Culture
22:25, 01-Apr-2018
DPRK leader attends rare ROK concert in Pyongyang
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The leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un and his wife Ri Sol Ju on Sunday attended the first concert in Pyongyang by performers from the Republic of Korea (ROK) in more than a decade, Yonhap news agency reported, citing the ROK culture ministry.
The concert, with performances by a 120-member ROK art troupe, came as the two countries prepare for a rare summit between their leaders on April 27.
ROK musicians rehearse for a rare concert at the 1,500-seat East Pyongyang Grand Theater in Pyongyang, April 1, 2018. /VCG Photo
ROK musicians rehearse for a rare concert at the 1,500-seat East Pyongyang Grand Theater in Pyongyang, April 1, 2018. /VCG Photo
Kim welcomed the ROK art troupe’s visit and gave an enthusiastic response to the concert, Yonhap News Agency reported citing the DPRK’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
Kim said the performance "has brought spring of peace to the entire nation in the north and the south along with the performance", Xinhua reported.
DPRK leader Kim Jong Un poses with ROK art troupe musicians. /VCG Photo
DPRK leader Kim Jong Un poses with ROK art troupe musicians. /VCG Photo
"When such good atmosphere is preserved carefully and continuously, only the beautiful spring when new buds sprout and flowers blossom and the rich autumn when the crops are abundant will always be in the way of our fellow countrymen," Kim was quoted as saying.
Kim also said that "he was deeply moved to see our people sincerely acclaiming the performance, deepening the understanding of the popular art of the south side."
The DPRK audience watch South Korean K-pop singers perform in a concert. /VCG Photo
The DPRK audience watch South Korean K-pop singers perform in a concert. /VCG Photo
The concert, held under the theme “Spring is Coming,” was staged by the ROK’s top musicians such as K-pop legend Cho Yong-pil and girl band Red Velvet. Cho, who held a solo concert in Pyongyang in 2005, brought several of his classic songs such as “The Cafe in the Winter,” “Short Hair” and “Let’s Go on a Trip.”
The girl band, known for their upbeat electronic music, stylish fashion and high-voltage choreography, staged two of their hits “Bad Boy” and “Red Flavor.” Seohyun, a ROK musician who had performed with the visiting DPRK singers during their Seoul concert in February, was the host of Sunday evening’s performance.
Earlier on Sunday, the ROK’s visiting athletes performed taekwondo for around 2,300 residents in Pyongyang. They are expected to attend a joint display of the Korean martial art with the DPRK’s practitioners on Monday.
ROK taekwondo demonstration /Yonhap Photo
ROK taekwondo demonstration /Yonhap Photo
According to Yonhap, the DPRK leader also proposed the two sides to hold more cultural events, saying that it would be better to hold a concert in Seoul around fall under the title “Autumn is Coming.”
Sunday’s performance was held at the East Pyongyang Grand Theater in the DPRK capital. On Tuesday night, musicians from both sides will hold a joint concert at the 12,000-seat Ryugyong Jong Ju Yong Gymnasium.
The ROK art troupe arrived in Pyongyang on Saturday, and are expected to return home on Tuesday night after the performances.
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