North Korean orchestra
Musical artist
The Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble (PEE) is an orchestra from North Korea. It is famous for its performances of revolutionary and folk songs. They have been reported to be one of the country's most popular groups.[1][2][3]
The group takes its name from the Battle of Pochonbo on 4 June 1937, when a guerrilla unit under the leadership of Kim Il-sung attacked compounds of the Japanese occupation force in Pochonbo.[2] The group was formed on June 4, 1985, from the electronic music section of the Mansudae Art Troupe.[4] The group is the first electronic pop group in the country.
The Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble can be heard on North Korean radio stations. A total of 182 volumes (186 CDs) were released (due to re-release of volumes 13–16 in the 1990s).[5]
Known members
- Hyon Song-wol – vocals[6] (Merited Actress)
- Ri Kyong-suk – vocals (Merited Actress)
- Kim Kwang-suk (1964–2018) – vocals (People's Actress)[7]
- Ri Pun-hui – vocals (Merited Actress)
- Jo Gum-hwa – vocals (Merited Actress)
- Chon Hye-young – vocals (People's Actress)
- Kim Jong-nyo – vocals
- Yun Hye-young – vocals
- Kim Won-il (Edited out from concerts re-released around 2009, and not mentioned as a member since then) – synthesizers (People's Actor)
- Kim Hae-song – synthesizers (Merited Actor)
- Kim Mun-hyok – synthesizers (Merited Actor)
- Kwon Kyong-hak – synthesizers
- Kim Song-ryop – synthesizers
- Jon Kwon – piano (People's Artist)
- Jang Jong-won – piano
- Ri Mun – electronic organ
- Kang Chol-ho – electronic organ (Merited Actor)
- Kang Gum-chol – electronic organ
- Park Ui-hyon – guitar
- Song Kwang – guitar (Merited Actor)
- Choe Yong-chol – guitar (Merited Actor)
- Kim Yong-il – bass guitar
- Choe Mun-chol – drums (Merited Actor)
- Kim Jin (missing from footage filmed 2015, status as a member is unknown) – percussion (Merited Actor)
- Kim Yeon-su – conductor (Merited Artist)
- Ri Jong-o (1943–2016) – conductor, major composer (People's Artist, Labour Hero, Kim Il Sung Order and Kim Il Sung Prize Winner)
See also
References
- ^ Martial music and sea shanties for Andy Kershaw in North Korea, Andy Kershaw, Songlines: the world music magazine #22, Jan/Feb 2004, p. 112.
- ^ a b Axis of Evil meets Harry Potter, Britney Archived 2019-08-07 at the Wayback Machine, Audra Ang, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, November 7, 2005, on line, accessed 14-3-2007.
- ^ Popular Music in North Korea Archived 2013-07-09 at the Wayback Machine, Keith Howard, IIAS Newsletter #26, November 2001, on line, accessed 14-3-2007.
- ^ "보천보전자악단". Encyclopedia of Korean Culture.
- ^ "Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble – Juchify". Juchify.com. Front Czhollima. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
- ^ Popham, Peter (11 July 2012). "Is Kim Jong-un's mystery woman a long-lost love?". The Independent. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
- ^ "Kim Jong Un Sends Wreath to Bier of Kim Kwang Suk". Korean Central News Agency. 2018-02-15. Retrieved 2018-01-15.
