Singer Lee Hyo-ri has recently filmed a TV commercial with North Korean dancer Cho Myung-ae. An advertisement agency announced on May 18 that it had cast Cho to star in a new TV commercial for a cell phone from Samsung Electronics.

Cho has many fans in the South who admire her angelic looks. She stole the spotlight back in 2002 when she appeared at the opening ceremony of the August 15 National Reunification Competition with the North Korean team. And she showed off impressive drum-playing skills during her performance with the Mansudae Art Troupe at the COEX in Seoul, receiving a large ovation from the South Korean audience. She is also the first North Korean artist to have a fan cafe in the South, whose membership now surpasses 12,000 people.

The TV commercial, entitled `One Ringing,` was filmed in Shanghai, China from April 6 to April 10. It consists of four parts, featuring Lee and Cho as two strangers who encounter each other by chance and gradually become pals. Viewers will be able to see the commercial in late June or early July if the second session of filming slated for early June is held as planned.

The advertisement agency said the filming was held in a friendly atmosphere as it became the first example of `inter-Korean cultural exchange through advertising.`