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