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Singer Baek Ji Young Reveals Surprising Details About Her North Korea Concert

Eugene Park Views  

Baek Ji Young’s Behind-the-Scenes Stories from the 2018 Pyongyang Concert
Video on Baek Ji Young’s YouTube Channel

'평양 공연' 뒷얘기 공개한 백지영 '리설주 되게 아파 보였고 예뻤다'
YouTube@RealBaekZYoung

South Korean singer Baek Ji Young revealed more behind-the-scenes stories from her 2018 Pyongyang, North Korea concert.

On the 14th, Baek Ji Young released a video titled “A Slightly Sensitive Story about Kim Jong Un (Visiting North Korea, Surveillance)” on her YouTube channel.

In April 2018, Baek Ji Young participated in a concert for South-North peace and cooperation held in Pyongyang, North Korea. At that time, Baek Ji Young explained why she performed “Don’t Forget Me” and “Like Being Hit by a Bullet,” stating, “It wasn’t my will to decide. North Korea chose these songs for me. I don’t even know why they chose them.” Furthermore, upon hearing the news of someone’s purge in North Korea, it struck me as somewhat odd when they requested that I sing ‘Like Being Hit by a Bullet.’ I inquired whether I could perform a different song, but they remained insistent on those particular songs. So I ended up singing them.”

First Impression of North Korean leader
Observations about Kim Jong Un’s Wife, Ri Sol Ju

'평양 공연' 뒷얘기 공개한 백지영 '리설주 되게 아파 보였고 예뻤다'
YouTube@RealBaekZYoung

Baek Ji Young, who met Kim Jon Un in person, said about her first impression, “Honestly, I was a little scared. I grew up with stories like, ‘If you do or say something wrong, they’d ship you off to the Aoji coal mine (forced labor).’ I feared I could end up at the coal mine if I gave a wrong impression.” She also described Kim Jong Un’s appearance: “His hair was very sharp. I thought he must have used a ruler to get it that precise. His clothes appeared impeccably pressed as if someone had wielded a one-ton iron to achieve that level of perfection.”

As for Kim Jong Un’s wife, Ri Sol Ju, she said, “I thought she looked very delicate. When I first saw her, I thought, ‘Why is she so pale?’ She was quiet and really an oriental beauty. She was natural and pretty.” However, she added, “But I didn’t feel any naturalness like a couple between them. It felt more like a vertical relationship. It didn’t feel like a horizontal relationship.”

Baek Ji Young also disclosed her suspicion that she was under surveillance while she was in the hotel.

Interaction with Hyun Song Wol
Memories of the After-Party

'평양 공연' 뒷얘기 공개한 백지영 '리설주 되게 아파 보였고 예뻤다'
YouTube@RealBaekZYoung

She also shared a story about Hyun Song Wol, a former singer who has risen to power in North Korea as the vice director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department. Baek Ji Young said, “She called me ‘sister.’ She had a tough, tomboy style and was very outgoing. Our conversation was quite good. After the concert, there was an after-party where a drinking party took place. People there were drinking Pyongyang soju, which is 40 degrees. I clenched my teeth there so I wouldn’t get drunk.” She added, “But honestly, my memory of that day is a bit hazy. I remember Hyun Song Wol calling me sister and saying, ‘Don’t leave. I miss you. When will we meet again?’ She seemed sad and hugged me.”

Baek Ji Young said, “I don’t know how this will sound, but if unification happens, I will do a lot of events in the North.” She added, “The best part of going to perform in the North was meeting the people who live there. Once I met the people, I felt a lot of affection for them. I thought it was wrong that the land was divided, not the people. I found many strangely similar aspects. When everyone got drunk, we all got along. If I go there in the future, I think it would be great if it were a concert anyone could attend for free.”

By. Sung Kyu Choi

Eugene Park
content@www.kangnamtimes.com

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