A North Korean brass band and cheering squad, currently visiting South Korea to mark the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, performs at the Live Site at the Gangneung Olympic Park on Feb. 15.
By Korea.net PyeongChang Olympics Team
Photos = Jeon Han
Gangneung | Feb. 15, 2018
A North Korean brass band and cheering squad entertained Olympic fans from around the globe when it performed its first song, “Bangapseumnida,” or “Nice to See You” in Korean (반갑습니다).
On Feb. 15, the North Korean cheerleaders and band gave a special performance at the outdoor “Live site” venue at the Gangneung Olympic Park. The performance reminded the audience that the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games are truly “Peace Olympics.”
Olympic fans flocked to the site more than 30 minutes before the start of the show and the venue was soon packed with many people. Many of them had strong expectations and were quite excited that they could actually see the North Korean cheerleaders and band.
The North Korean cheering squad and the brass band were warmly welcomed when they appeared on the stage. They firstly performed the well-known North Korean song “Bangapseumnida” and then the popular Korean folk song “Arirang,” which added to the amusement of the audience. They played a medley of various songs, including Korean folk songs and songs from film sound tracks, for about 30 minutes.
“It was an opportunity to see that we are one, which is so meaningful. I feel that it ought to be recorded in world history,” said Ju Yong-geuk from Yangju, Gyeonggi-do Province, who came to the spot to watch some curling. “It felt like we got one step closer to unification.”
“It really made me feel like I was at the site of the Peace Olympics, where hope for reunification on the Korean Peninsula was really gathered,” said Moon Gyeong-ryang from Seoul, who broadcast the performance live on social media. “It was so touching to sing along to the notes of ‘Arirang.’”
The impression of non-Korean fans at the performance was not very different.
“I’m very pleased that they came and that they’ve been welcomed by South Korea and the whole world,” said James Kent from the U.K.
Alisa Monroe, also from the U.K. said that being at the scene of North Korean people performing in Gangneung, one of the host cities for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, was “surreal.”
A North Korean brass band and cheering squad give a special performance at the Gangneung Olympic Park in Gangneung, Gangwon-do Province, on Feb. 15.
The crowd enjoys the performance of the North Korean brass band and cheering squad and many people snap pictures with their mobile phones, at the Gangneung Olympic Park in Gangneung, Gangwon-do Province, on Feb. 15.
ysk1111@korea.kr
