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)
The Central Cadres Training School of the Workers’ Party of Korea and Party schools in Pyongyang and provinces (municipalities)
June 03, 2026
The Central Cadres Training School of the Workers’ Party of Korea and Party schools in Pyongyang and provinces (municipalities)
A meeting of children with disabilities took place at the gymnasium of the Taedonggang District Juvenile Extracurricular Sports Sc
June 03, 2026
A meeting of children with disabilities took place at the gymnasium of the Taedonggang District Juvenile Extracurricular Sports Sc
Children across the DPRK greeted June 1 International Children’s Day with pleasure.The children at all nurseries, kindergartens, b
June 03, 2026
Children across the DPRK greeted June 1 International Children’s Day with pleasure.The children at all nurseries, kindergartens, b
A joint friendship gathering took place at the Taesongsan Recreation Ground on June 1 to mark the 76th anniversary of Internationa
June 03, 2026
A joint friendship gathering took place at the Taesongsan Recreation Ground on June 1 to mark the 76th anniversary of Internationa
In November 2023 the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the Ryongsong Machine Complex. At that time the workers of the complex
June 03, 2026
In November 2023 the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the Ryongsong Machine Complex. At that time the workers of the complex
A photo exhibition “Glorious 80 years covered by the Korean Children’s Union under the great care” was opened with due
June 03, 2026
A photo exhibition “Glorious 80 years covered by the Korean Children’s Union under the great care” was opened with due
Mt Paektu is the highest mountain in the DPRK, rising 2 750m above sea level. There is a natural lake called Chon on top of it. Of
June 03, 2026
Mt Paektu is the highest mountain in the DPRK, rising 2 750m above sea level. There is a natural lake called Chon on top of it. Of
The Samsong Temple in Mt Kuwol, South Hwanghae Province, is a shrine where memorial services for Tangun (founder of Ancient Joson,
June 03, 2026
The Samsong Temple in Mt Kuwol, South Hwanghae Province, is a shrine where memorial services for Tangun (founder of Ancient Joson,
The Pothong Riverside Terraced Houses District is located in Kyongru-dong in the heart of the capital city of Pyongyang. One March
June 02, 2026
The Pothong Riverside Terraced Houses District is located in Kyongru-dong in the heart of the capital city of Pyongyang. One March
There are many facilities across the DPRK which contribute to the promotion of the public wellbeing, namely the Wonsan Kalma Coast
June 02, 2026
There are many facilities across the DPRK which contribute to the promotion of the public wellbeing, namely the Wonsan Kalma Coast
In the DPRK there are 24 seasonal subdivisions of the year, two of which are in June: Mangjong and Haji . Mangjong , the ninth of
June 02, 2026
In the DPRK there are 24 seasonal subdivisions of the year, two of which are in June: Mangjong and Haji . Mangjong , the ninth of
In the DPRK, in which people’s will and demands are thoroughly crystalized into every line and policy, everything serves the
June 01, 2026
In the DPRK, in which people’s will and demands are thoroughly crystalized into every line and policy, everything serves the
Shortly ago, we visited the Kim Jong Suk Nursery at the foot of picturesque Moran Hill in the capital city of Pyongyang. The
June 01, 2026
Shortly ago, we visited the Kim Jong Suk Nursery at the foot of picturesque Moran Hill in the capital city of Pyongyang. The
The Pyongyang Kim Jong Suk Silk Mill puts on an artistic performance on different anniversaries every year. Each performance is
June 01, 2026
The Pyongyang Kim Jong Suk Silk Mill puts on an artistic performance on different anniversaries every year. Each performance is
An unveiling ceremony of the memorial tablet for Aleksandr Matsegora, former Russian ambassador to the DPRK, took place at the
June 01, 2026
An unveiling ceremony of the memorial tablet for Aleksandr Matsegora, former Russian ambassador to the DPRK, took place at the
A delegation of the National Intelligence Agency of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea took part in the 14th
June 01, 2026
A delegation of the National Intelligence Agency of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea took part in the 14th
The Memorial Museum of Combat Feats at the Overseas Military Operations is located in the Hwasong area in the capital city of
May 31, 2026
The Memorial Museum of Combat Feats at the Overseas Military Operations is located in the Hwasong area in the capital city of
Among the top ten DPRK players of 2025 is Hong Jin Gyong, honoured with the title of the People’s Athlete, from the South
May 31, 2026
Among the top ten DPRK players of 2025 is Hong Jin Gyong, honoured with the title of the People’s Athlete, from the South
The Rangnang Branch of the Tobacco Cessation Centre offers a variety of services such as consultation, treatment and sale of
May 31, 2026
The Rangnang Branch of the Tobacco Cessation Centre offers a variety of services such as consultation, treatment and sale of
A DPRK government economic delegation led by Yun Jong Ho, minister of External Economic Relations, left Pyongyang on May 29 to
May 31, 2026
A DPRK government economic delegation led by Yun Jong Ho, minister of External Economic Relations, left Pyongyang on May 29 to
More Articles
