Musical history records the term "pop music" was first referred to in 1926. The brief description of pop music is commercially recorded music of a relatively short and simple structure. Pop music as an expression of a musical genre tailored for the youth market and originating in the USA and the UK in the rock and roll style since the late 1950s. This kind of music was typified by the likes of Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Abba, Madonna and Micheal Jackson.
In the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, there had been the tradition of light music that had been played on numerous occasions such as inspiring collective efforts and amusements. At the suggestion of Kim Jong IL the Wangjaesan Band was formed in 1983 and the Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble was established in 1985. Both the names of these leading DPRK musical groups have names with profoundly ideological and historical significance for the Korean people. In March 1933 the Anti-Japanese Forces held a crucial meeting at the base of Mount Wangjae and on June 4th, 1937 the Great Leader Kim IL Sung led the units of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army in the operation to liberate the town of Pochonbo from the Japanese Colonialists, thus proclaiming the rebirth of Korea. The Pochonbo and the Wangjaesan bands have built up a high reputation as distinguished troupes in the course of reinterpreting folk songs and classic DPRK songs to suit modern aesthetic tastes and created new songs characteristic of the socialist era. Electronic and musical instruments were developed to serve Korean style themes.
I have in my collection quite a number of the Pochonbo Band's CDs. My favourite Pochonbo singers are Kim Gwang Suk and Li Gyong Suk. Over the years the Pochonbo Ensemble has recorded many memorable songs like "Don't Ask My Name", "Song of People's Power". "Urban Girl Comes To Get Married", "With The Sunlight & Starlight At Heart'', "Doves Fly High" and "Chollima On The Swing". During the 35 years of Pochonbo's existence, Hwang Jin Yong and Ri Jung O have composed many of the outstanding pieces associated with the ensemble. In 1991, the Pochonbo Band toured Japan leaving audiences with a lasting impression due to the colourful and unique repertoire of Pochonbo. The Pochonbo Ensemble still retains its popularity in the DPRK as the pioneer of Korean style electronic music.
Kim Jong IL evolved the Juche viewpoint on musicology with the publication of "On The Art of Music'' on July 17th, 1991. In the work, Kim Jong IL asserts that genuine music must faithfully meet the environment of the times and contribute to the mission of the era. In other words, Juche music should agree with the social nature of art when the popular masses strive for independence and liberation. The Juche perspective on music must embody the emotional and psychological sentiments of the masses who want to lead creative and independent lives. There can be no place for art for art's sake or the lowering down to the lowest common denominator. Juche based music should be accessible to everyone and be socialist in content and national in form. All the musical forms in the DPRK benefit the good of the community and enhance the values of collectivism.
With one or two exceptions, the pop and rock music produced in the West over the course of six decades can be seen as a sort of narcotic, preventing the sound ideological, cultural and emotional existence of the population, particularly the youth. Western pop music has become a multi-billion dollar industry, where the songs and performers of this genre are pumped out on an industrial scale as disposable commodities. The lifestyle promoted by the Pop Music Industry in capitalist countries is one of misanthropy, consumerism and hedonism curbing any signs of creativity and fostering conformity. Pop and rock music in many respects are the cultural fronts of imperialism, vandalizing the cultures of various nations and acting like agencies in homogenizing countries into cosmopolitan globalization.
Since their debut concert on July 9th, 2012 the Moranbong Band has taken the world of popular music by storm. The Moranbong Band makes for a harmonious combination of exciting stage routines and catchy melodies with strong socialist values at the core of their performances. In fact, the group derives its name after the famous Moran Hill in central Pyongyang. The songs most linked with the Moranbong Band in recent years are numbers such as "We Will Only Follow You", "Our Comrade Kim Jong Un'', "Dash To The Future", "Lets' Go To Mount Paektu", "Burning Wish", "Day & Night I Think of You, Leader", "Train To The Frontline" and "Voice of My Heart", among many other equally brilliant hits. Performers like Kim Yu Kyong, Jong So Hyang, Kim Sol Mi and Kim Sol Mi give the songs of the Moranbong Band a powerful rendition as well as the instrumental sections of the group. The Moranbong Band since it came on the scene nine years ago has aroused the attention of the music-loving public from around the world, raising the profile of the DPRK. Actually, the Japanese fans of The Moranbong Band formed a tribute act called "Sengun-Joshi '' (Military First Girls) and performed in Tokyo and other big cities of Japan. The Moranbong Band has come to personify the spirit and ethos of the Mallima Era under the leadership of General Secretary Kim Jong Un. During the past decade, the Moranbong Band became the foremost musical representative of Kim Jong Un's dynamic way of guiding the DPRK to further successes. It is always a treat to watch the Moranbong Band stage performances in honour of various significant anniversaries in Socialist Korea. I hope that one day soon that the Moranbong Band will be playing at concert halls in British cities. If you have not already listened to the Pochanbo, the Wangjaesan and the Moranbong Bands, do yourself a favour and get around to enjoying the sensational pop music of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea!!
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