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List of North Korean musicians

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This is a list of musical artists that are of North Korean nationality.

North Korean musicians

[edit]
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, Cuckoo Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble
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, Where are You, Dear General? 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 Electric Guitar My Warm Love Will Protect You, Are We Living Like in Those Days? Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble, Wangjaesan Light Music Band
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

North Korean songwriters and composers

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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

Music bands, groups and orchestras

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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)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Kim Song Mo, Thak Song Il, Kim Chol Man (2002). Mass Gymnastics in Korea. Pyongyang: Foreign Languages Publishing House (North Korea). p. 30.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ "Военный оркестр Корейской народной армии". amur-waves.ru. Archived from the original on 2020-12-08. Retrieved 2018-10-19.
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