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)
In late July 2024, record downpour flooded many people out in some areas of the DPRK. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un issued a
January 11, 2026
In late July 2024, record downpour flooded many people out in some areas of the DPRK. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un issued a
A spokesman for the General Staff of the Korean People's Army made public a press statement "The Republic of Korea should be ready
January 10, 2026
A spokesman for the General Staff of the Korean People's Army made public a press statement "The Republic of Korea should be ready
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, sent a message of greeting to Thongloun Sisoulith, general
January 10, 2026
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, sent a message of greeting to Thongloun Sisoulith, general
New houses have appeared at the Sinphung and Yongjung farms in Sinpho City, South Hamgyong Province, and at the Namhoe Farm in
January 10, 2026
New houses have appeared at the Sinphung and Yongjung farms in Sinpho City, South Hamgyong Province, and at the Namhoe Farm in
Kim Jong Un , president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, sent a reply letter to Vladimir
January 09, 2026
Kim Jong Un , president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, sent a reply letter to Vladimir
Since the programme of the rural revolution in the new era was set forth in 2022, rural communities across the DPRK have made
January 09, 2026
Since the programme of the rural revolution in the new era was set forth in 2022, rural communities across the DPRK have made
The Natural Energy Institute of the State Academy of Sciences has developed a new methane gas production technology. Previously,
January 09, 2026
The Natural Energy Institute of the State Academy of Sciences has developed a new methane gas production technology. Previously,
Modern houses have been built at the Chilgol Vegetable Farm in Mangyongdae District, Pyongyang Municipality and public and
January 09, 2026
Modern houses have been built at the Chilgol Vegetable Farm in Mangyongdae District, Pyongyang Municipality and public and
The DPRK team ranked first in the country and region standings at the 2025 IWF World Championships held in Norway in October last
January 09, 2026
The DPRK team ranked first in the country and region standings at the 2025 IWF World Championships held in Norway in October last
The Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea sent a congratulatory message to the Twelfth Congress of the Lao People's
January 08, 2026
The Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea sent a congratulatory message to the Twelfth Congress of the Lao People's
The 13th Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea held in December last year referred to
January 08, 2026
The 13th Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea held in December last year referred to
In recent years, many public leisure facilities have been built across the DPRK. Art theatres and open-air theatres were renovated
January 08, 2026
In recent years, many public leisure facilities have been built across the DPRK. Art theatres and open-air theatres were renovated
News of house-moving ceremonies which show a rapid development of the countryside is heard from Jagang Province of the DPRK day
January 08, 2026
News of house-moving ceremonies which show a rapid development of the countryside is heard from Jagang Province of the DPRK day
Regions in the DPRK are changing their appearance every year. Last year alone more than 32 000 houses were built in several
January 07, 2026
Regions in the DPRK are changing their appearance every year. Last year alone more than 32 000 houses were built in several
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un always stresses that the people’s demands and interests should be regarded as absolute criteria
January 07, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un always stresses that the people’s demands and interests should be regarded as absolute criteria
The Pyongyang General Electric Cable Factory 326 is making innovations in the production of various kinds of electric cables from
January 07, 2026
The Pyongyang General Electric Cable Factory 326 is making innovations in the production of various kinds of electric cables from
Last year Korean athletes brought home many gold medals from international competitions, adding lustre to the dignity and honour
January 07, 2026
Last year Korean athletes brought home many gold medals from international competitions, adding lustre to the dignity and honour
A national photo exhibition "Ushering in an era of gigantic transformation for comprehensive development of Korean-style
January 07, 2026
A national photo exhibition "Ushering in an era of gigantic transformation for comprehensive development of Korean-style
New houses have been built at the Taljon Farm in Tanchon City and Kuup and Rimphyong farms in Yodok County, South Hamgyong
January 07, 2026
New houses have been built at the Taljon Farm in Tanchon City and Kuup and Rimphyong farms in Yodok County, South Hamgyong
Over the past five years the DPRK has pushed a dynamic nature-remaking campaign to develop agricultural production in a
January 06, 2026
Over the past five years the DPRK has pushed a dynamic nature-remaking campaign to develop agricultural production in a
More Articles
