In North Korea, the accordion plays the soundtrack of the state



Evergreen In North Korea, the accordion plays the soundtrack of the state The instrument serves as a tool to coordinate work and maximize indoctrination, rather than entertain Min Chao Choy June 9, 2021 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON NK News (file photo) \| A North Korean accordionists performs with singers wearing traditional Korean dresses Growing up in Pyongyang, Sun Kyung Choi, a defector now living in South Korea, said that most parents wanted their children to learn how to dance, sing or play an instrument, much like mothers and fathers anywhere in the world. But in North Korea, there was one musical instrument in particular that parents preferred, a box of bellows and buttons that produces the soundtrack of the state — the accordion. Growing up in Pyongyang, Sun Kyung Choi, a defector now living in South Korea, said that most parents wanted their children to learn how to dance, sing or play an instrument, much like mothers and fathers anywhere in the world. But in North Korea, there was one musical instrument in particular that parents preferred, a box of bellows and buttons that produces the soundtrack of the state — the accordion. Become a member for less than $5.75 per week. Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

Evergreen

In North Korea, the accordion plays the soundtrack of the state

The instrument serves as a tool to coordinate work and maximize indoctrination, rather than entertain

Min Chao Choy June 9, 2021

In North Korea, the accordion plays the soundtrack of the state

NK News (file photo) | A North Korean accordionists performs with singers wearing traditional Korean dresses

Growing up in Pyongyang, Sun Kyung Choi, a defector now living in South Korea, said that most parents wanted their children to learn how to dance, sing or play an instrument, much like mothers and fathers anywhere in the world.

But in North Korea, there was one musical instrument in particular that parents preferred, a box of bellows and buttons that produces the soundtrack of the state — the accordion.

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Min Chao Choy

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