By Lee Hana
Video = Yonhap News TV

A South Korean art troupe staged a concert in North Korea at the East Pyongyang Grand Theatre on the evening of April 1.

The lineup for the concert, titled "Spring is Coming," included a total of 11 artists: Cho Yong-pil, Choi Jin-hee, Kang San-ae, Lee Sun-hee, Yoon Do-hyun, Baek Ji-young, Jung In, Ali, Seo-hyeon, Kim Kwang-min and pop group Red Velvet. The singers performed some 26 songs, including their own hits as well as North Korean numbers, before a full house of 1,500 people.

The concert began with classical pieces by jazz pianist Kim Kwang-min, followed by uplifting hits including Jung In's "Uphill," Baek Ji-young's "Don't Forget Me," Red Velvet's "Red Flavor" and Lee Sun-hee's "Beautiful Country." As the final act, all of the singers came together on stage to perform "My Friend," "Let's Meet Again" and "Our Wish."

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his wife Ri Sol-ju came to enjoy the evening concert. This was the first time a North Korean leader attended a South Korean performance in the northern capital.

A number of high-ranking officials, including Kim Yo-jong, deputy director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department of the Worker's Party, and Kim Yong-nam, president of North Korea's Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, also came to see the show.

It was reported that Kim Jong-un, seated next to Korea's Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Do Jongwhan, clapped and cheered while watching the concert. The North Korean leader posed for photographs with the performers after the show.

According to the singers, Kim Jong-un said to them, "Concerts of this kind should be held often. Since the South put on a show titled 'Spring is Coming,' the North will return the favor in Seoul this fall, with a concert titled 'Autumn is Here.'"

Sunday's concert was the first time in 16 years for a South Korean art troupe to perform in North Korea, since the South Korean broadcaster MBC staged a special show back in 2002. Cho Yong-pil was the last pop act to perform in Pyongyang, 13 years ago, in 2005.

The concert was organized ahead of the Inter-Korean Summit scheduled for April 27, and as a follow-up to North Korea's Samjiyon Orchestra performance this past February during the Winter Olympics.

The South Korean delegation will stage one more show on April 3, a collaboration between South and North Korean art troupes, at the Pyongyang Grand Theatre. They will return home afterward.