south korea in a swoon as megastar
Last Updated : GMT 09:03:51
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
Last Updated : GMT 09:03:51
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today

From the North visits

South Korea in a swoon as megastar

Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today

Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today South Korea in a swoon as megastar

Hyon Song-Wol (C)
Seoul - Al Maghrib Today

 South Korea went into swoon mode Sunday -- at the feet of a party apparatchik from the North.

Hyon Song-Wol is, however, no dourly-dressed, suit-wearing bureaucrat from the nuclear-armed nation, but the leader of Pyongyang's most popular girl band.

Cameras followed her every move as the glamorous songstress swept through Seoul at the head of a North Korean delegation sent to inspect performance venues for the Pyeongchang Olympic Games.

Wearing a fur muffler and exuding an air of confident calm, Hyun was unphased by the throng of cameras that followed her everywhere.

Believed to be in her late 30s or early 40s, Hyon is as close to a megastar as North Korea probably has.

Her "Excellent Horse-like Lady" -- a term describing a smart and energetic woman -- was a big hit in the 2000s.

She is also a politically powerful figure as an alternate member of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party's central committee.

Hyon was once rumoured to be a former girlfriend of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un and became the subject of lurid and -- as it turned out -- incorrect 2013 reports in the South that she and a dozen other musicians had been executed for appearing in porn movies.

North Korea watchers dismiss speculation over her ties with Kim, saying in the deeply patriarchal North, romantic partners of leaders past and present are forced to keep a low profile.

Hyon heads the 10-member Moranbong Band -- the public face of North Korean soft power.

The all-female outfit perform a mixture of Western-style pop and patriotic North Korean numbers, and are frequently seen sporting miniskirts and shoulder-baring dresses.

Their style -- highly unusual in the conservative North -- is seen as quaintly provincial in the South, with its slick, image-obsessed pop scene, and it has also earned them a cult following among North Korean watchers.

The band is not expected to make the trip south for the Games next month, but other musical groups -- as well as hundreds of "cheerleaders" will be there.

Hyon's presence in the run-up to the international event -- which until recently was marked by global tensions over North Korea's missile and nuclear programme -- is seen by some as the latest attempt to capitalise on the appeal of its performers.

South Korea's voracious media followed her every move Sunday, with tiny details about her facial expressions and fashion style making headlines.

Hyon's attire -- from her shoes to an expensive-looking fur -- drew intense debate, with one fashion analyst likening her style to the US first lady.

"I think she was trying to emulate the style of Melania Trump... and trying to showcase the image of being rich by wearing the fur," Heo Euna, head of Korea Image Strategy Institute, told Yonhap news agency.

Pyongyang has often deployed young women to soften its international image, from hundreds of "cheerleaders" sent to previous sporting events in the South, to waitresses at the North's network of overseas restaurants, who put on a nightly musical and dance show for clients.

Source: AFP

almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday

GMT 08:29 2018 Saturday ,20 January

#MeToo is 'tipping point' for Hollywood

GMT 10:02 2018 Thursday ,18 January

Lebanon reverses ban on Spielberg film

GMT 09:13 2018 Wednesday ,17 January

Actress Kruger says Hollywood changing

GMT 08:33 2018 Tuesday ,16 January

Lebanon bans Spielberg film and adventurer biopic

GMT 09:53 2018 Monday ,15 January

Famed photographer Mario Testino accused

GMT 11:10 2018 Sunday ,14 January

Liam Neeson says 'witch hunt' in Hollywood

GMT 11:46 2018 Saturday ,13 January

Most Americans 'don't want' Oprah to run

GMT 08:52 2018 Friday ,12 January

Film legend Delon says he's ready to die
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

south korea in a swoon as megastar south korea in a swoon as megastar

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

south korea in a swoon as megastar south korea in a swoon as megastar

 



Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Skincare PR Performance Full Year 2017

GMT 09:22 2018 Monday ,22 January

Skincare PR Performance Full Year 2017
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today New hunt for flight MH370 gets under way

GMT 11:03 2018 Wednesday ,24 January

New hunt for flight MH370 gets under way
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Modern colorful bedroom renovation

GMT 10:57 2017 Thursday ,21 December

Modern colorful bedroom renovation
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Puigdemont candidate for Catalan president

GMT 13:56 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Puigdemont candidate for Catalan president
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Turkey detains dozens more

GMT 10:47 2018 Wednesday ,24 January

Turkey detains dozens more
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today The Rake announces editorial updates

GMT 10:46 2018 Tuesday ,16 January

The Rake announces editorial updates
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Europe brings on charm and blue skies

GMT 11:51 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Europe brings on charm and blue skies
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today For the Variety of Interior Design Styles

GMT 10:46 2017 Tuesday ,19 December

For the Variety of Interior Design Styles
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today US Christian tourists see deep meaning

GMT 13:44 2018 Monday ,22 January

US Christian tourists see deep meaning
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Amazon to open first cashierless shop

GMT 10:03 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Amazon to open first cashierless shop

GMT 10:55 2012 Saturday ,31 March

Obama touts \'Buffett Rule\'

GMT 08:22 2012 Monday ,25 June

Candice Swanepoel posts topless picture

GMT 14:12 2013 Sunday ,14 July

Contemporary interior design styles

GMT 08:40 2012 Monday ,09 January

Discrepancy in reported Arab ad spend for 2011

GMT 09:36 2012 Thursday ,30 August

Table with built-in vases

GMT 18:12 2017 Saturday ,23 December

Smith vows no let-up on bouncers to England's tail

GMT 22:43 2017 Monday ,06 February

Iran to US: ‘Not the time to build walls’

GMT 03:49 2017 Sunday ,09 April

Kalba beach evacuated after oil spill

GMT 13:50 2017 Sunday ,12 February

Baidu backer Finian Tan bets on the next big thing

GMT 13:59 2017 Tuesday ,19 December

History of a 'pact with the devil'

GMT 10:36 2017 Thursday ,07 September

Wafaa Amer happy for participating in 'The Secret'

GMT 11:17 2015 Friday ,06 November

Iran bans US consumer goods

GMT 16:53 2015 Saturday ,29 August

Oil leakage into Nile under control

GMT 15:20 2013 Thursday ,28 March

Nissan LEAF production begins

GMT 01:39 2014 Tuesday ,13 May

Suicide car bomb attack kills 11 in Somalia
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
 
 Almaghrib Today Facebook,almaghrib today facebook  Almaghrib Today Twitter,almaghrib today twitter Almaghrib Today Rss,almaghrib today rss  Almaghrib Today Youtube,almaghrib today youtube  Almaghrib Today Youtube,almaghrib today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

.almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday almaghribtoday almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
almaghribtoday, Almaghribtoday, Almaghribtoday