Ri Ye Un from Sopho Kindergarten in Hyongjesan District, Pyongyang, took the first place in the 13th national contest of kindergarteners with amazing talents held in June last year.
The jury members unanimously commented that she was delicate in playing the kayagum , a national musical instrument, the tune was correct and all the elements of playing, including tremolo and thrumming, were wonderful, and that it was rare for children to skilfully play the folk song Ongheya which can be called the ensemble of kayagum playing.
The girl began to learn playing the kayagum not long ago.
Two years ago, Jong Hyang Sim, a teacher at the kindergarten who was guiding children in their sound detection and sight reading, happened to notice that the girl answered faster and more accurately than others. As she had heard that Ye Un learned how to play the electronic organ for a short period, she made her sit at the organ. The child played the organ in a comparatively skillful way, to the admiration of the teacher.
In view of her physical preparedness and sensitivity to music, the teacher thought that it would be reasonable for her to teach the child how to play the kayagum , a stringed instrument of the Korean nation.
It is easier said than done for one to possess a smooth kayagum playing technique in one’s kindergarten days. Only the one with a strong attachment to and passion for the traditional instrument can achieve a good result in playing it.
While helping the girl deeply acquire the time-honored history of the kayagum and its superiority as a traditional stringed instrument of the Korean nation, Hyang Sim focused on making her practise several execution methods like tremolo to preserve the quality of clear and lovely sound.
Ye Un immersed herself in playing the kayagum while burning the midnight oil, enduring the pain of her cracking fingers.
In the course of this, she acquired various playing methods and began to distinguish herself as a little prodigy who was able to express her sentiments vividly according to the moods of the music works. In this way, she made her debut in the national contest of kindergarteners with amazing talents.
In April this year she entered primary school.
On her first day at the school, many people blessed the rosy future of Ye Un who is bringing her talent into full bloom thanks to the benefits of the socialist free compulsory education system.
More From Naenara (En)
One day in August 2014, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the Chollima Tile Factory. He dropped in at the indoor
November 19, 2025
One day in August 2014, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the Chollima Tile Factory. He dropped in at the indoor
The Kangwon Provincial Tree Nursery produces over 20 million saplings a year. Saplings growing in wide outdoor cultivation
November 19, 2025
The Kangwon Provincial Tree Nursery produces over 20 million saplings a year. Saplings growing in wide outdoor cultivation
The Power-driven Machine Institute of the State Academy of Sciences has developed a multi-tiered rotary apparatus for growing
November 19, 2025
The Power-driven Machine Institute of the State Academy of Sciences has developed a multi-tiered rotary apparatus for growing
Proud entities of rural civilization have been created at the Sinyang Farm in Myonggan County, North Hamgyong Province of the
November 19, 2025
Proud entities of rural civilization have been created at the Sinyang Farm in Myonggan County, North Hamgyong Province of the
The DPRK players bagged two gold medals and one silver medal at the recent ITTF Asian Para Championships 2025 in China. In the
November 19, 2025
The DPRK players bagged two gold medals and one silver medal at the recent ITTF Asian Para Championships 2025 in China. In the
The Socialist Women’s Union of Korea, the mass-based political organization of women in the DPRK, was founded on November 18, 1945
November 18, 2025
The Socialist Women’s Union of Korea, the mass-based political organization of women in the DPRK, was founded on November 18, 1945
The construction of thousands of rural dwellings planned for this year has been successfully completed in Ryanggang Province of
November 18, 2025
The construction of thousands of rural dwellings planned for this year has been successfully completed in Ryanggang Province of
-Visit to Unsan County, North Phyongan Province- Unsan County is located in an eastern part of North Phyongan Province. It is
November 18, 2025
-Visit to Unsan County, North Phyongan Province- Unsan County is located in an eastern part of North Phyongan Province. It is
In the DPRK much effort is directed to protecting useful animals and increasing their number. As part of such nationwide effort,
November 18, 2025
In the DPRK much effort is directed to protecting useful animals and increasing their number. As part of such nationwide effort,
There is a forest of metasequoia over thousands of square metres in the Central Botanical Garden at the foot of Mt Taesong in the
November 18, 2025
There is a forest of metasequoia over thousands of square metres in the Central Botanical Garden at the foot of Mt Taesong in the
The people across the DPRK significantly marked Mother’s Day.People visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, the sacred temple of J
November 18, 2025
The people across the DPRK significantly marked Mother’s Day.People visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, the sacred temple of J
Currently, prevention and treatment of diseases by using natural minerals has become a trend in healthcare practice. The Koryo
November 18, 2025
Currently, prevention and treatment of diseases by using natural minerals has become a trend in healthcare practice. The Koryo
The DPRK team had a match with the Venezuelan team on November 15 (local time) in the round of 32 for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup
November 18, 2025
The DPRK team had a match with the Venezuelan team on November 15 (local time) in the round of 32 for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup
The DPRK has long enforced a childcare system in which children are nursed and brought up at nurseries and kindergartens. After
November 17, 2025
The DPRK has long enforced a childcare system in which children are nursed and brought up at nurseries and kindergartens. After
A research group of the Chemical Engineering Faculty of Kim Chaek University of Technology has recently developed an advanced
November 17, 2025
A research group of the Chemical Engineering Faculty of Kim Chaek University of Technology has recently developed an advanced
In 1905 Japan fabricated the Ulsa Five-point Treaty in a bid to establish colonial domination over Korea. Entering the 20th
November 17, 2025
In 1905 Japan fabricated the Ulsa Five-point Treaty in a bid to establish colonial domination over Korea. Entering the 20th
The whole country is extending warm congratulations to the mothers on the occasion of Mother’s Day amid the ongoing campaign to
November 17, 2025
The whole country is extending warm congratulations to the mothers on the occasion of Mother’s Day amid the ongoing campaign to
Farmers of the Songam Farm in Taean District, Nampho Municipality which is located at the gateway to the capital city of the DPRK,
November 17, 2025
Farmers of the Songam Farm in Taean District, Nampho Municipality which is located at the gateway to the capital city of the DPRK,
Modern houses of various styles have been built at the Phosong Farm of the Ryanggang Provincial Rural Economy Committee and at the
November 16, 2025
Modern houses of various styles have been built at the Phosong Farm of the Ryanggang Provincial Rural Economy Committee and at the
The Tourist Souvenir Exhibition-2025 opened with due ceremony at the Okryu Exhibition House in the DPRK on November 14. Presented
November 16, 2025
The Tourist Souvenir Exhibition-2025 opened with due ceremony at the Okryu Exhibition House in the DPRK on November 14. Presented
More Articles