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 Kyonghung Daily Necessities Manufactory is located in Mangyongdae District, Pyongyang, the capital city of the DPRK. Recently
May 27, 2026
The Kyonghung Daily Necessities Manufactory is located in Mangyongdae District, Pyongyang, the capital city of the DPRK. Recently
Growing deeper and higher with each passing day are the respect and moral obligation to the brave soldiers who dedicated their
May 27, 2026
Growing deeper and higher with each passing day are the respect and moral obligation to the brave soldiers who dedicated their
Since its founding, the DPRK has always paid close attention to the reclamation of tideland. At the Eighth Congress of the
May 27, 2026
Since its founding, the DPRK has always paid close attention to the reclamation of tideland. At the Eighth Congress of the
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited a shipyard some years ago. The shipyard ranks among the country’s leading shipbuilding
May 27, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited a shipyard some years ago. The shipyard ranks among the country’s leading shipbuilding
Vivian Balakrishnan, foreign minister of the Republic of Singapore, and his party arrived in Pyongyang on May 26 to visit the
May 27, 2026
Vivian Balakrishnan, foreign minister of the Republic of Singapore, and his party arrived in Pyongyang on May 26 to visit the
The creation of five revolutionary operas in the DPRK opened a new phase of operatic art, writing a significant chapter in the
May 26, 2026
The creation of five revolutionary operas in the DPRK opened a new phase of operatic art, writing a significant chapter in the
The education sector of the DPRK has recently been pushing ahead with the efforts to raise the country’s education onto an
May 26, 2026
The education sector of the DPRK has recently been pushing ahead with the efforts to raise the country’s education onto an
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited a newly built regional-industry factory in Jangyon County in December 2025. Looking
May 26, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited a newly built regional-industry factory in Jangyon County in December 2025. Looking
An outreach education programme is briskly conducted in the DPRK to strengthen the ranks of medical workers in regions. It is a
May 25, 2026
An outreach education programme is briskly conducted in the DPRK to strengthen the ranks of medical workers in regions. It is a
The Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea decided to convene the Second Plenary Meeting of
May 25, 2026
The Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea decided to convene the Second Plenary Meeting of
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the
May 25, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the
Just like we did in the past five-year struggle in which we pioneered the era of comprehensive development of socialism, we will
May 25, 2026
Just like we did in the past five-year struggle in which we pioneered the era of comprehensive development of socialism, we will
The Kumkhop General Foodstuff Factory for Sportspeople is a famous factory which turns out a range of tasty foods. The factory
May 25, 2026
The Kumkhop General Foodstuff Factory for Sportspeople is a famous factory which turns out a range of tasty foods. The factory
Written by Han Tok Su and set to music by Ri Myon Sang, “Endless Is Our Pride” is very popular with Koreans resident in Japan.The
May 25, 2026
Written by Han Tok Su and set to music by Ri Myon Sang, “Endless Is Our Pride” is very popular with Koreans resident in Japan.The
The Naegohyang Team of the DPRK took first place in the 2025-2026 AFC Women’s Champions League and had the honour of winning a tro
May 25, 2026
The Naegohyang Team of the DPRK took first place in the 2025-2026 AFC Women’s Champions League and had the honour of winning a tro
Recently Segori Senior Middle School in Pothonggang District, Pyongyang, has achieved successes by actively running a table tennis
May 24, 2026
Recently Segori Senior Middle School in Pothonggang District, Pyongyang, has achieved successes by actively running a table tennis
In April, a project for overhauling the structures of the waterway running from Thaechon Power Station No. 5 to Unjon, Jongju and
May 24, 2026
In April, a project for overhauling the structures of the waterway running from Thaechon Power Station No. 5 to Unjon, Jongju and
Jonwi Street is located in the Sopho area of Pyongyang, the capital city of the DPRK. In December 2022, when the task for the
May 24, 2026
Jonwi Street is located in the Sopho area of Pyongyang, the capital city of the DPRK. In December 2022, when the task for the
DPRK weightlifters returned home on May 22 after taking part in the 2026 Asian Weightlifting Championships. At the weightlifting
May 24, 2026
DPRK weightlifters returned home on May 22 after taking part in the 2026 Asian Weightlifting Championships. At the weightlifting
Koryo celadon is part of the cultural heritage showcasing the artistic prowess and talents of the Korean people. The bluish
May 23, 2026
Koryo celadon is part of the cultural heritage showcasing the artistic prowess and talents of the Korean people. The bluish
More Articles