How Did Red Velvet End Up Performing in North Korea? Group’s Participation Explained

In 2018, Red Velvet became the third girl group to perform in North Korea. Five years later, the democratic party representative explained how the group ended up joining the Pyongyang concert.

Here’s How Red Velvet Was Chosen To Perform in North Korea in 2018

In April 2018, Red Velvet made history after becoming the third and seventh K-pop group to be allowed to perform in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. 

The quintet went north to participate in a South-North Korean artists’ reunion performance stage, together with other musicians from South Korea, as part of a campaign of cultural diplomacy.

At the time, the girl group became viral for not only performing at the rare concert but also for being able to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

(Photo : Red Velvet (News1))

ALSO READ: Red Velvet Is ‘Less Popular’ Than BLACKPINK, TWICE– But What Makes Group ‘Special’?

On May 25 then, Yoon Gun Young, the representative of the Democratic Party of South Korea, unveiled how the country chose Red Velvet to send as one of its performers.

At the time, Yoon was in charge of preparing for the performance and he was also deeply involved in the South Korean art troupe’s Pyongyang concert, “Spring Is Coming,” as the head of the Blue House’s State Affairs Office.

Yoon then explained:

“What I thought at that time was that a girl group representing Korea should perform in Pyongyang, show something new, and show that we are this good. Red Velvet was the only girl group that I knew the name of, so Red Velvet took the opportunity.”

(Photo : Red Velvet (News1))

He continued:

“The team name is ‘Red Velvet’ (Red), and the songs they sang were also red-flavored, so they left an impression on me. So I said to the person preparing to recruit, ‘I really want to cast Red Velvet, please look into them.’

In fact, I didn’t know well of all members.”

Yoon confessed that he only remembered the name and song title because it was impressive, but he didn’t know who was who.

Representative Yoon Reveals Why Red Velvet Performed ‘Red Flavor’ in Pyongyang Concert

(Photo : Red Velvet (News1))

At the time, Red Velvet performed two songs, “Bad Boy” and their hit track “Red Flavor.” There were only four members since Joy wasn’t able to join them due to her drama schedule.

As to why the latter song was chosen, Rep. Yoon said:

“If you go to Pyongyang and perform, won’t you expect the reaction of Pyongyang citizens? So I asked for two points, he said. I asked for Baek Ji-young’s ‘Like Being Hit by a Bullet’ and Red Velvet’s ‘Red Flavor’ to be included in the playlist.”

I wanted to show the citizens of Pyongyang that there is such a song. Isn’t the lyrics itself ‘Like Being Hit by a Bullet’ that Pyongyang citizens can’t imagine?”

(Photo : Red Velvet (News1))

However, Pyongyang citizens were expressionless no matter who performed since it was not allowed for them to react enthusiastically when watching it in a crowd.

But Lawmaker Yoon clarified:

“It must have shocked them to the core that (Red Velvet) is the best girl group in Korea at the time.”

READ MORE: Media Outlet Selects Red Velvet as ‘K-pop Queen’

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Written by Eunice Dawson.