List of North Korean musicians
This is a list of musical artists that are of North Korean nationality.
North Korean musicians
| Titles and awards | Name | Korean name | Instrument | Famous works | Orchestra | Notes | Ref |
| Merited Artist | Kim Il Jin | Cello, conductor | Mansudae Art Troupe, Isang Yun Orchestra | Married to film actress Kim Yong Suk. | |||
| Kim Yong Jae | 김용재 | Vocals, piano | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
| Kim Jong Nyo | 김정녀 | Vocals | Ours is a Family of Soldiers, Arirang of Prosperity | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble, Wangjaesan Light Music Band | |||
| Merited Actress | Jo Kum Hwa | 조금화 | Vocals | Wild Geese Flying in the Sky, Campfire, I Can't Tell | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | Only alto in the Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble. | |
| People's Actress | Jon Hye Yong | 전혜영 | Vocals | Whistle, Cuckoo | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | ||
| Yun Hye Yong | 윤혜영 | Vocals | This is an Attack, Stars Whispering One, Two, Three | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble, Wangjaesan Light Music Band | |||
| Merited Actress | Ryu Jin A | 류진아 | Vocals | Moranbong Band | Lead singer of the Moranbong Band after succeeding to Kim Kyong Hui. | ||
| People's Artist | Mun Kyong Jin | 문경진 | Violin | Unhasu Orchestra, Mansudae Art Troupe | Foreign-educated concertmaster of the Unhasu Orchestra. | ||
| Merited Actress | Ri Kyong Suk | 리경숙 | Vocals | Glad to Meet You, My Country is the Best, Don't Ask My Name | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | Married to bassist Kim Yong Il. | |
| Merited Actress | Ri Ok Hwa | 리옥화 | Vocals | Moranbong Band, Moranbong Chorus | |||
| Merited Actress | Ri Pun Hui | 리분희 | Vocals | Don't Advance Night of Pyongyang, The Voice Calling Me | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | ||
| Ri Sol Ju | 리설주 | Vocals | Burn High, Campfire! | Unhasu Orchestra, Moranbong Chorus, Wangjaesan Light Music Band | Current first lady of North Korea. | ||
| Merited Actress | Hyon Song Wol | 현송월 | Vocals | A Girl in the Saddle of a Steed, Without a Break! | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble, Wangjaesan Light Music Band, Unhasu Orchestra, Samjiyon Orchestra, Moranbong Band | One of North Korea's most powerful women, close to leader Kim Jong Un. Director of the Moranbong Band. | |
| Merited Actress | Ra Yu Mi | 라유미 | Vocals | Moranbong Band | |||
| People's Actress | Kim Kwang Suk | 김광숙 | Vocals | The Dear Name, Mother's Song, Where are You, Dear General? | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | Died in 2018 due to a Heart Attack. Married to Jon Kwon. | |
| People's Actor | Kim Won Il | 김원일 | Synthesizers | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | Removed from footage in 2009, probably purged. | ||
| Merited Actor | Kim Hae Song | 김해성 | Synthesizers | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | |||
| Merited Actor | Kim Mun Hyok | 김문혁 | Synthesizers | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | |||
| Kwon Kyong Hak | 권경학 | Synthesizers | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | ||||
| Kim Song Ryop | 김성렵 | Synthesizers | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | ||||
| People's Artist | Jon Kwon | 전권 | Piano | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble, Wangjaesan Light Music Band | Also arranged foreign music for the Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble. | ||
| Jang Jong Won | 장정원 | Piano | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | ||||
| Ri Mun | 리문 | Electronic Organ | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | ||||
| Merited Actor | Kang Chol Ho | 강철호 | Electronic Organ | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | |||
| Kang Kum Chol | 강금철 | Electronic Organ | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | ||||
| Pak Ui Hyon | 박의현 | Electric Guitar | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | ||||
| Merited Actor | Song Kwang | 송광 | Electric Guitar | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | |||
| Merited Actor | Choe Yong Chol | 최영철 | Electric Guitar | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | |||
| Kim Yong Il | 김영일 | Bass Guitar | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | Married to vocalist Ri Kyong Suk. | |||
| Merited Actor | Choe Mun Chol | 최문철 | Drums | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | |||
| Merited Actor | Kim Jin | 김진 | Percussions, vocals | My Love, My Happiness | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble | Served often as the only male vocalist in the Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble, besides Kim Hae Song. Possibly deceased or retired. | |
| Merited Artist | Kim Yon Su | 김연수 | Conductor | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble, Korean People's Army Song and Dance Ensemble | |||
| Labour Hero, People's Artist | Ri Jong O | 리종오 | Conductor, concert flute | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble, Mansudae Art Troupe | Main conductor and leader of the Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble. Died in 2016. | ||
| People's Actress | Choe Sam Suk | 최삼숙 | Vocals | I Shall be a Flower Harbinger of Spring, I Know it Now | Korean Radio and Film Music Orchestra, Mansudae Art Troupe | Major film song vocalist, with hundreds of titles featuring her voice. | |
| People's Actor | Kim Sung Yon | 김승연 | Vocals | Song of Comradeship | Korean Radio and Film Music Orchestra, Mansudae Art Troupe | Major film song vocalist | |
| Ri In Suk | 리인숙 | Vocals | |||||
| Mo Yong Il | 모영일 | Vocals | |||||
| Kim Hyok | 김혁 | Guitar | Not to be confused with composer Kim Hyok. | ||||
| Merited Actress | Pak Bok Hui | 박복희 | Vocals | Wangjaesan Light Music Band | |||
| Jang Yun Hui | 장윤희 | Vocals | Wangjaesan Light Music Band | ||||
| Kim Hwa Suk | 김화숙 | Vocals | Wangjaesan Light Music Band | ||||
| Ko Kyong Ran | 고경란 | Vocals | Wangjaesan Light Music Band | ||||
| Merited Actor | Pak Chol Jun | 박철준 | Trumpet | I Look at You and Think | Wangjaesan Light Music Band | ||
| Jang Mu Kil | 장무길 | Brass | Wangjaesan Light Music Band | ||||
| Ryom Tong Son | 렴덩성 | Vocals | Wangjaesan Light Music Band | ||||
| Pak In Tae | 박인대 | Trumpet | Wangjaesan Light Music Band | ||||
| People's Actress | Ryom Chong | 렴청 | Vocals | Thunder on Jong Il Peak, Let's Love Our Motherland | Wangjaesan Light Music Band | Lead singer of the Wangjaesan Light Music Band. | |
| Kim Son Hui | 김선희 | Vocals | Wangjaesan Light Music Band | ||||
| Choe Kwang Ho | 최광호 | Vocals | Wangjaesan Light Music Band | ||||
| Ko Hwa Son | 고화선 | Guitar | Wangjaesan Light Music Band | ||||
| Jon Il | 전일 | Violin | Thoughts on the Love, Thank You | Wangjaesan Light Music Band | Performed many electric violin solos. | ||
| O Jong Yun | 오정윤 | Vocals | White Frost Flower, Maple Leaves Turn Red | Wangjaesan Light Music Band | |||
| Hwang Suk Kyong | 황숙경 | Vocals | Wangjaesan Light Music Band | ||||
| Kim Myong Ok | 김명옥 | Vocals | Wangjaesan Light Music Band | ||||
| Pak Man Chol | 박만철 | Saxophone | Wangjaesan Light Music Band | ||||
| Paek Jong Suk | 백정숙 | Vocals | |||||
| Ri Ok Hui | 리옥희 | Vocals | |||||
| An Hwa Bok | 안화복 | Vocals | Korean Radio and Film Music Orchestra | ||||
| Ri Kyong Hwa | 리경화 | Vocals | Korean Radio and Film Music Orchestra | ||||
| Merited Actress | Jang Un Ae | 장은애 | Vocals | Flower in My Heart | Korean Radio and Film Music Orchestra | ||
| Jo Hye Kyong | 조혜경 | Vocals | |||||
| Ri Kyong Hun | 리경훈 | Vocals | My Love, My Happiness | Korean Radio and Film Music Orchestra | Often performed duets with Jang Un Ae and Choe Sam Suk. | ||
| Jang Ran Hui | 장란희 | Vocals | |||||
| Kim Ri Ku | 김리구 | Vocals | |||||
| Yun Ik Hyon | 윤익현 | Vocals | |||||
| Choe Hi Thae | 최히태 | Saxophone | |||||
| Kim Un Suk | 김은숙 | Vocals | |||||
| U Sun Hui | 우순희 | Vocals | |||||
| Kim Song Sim | 김성심 | Vocals | Prosperous Arirang | Moranbong Chorus, Chongbong Band, State Merited Chorus and Symphony Orchestra | |||
| Han Sol Hyang | 한설향 | Vocals | Wangjaesan Light Music Band, Moranbong Chorus | ||||
| Ri Chun Il | 리 춘 일 | Vocals | Unhasu Orchestra, State Merited Chorus and Symphony Orchestra | ||||
| Rim Chang Sil | 림창실 | Vocals | |||||
| Merited Actor | Kim Ki Yong | 김기영 | Vocals | Song of Comradeship | Unhasu Orchestra, State Merited Chorus and Symphony Orchestra | Father of Kim Kyong Ho | |
| Kim Kyong Ho | 김경호 | Vocals | Unhasu Orchestra | Son of Kim Ki Yong | |||
| Ri Sang Su | 리상수 | Vocals | My Song in the Trench | State Merited Chorus and Symphony Orchestra | |||
| People's Actress | Kim Ok Ju | 김옥주 | Vocals | The Dear Name | Moranbong Chorus, Moranbong Band, Chongbong Band, Samjiyon Band | Was personally awarded the title of People's Actress by Kim Jong Un. | |
| Kim Kang Bong | 김강봉 | Vocals | |||||
| Merited Artist | Han Ki Chan | 한기찬 | Conductor | Band of the Mass Gymnastics Production Company | One of the conductors responsible for the music performed at the early Arirang Festivals. | ||
| Jo Ho Hyok | 조호혁 | Pianist | Wangjaesan Light Music Band | ||||
| Ryu Chum Hya | 류춤햐 | Vocals | Where are You, Dear General? | Phibada Opera Troupe | Famously sang the solo Where are You, Dear General? in the opera A True Daughter of the Party. | ||
| Kim Yong Ran | 김영란 | Electric Guitar | My Warm Love Will Protect You, Are We Living Like in Those Days? | Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble, Wangjaesan Light Music Band | |||
| Kim Su Myong | 김수명 | Violin | Unhasu Orchestra, Chongbong Band | Deputy concertmaster of the Unhasu Orchestra. | |||
| Jong Son Yong | 정선영 | Violin | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
| Paek Hyon Hui | 백현희 | Violin | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
| Pae Un Ju | 배은주 | Violin | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
| Kim Song Hui | 김송희 | Violin | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
| Choe Song Il | 최성일 | Violin | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
| Kim Mun Sol | 김문설 | Violin | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
| Choe Jin Ok | 최진옥 | Cello | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
| Ri Kum Hyok | 리금혁 | Cello | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
| Yon Jin A | 연진아 | Cello | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
| Ryang Chol Jun | 량철준 | Cello | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
| Kang Se Hyok | 강세혁 | Cello | Unhasu Orchestra, Kim Won Gyun Conservatory | Professor at the Kim Won Gyun Conservatory. | |||
| Nam Un Ha | 남운하 | Sohegum | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
| Jo Ok Ju | 조옥주 | Kayagum, Harp | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
| Ho Kwang Jin | 허광진 | Piano | Korea is One | Unhasu Orchestra | |||
| Kim Yong Mi | 김영미 | Piano | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
| Kim Jong Mi | 김정미 | Piano | Unhasu Orchestra, Chongbong Band | ||||
| Song Un Sim | 송은심 | Guitar | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
| Ri Jong Hui | 리정희 | Concert flute | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
| Jin Guk Song | 진국송 | Wood flute, concert flute | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
| Jin Yong Su | 전영수 | Clarinet | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
| Ri Chol Hun | 리철훈 | Saxophone | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
| Song Yong Guk | 송용국 | Saxophone | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
| Kim Hyong Il | 김형일 | Saxophone | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
| Hwang Sung Chol | 황승철 | Saxophone, clarinet | Unhasu Orchestra, Chongbong Band | ||||
| Ri Ung | 리웅 | Saxophone | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
| Kim Song Guk | 김성국 | Saxophone | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
| Ri Song Hwa | 리성화 | Saxophone | |||||
| Im Hyang Ran | 임향란 | Saxophone | |||||
| Ri Song Kyong | 리성경 | Saxophone | |||||
| Kim Un Song | 김운성 | Trumpet | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
| Kim Song Il | 김성일 | Trumpet | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
| Kim Chol Jun | 김철준 | Trumpet | Unhasu Orchestra, Chongbong Band | ||||
| Kim Un Chol | 김은철 | Senap | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
| Won Yun Jol | 원윤절 | Accordion | Unhasu Orchestra | ||||
| Kim Hyang Sun | 김향순 | Accordion | Unhasu Orchestra, Moranbong Band, State Merited Chorus and Symphony Orchestra | ||||
| Merited Actress | Kim Yu Kyong | 김유경 | Vocals | Let's Love Our Lives with Burning Passion | Moranbong Band, State Merited Chorus | Performed in China with a delegation of North Korean artists. | |
| Pak Kyong Ae | 박경애 | Vocals | Tongil Ensemble | ||||
| Ri Yong Ae | 리영애 | Vocals | Tongil Ensemble | ||||
| Ri Kum Hui | 리금희 | Vocals | Tongil Ensemble | ||||
| Maeng Hyang Song | 맹향성 | Vocals | Tongil Ensemble | ||||
| Pak Su Ryong | 박수령 | Vocals | Tongil Ensemble | ||||
| Ma Sun Hui | 마순희 | Vocals | Tongil Ensemble | ||||
| Cha Sun Mi | 차순미 | Vocals | Tongil Ensemble | ||||
| Ri Un Hui | 리은희 | Drums | Tongil Ensemble | ||||
| Pak Yun Hui | 박윤희 | Bass guitar | Tongil Ensemble | ||||
| Kim Yong Su | 김영수 | Guitar | Tongil Ensemble | ||||
| Jo Sung Kwon | 조승권 | Synthesizers | Tongil Ensemble | ||||
| Pae Kum Chol | 배금철 | Synthesizers | Tongil Ensemble | ||||
| Merited Actor | Ri Song Chol | 리성철 | Vocals | Where are You, Dear General? | State Merited Chorus and Symphony Orchestra | Important tenor singer in the early to late 2000's. | |
| Kim Myong Ho | 김명호 | Vocals | Our 7.27 | State Merited Chorus and Symphony Orchestra | |||
| People's Actor | Sok Ji Min | 석지민 | Vocals | Soldier's Footsteps, "Korea, I will Glorify You" | State Merited Chorus and Symphony Orchestra | ||
| Ho Kwang Il | 허광일 | Vocals | The Day When the General Came to Our Outpost | State Merited Chorus and Symphony Orchestra | |||
| Merited Actor | Hong Kyong Hun | 홍경훈 | Vocals | My Motherland I Stand Guard | State Merited Chorus and Symphony Orchestra | ||
| Merited Actress | Song Jong Sil | 송정실 | Vocals | Prosperous Arirang | State Merited Chorus and Symphony Orchestra | ||
| Merited Actress | O Phil Oae | 오필배 | Violin | Mansudae Art Troupe | |||
| Merited Actress | Kang Sin Hyok | 강신혁 | Violin | Mansudae Art Troupe | |||
| Merited Actress | Ri Hye Kyong | 리혜경 | Cello | Mansudae Art Troupe | |||
| Merited Actress | Choe Ryong Ju | 최룡주 | Flute | Mansudae Art Troupe | |||
| Merited Actress | Ri Na Mi | 리나미 | Mansudae Art Troupe | ||||
| Merited Actress | Pak Chun Yong | 박춘영 | Mansudae Art Troupe | ||||
| Merited Actress | Kim Sae Ran | 김새란 | Violin | Mansudae Art Troupe | |||
| Merited Actress | Kim Kum I | 김금이 | Cello | Mansudae Art Troupe | |||
| Merited Actress | Ko Sin Yong | 고신영 | Violin | Mansudae Art Troupe | |||
| Merited Actress | Kim Chang Yong | 김창용 | Violin | Mansudae Art Troupe | |||
| Merited Actress | Ri Song Hui | 리성희 | Mansudae Art Troupe | ||||
| Son Jong Ae | 손정애 | Mansudae Art Troupe | |||||
| 2.16 Art Prize Winner | Ri Myong Hui | 로명희 | Clarinet | Mansudae Art Troupe | |||
| 2.16 Art Prize Winner Merited Actress | O Yong Ran | 오영란 | Cello | Mansudae Art Troupe | |||
| Merited Actress | Kim Yong Hui | 김영희 | Violin | Mansudae Art Troupe | |||
| Merited Actress | O Yong Suk | 오영숙 | Mansudae Art Troupe | ||||
| Merited Actress | Jang Jae Ok | 장재옥 | Percussions | Mansudae Art Troupe | |||
| Merited Actor | Pak Kye Su | 박계수 | Vocals | Mansudae Art Troupe | |||
| People's Actor Order of Korean Labour | Ju Chang Hyok | 주창혁 | Vocals | Mansudae Art Troupe | |||
| Merited Actor | Pak Yong Sae | 박영새 | Vocals | Mansudae Art Troupe | |||
| People's Actor | Ro Yong Kwon | 로용권 | Vocals | Mansudae Art Troupe | |||
| Merited Actress | Paek Jong Sung | 백정숭 | Vocals | Phibada Opera Troupe | |||
| Choe Ok Suk | 최옥숙 | Vocals | Phibada Opera Troupe | ||||
| Kim Mi Suk | 김미숙 | Vocals | Phibada Opera Troupe | ||||
| Kim Won Ok | 김원옥 | Vocals | Phibada Opera Troupe | ||||
| Merited Actress | Kim Bong Hui | 김봉희 | Vocals | Phibada Opera Troupe | |||
| Merited Actress | Choe Kum Hui | 최금희 | Vocals | Phibada Opera Troupe | |||
| Merited Actress | Ri Chun Hwa | 리춘화 | Vocals | Phibada Opera Troupe | |||
| Merited Actress | Paek Dok Hwa | 백덕화 | Vocals | Phibada Opera Troupe | |||
| Ri Yong Hui | 리영희 | Vocals | Phibada Opera Troupe | ||||
| Ho Yon Ae | 허영애 | Vocals | Phibada Opera Troupe | ||||
| Merited Actress | Kim Hak Sun | 김학순 | Vocals | Phibada Opera Troupe |