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Former North Korean singer Hyon Song-wol at a North Korean cultural performance at Gangneung Art Center

How are artists trained in North Korea?　

In many cases, early gifted education is provided for young North Koreans showing precocious talent in the area of music. The Kyongsang, Changgwang, and Taedongmun kindergartens in Pyongyang provide the first entryway, with later education provided by specialized artist training institutions such as the Kumsong Academy of Music (elementary, early intermediate, and advanced intermediate levels) and the Kim Won Gyun Pyongyang Conservatory (first and second music academies). 　

After graduation, students either work with major arts groups like the Choson National Symphony Orchestra or Mansudae Art Troupe or are assigned to colleges of art and dance to teach students in different cities and provinces. A position with an arts group or as a teacher means a guaranteed livelihood, so competition to enroll children in early education institutions is quite fierce.　

North Korea‘s gifted education in music has produced some notable results internationally. Ma Sin-a, a 15-year-old piano prodigy whose childhood performance footage has become a recent trending topic on social media, is a Kumsong Academy graduate. She first came to notice winning first prize in the second group at the 2016 International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition for Children and Youth. Hong Da-yong and Jo Mi-rae respectively took second and third at the International Polish Grand Piano Music Competition for young children last March.　

Who do North Koreans view as their leading artists? Some of the most popular performers among ordinary North Koreans including actress Paek Sung-ran of the play “I Will Remember Today,” “Whistle” singer Jon Hye-yong, and world-class soprano So Un-hyang. It is unknown whether the most famous North Korean performer among South Koreans - Moranbong Band director Hyon Song-wol - received gifted education, but she is a graduate of the Pyongyang University of Music and Dance who worked with the Wangjaesan Light Music Band and Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble before taking on her current position. Singer Yoon Sang, who visited North Korea as a South Korean musical director this spring, praised Hyon in an interview.　

“There is no instrument she can’t handle. I think she received gifted education training,” he said at the time.　

Park Young-jeong, who heads the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute‘s arts policy research division, explained, “While Hyon Song-wol may be the most famous in South Korea today, Jeon Hye-young is more familiar in North Korea.”　

“But it is notable that [Hyon] is a woman and former singer who became a cultural administrator in North Korean society,” he added.　

By Kim Mi-young, staff reporter　

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