Hyok. | ||||
Merited Actress | Pak Bok Hui | 박복희 | Vocals | Wangjaesan Light Music Band | |||
Jang Yun Hui | 장윤희 | Vocals | Wangjaesan Light Music Band | ||||
Kim Hwa Suk | 김화숙 | Vocals | Wangjaesan Light Music Band | ||||
Ko Kyong Ran | 고경란 | Vocals | Wangjaesan Light Music Band | ||||
Merited Actor | Pak Chol Jun | 박철준 | Trumpet | I Look at You and Think | Wangjaesan Light Music Band | ||
Jang Mu Kil | 장무길 | Brass | Wangjaesan Light Music Band | ||||
Ryom Tong Son | 렴덩성 | Vocals | Wangjaesan Light Music Band | ||||
Pak In Tae | 박인대 | Trumpet | Wangjaesan Light Music Band | ||||
People's Actress | Ryom Chong | 렴청 | Vocals | Thunder on Jong Il Peak, Let's Love Our Motherland | Wangjaesan Light Music Band | Lead singer of the Wangjaesan Light Music Band. | |
Kim Son Hui | 김선희 | Vocals | Wangjaesan Light Music Band | ||||
Choe Kwang Ho | 최광호 | Vocals | Wangjaesan Light Music Band | ||||
Ko Hwa Son | 고화선 | Guitar | Wangjaesan Light Music Band | ||||
Jon Il | 전일 | Violin | Thoughts on the Love, Thank You | Wangjaesan Light Music Band | Performed many electric violin solos. | ||
O Jong Yun | 오정윤 | Vocals | White Frost Flower, Maple Leaves Turn Red | Wangjaesan Light Music Band | |||
Hwang Suk Kyong | 황숙경 | Vocals | Wangjaesan Light Music Band | ||||
Kim Myong Ok | 김명옥 | Vocals | Wangjaesan Light Music Band | ||||
Pak Man Chol | 박만철 | Saxophone | Wangjaesan Light Music Band | ||||
Paek Jong Suk | 백정숙 | Vocals | |||||
Ri Ok Hui | 리옥희 | Vocals | |||||
An Hwa Bok | 안화복 | Vocals | Korean Radio and Film Music Orchestra | ||||
Ri Kyong Hwa | 리경화 | Vocals | Korean Radio and Film Music Orchestra | ||||
Merited Actress | Jang Un Ae | 장은애 | Vocals | Flower in My Heart | Korean Radio and Film Music Orchestra | ||
Jo Hye Kyong | 조혜경 | Vocals | |||||
Ri Kyong Hun | 리경훈 | Vocals | My Love, My Happiness | Korean Radio and Film Music Orchestra | Often performed duets with Jang Un Ae and Choe Sam Suk. | ||
Jang Ran Hui | 장란희 | Vocals | |||||
Kim Ri Ku | 김리구 | Vocals | |||||
Yun Ik Hyon | 윤익현 | Vocals | |||||
Choe Hi Thae | 최히태 | Saxophone | |||||
Kim Un Suk | 김은숙 | Vocals | |||||
U Sun Hui | 우순희 | Vocals | |||||
Kim Song Sim | 김성심 | Vocals | Prosperous Arirang | Moranbong Chorus, Chongbong Band, State Merited Chorus and Symphony Orchestra | |||
Han Sol Hyang | 한설향 | Vocals | Wangjaesan Light Music Band, Moranbong Chorus | ||||
Ri Chun Il | 리 춘 일 | Vocals | Unhasu Orchestra, State Merited Chorus and Symphony Orchestra | ||||
Rim Chang Sil | 림창실 | Vocals | |||||
Merited Actor | Kim Ki Yong | 김기영 | Vocals | Song of Comradeship | Unhasu Orchestra, State Merited Chorus and Symphony Orchestra | Father of Kim Kyong Ho | |
Kim Kyong Ho | 김경호 | Vocals | Unhasu Orchestra | Son of Kim Ki Yong | |||
Ri Sang Su | 리상수 | Vocals | My Song in the Trench | State Merited Chorus and Symphony Orchestra | |||
People's Actress | Kim Ok Ju | 김옥주 | Vocals | The Dear Name | Moranbong Chorus, Moranbong Band, Chongbong Band, Samjiyon Band | Was personally awarded the title of People's Actress by Kim Jong Un. | |
Kim Kang Bong | 김강봉 | Vocals | |||||
Merited Artist | Han Ki Chan | 한기찬 | Conductor | Band of the Mass Gymnastics Production Company | One of the conductors responsible for the music performed at the early Arirang Festivals. | [1] | |
Jo Ho Hyok | 조호혁 | Pianist | Wangjaesan Light Music Band | ||||
Ryu Chum Hya | 류춤햐 | Vocals | Where are You, Dear General? | Phibada Opera Troupe | Famously sang the solo Where are You, Dear General? in the opera A True Daughter of the Party . | ||
Kim Yong Ran | 김영란 | Guitar | My Warm Love Will Protect You | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | |||
Kim Su Myong | 김수명 | Violin | Unhasu Orchestra, Chongbong Band | Deputy concertmaster of the Unhasu Orchestra. | |||
Jong Son Yong | 정선영 | Violin | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
Paek Hyon Hui | 백현희 | Violin | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
Pae Un Ju | 배은주 | Violin | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
Kim Song Hui | 김송희 | Violin | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
Choe Song Il | 최성일 | Violin | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
Kim Mun Sol | 김문설 | Violin | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
Choe Jin Ok | 최진옥 | Cello | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
Ri Kum Hyok | 리금혁 | Cello | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
Yon Jin A | 연진아 | Cello | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
Ryang Chol Jun | 량철준 | Cello | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
Kang Se Hyok | 강세혁 | Cello | Unhasu Orchestra, Kim Won Gyun Conservatory | Professor at the Kim Won Gyun Conservatory. | |||
Nam Un Ha | 남운하 | Sohegum | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
Jo Ok Ju | 조옥주 | Kayagum, Harp | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
Ho Kwang Jin | 허광진 | Piano | Korea is One | Unhasu Orchestra | |||
Kim Yong Mi | 김영미 | Piano | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
Kim Jong Mi | 김정미 | Piano | Unhasu Orchestra, Chongbong Band | ||||
Song Un Sim | 송은심 | Guitar | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
Ri Jong Hui | 리정희 | Concert flute | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
Jin Guk Song | 진국송 | Wood flute, concert flute | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
Jin Yong Su | 전영수 | Clarinet | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
Ri Chol Hun | 리철훈 | Saxophone | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
Song Yong Guk | 송용국 | Saxophone | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
Kim Hyong Il | 김형일 | Saxophone | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
Hwang Sung Chol | 황승철 | Saxophone, clarinet | Unhasu Orchestra, Chongbong Band | ||||
Ri Ung | 리웅 | Saxophone | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
Kim Song Guk | 김성국 | Saxophone | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
Ri Song Hwa | 리성화 | Saxophone | |||||
Im Hyang Ran | 임향란 | Saxophone | |||||
Ri Song Kyong | 리성경 | Saxophone | |||||
Kim Un Song | 김운성 | Trumpet | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
Kim Song Il | 김성일 | Trumpet | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
Kim Chol Jun | 김철준 | Trumpet | Unhasu Orchestra, Chongbong Band | ||||
Kim Un Chol | 김은철 | Senap | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
Won Yun Jol | 원윤절 | Accordion | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
Kim Hyang Sun | 김향순 | Accordion | Unhasu Orchestra, Moranbong Band, State Merited Chorus and Symphony Orchestra | ||||
Merited Actress | Kim Yu Kyong | 김유경 | Vocals | Let's Love Our Lives with Burning Passion | Moranbong Band, State Merited Chorus | Performed in China with a delegation of North Korean artists. | |
Pak Kyong Ae | 박경애 | Vocals | Tongil Ensemble | ||||
Ri Yong Ae | 리영애 | Vocals | Tongil Ensemble | ||||
Ri Kum Hui | 리금희 | Vocals | Tongil Ensemble | ||||
Maeng Hyang Song | 맹향성 | Vocals | Tongil Ensemble | ||||
Pak Su Ryong | 박수령 | Vocals | Tongil Ensemble | ||||
Ma Sun Hui | 마순희 | Vocals | Tongil Ensemble | ||||
Cha Sun Mi | 차순미 | Vocals | Tongil Ensemble | ||||
Ri Un Hui | 리은희 | Drums | Tongil Ensemble | ||||
Pak Yun Hui | 박윤희 | Bass guitar | Tongil Ensemble | ||||
Kim Yong Su | 김영수 | Guitar | Tongil Ensemble | ||||
Jo Sung Kwon | 조승권 | Synthesizers | Tongil Ensemble | ||||
Pae Kum Chol | 배금철 | Synthesizers | Tongil Ensemble | ||||
Merited Actor | Ri Song Chol | 리성철 | Vocals | Where are You, Dear General? | State Merited Chorus and Symphony Orchestra | Important tenor singer in the early to late 2000's. | |
Kim Myong Ho | 김명호 | Vocals | Our 7.27 | State Merited Chorus and Symphony Orchestra | |||
People's Actor | Sok Ji Min | 석지민 | Vocals | Soldier's Footsteps | State Merited Chorus and Symphony Orchestra | ||
Ho Kwang Il | 허광일 | Vocals | The Day When the General Came to Our Outpost | State Merited Chorus and Symphony Orchestra | |||
Merited Actor | Hong Kyong Hun | 홍경훈 | Vocals | My Motherland I Stand Guard | State Merited Chorus and Symphony Orchestra | ||
Merited Actress | Song Jong Sil | 송정실 | Vocals | Prosperous Arirang | State Merited Chorus and Symphony Orchestra | ||
Merited Actress | O Phil Oae | 오필배 | Violin | Mansudae Art Troupe | |||
Merited Actress | Kang Sin Hyok | 강신혁 | Violin | Mansudae Art Troupe | |||
Merited Actress | Ri Hye Kyong | 리혜경 | Cello | Mansudae Art Troupe | |||
Merited Actress | Choe Ryong Ju | 최룡주 | Flute | Mansudae Art Troupe | |||
Merited Actress | Ri Na Mi | 리나미 | Mansudae Art Troupe | ||||
Merited Actress | Pak Chun Yong | 박춘영 | Mansudae Art Troupe | ||||
Merited Actress | Kim Sae Ran | 김새란 | Violin | Mansudae Art Troupe | |||
Merited Actress | Kim Kum I | 김금이 | Cello | Mansudae Art Troupe | |||
Merited Actress | Ko Sin Yong | 고신영 | Violin | Mansudae Art Troupe | |||
Merited Actress | Kim Chang Yong | 김창용 | Violin | Mansudae Art Troupe | |||
Merited Actress | Ri Song Hui | 리성희 | Mansudae Art Troupe | ||||
Son Jong Ae | 손정애 | Mansudae Art Troupe | |||||
2.16 Art Prize Winner | Ri Myong Hui | 로명희 | Clarinet | Mansudae Art Troupe | |||
2.16 Art Prize Winner Merited Actress | O Yong Ran | 오영란 | Cello | Mansudae Art Troupe | |||
Merited Actress | Kim Yong Hui | 김영희 | Violin | Mansudae Art Troupe | |||
Merited Actress | O Yong Suk | 오영숙 | Mansudae Art Troupe | ||||
Merited Actress | Jang Jae Ok | 장재옥 | Percussions | Mansudae Art Troupe | |||
Merited Actor | Pak Kye Su | 박계수 | Vocals | Mansudae Art Troupe | |||
People's Actor Order of Korean Labour | Ju Chang Hyok | 주창혁 | Vocals | Mansudae Art Troupe | |||
Merited Actor | Pak Yong Sae | 박영새 | Vocals | Mansudae Art Troupe | |||
People's Actor | Ro Yong Kwon | 로용권 | Vocals | Mansudae Art Troupe | |||
Merited Actress | Paek Jong Sung | 백정숭 | Vocals | Phibada Opera Troupe | |||
Choe Ok Suk | 최옥숙 | Vocals | Phibada Opera Troupe | ||||
Kim Mi Suk | 김미숙 | Vocals | Phibada Opera Troupe | ||||
Kim Won Ok | 김원옥 | Vocals | Phibada Opera Troupe | ||||
Merited Actress | Kim Bong Hui | 김봉희 | Vocals | Phibada Opera Troupe | |||
Merited Actress | Choe Kum Hui | 최금희 | Vocals | Phibada Opera Troupe | |||
Merited Actress | Ri Chun Hwa | 리춘화 | Vocals | Phibada Opera Troupe | |||
Merited Actress | Paek Dok Hwa | 백덕화 | Vocals | Phibada Opera Troupe | |||
Ri Yong Hui | 리영희 | Vocals | Phibada Opera Troupe | ||||
Ho Yon Ae | 허영애 | Vocals | Phibada Opera Troupe | ||||
Merited Actress | Kim Hak Sun | 김학순 | Vocals | Phibada Opera Troupe |
Titles and Awards | Name | Korean Name | Field | Famous Works | Orchestra | Notes | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hero of the DPRK | Ri In Mo | 리인모 | Songwriting | Lead By You We Will Win, Ode to Faith and Will, Thoughts on the Love | Unconverted long-term prisonner imprisoned in South Korea and repatriated in 1993. Died in 2007. | ||
Ri Chi Son | 리치선 | Songwriting | |||||
People's Artist | An Jong Ho | 안정호 | Composition | Thunder on Jong Il Peak, We Have Waited | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble, Moranbong Band | Vice Director of the Creative Section of the Moranbong Band | |
Yun Du Kun | 윤두군 | Songwriting | |||||
Song Kwang Rim | 성광림 | Composition | |||||
Pak Wal Bin | 박왈빈 | Composition | |||||
Kim Hyok | 김혁 | Composition, Songwriting | We Have Nothing to Envy in this World, Spring Girl | Major composer of Kim Il Sung-era music. | |||
Merited Artist | Kang Kun Hong | 강군홍 | Composition | Band of the Mass Gymnastics Production Company | Composer and arranger of music for mass gymnastics displays. | [1] | |
People's Artist | Jo Jae Son | 조재선 | Composition | Band of the Mass Gymnastics Production Company | Composer and arranger of music for mass gymnastics displays. | [1] | |
People's Artist | Hwang Jin Yong | 황진영 | Composition | Without a Break, A Mountain Flower, Traces of Life | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble, Moranbong Band, Korean Radio and Film Music Orchestra | ||
U Jong Hui | 우정희 | Composition | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble, Moranbong Band | Director of the Creative Section of the Moranbong Band | |||
Song Kwang Rim | 송광림 | Composition | Always Longing for Him, My Country Has Many Heroes, My Dear Motherland | Mansudae Art Troupe, Phibada Opera Troupe | Volume 77 of the Mansudae Art Troupe's CD releases is dedicated to his compositions. | ||
Order of the National Flag | Pak Wal Bin | 박왈빈 | Composition | Immortal in the People’s Minds, We Shall Go with the Party Forever | Volume 107 of the CD series 'Songs of Korea' is dedicated to his compositions. Pak also holds the rank of Senior Colonel in the KPA Ground Forces. | ||
Kim Hae Song | 김해성 | Arrangement | We Shall Be Loyal Forever | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | Arranged classical pieces into electronic renditions. | ||
Merited Actor | Kim Mun Hak | 김문학 | Arrangement | Young Hearts Engraved in the Tideland | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | ||
People's Artiste | Ku Seung Hae | 구승해 | Arrangement | Yangsando, Ongheya, Peasant Music | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | ||
People's Artiste | Jang Ryong Sik | 장령식 | Arrangement | My Warm Love Will Protect You | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble |
Name | Other Names | Korean Name | Main Genre | Status | Divisions | Notable Members | Notes | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Central Military Band of the Korean People's Army | Korean People's Army Marching Band, DPRK Army Orchestra | 조선인민군군악단 | Military | Active | Women's Military Marching Band of the Ministry of People's Security of the DPRK | [2] | ||
Isang Yun Orchestra | Yun I Sang Orchestra | 윤이상관현악단 | Orchestral | Active | Kang Ryong Ung (Conductor), Kim Chol Ryong (concertmaster) | Rarely featured in North Korean media. | ||
Mansudae Art Troupe | 만수대예술단 | Varied (including orchestral and operatic music) | Active | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble, Samjiyon Band, Mansudae Chorus | ||||
Moranbong Band | Moranbong Electronic Ensemble, Moranbong Electronic Music Band, Moran Hill Orchestra | 모란봉악단 | Pop, fusion | Retired | Hyon Song Wol (director) | |||
Chongbong Band | 청봉악단 | Pop, light music | Retired | Overshadowed by the Moranbong Band, the Chongbong Band often performed in joint performances. | ||||
Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | Pochonbo Light Music Ensemble | 보천보전자악단 | Pop, trot | Retired | Moranbong Chorus | Kim Kwang Suk (vocalist), Jon Hye Yong (vocalist), Hyon Song Wol (vocalist) | ||
State Symphony Orchestra of the DPRK | National Symphony Orchestra | 조선국립교향악단 | Symphonic | Active | Kim Pyong Hwa (lead conductor), Choi Ki Hyok (concertmaster) | |||
Unhasu Orchestra | 은하수관현악단 | Pop, classical | Disbanded | Ri Myong Il (lead conductor, Mun Kyong Jin (concertmaster) | ||||
Wangjaesan Art Troupe | Wangjaesan Light Music Band | 왕재산예술단 | Light music, pop, gymnastics music | Active | Wangjaesan Light Music Band, Wangjaesan Dance Troupe, Chongbong Band | Ryom Chong (lead vocalist), Hyon Song Wol (vocalist) | Renamed from 'Light Music Band' to 'Art Troupe' in 2009. | |
Samjiyon Band | Samjiyon Orchestra | 삼지연악단 | Pop, classical | Active | Unnamed female song and dance group | Kim Ok Ju (vocalist), Han Hong Myong (vocalist) | ||
Band of the Mass Gymnastics Production Company | Mass gymnastics music | Unknown | Created by a need for live music during mass gymnastics performances. Such a need was replaced by speakers in the 2010 Arirang Festival. | [1] | ||||
Band of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK | Ensemble of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK | 국뮈위원회연주단 | Pop, classical | Unknown | Unnamed female song and dance group | Kim Ok Ju (vocalist), Kim Thae Ryong (vocalist) |
The contemporary culture of North Korea is based on traditional Korean culture, but has developed since the division of Korea in 1945. The Juche ideology conceived by Kim Il Sung (1948–1994) asserts Korea's cultural distinctiveness and creativity, as well as the productive powers of the working masses.
"Aegukka", officially translated as "Patriotic Song", is the national anthem of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, more commonly known as North Korea. It was composed in 1945 as a patriotic song celebrating independence from Japanese occupation and was adopted as the state anthem in 1947.
Korea has produced music from thousands of years, until the modern day. After the division of Korea in 1945, both North and South Korea have produced their own styles of music.
The music of South Korea has evolved over the course of the decades since the end of the Korean War, and has its roots in the music of the Korean people, who have inhabited the Korean peninsula for over a millennium. Contemporary South Korean music can be divided into three different main categories: Traditional Korean folk music, popular music, or K-pop, and Western-influenced non-popular music.
The music of North Korea includes a wide array of folk, pop, light instrumental, political, and classical performers. Beyond patriotic and political music, popular groups like Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble and Moranbong Band perform songs about everyday life in the DPRK and modern light pop reinterpretations of classic Korean folk music. Music education is widely taught in schools, with President Kim Il Sung first implementing a program of study of musical instruments in 1949 at an orphanage in Mangyongdae. Musical diplomacy also continues to be relevant to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, with musical and cultural delegations completing concerts in China and France in recent years, and musicians from Western countries and South Korea collaborating on projects in the DPRK.
K-pop, short for Korean popular music, is a form of popular music originating in South Korea as part of South Korean culture. It includes styles and genres from around the world, such as pop, hip hop, R&B, rock, jazz, gospel, reggae, electronic dance, folk, country, disco, and classical on top of its traditional Korean music roots. The term "K-pop" became popular in the 2000s, especially in the international context. The Korean term for domestic pop music is gayo, which is still widely used within South Korea. While "K-pop" can refer to all popular music or pop music from South Korea, it is colloquially often used in a narrower sense for any Korean music and artists associated with the entertainment and idol industry in the country, regardless of the genre.
Trot is a genre of Korean popular music, known for its use of repetitive rhythm and vocal inflections. Originating during the Japanese occupation of Korea in the first half of the 20th century, trot was influenced by many genres of Korean, Japanese, American, and European music.
The Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble is an orchestra from North Korea. It is famous for its performances of revolutionary and folk songs. They have been reported to be one of the country's most popular groups.
Kim Soo-chul is a South Korean singer, musician, and composer. He began his career in the late 1970s as a rock singer and musician, later releasing "modernized" traditional Korean music, and composing numerous film scores.
The Wangjaesan Light Music Band is a light music (kyŏngŭmak) group in North Korea. It is one of two popular music groups that were established by North Korea in the 1980s, both named after places where Kim Il Sung fought the Japanese in 1930s. It takes its name from Mount Wangjae in Onsong-gun, North Hamgyong Province, on the border with China, where Kim Il Sung is said to have held a meeting for anti-Japanese activities in 1933.
Kim Ok is a former North Korean government employee who served as Kim Jong Il's personal secretary from the 1980s until his death. After the death of Ko Yong-hui in August 2004, she regularly met with foreign officials as de facto first lady, and was rumored to be the supreme leader's fourth wife.
The Mansudae Art Troupe is a North Korean troupe of musicians that create light-classical operas and music, as well as dance pieces.
Korean rock is rock music from South Korea. It has roots in American rock, which was imported to South Korea by U.S. soldiers fighting in the Korean War and stationing in U.S. military bases in South Korea after the war. Around the U.S. military bases, local musicians could have opportunities to learn American rock music and perform it on stage for U.S. soldiers. As a result, many Korean rock bands, called Vocal Bands or Group Sound, started their musical careers in the 1960s. Under the military administration in the 1970s, rock music and its subculture were classified as a depraved youth culture and restricted. After the Korean Fifth Republic, the censorship policies under the military government were abolished and rock music became a mainstream genre in South Korea until the end of the 1980s. Today, rock music is not the main genre in the music market in South Korea, but it still occupies a big portion of music consumption in the nation.
The Mnet 20's Choice Awards was a major music awards show that was held annually in South Korea, organized by CJ E&M through its Mnet channel.
Hyon Song-wol is a North Korean singer, band leader, and politician. She is the leader of the Moranbong Band and of the Samjiyon Orchestra. She was formerly a featured vocalist for the Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble in the early 2000s, a pop group which found fame in North Korea in the late 1980s and 1990s. She has been a member in the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea since 2017.
The Unhasu Orchestra was a musical group based in Pyongyang, North Korea. It performs primarily with Western instruments, sometimes performing alongside traditional Korean soloists. The orchestra has a concert hall, the Unhasu Theater in Pyongyang, dedicated for its use. Ri Sol-ju, the wife of Kim Jong-un, was a singer in this group. According to ex-North Korean senior government official Thae Yong-ho, the orchestra was disbanded on the 12th August 2013.
The Moranbong Band, also known as the Moran Hill Orchestra, is a North Korean girl group. The original members were selected by the country's supreme leader, Kim Jong Un. Performing interpretive styles of pop, rock, and fusion, they are the first all-female band from the DPRK, and made their world debut on 6 July 2012. Their varied musical style has been described as symphonic because it is "putting together different kinds of sounds, and ending in a harmonious, pleasing result."
The "Song of Happiness" or "Warm Welcome Music" is the entrance music of the leaders of North Korea. It has been played for all three of the past leaders, Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un, whenever they enter or leave a public event. Generally during their entrance, the crowd chants cheers of manse, similar to the Japanese banzai salute.
Kim Won-gyun was a North Korean composer and politician. He is considered one of the most prominent, if not the most celebrated, composer of North Korea. He composed "Aegukka" — the national anthem of the country — and "Song of General Kim Il-sung", in addition to revolutionary operas.
The Samjiyon Band is a North Korean classical music ensemble.
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