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모란봉악단 - 가리라 백두산으로 Music: U Jong-hui (우정희) 2015 Lyrics: Ri Ji-song (리지성) Recorded appr. Mokran Video DPRK The song in this video became the north Korean big hit of 2015. The catchy tune with rhythmic elements from traditional Korean music and lyrics with direct religious references tells a lot of north Korean culture. Actually this is a sort of gospel song and when Ryu Jin-a (류진아) improvises in the end it sounds very similar to a gospel choir in an American church! The sacred mountain Mt Paektu (백두산) plays an important role for the whole Korean people. The still active stratovolcano is located on the Chinese - Korean border and reaches an altitude of 2744 m. The very deep crater on the top is filled with water forming the very beautiful Heavens Lake (천지). Mythologically this is the spiritual birthplace of the Korean people and many want to visit this place as a sort of pilgrimage. The border goes right through the lake so south Koreans can visit from the Chinese side. In early spring 2015 north Korean marshal Kim Jong-un visited the place. One can drive all the way up but due to snow this is usually only possible in summer. They probably had to dig through some snow to manage to the top at this early time of the year. The footage on the backdrop in this video shows him standing proudly at the top in heavy winds. Mt Paektu is the very base of spiritual life in north Korea. When people bows and places flowers in front of the statues of former leaders Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il at the Mansuade Grand Monument in Pyongyang they also pay respect to the large mosaic of Mt Paektu behind the statues and to the whole Korean people.
