[ti:Pop Culture Revolution in North Korea?] [by:www.51voa.com] [00:00.00]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM [00:00.00]North Korea is not known for welcoming popular culture. [00:05.30]In fact, North Korean leaders have historically sought [00:09.71]to keep Western cultural influences out of the nation's Communist society. [00:16.95]North Korea remains one of the most closed nations in the world. [00:23.45]People who openly criticize North Korea's government or leadership [00:29.17]can be seen as a threat and face severe punishment. [00:34.32]Cultural changes have traditionally come very slowly. [00:39.99]Watching television programming [00:42.68]or listening to music from South Korea is illegal. [00:47.49]Government restrictions also make it impossible for most North Koreans [00:53.99]to travel abroad or to freely experience foreign movies or books. [00:59.76]But under current leader Kim Jong Un, North Korea [01:05.88]appears to be taking steps toward its own pop culture revolution. [01:12.22]Clear evidence of this change can be seen [01:16.09]in music, television, film and fashion. [01:20.97]The change is described in a report [01:24.87]by the Associated Press' bureau chief in Pyongyang, Eric Talmadge. [01:31.42]The changes could be evidence that Kim's government [01:35.66]is realizing that despite heavy restrictions, [01:38.63]North Koreans are still experiencing foreign pop influences. [01:44.54]It could be an attempt by Kim's government to try [01:49.50]to keep up culturally with South Korea and the rest of the world. [01:54.59]One example is a North Korean female pop group [01:59.69]that has become hugely popular in the country and even has fans abroad. [02:05.41]The group, called Moranbong, is also a known personal favorite of Kim Jong Un. [02:14.71]The women perform in colorful, stylish clothing [02:19.57]that shows off their bodies in a way not commonly seen before in North Korea. [02:26.02]Another change is evident in North Korea's footwear industry. [02:31.35]Factories are busy producing shoes designed to look like Air Jordans [02:38.14]or other popular shoes being sold in other parts of the world. [02:43.83]The large Ryuwon Shoe Factory in Pyongyang [02:48.90]shows off the latest creations in a colorful setting [02:53.00]that looks similar to many Western showrooms. [02:56.84]The collection includes shoes for all kinds of sports, [03:01.39]including running, volleyball, soccer and table tennis. [03:07.71]Kim Kyong Hui works at the factory. [03:11.92]She told the AP the operation is aimed [03:15.91]at producing what the North Korean people want. [03:19.52]"The most important thing for us is to produce a product [03:25.03]that suits the people's tastes," she said. [03:28.66]"The respected leader Kim Jong Un has instructed us [03:34.07]to closely study shoes from all over the world [03:37.31]and learn from their example," she added. [03:41.25]In general, many North Korean goods are now being presented to the public [03:47.00]in Western-style packaging designed to be more appealing. [03:52.41]Changes have also happened on North Korean television. [03:57.11]The country's programs still include a lot of propaganda [04:02.31]and documentaries with high praise for North Korean leaders. [04:07.92]But there is improved production values. [04:11.06]The acting seems more realistic and emotional and the stories more entertaining. [04:18.63]The sets and clothing meet a much higher level of quality than in previous projects. [04:26.18]One of the most-watched television shows in the country currently [04:31.17]is "The Wild Ginseng Gatherers of the Imjin War." [04:36.53]It is a historical series set in the late 16th century, [04:41.60]when Korea was struggling against Japanese invaders. [04:46.69]The show is so popular that many people [04:50.06]reportedly stop what they are doing to watch. [04:53.56]Other fans meet in restaurants to watch together. [04:58.65]Bollywood films are also now very popular in North Korea. [05:04.69]The film "Three Idiots" was recently shown in a state-run movie theater [05:10.41]across the street from Pyongyang's Kim Il Sung Square. [05:15.45]And Harry Potter books are among the most popular [05:19.84]at the People's Grand Study House, North Korea's largest library. [05:26.03]I'm Bryan Lynn. [05:28.35]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM