Over the next fourteen years, he suffered through rigorous training to perform tunes glorifying Kim Jong Il.

Moscow was fascinating to the twenty-one year old who had not been exposed to music outside North Korea.

[4] Upon his return home, he was named lead pianist in the State Symphony Orchestra.

[3] Planning on proposing to her, Kim practiced "'A' Comme Amour," a romantic number by pianist Richard Clayderman.

[4] A song commonly played in elevators, restaurants, and hotel lounges around the world and especially popular in east Asian countries.

[5] Because of his parents status, all he had to do was to write a ten page self-criticism paper, but it still took a heavy toll on him.

He took a leave from the symphony saying he had a relative pass away and he told his parents he was going to another city to perform.

[5] He headed toward the river and had no trouble at ID inspection points because he was a Pyongyang citizenship card holder.

[4] While living in China, he learned South Korea would provide refuge for North Korean defectors.

However, he was caught by immigration authorities trying to get out at the Beijing airport, spent 3 months in Chinese prison, and put on a train to be sent back to North Korea.