e=”font-size: 11pt”>According to the source, a panel of judges made up of 18 members has been put together from cultural and artistic fields, including officials from the Propaganda and Agitation Department. They will evaluate the solo performances and graduation portfolios of students from arts-related universities and recruit the most talented female students who fit the selection criteria.
The primary criteria for selection reportedly focuses on academic record, experience and physical appearance, and recruits must also come from “appropriate” backgrounds and have “clean ideological records.” This is because the women selected will be working and performing close to Kim Jong Un, the source explained….
The source further said that given the Moranbong Band’s status as a “national treasure” created by Kim Jong Un, rumors have “quickly spread” that the new recruitment efforts are aimed at passing on Kim’s “noble ideology” to future generations.
The Moranbong Band was formed at the order of Kim Jong Un and held their first demonstration performance on July 6, 2012. Since then, the band has performed at many anniversary celebrations including the 70th anniversary of the Armistice Agreement (referred to as “Victory Day” in North Korea), showing off an elaborate and sophisticated style that is markedly different from other North Korean music groups. The band’s colorful image has seen them dubbed a North Korean-style “girl group” by the international community.
The Moranbong Band remains under the command of Hyon Song-wol and consists of approximately 20 singers and musicians. Core members Ryu Jin-a, Ra Yu-mi and Kim Yu-gyong received the title of “distinguished actress” from Kim Jong Un in 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively.
“The singers in the Moranbong Band are now approaching their late 20s or early 30s, so it is considered time for them to be married off to the sons of central government officials or other individuals who have had a direct connection with the leader [for example, someone who received a letter from Kim Jong Un or was spoken to directly during an on-the-spot visit],” the source said. “While the musicians are able to continue performing even after marriage, it is more difficult for the singers since having children tends to weaken their bodies and vocal chords. Accordingly, this order is being interpreted as preparation for an inevitable generational shift.”
Videos on my previous posts on the band – here and here – are "no longer available", so let's see how long this one lasts. Click the 'Caption' button to activate English subtitles.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycdDHP7QfWo&w=550&h=309]
There are plenty more where that came from – all, of course, regime propaganda. "Let's Go to Mt Paektu", for instance, or "Long long live the commander-in-chief Kim Il-sung", or "We cannot live apart from His bosom" which features a string quartet, and has no lyrics to enlighten us on whose bosom that might be. But we can guess.
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