Biography
The Moranbong Band (Korean: 모란봉악단) is an all-female music group in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (Korea/North Korea) that made it's debut on July 2012.
Most members of the Moranbong Band are graduates from either the Pyongyang University of Music or Goldstar Academy in Pyongyang. The band hasn't always had the same members, the singers who participated in the first concert in July 2012 were Kim Yu-Kyung, Ryu Jin-ah, Pak Mi-Kyung, Jong Su-Hyang, Pak Son-hyang, and Kim Seol-mi.
Kim Yu-Kyong (김유경) – Kim Yu-Kyong was the band’s early vocal leader and has remained with the band since its inception. Solo performances from Kim Yu-Kyong Include “O, Party, My Mother/ 당이여 나의 어머니시여” and “Golden Cushion / 금방석” She is a State Merited Artist. In Late 2019 Kim Yu-Kyong came out with a new song titled “My Heart’s Sun And Stars / 내 마음의 해와 별”.
Ryu Jina (류진아) – Potentially the most well known Member of the Moranbong Band, Ryu Jina has been a staple of the group since the beginning. Solo performances from Ryu Jina include “My Heart / 내 마음”, “Hand of Destiny / 운명의 손길 ” and “We are the Victors / 우린 승리자”. She is also a state merited artist.
Pak Mi-Kyong ( 박미경 ) – Solo performances from Pak Mi-Kyong include “I wish my longing heart could fly / 날아가다오 그리운 내 마음아” and “Hot Feelings / 뜨거운 정”
Jong Su-Hyang (정수향 ) – Appearing from July 2012 – August 2015, Jong Su-Hyang dropped off the radar for a bit before re-emerging in mid-2016. A solo performance from her is “My country overflowing with hope / 희망 넘친 나의 조국아”.
Pak Son-Hyang (박선향) – Pak Son-Hyang was a member of the band from July 2012 until the end of 2016. An example of her vocals in a solo performance is “My destiny is in the bosom of the Mother Party / 내 운명 빛내준 어머니 당의 품”.
Kim Sol-Mi ( 김설미) – Kim Sol Mi is a State Merited Artist who appeared with the Moranbong Band between 2012 and 2016. Solo songs done by Kim Sol – Mi include “Sea of apples at the foot of Chol Pass / 철령아래 사과바다” and “Tehongdan is a good place to live / 대홍단는 살기 좋은 고장입니다”
Of these Orginal Six Kim Yu-Kyong, Ryu Jina, Pak Mi-Kyong and Jong Su-Hyang are known to be active members as of 2020.
There two late additions as of 2020 are are Jo Guk-Hyang and Kim Ok-Ju.
Jo Guk-Hyang (조국향) – First Appearing in 2015, Jo Guk-Hyang has been with the Moranbong Band ever since. In her first appearance ever for the group, she stood alongside Kim Yu-Kyong and performed “Longing is my happiness / 그리움은 나의 행복”.
Kim Ok-Ju (김옥주) Kim Ok Ju moved from the Chongbon Band in late 2017. In the New Year’s Day Performance of January 1st, 2018 she performed a solo of “The Voice of My Heart / 내 심장의 목소리”
The Next Three Singers of the Moranbong Band joined after the group’s initial inception but made significant contributions and appeared for a lengthy amount of time. They are Ri Myong-Hui, Ra Yu-Mi and Ri Ok-Hua.
Ri Myong-Hui (리명희) – Appearing for the first time on August 25th, 2012 just over a month after the first performance Ri Myong-Hui would remain a prominent vocalist in the group until April 2015. Ri Myong-Hui performed Solo at a performance dedicated to the Korean Peoples Airforce on April 20th, 2014.
Ra Yu-Mi (라유미) – Appearing as a member of the Moranbong band from early 2013 until September 2014, Ra Yu-Mi had a bit of a short-lived tenure with the band, but as a State Merited Artist she made her mark. Prominent solo performances by her included “Thinking of the General / 장군님 생각”, “Confession / 고백” and “I Love Pyongyang / 평양을 나는 사랑해”.
Ri Ok-Hua (리옥화) – A State Merited Artist and former member of the Wanjaesan Light Band, Ri Ok-Hua was with the group from September 14th until the end of 2016. Distinguished solo performances by her are “15 minutes on that day / 그날의 15분”, “Though Years Have Passed / 세월이야 가보라지” and “We have a great Party / 우리에겐 위대한 당이 있네”.
The Orginal Moranbong Band Musicians were:
Sonu Hyang-Hui ( 선우향희) – One of the original Violinists for the Moranbong Band she appeared with the group from the first performance until mid-2015 before reemerging at concerts in July 2017. In 2014 she performed a Violin Solo of “Glorious and Admirable / 매혹과 흠모”
Hong Su-Kyong (홍수경) – A always steady figure with the Moranbong Band Hong Su-Kyong has been consistently appearing since the bands inception in 2012.
Cha Yong-mi (차영미) – Viola and Violin Player with the Moranbong Band from 2012 – 2017.
Yu Un Jong (유은정) – Yu Un Jong was the Cello player for the Moranbong band between 2012 and 2016. She performed a cello solo of the song “I know only you / 그대밖에 내 몰라라”.
Ri Hui-kyong (리희경) -Ri Huy-Kyong is the Synthesizer for the Moranbong band and has been with the group since 2012.
Choe Jong Im (최정임) –
Ri Yun-hui (리윤희) – The original drummer the Moranbong Band from 2012 until 2014. Formerly performed for the Wanjaesan Light band.
Since debuting in 2012, the Moranbong Band has made a number of appearances, especially in the band’s first few years of existence. Typically performances are held to mark major national holidays, celebrate political events or in North Korean provincial cities when the band toured the country.
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