VOA慢速英语:朝鲜流行文化变革

North Korea is not known for welcoming popular culture. In fact, North Korean leaders have historically sought to keep Western cultural influences out of the nation's Communist society.
从来没有人认为朝鲜欢迎流行文化。实际上，朝鲜领导人历来试图将西方文化影响力阻隔在国门之外。
North Korea remains one of the most closed nations in the world. People who openly criticize North Korea's government or leadership can be seen as a threat and face severe punishment.
朝鲜仍然是全球最封闭的国家之一，公开批评朝鲜政府或领导层的人士可被视为威胁，并面临严厉惩罚。

Cultural changes have traditionally come very slowly. Watching television programming or listening to music from South Korea is illegal. Government restrictions also make it impossible for most North Koreans to travel abroad or to freely experience foreign movies or books.
文化变革一向来得非常缓慢。观看韩国电视节目或听韩国音乐都是非法的。政府限制也使得大多数朝鲜人无法出国旅行，或是自由品味外国电影或书籍。

But under current leader Kim Jong Un, North Korea appears to be taking steps toward its own pop culture revolution. Clear evidence of this change can be seen in music, television, film and fashion.
但是在现任领导人金正恩的领导下，朝鲜似乎正在走向自己的流行文化革命。在音乐、电视、电影以及时尚上都可以看出这种变革的明确证据。

The change is described in a report by the Associated Press' bureau chief in Pyongyang, Eric Talmadge. The changes could be evidence that Kim's government is realizing that despite heavy restrictions, North Koreans are still experiencing foreign pop influences. It could be an attempt by Kim's government to try to keep up culturally with South Korea and the rest of the world.
美联社驻平壤分社社长埃里克·塔尔马奇（Eric Talmadge）在一篇报道中描述了这种变革。这些变革可以证明金正恩政府开始意识到，尽管受到严格限制，朝鲜人仍然会受到外国流行文化的影响。这可能是金正恩政府试图赶上韩国以及世界其它国家文化的一种尝试。

One example is a North Korean female pop group that has become hugely popular in the country and even has fans abroad. The group, called Moranbong, is also a known personal favorite of Kim Jong Un. The women perform in colorful, stylish clothing that shows off their bodies in a way not commonly seen before in North Korea.
其中一个例子就是朝鲜的一家女子流行乐团，这家乐团在国内很受欢迎，甚至在国外也有粉丝，这家名为牡丹峰的乐团也是金正恩的个人最爱。乐团的女性穿着色彩鲜艳、时尚的服装，以一种朝鲜以前不太常见的方式展现她们的身姿。

Another change is evident in North Korea's footwear industry. Factories are busy producing shoes designed to look like Air Jordans or other popular shoes being sold in other parts of the world.
另一项变化清晰体现在了朝鲜的制鞋业。工厂正在忙于生产看上去像Air Jordans或其它在世界其它地方热销的流行鞋。

The large Ryuwon Shoe Factory in Pyongyang shows off the latest creations in a colorful setting that looks similar to many Western showrooms. The collection includes shoes for all kinds of sports, including running, volleyball, soccer and table tennis.
位于平壤的大型Ryuwon制鞋厂在类似西式展厅的缤纷色彩的环境中展示了最新的鞋款，其中包括跑步鞋、排球鞋、足球鞋以及乒乓球鞋等各种运动鞋。

Kim Kyong Hui works at the factory. She told the AP the operation is aimed at producing what the North Korean people want.
Kim Kyonghui在这家鞋厂工作。她对美联社表示，此举旨在生产更多朝鲜人民需要的产品。

"The most important thing for us is to produce a product that suits the people's tastes," she said. "The respected leader Kim Jong Un has instructed us to closely study shoes from all over the world and learn from their example," she added.
她说：“对我们来说最重要的是生产出适合人们品味的产品。伟大领导人金正恩指示我们密切研究世界各地的鞋子，并从中学习。”

In general, many North Korean goods are now being presented to the public in Western-style packaging designed to be more appealing.
一般来说，很多朝鲜商品现在以西式包装的形式呈现给大众，旨在更具吸引力。

Changes have also happened on North Korean television. The country's programs still include a lot of propaganda and documentaries with high praise for North Korean leaders.
朝鲜电视台也发生了变化。该国的节目仍然包括了很多高度赞扬朝鲜领导人的宣传片和纪录片。

But there is improved production values. The acting seems more realistic and emotional and the stories more entertaining. The sets and clothing meet a much higher level of quality than in previous projects.
但是其制作品质有所提高，表演看起来更现实和感性，情节更加有趣，布景和服装的质量也比以前的项目高得多。

One of the most-watched television shows in the country currently is "The Wild Ginseng Gatherers of the Imjin War." It is a historical series set in the late 16th century, when Korea was struggling against Japanese invaders. The show is so popular that many people reportedly stop what they are doing to watch. Other fans meet in restaurants to watch together.
目前该国最火的电视节目是《壬辰战争中团结在一起的高丽人》。这是是时间设定在16世纪后期的一部历史剧，当时朝鲜正在与日本侵略者作斗争。该剧非常受欢迎，据说很多人都放下手头的工作观看，其他粉丝则聚在餐厅一起观看。

Bollywood films are also now very popular in North Korea. The film "Three Idiots" was recently shown in a state-run movie theater across the street from Pyongyang's Kim Il Sung Square. And Harry Potter books are among the most popular at the People's Grand study House, North Korea's largest library.
宝莱坞电影在朝鲜也非常受欢迎。《三傻大闹宝莱坞》最近在平壤金日成广场对面的国营电影院放映。《哈利波特》系列也是朝鲜最大的图书馆人民大学堂最受欢迎的书籍。