PROFILPELAJAR.COM

Han Seo-hee

Not to be confused with Han So-hee.
In this Korean name, the family name is Han.
Han Seo-hee
Born1982 (1982)
Pyongyang, North Korea
EducationPyongyang University of Music and Dance
Occupations
  • Singer
  • vocalist
  • instrumentalist
Years active1990–present[citation needed]
Korean name
Hangul
한서희
RRHan Seohui
MRHan Sŏhŭi

Han Seo-hee (Korean: 한서희; born 1982) is a North Korean defector, musician, and television personality based in South Korea.[1][2] She is best known for her former role in an elite North Korean music troupe and her frequent appearances on South Korean variety programs, where she discusses her experiences within the Kim regime and her transition to South Korean society.[1][3][4]

Early life and career in North Korea

Han was born into a family of relative luxury in North Korea.[5] Her father was a businessman and her mother was an accountant.[1] At the age of eight, she was selected for elite training based on her physical appearance and vocal talent.[5] She eventually graduated from the Pyongyang University of Music and Dance.[1][6]

During the early 2000s, Han served in the national orchestra and a secret music troupe that performed exclusively for Kim Jong-il and his inner circle.[5] She was a trained vocalist and a player of the oungum, a traditional lute allegedly invented by Kim Jong-il.[7] Han was also a member of the "Army of Beauties," North Korea's elite cheerleading squad.[8][5] She has since described the squad as a tool for ideological propaganda, noting that members underwent intensive psychological training to remain loyal to the regime while abroad.[5]

Defection

Han's family fled North Korea in October 2006.[5] The defection was precipitated by her brother, who had already fled to South Korea to be with a woman from a "politically disreputable" family.[5] To avoid the collective punishment typically imposed on the families of defectors, Han and her parents escaped through China and Mongolia, eventually arriving in South Korea in March 2007.[1]

Career in South Korea

Han became a prominent media figure in South Korea, notably appearing as a regular on the following programs, Now on My Way to Meet You (Moranbong Club) a hybrid talk and talent show featuring North Korean defectors.[9] She appeared in The Moranbong Club a variety show where she demonstrated her musical skills and shared anecdotes about North Korean culture.[10]

In addition to her television work, Han has been an advocate for defector integration and human rights.[1]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, she launched a YouTube channel to connect with audiences.[1] In July 2024, she published a book of essays titled Everyday Life in South Korea, which details her escape and the challenges of adjusting to a new culture.[1]

Personal life

Han is often confused with a South Korean K-pop trainee of the same name.[1] She has stated that her goal is to pursue graduate studies to further her work in North Korean human rights and eventual Korean unification.[1]

Activism

Han has used her platform to challenge South Korean prejudices against defectors.[1] She has voiced optimism regarding the potential for North Korean regime change, citing the increasing frequency of high-level defections as a sign of internal instability.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Growing defections by high-ranking NK officials suggest possible regime collapse in near future, says defector". The Korea Times. August 7, 2024.
  2. ^ "North Korea cheerleader: 'We were on the frontline'". BBC. February 15, 2018.
  3. ^ "A former North Korean cheerleader describes the 'psychological training' she underwent to get 'into the heart of the enemy'". Business Insider. February 16, 2018.
  4. ^ "Humor, tears on North Korean defector TV show". Reuters. June 21, 2012.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g "From tyranny to reality TV: Meet the celebrity defector women of North Korea". The World from PRI. October 9, 2017.
  6. ^ "From tyranny to reality TV: Meet the celebrity defector women of North Korea". USA Today. October 10, 2017.
  7. ^ "Fear, surveillance, vetting: How North Korea is guarding against Olympic defections". CNN. February 9, 2018.
  8. ^ "A former North Korean cheerleader describes the 'psychological training' she underwent to get 'into the heart of the enemy'". Business Insider. February 17, 2018.
  9. ^ "South Korea's Newest TV Stars Are North Korean Defectors". NPR. January 31, 2016.
  10. ^ "South Korea's Newest TV Stars Are North Korean Defectors". Ideastream. January 30, 2016.

Content Disclaimer

Informasi ini disarikan dari Wikipedia dan disajikan kembali untuk tujuan edukasi. Konten tersedia di bawah lisensi CC BY-SA 3.0. Kami tidak bertanggung jawab atas ketidakakuratan data yang bersumber dari kontribusi publik tersebut.

  1. The information displayed on this website is sourced in part or in whole from Wikipedia and has been adapted for the purpose of restating it. We strive to provide accurate and relevant information, however:
  2. There is no guarantee of absolute accuracy. Wikipedia is an open, collaborative project that can be edited by anyone, so information is subject to change.
  3. It is not intended to constitute professional advice. The content displayed is for informational and educational purposes only. For important decisions (e.g., medical, legal, or financial), please consult a professional.
  4. Content copyright. Wikipedia is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License (CC BY-SA). This means that content may be reused with appropriate attribution and shared under a similar license.
  5. Responsible use. Any risk arising from the use of information from this website is entirely the responsibility of the user.