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)
New houses have been built at the Ryokpho Vegetable Farm in Ryokpho District and the Oryu Vegetable Farm in Sadong District, both
November 30, 2025
New houses have been built at the Ryokpho Vegetable Farm in Ryokpho District and the Oryu Vegetable Farm in Sadong District, both
The newly-built Pyongyang Schoolchildren’s Footwear Factory and the remodelled Pyongyang School Uniform Factory were inaugurated.T
November 30, 2025
The newly-built Pyongyang Schoolchildren’s Footwear Factory and the remodelled Pyongyang School Uniform Factory were inaugurated.T
The above-ground construction of the Tanchon port has been successfully completed in the DPRK. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un
November 29, 2025
The above-ground construction of the Tanchon port has been successfully completed in the DPRK. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un
A friendly match between the national women’s soccer teams of the DPRK and Russia took place at Kim Il Sung Stadium on November 27
November 29, 2025
A friendly match between the national women’s soccer teams of the DPRK and Russia took place at Kim Il Sung Stadium on November 27
Jonjin Senior Middle School, newly built as a comprehensive school in Rangnang District, Pyongyang Municipality, was inaugurated.
November 29, 2025
Jonjin Senior Middle School, newly built as a comprehensive school in Rangnang District, Pyongyang Municipality, was inaugurated.
The agricultural workers in Kumbu-ri of Sakju County and Tanghu-ri of Phihyon County in North Phyongan Province of the DPRK enjoy
November 29, 2025
The agricultural workers in Kumbu-ri of Sakju County and Tanghu-ri of Phihyon County in North Phyongan Province of the DPRK enjoy
The scientists of the Academy of Agricultural Science have newly established a regenerated rice cultivation technology. The new
November 28, 2025
The scientists of the Academy of Agricultural Science have newly established a regenerated rice cultivation technology. The new
Last month a light-industry goods exhibition “Development of Light Industry-2025” was held in Pyongyang. A wide list of goods
November 28, 2025
Last month a light-industry goods exhibition “Development of Light Industry-2025” was held in Pyongyang. A wide list of goods
Professor Pak Hyong Sop, PhD, is credited with teaching and studying the traditional Korean music. The candidate academician works
November 28, 2025
Professor Pak Hyong Sop, PhD, is credited with teaching and studying the traditional Korean music. The candidate academician works
Proud entities of rural rejuvenation have been spruced up one after another in North Hamgyong Province of the DPRK under the care
November 28, 2025
Proud entities of rural rejuvenation have been spruced up one after another in North Hamgyong Province of the DPRK under the care
The U-17 men’s ice hockey team of Primorsky Krai of Russia on a visit to Pyongyang at the invitation of the Ministry of Physical
November 28, 2025
The U-17 men’s ice hockey team of Primorsky Krai of Russia on a visit to Pyongyang at the invitation of the Ministry of Physical
The Pukchong County Fruit Processing Factory has been remodelled. The factory has been furnished with hundreds of pieces of
November 27, 2025
The Pukchong County Fruit Processing Factory has been remodelled. The factory has been furnished with hundreds of pieces of
Top ten IT products of the year have been nominated at the recent national IT achievements exhibition-2025. They are making a
November 27, 2025
Top ten IT products of the year have been nominated at the recent national IT achievements exhibition-2025. They are making a
New houses have been built at the Thaeyang Farm in Kyonghung County and at the Hyongje Farm in Puryong County, North Hamgyong
November 27, 2025
New houses have been built at the Thaeyang Farm in Kyonghung County and at the Hyongje Farm in Puryong County, North Hamgyong
The Hwangryongsan Green Technology Company has built a line of recycling waste concrete, which will be conducive to environmental
November 27, 2025
The Hwangryongsan Green Technology Company has built a line of recycling waste concrete, which will be conducive to environmental
Akhakgwebom is an old Korean encyclopaedia of music and dance.Compiled in 1493, it consists of nine volumes, divided into three ch
November 27, 2025
Akhakgwebom is an old Korean encyclopaedia of music and dance.Compiled in 1493, it consists of nine volumes, divided into three ch
The Mausoleum of King Tongmyong, the founder king of Koguryo (277 BC-AD 668) which was the first feudal state in the history of
November 27, 2025
The Mausoleum of King Tongmyong, the founder king of Koguryo (277 BC-AD 668) which was the first feudal state in the history of
Industrial establishments in the DPRK give priority to the readjustment and reinforcement of production lines and facilities to
November 26, 2025
Industrial establishments in the DPRK give priority to the readjustment and reinforcement of production lines and facilities to
This year many regions and farms across the country have made dynamic efforts to grow wheat as the early crop and dry-field rice
November 26, 2025
This year many regions and farms across the country have made dynamic efforts to grow wheat as the early crop and dry-field rice
New houses have been built at the Township Farm in Hochon County, South Hamgyong Province, and the Insan Farm in Rangnim County,
November 26, 2025
New houses have been built at the Township Farm in Hochon County, South Hamgyong Province, and the Insan Farm in Rangnim County,
More Articles