Baek Ji-young popular in North: defector
The Unification Ministry is fine-tuning the details before sending a 160-member art troupe to Pyongyang for two performances between March 31 and April 3. The artists included Cho Yong-pil, Lee Sun-hee, Choi Jin-hee, rock singer Yoon Do-hyun, Baek Ji-young, Jung-in, former Girls’ Generation member Seohyun, Ali and K-pop act Red Velvet.
Among the much-anticipated performances, it is said Baek Ji-young is the most popular north of the border, thanks to her award-winning soundtracks for TV dramas and hit songs.
Baek Ji-young (WS Entertainment) |
The defector further mentioned that among the seized properties, Baek’s songs came up most frequently during routine inspections, specifically “Like Being Hit by a Bullet,” which became North Korean college students’ favorite song to sing.
“Baek Ji-young’s songs came up so much that our inspection team started to sing her songs from memory,” the defector recalled.
Baek, who debuted with “Dash” in 1999, rose to K-pop stardom with many of her chart-topping hits, such as dance track “My Ear’s Candy,” soft ballads “That Woman” and “Don’t Forget Me.”
Baek’s “Like Being Hit by a Bullet,” which was produced by music producer-CEO Bang Si-hyuk of Big Hit Entertainment, topped South Koraen music charts Melon and Mnet for four and six consecutive weeks, respectively.
University students in Pyongyang (AP) |
His North Korean counterpart Hyun Song-wol agreed to the North’s hosting of two performances at Pyongyang’s Ryugyong Chung Ju-yung Gymnasium and East Pyongyang Grande Theatre in between March 31 and April 3, according to the Unification Ministry Tuesday.
South Korea sent a six-member advance team Thursday to check out venues for the upcoming performances.
By Catherine Chung (cec82@heraldcorp.com)