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    Norwegians seek A-ha! moment in North Korean music

    By BJOERN H. AMLAND | Associated Press – Sat, Feb 11, 2012

    OSLO, Norway (AP) — It's not the face of North Korea the world is used to: five young musicians adding a playful twist to one of the most popular Western pop songs of the 1980s.

    On Saturday, an accordion quintet that gained unexpected YouTube fame with their cover of A-ha's megahit "Take on Me" performed the song live at an arts festival in Kirkenes, on Norway's Arctic border with Russia.

    "For many it is a revelation that North Koreans open up and play Western pop music with such great joy," said Norwegian artist Morten Traavik, who recorded the video during a visit to the Kum Song school of music in Pyongyang in December. It has since been viewed more than 1 million times on YouTube.

    The ensemble accepted his invitation to come to Norway, and their chords formed the musical backdrop Saturday as 250 Norwegian border guards holding colored flipboards tried to create a small-scale version of the giant human mosaics performed at North Korean mass games.

    It was choreographed by two North Korean directors, but instead of the patriotic motifs typical to those events, the display in Kirkenes featured local images, such as polar bears and reindeer herders, Traavik said.

    It's part of an art project that he's labeled "The Promised Land."

    "My idea is to challenge our perceptions of North Koreans, which is extremely negative and stigmatized," he said. "I have a lot of good friends in North Korea. Like other people, they are proud of their country and nature. They are among the friendliest people I have gotten to know."

    However, he said North Koreans are marked by a "siege" mentality, from being cut off from the rest of the world by their own authoritarian regime.

    "It is important that they experience a very positive response during their visit here," he said. "That they feel welcomed and taken care of."

     

    14 comments

    • PurpleBears
      PurpleBears  •  3 mths ago
      News articles like this are proof that there are far too many media outlets.
    • SeerOfDreams
      SeerOfDreams  •  Derry, New Hampshire  •  3 mths ago
      Just watched the video. Not bad. Of course, if Weird Al Yankovic was there they would have done it polka-style!
    • Alex Nero
      Alex Nero  •  Atlanta, Georgia  •  3 mths ago
      Music is truly an international language.If everyone on Earth took an hour to listen to music,that would be a rare,violence-free hour.
    • Phil B
      Phil B  •  3 mths ago
      The musicians are talented but the video sucks. Is there a rule against shooting close-ups. Can't even see their faces...
    • Boppity
      Boppity  •  3 mths ago
      I would hate to eat at that festival. Rollmops (Norwegian pickled herring) with Kimchee (Korean fermented cabbage). Yuck!
      • RAPTOR
        RAPTOR 3 mths ago
        Boppity, I love both of those. It's an acquired tast like most foreign dishes. If you want to try some Pennsylvania Dutch American dishes try 'scrapple' and 'birch beer.' They're both great!
      • Q
        Q 3 mths ago
        That would make EVERYONE a musician - (pull my bowstring?)
    • Timothy
      Timothy  •  3 mths ago
      "However, he said North Koreans are marked by a "siege" mentality, from being cut off from the rest of the world by their own authoritarian regime"

      Yeah go to that oh so friendly country and say that line and see if you get out again..
      • RAPTOR
        RAPTOR 3 mths ago
        That's a given and goes without saying so why did you say it? DUH
      • r
        r 3 mths ago
        "Yeah go to that oh so friendly country and say that line and see if you get out again"

        Fortunately, getting in would already be impossible
    • Mike
      Mike  •  3 mths ago
      Dear leader aka Little Kim must be spinning in his grave with this North Korean band playing decadent western music.
    • James C
      James C  •  Dafter, Michigan  •  3 mths ago
      People all over the world have talent. As long as they are allowed to show that talent, all is good. Unfortunately these artists live in a country that continues to hold down this talent by being nothing more than a bunch of dictators... North Korea is nothing more than a punk #$%$ country that is posturing and puffing up for no other reason that to get aid from other countries in order to survive. As soon as you take these "leaders" out, the sooner that country will start to evolve into a viable Nation...
    • Joseph
      Joseph  •  3 mths ago
      The North Koreans are also available for Polish Sausage Festivals and Bar Mitzvahs.
    • David P
      David P  •  3 mths ago
      How much to hire them to do weddings?
    • r
      r  •  3 mths ago
      In other news: Alex Morgan is a hottie
    • Joe
      Joe  •  Phoenix, Arizona  •  3 mths ago
      Betthey didn't want to go back.
    • Myron
      Myron  •  Langdon, North Dakota  •  3 mths ago
      I went to college with a guy from N.Korea. Really cool dude,smart too.
    • notOdummersfan
      notOdummersfan  •  3 mths ago
      I SLEPT with a guy from N. Korea...... Really short dude,.... black hair,.... thick d!(k,.....BIG b@lls,.....hairy pukr,....would that by chance be the same guy Myron? If it is, I KNOW HIM.... his name is #$%$ POO. If you see or hear from him, tell him I said HI and to give me a call. thanks in advance.........n O f.....!
     Post a comment
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