North Korea’s biggest girl band performs in China

Musicians from North Korea’s Moranbong band perform on stage during a joint concert with the State Merited Chorus in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015. The performance was part of the 70th anniversary celebrations of the founding of the ruling Workers’ Party. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

All girls’ group Moranbong, the biggest girl group in North Korea, are to perform three concerts in China. The band, which reportedly have a huge following among students since their debut in 2012, have diverse musical interests.

They range from patriotic local songs to Western hits such as My Way or electric violin renditions of theme songs. The band is described as a “military orchestra” instead of a “pop band”, as the lyrics of their songs reveal their nature.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un is said to have formed the group in 2012 and reportedly hand picked the girls’ songs. Their playing abilities are described as “very accomplished and tight,” and while they’re quite accomplished musically, they’re also picked from some of the highest military ranks.

The news that Moranbong are to play in Beijing was revealed by China’s state news agency Xinhua. Also to underline the diplomatic nature of the tour, they were waved off at Pyongyang railway station by some of the country’s senior leaders.

The band will perform their tightly choreographed routines over three days in “friendship performances” demonstrating the strong ties between North Korea and China. North Korea’s state-run KCNA agency referred to the group as the “worldwide stylish band” and “the first standard-bearer on the ideological and cultural front”.

The concerts will be held at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing, “opening up a new path in art creation with the spirit of devotedly carrying out the tasks given by the Party”, KCNA added. While tickets for the performances will be for selected guests only, not for sale to the general public.