Kim Thaek Song was a magician widely known across the country in the 1970s, when the DPRK was greeting a golden age in the sector of art and literature, to the admiration of the world.
Before his days, magicians entertained spectators by simple tricks involving sleight of hand. But Kim greatly influenced magic to develop into a powerful art form that promotes the creative abilities and intellectual faculties of the people.
He put on stage more than 200 magic pieces, such as A flower basket, Rich apple harvest, and Silk cloth cascades , and won prizes at several international magic festivals.
He is the winner of Kim Il Sung Prize, a Labour Hero, and a People’s Artiste.
After he retired from stage, Kim took up his post as the head of the magic department at the Pyongyang Acrobatic School under the National Acrobatic Troupe, and has so far produced a lot of magicians.
Among his disciples are his two sons.
Kim Chol, the eldest, cut his conspicuous figure in the sleight-of-hand magic, and Kim Kwang Chol, the younger, was special in the use of psychology.
They made strenuous efforts to materialize their father’s view on magic that it should be the art form to depict life in a lifelike and beautiful way.
They produced a lot of magic pieces that were greeted with big applause at home and abroad.
They both won Kim Il Sung Prize and the title of People’s Artiste.
At present, Chol leads the magic department of the National Acrobatic Troupe, and Kwang Chol is a director and also performs on stage.
The tradition of the magicians’ family has passed down to the third generation.
Kim Ju Song and Kim Kwang Song are grandsons of Kim Thaek Song. Though with short acting careers of 3-4 years, they have already staged their own magic pieces, such as On the water and Alongside the bus , which enjoy great popularity.
They aspire to employ the latest achievements of science and technology in magic performance.
What runs through this family for three generations is the desire to raise magic to a higher stage with continuous innovation, bold creation and further progress.
More From Naenara (En)
The people in Kangdong County of Pyongyang Municipality, Kusong City of North Phyongan Province and Ryonggang County of Nampho
February 15, 2026
The people in Kangdong County of Pyongyang Municipality, Kusong City of North Phyongan Province and Ryonggang County of Nampho
Last December regional-industry factories were inaugurated in succession in 20 cities and counties across the DPRK. As a result,
February 15, 2026
Last December regional-industry factories were inaugurated in succession in 20 cities and counties across the DPRK. As a result,
The DPRK is filled with excitement as modern regional-industry factories sprang up in 40 cities and counties together with hospita
February 14, 2026
The DPRK is filled with excitement as modern regional-industry factories sprang up in 40 cities and counties together with hospita
The 25th National Youth and Children’s Festival of Loyalty opened in the DPRK on the occasion of the auspicious February holiday,
February 14, 2026
The 25th National Youth and Children’s Festival of Loyalty opened in the DPRK on the occasion of the auspicious February holiday,
The artistic motivation team of the Central Committee of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea and agricultural workers gave
February 14, 2026
The artistic motivation team of the Central Committee of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea and agricultural workers gave
The photo exhibitions "Holding aloft the banner of self-reliance" are going on in all provinces (municipalities) of the DPRK to
February 14, 2026
The photo exhibitions "Holding aloft the banner of self-reliance" are going on in all provinces (municipalities) of the DPRK to
Chinese Ambassador to the DPRK Wang Yajun on February 12 hosted a reception at the embassy on the occasion of the lunar New
February 14, 2026
Chinese Ambassador to the DPRK Wang Yajun on February 12 hosted a reception at the embassy on the occasion of the lunar New
Workers and members of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea (GFTUK) met at the Central Hall of Workers on February 11 t
February 13, 2026
Workers and members of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea (GFTUK) met at the Central Hall of Workers on February 11 t
A team involving scientists and researchers at Pyongyang University of Mechanical Engineering and research institutions has
February 13, 2026
A team involving scientists and researchers at Pyongyang University of Mechanical Engineering and research institutions has
In recent years, modern consumer goods production bases conducive to improving the people’s standard of living have been newly
February 13, 2026
In recent years, modern consumer goods production bases conducive to improving the people’s standard of living have been newly
The Mausoleum of King Kogugwon, also known as Anak Tomb No. 3, is located in Oguk-ri, Anak County, South Hwanghae Province.
February 13, 2026
The Mausoleum of King Kogugwon, also known as Anak Tomb No. 3, is located in Oguk-ri, Anak County, South Hwanghae Province.
A national book and art exhibition opened in the DPRK to celebrate the forthcoming Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea
February 13, 2026
A national book and art exhibition opened in the DPRK to celebrate the forthcoming Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea
Vladimir Topeha, charge d’affaires ad interim of the Russian embassy in the DPRK, hosted a reception at the Taedonggang
February 12, 2026
Vladimir Topeha, charge d’affaires ad interim of the Russian embassy in the DPRK, hosted a reception at the Taedonggang
One day in August 2021, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the construction site of the Pothong riverside terraced houses
February 12, 2026
One day in August 2021, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the construction site of the Pothong riverside terraced houses
Soldier-builders of the Korean People’s Army completed the first damming project at the second district of Taedongman Tideland
February 12, 2026
Soldier-builders of the Korean People’s Army completed the first damming project at the second district of Taedongman Tideland
A week-long film show opened in the DPRK to celebrate February 16, the birthday of Chairman Kim Jong Il . Documentary films
February 12, 2026
A week-long film show opened in the DPRK to celebrate February 16, the birthday of Chairman Kim Jong Il . Documentary films
The Jonchon fir grows at the foot of a mountain 640 metres above sea level in Waun-ri, Jonchon County, Jagang Province.This tree w
February 12, 2026
The Jonchon fir grows at the foot of a mountain 640 metres above sea level in Waun-ri, Jonchon County, Jagang Province.This tree w
Scientists at the green architecture institute of the State Academy of Sciences have successfully worked on a project for
February 12, 2026
Scientists at the green architecture institute of the State Academy of Sciences have successfully worked on a project for
Grand construction began in Hwaphyong, Phyonggang, Riwon, Myonggan and Samsu counties of the DPRK to build regional-industry
February 11, 2026
Grand construction began in Hwaphyong, Phyonggang, Riwon, Myonggan and Samsu counties of the DPRK to build regional-industry
The 11th National Pencil Drawing Festival opened in the DPRK to celebrate the 84th birth anniversary of Chairman Kim Jong Il .
February 11, 2026
The 11th National Pencil Drawing Festival opened in the DPRK to celebrate the 84th birth anniversary of Chairman Kim Jong Il .
More Articles
