"Whistle" (Korean: 휘파람) is a North Korean song. The music was composed by Lee Jong-oh and the lyrics were adopted from a poem by national poet Cho Ki-chon (조기천). It was released in 1990 by the Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble, and as a single on vinyl in 1991.[1] After its release, it became one of the biggest hits in North Korea.[2]
| "Whistle" | |
|---|---|
| Song | |
| Composer(s) | Lee Jong-oh (리종오) |
| Lyricist(s) | Cho Ki-chon (조기천) |
| Whistle | |
| Chosŏn'gŭl | 휘파람 |
|---|---|
| Revised Romanization | hwiparam |
| McCune–Reischauer | hwip'aram |
The song has also become popular in South Korea, where it is considered to be free of ideology due to its depiction of a love affair between a man and a woman.[3][4] Its main subject is a man wooing a textile factory worker by whistling regularly at her balcony.[5]
During the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, the song was performed by a troupe of 230 North Korean cheerleaders invited by South Korea in order to help improve diplomatic relations and restore normalized communications.[6]
References
edit- ^ ""보천보전자악단* – 휘파람 = Whistle"". Discogs.
- ^ ""North Korean Performers Adapt to Life on a New Stage"".
- ^ Korean Unification Bulletin. Ministry of Unification of the Republic of Korea. 2001. p. 6. Retrieved 5 Aug 2024.
- ^ ""What are popular love songs in North Korea?"" (in Korean). Ministry of Public Information of the Republic of Korea. Retrieved 5 Aug 2024.
- ^ ""A North Korean love song for Valentine's Day"".
- ^ ""What are North Korea's cheerleaders singing at the Winter Olympics?"".
External links
edit
- Youtube: "Whistle", music video
- YouTube: "Whistle", live performance by Chon Hye-yong of the Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble
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