Sim Soo-bong: Memories and Longing for Her Mother Contained in a Bowl of Pyongyang Naengmyeon

Singer Sim Soo-bong conveyed her longing for her late mother through Pyongyang naengmyeon. According to a video from the KBS WORLD TV variety program 'Fun-Staurant', Sim Soo-bong recreated the Pyongyang naengmyeon that her mother, who was from Pyongyang, used to make for her during her lifetime.

Pyongyang naengmyeon containing her mother's handmade taste, "Eight out of ten meals were naengmyeon"

In the video, Sim Soo-bong recalled memories from her childhood. Having lost her father at the age of three and being raised solely by her mother, Sim Soo-bong revealed that they ate naengmyeon so frequently that her mother, who had come down from Pyongyang, made Pyongyang naengmyeon for eight out of every ten meals. The naengmyeon made by her mother became Sim Soo-bong's favorite food, and this is read as more than just a simple meal, but as a connection to her mother.

In the video, Sim Soo-bong demonstrated the process of cooking naengmyeon using buckwheat noodles. She shared a recipe that implements the unique taste of Pyongyang naengmyeon by mixing dongchimi (radish water kimchi) broth with the soup base. In particular, the method of adding cucumber whole with its skin to enhance the texture drew attention. Tasting the finished naengmyeon, Sim Soo-bong expressed satisfaction, saying it had the uniquely bland yet charming taste characteristic of Pyongyang naengmyeon.

A phone call with her mother, "I hope you grow into a singer who provides comfort"

Recalling her mother through food, Sim Soo-bong could not stop her longing for her late mother. The video captured the process of soothing that longing for her mother. Sim Soo-bong recalled how her mother would shed tears while thinking of North Korea, and expressed her wish to go there together if unification occurs.

A scene of a virtual phone call with her mother followed in the video. Her mother left a message for her daughter Sim Soo-bong, saying, "I hope you write good songs and lyrics to sing for many people as a popular singer, and grow into a singer who provides comfort and soothes pain." Sim Soo-bong appeared moved upon hearing her mother's voice. This part shows that behind Sim Soo-bong's career, having walked the path of a musician her whole life, there was her mother's support and wishes.

Source: KBS WORLD TV (YouTube)