North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has sent his all-female pop propaganda band to China in an apparent effort to boost relations with his traditional ally.
The Moranbong Band, which was reputedly handpicked by Mr Kim, is to give "friendship performances" along with the State Merited Chorus - an army orchestra - the official news agency KCNA reports. Clad in military-style uniforms, the musicians were seen off at Pyongyang station by senior party officials and the Chinese ambassador, underlining the importance of the group's first tour abroad.
It's seen as the latest sign that the two countries' longstanding alliance is on the mend again, after being strained by North Korea's third nuclear test in 2013. The band will appear at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing from 12 to 14 December, according to China's Xinhua agency.
Last in the international news in September, when rumours of their disappearance and possible fall from grace turned out to be greatly exaggerated, Moranbong were formed at Kim Jong-un's order in 2012 out of an ensemble favoured by his deceased father, Kim Jong-il.
They are known - at least by the authoritarian state's staid standards - for their energetic, almost Western-style performances. Songs include typical North Korea propaganda items such as We Think of the Marshall (Mr Kim) Day and Night and My Country is the Best!, but also more surprising Western-inspired numbers, including the Theme from Rocky.
朝鮮引導人金正恩派出他的女子風行樂團到中國表演，有顯著用意欲修復與傳統盟友中國的幹系。
牡丹峰樂團，被稱是應朝鮮最高引導人金正恩指導建立的樂團，將與“功勞國度合唱團”一路舉行“友愛表演”，據朝鮮中心消息社報導。樂團成員們身著戎衣禮服，從平壤站動身，黨內高層官員和中國駐朝鮮大使等為拜訪團送別，誇大了該樂團第一次出國表演的主要性。
自2013年朝鮮舉行第三次核試驗後，中朝兩國幹系一向重要，此次公演被視為兩國的歷久同盟幹系正在修補的最新跡象。據新華社報導，朝鮮樂團將會於12月12日-14日在北京國度大劇場舉行公演。
此前已備受金正恩已故的父親金正日的愛好，2012年在金正恩的指導下建立了牡丹峰樂團。在玄月的國際消息上，牡丹峰樂團從熒屏上消逝和大概失寵的風聞被緊張誇張。
他們是異常受追捧的--最少以獨裁國度呆板的尺度權衡—她們的生機勃勃，和險些西方法的舞台作風。演出歌曲包含典範的朝鮮歌曲《金正日將軍之歌》《故國贊歌》，另有更讓人驚奇的西方歌曲如the Theme from Rocky等。
市場價：HK$ 110
