Kim Kwang-suk

{{Short description|North Korean singer (1964–2018)}}

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{{Family name hatnote|Kim|lang=Korean}}

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{{Infobox person

| name = Kim Kwang-suk

| nationality = North Korean

| image = Kimkwangsuknorthkorea.png

| image_upright =

| image_size =

| landscape =

| alt =

| caption =

| native_name = 김광숙

| native_name_lang = ko

| known_for = Singing

| birth_date = January 1964

| birth_place =

| death_date = {{death date and age|2018|01|14|1964|01|mf=yes}}

| death_place = Very likely Pyongyang, North Korea

| spouse = Jon Kwon

| awards = Merited Artist, People's Artist

| style = Folk

| notable_works = "What Is Life?", "The Dear Name Kim Jong Il", "Brother Louie", "My Dear Is A Hero Now", "Where Are You, Dear General?", "Golden Trees, Apple Trees, Planted in the Mountains"{{Cite web|title=Kim Kwang Suk Dies At Age Of 55|url=https://exploredprk.com/news/kim-kwang-suk-dies-at-age-of-55/|access-date=2021-09-13|work=Explore DPRK|date=January 15, 2018 }}

| occupation = Vocal, vocal instructor

| years_active = 1980s–1990s

| organization = Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble

| module = {{Infobox Korean name | child = yes

| hangul = 김광숙

| hanja = 金光淑

| mr = Kim Kwangsuk

| rr = Gim Gwangsuk

| context = north

}}

}}

Kim Kwang-suk (January 1964 – January 14, 2018) was a North Korean singer of the Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble.{{Cite web|title=Legendary N. Korean folk singer dies|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2018/04/103_242787.html|access-date=2021-09-13|work=The Korea Times|date=January 21, 2018 }}

It was said she inspired the creation of the Moranbong band.{{Cite web|script-title=ko:현송월의 맏언니격 ‘보천보악단’ 김광숙 사망… 김정은 애도|url= http://news.kmib.co.kr/article/view.asp?arcid=0923884835|access-date=2021-09-13|website=Kukmin Ilbo| date=January 15, 2018 |language=ko }}

Biography

In 1983, Kim visited Japan as part of the Pyongyang Student Youth Arts Troupe ({{lang|ko|평양학생소년예술단}}).{{cite web|url=https://www.seoul.co.kr/news/newsView.php?id=20180115800022|script-title=ko:北 보천보악단 출신 인기가수 김광숙 숨져…김정은 조화 보내|website=Seoul Shinmun|date=January 15, 2018|language=ko }} She became a member of the Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble in 1986. She was awarded the title of {{ill|Merited Actress|ko|조선민주주의인민공화국의 공훈배우}} at the age of 20 in 1988. She was awarded the title of {{ill|People's Actress|ko|조선민주주의인민공화국의 인민배우}} in 1992.{{cite web|url=https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20180115043500014|script-title=ko:北 보천보악단 출신 인기가수 김광숙 숨져…김정은 조화 보내|website=Yonhap News Agency|date=January 15, 2018 |author1=지성림|language=ko }} Before she died, she worked as a vocal instructor at the {{ill|Pyongyang Youth Student Palace|ko|평양학생소년궁전}} ({{lang|ko|평양학생소년궁전}}, also known as the Pyongyang Students and Children's Palace).{{cite web|url=https://www.tongilnews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=123445|script-title=ko:'생이란 무엇인가' 北 김광숙 사망...김정은 조화보내|website=Tongil News|date=January 15, 2018|language=ko }} Her husband was Jon Kwon, who was a pianist for the Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble.{{cite web|url=http://www.minplusnews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=4936|script-title=ko:북의 전자음악2 - 'NK-POP'을 탄생시킨 보천보전자악단|website=minplusnews|date=April 23, 2018|language=ko }}

In January 2018, she died of a heart attack, aged 54. The Head of State, Kim Jong Un personally expressed his condolences at her funeral.{{cite web|url=http://www.kcna.co.jp/item/2018/201801/news14/20180114-13ee.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191124034943/http://www.kcna.co.jp/item/2018/201801/news14/20180114-13ee.html |archive-date=November 24, 2019 |title= Kim Jong Un Sends Wreath to Bier of Kim Kwang Suk |work=KCNA |date=January 14, 2018}}

References