Performing interpretive styles of pop, rock, and fusion, they are the first all-female band from the DPRK, and made their world debut on 6 July 2012.

[5] The need for a modern pop band in North Korea has been attributed to the regime's necessity to please important social strata: Pyongyang elites, military and technical professionals,[3] women,[6]: 167  and in particular, young people.

[6]: 165  The existence of the band suggests the acceptability of fashion items such as mini-skirts and high heels for women,[6]: 167  and their short hairstyles have become popular among middle-class Pyongyang girls.

[7] Sherri L. Ter Molen goes on to say that the band's debut roughly coinciding with the release of Korean Wave star Psy's "Gangnam Style" was not incidental.

[3] Their first performance featured Western popular culture imagery and music, including Disney characters Mickey[10] and Minnie Mouse and Snow White,[11] Winnie the Pooh,[10] the "Theme from Rocky" and Frank Sinatra's "My Way".

These two novel policies — openly celebrating Western popular culture and publicly acknowledging the leader's spouse, along with considerable coverage of the event in the West  — is thought to have served Kim's agenda.

[6]: 167  As South Korean media raised questions about a fundamental opening up of North Korea's culture being foreshadowed by the concert, North Korea responded that "there would be no such policy shift as expected by enemy countries",[11] and that the performance followed Kim Jong Il's maxim to "plant feet in our land, and lift eyes to see the world.

[6]: 166  Differences in style are highlighted by the joint performance of Moranbong Band's arrangement of "Without a Break", originally a military march, the rhythm of which the State Merited Orchestra and Chorus had trouble maintaining.

The concert marked the last public appearance of Minister of People's Armed Forces Hyon Yong-chol before his apparent purge later that month.

[25][26] China's Xinhua news agency stated that all of the band's performances had been cancelled due to "communication issues at the working level".

[29] On July 27th 2023, for the first time in 3 years, multiple singers from the Moranbong Band made an appearance during the 'Grand Performance to Celebrate 70th Anniversary of Great War Victory' concert.

[30] The Moranbong Band has brought forth many propaganda songs in praise of Kim Jong Un, many of which feature Songun, or military-first, themed lyrics,[6]: 166  and music videos.

After the debut, the extravagance of the clothes and jewelry was toned down, hairstyles shortened, and the band members reportedly were placed on a diet to make them appear uniform in size.

According to Nicola Dibben's theorizing of the female representation in popular music, "It would be hopelessly naïve to declare that such tactics are exclusively empowering in their influence."

"[14] A third commentator said, "If state propaganda is to be believed, the Moranbong Band's first performance was also meant to stimulate production in the textile sector, an important node of which Kim Jong Un and his female companion had visited the day before the ensemble's premiere in Pyongyang ...