Writer(s) Hwang Sin Yong (황신영) | Composer(s) Ri Jeong Sul (리정술) | |
"Don't Ask My Name" (Chosŏn'gŭl: 내 이름 묻지마세요; MR: Nae ireum mutji maseyo) is a famous North Korean song. The music was composed by Ri Jeong-sul (Chosŏn'gŭl: 리정술) and the lyrics were written by Hwang Sin Yong (Chosŏn'gŭl: 황신영). It was released in 1990 by the Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble. Since then, various versions of the song have been played by other musical groups based in North Korea, including the Wangjaesan Light Music Band. The song is quite popular and is frequently played on North Korean radio stations and television shows.
The lyrics are written from the point of view of an unnamed female. In a television version of the song, she has achieved a noteworthy accomplishment, and a journalist wants to ask her name so that he can write an article about her. She then humbly replies not to ask her for name, considering her accomplishment to be insignificant in comparison to others (such as factory or railroad workers), who are working hard to build the country.