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)
Modern public buildings and production facilities have been built at the Tapsang Farm in Unsan County, North Phyongan Province,
October 21, 2025
Modern public buildings and production facilities have been built at the Tapsang Farm in Unsan County, North Phyongan Province,
The Korean Floriculture Association, a social organization established in January 2004, comprises officials, scientists,
October 21, 2025
The Korean Floriculture Association, a social organization established in January 2004, comprises officials, scientists,
The Kuryong Falls, 74m in vertical height, 84m long and 4m wide, is located in Outer Kumgang of Mt Kumgang in Kosong County,
October 21, 2025
The Kuryong Falls, 74m in vertical height, 84m long and 4m wide, is located in Outer Kumgang of Mt Kumgang in Kosong County,
Tower architecture is part of Korea’s cultural heritage. Tower originates from menhir. In the Bronze Age primitive men erected
October 21, 2025
Tower architecture is part of Korea’s cultural heritage. Tower originates from menhir. In the Bronze Age primitive men erected
New dwelling houses have been built at the Honam Farm of the Pyongyang Municipal Rural Economy Committee, adding to the joy and
October 21, 2025
New dwelling houses have been built at the Honam Farm of the Pyongyang Municipal Rural Economy Committee, adding to the joy and
Ryanggang Province of the DPRK has newly built a peat processing branch of the Paegam Coal Mine. The completion of the fuel
October 20, 2025
Ryanggang Province of the DPRK has newly built a peat processing branch of the Paegam Coal Mine. The completion of the fuel
The Sixth National Sculpture and Craftwork Festival was held last September at the Pyongyang International House of Culture to
October 20, 2025
The Sixth National Sculpture and Craftwork Festival was held last September at the Pyongyang International House of Culture to
An observation and forecast system against pests in forests is now in operation across the country. Developed by scientists in the
October 20, 2025
An observation and forecast system against pests in forests is now in operation across the country. Developed by scientists in the
Recently the medical technology exchange company under the Ministry of Railways has developed a modern treatment device using
October 20, 2025
Recently the medical technology exchange company under the Ministry of Railways has developed a modern treatment device using
Laudable Taekwon-Do players of the DPRK came back home on October 18 after demonstrating the honour of their country at the 23rd
October 20, 2025
Laudable Taekwon-Do players of the DPRK came back home on October 18 after demonstrating the honour of their country at the 23rd
New houses have been built in Paegam County, Ryanggang Province of the DPRK. The cosy houses built in Jungsan-ri and Yanggok-ri to
October 20, 2025
New houses have been built in Paegam County, Ryanggang Province of the DPRK. The cosy houses built in Jungsan-ri and Yanggok-ri to
The Phyongsong Synthetic Leather Factory has introduced different kinds of new equipment to production. Among them is an automatic
October 19, 2025
The Phyongsong Synthetic Leather Factory has introduced different kinds of new equipment to production. Among them is an automatic
Japan’s military moves for a thorough transformation into a war-capable state are reaching a dangerous phase day by day.It was mad
October 19, 2025
Japan’s military moves for a thorough transformation into a war-capable state are reaching a dangerous phase day by day.It was mad
The Workers’ Party of Korea celebrated its 80th birthday. It enjoys international fame as a powerful party and a single-mindedly
October 19, 2025
The Workers’ Party of Korea celebrated its 80th birthday. It enjoys international fame as a powerful party and a single-mindedly
A research group of the Cutting-edge Agrotechnology Company of the Academy of Agricultural Science has built a new production
October 19, 2025
A research group of the Cutting-edge Agrotechnology Company of the Academy of Agricultural Science has built a new production
More dwelling houses have been built at the Unjong Stockbreeding Farm under the North Hwanghae Provincial Rural Economy Committee.
October 19, 2025
More dwelling houses have been built at the Unjong Stockbreeding Farm under the North Hwanghae Provincial Rural Economy Committee.
DPRK coach Ri Song Ho and DPRK player Choe Il Son were awarded the AFC Coach of the Year (Men) and the AFC Youth Player of the
October 19, 2025
DPRK coach Ri Song Ho and DPRK player Choe Il Son were awarded the AFC Coach of the Year (Men) and the AFC Youth Player of the
A Russian youth friendship visiting group led by Grigory Petushkov, chairman of the National Council of the Russian Association of
October 19, 2025
A Russian youth friendship visiting group led by Grigory Petushkov, chairman of the National Council of the Russian Association of
A delegation of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea headed by Ri Chol, director of the
October 19, 2025
A delegation of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea headed by Ri Chol, director of the
The Arch of Triumph stands at the foot of Moran Hill in the capital city of Pyongyang. It is a grand monument erected to hand down
October 18, 2025
The Arch of Triumph stands at the foot of Moran Hill in the capital city of Pyongyang. It is a grand monument erected to hand down
More Articles