Korean rock star performs in Pyongyang

By Jhoo Dong-chan

Korean singer-songwriter Kang San-ae sings his iconic debut song, "Ra-gu-you," during the inter-Korea music festival at the East Pyongyang Grand Theatre in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sunday. / Yonhap

Korean singer-songwriter Kang San-ae performed at the East Pyongyang Grand Theatre in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sunday.

The 55-year-old Korean rockstar, who has been often likened to a Korean Bob Dylan, with his iconic debut song wishing for peace on the Korean Peninsula, said it was "very emotional" to perform in Pyongyang.

"I was once invited to perform on Mount Kumgang in 2006, but it is a totally different experience to sing a song in the capital of North Korea," Kang said.

"Back in 2006, I was excited to introduce Korean music to North Korean people. The situation is now totally different. Politics are shifting. Everything is so sensitive, and we are here in Pyongyang."

Kang made his debut with his album, "Ra-gu-you," in 1992, gaining a sensational reception in music circles. With his parents who were also "displaced people" from North Korea, Kang lyrically describes North Korea's Doosan River and Hungnam Port in the song.

Born in South Chungcheong Province, Kang's mother moved to Hamgyong Province, North Korea, to marry her husband in 1948. She gave birth to Kang's brother in the following year, and had to face a lifelong parting with her first husband because of the Korean War.

Kang's mother was one of the Hungnam Evacuation survivors.

She then married her second husband on Geoje Island, and gave birth to Kang and his sister. Kang was born in 1963.

"My mother came down to South Korea holding my brother in her arms. Her life is part of the modern history of Korea," Kang said.

"She often talked about the war. She talked about the raining bombshells and people dying everywhere. Her wartime experience and parting from her first family were unbearable. She always had to take a pill before sleeping."

During his first North Korea gig in Mount Kumgang in 2006, Kang sang seven songs, including "Ra-gu-you" and "Salmon." And he also sang both songs during his performance in Pyongyang, Sunday.

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