World Tribune.com

'Let's safeguard socialism': Karaoke craze in N. Korea

Special to World Tribune.com
EAST-ASIA-INTEL.COM
Tuesday, August 9, 2005

SEOUL — Karaoke is part of everyday life for many Koreans, most of whom love to sing.

So popular is karaoke that even in communist North Korea — known as the "Hermit Kingdom" — singing rooms are proliferating, according to recent reports by North Korean sources.

However, song lists are limited, and South Korean popular songs — some, Asia-wide hits — are a taboo.

Karaoke rooms first appeared in Pyongyang at the Central Youth Hall and at a few restaurants catering to foreigners. Now, according to the sources, they are mushrooming in most major cities across the country. Merchants, party officials and youngsters frequent the karaoke rooms for an evening of fun.

In addition to the obligatory 'Let's safeguard socialism,' the available songs include harmless Korean traditional folk tunes enjoyed both in South and North Korea before the country was divided.

"People know South Korean songs because of the Korean cultural trend sweeping throughout Asia and they love to sing them in private, but they are not available in singing rooms," said Lee Nam-Shik from Shineuiju, across from the Chinese city of Dandong. "Besides, they may get into trouble if caught singing South Korean songs, although the 'Dear Leader' seems to like them."

Of course, there are special cases where South Korean songs are allowed publicly. Guards on Mount Kumgang, for instance, not only know all the popular South Korean songs but also do not hesitate to sing them for visiting tourists.

"Those people are trained to give a good impression to South Korean tourists, to demonstrate that they enjoy full freedom in the North," Lee, who now lievs in China said. "If you think that's the case for ordinary North Koreans, you are grossly mistaken."

Lee said North Koreans pay around 3,000 Won for an hour of singing in a karaoke room.

"The average wage for North Korean workers is about 2,500 Won. Workers can use up a month's earnings in less than an hour's singing," said Lee.

"Very expensive way of spending money like capitalists. And I did not realize how funny it was singing songs like 'Let's Safeguard Socialism,' and 'Bless the Workers' in a karaoke place — and paying for it — until I saw singing rooms here in China."


Copyright © 2005 East West Services, Inc.

Print this Article Print this Article Email this article Email this article Subscribe to this Feature Free Headline Alerts


Google
Search Worldwide Web Search WorldTribune.com Search WorldTrib Archives