@@SteveWilde Sorry Steve Wilde, your overly melodramatic expressions do not depict the reality of North Korea. North Korea is actually a very orderly society. North Koreans seem physically and mentaly healthier than most Americans.
@Tonia Neese Exactly. All that you say is the same Western propaganda. I guess it's getting late for you to say that "they are all starving", right? ha ha ha ha... Kids!
My uncle was killed in the Korean war, he was 23 I believe, could be younger or older.. He wrote home once a week and told stories of what he saw & was experiencing. He wrote 3 & 4 pages, front and back. These letters were passed down from my aunt, to my mama and to me. Fascinating to read to say the least.. RIP Uncle Dalton Grantham..
Here’s my view from a Chinese perspective. I happened to know two real North Koreans in person. One is a defector who now runs a Korean restaurant in Beijing and the other is a government official living in Beijing. They are both very polite, humble and friendly people. They told me that even before they left the country, they never thought NK was the world’s paradise and they had a pretty clear idea what the outside world is like from the foreign movies, tv shows, radios which are the most popular products in the black market. They still tried to show me good things about NK and I understood where they were coming from. Everyone has their national pride no matter how horrible other people think of their country and in East Asia, it is said that Koreans have the strongest racial esteem. Sometime I feel quite related to them because in Westerns opinions, China is a place where freedom and rights are partly compromised. That’s true, but it doesn’t mean that we believe in all the crap that we’re taught. Truth is we joke about our textbooks and thanks to the communism education, I feel that we can think of social development from a broader view outside the frame of democracy, capitalism, imperialism etc. The result is that we are generally not politically active because we have a comprehensive belief system. I have no doubt about the necessity of human rights, democracy, freedom; on the other hand, communism is definitely not a negative/horrific word in my system. I find it very inspiring to talk to my NK friends about this stuff, and I believe that a decent percentage of them are not fooled by Kim’s fantasies.They just couldn’t do anything to defy the current system. Thanks to your video for it has been a great encouragement for me to explore this Myterious State from a Chinese perspective one day. I believe that as a Chinese, there’s better chance to see a real NK. At last, I hope that no one is viewing this video with only curiosity and sense of superiority. They are normal people like everyone and I just wish that they were happy.
As an American who is spoiled with such an easy life, that we feel guilty of it... I think human beings are born with inalienable rights, that exist outside of any government. As our constitution asserts. It is ironic that you say China isn't politically active as a populace, but rather religious. Since it is Americans that are the most religious per capita in the world. I think we suffer from that though. We believe in order and government. But we also believe that we're all individuals, all equal but free to make our own decisions. Communism rewards everyone equally, regardless of contribution. Thus making free decisions, like free market and free ideology, more constrained to the status quo. Causing tunnel vision and less quality of life. Since a fresh perspective can't assert a position without first entertaining the original at least at first. Evolution is slowed, innovation is stopped, and forces your people to fly to California to progress technologically. I believe that is the crux of Eastern communism. We might gradually decline economically in capitalism, but we'll also progress spiritually, scientifically. As history has shown. I believe China too, will see the benefits of an informed democracy as they evolve and catch up to the modern world. As our own people did a millennium ago, when they first looked up at the stars and wondered; what lies beyond.
Rachel Terhune Cuba was a lot like that too, at least until Castro died and it started opening up a bit more. The propaganda used to be very intense on both sides so it was really hard to get a picture without actually going there. You can still "feel" the government in the air in Cuba, if that makes any sense. Nobody forgets where they are and big brother can be a constant presence in all aspects of life.
It makes sense if your a narcissistic, sociopath, psychopathic dictator who blows up an uncle with a missle, has his half brother assassinated etc just so he can live like King Midas in the 21st century at the expense of millions of people
They absolutely want it filmed, but the trick is they need an excuse to be included in the picture - and since all glory must go to the dear leader ... The one and only method that works is this : CLAIM YOU ARE PREVENTING SPIES FROM FILMING and you get yourself in the film legit.
Most North Korean videos show the same footage, the same guides and the same content. This one is original and very very well made and informative. Well done, this should be featured on TV and rewarded.
As a kid, I went to Disney World in 1974 and got trapped on the "It's a Small World" for an hour when it broke down. This video reminds me of that experience.
Mr. Richard, are you surprised by the respect that the Korean people have for Mr. Kim? Well, in the same way it should surprise you, the adoration that "We The People" feel for Mr. Washington. Mr. Jefferson or Mr. Lincoln. In the US, are hundreds of cities, streets, Malls, parks, squares, monuments, and even their faces appear on our currency. Even in Mount Rushmore we worship them as immortal gods. So, in Korea they are Crazy "LOCOS", but in the US we are fine? LOL
@@salvadorvizcarra769 how can the life of any mortal be eternal? No leader of any country in history is any more “eternal” than the meanest peasant of the same country. The word has a specific meaning that in no way describes any human’s lifespan. Those who wish to revere certain humans as god-like misuse this word a lot. When others of us call you on your bullshit, stop with the whataboutism. It makes you look even more stupid than you probably are. Who in the US worships Washington or Lincoln as “eternal”, or anything god-like? Be specific.
The most boring, sad country. High rises that are empty, streets that are empty,, statues of dear leaders, these poor brainwashed people. Stores filled with foreign goodies for the select few. We want to see the real North Korean people, where they live, what they have and don’t have. Every TH-cam video shows the same boring pictures. I am so blessed to live in America.
Genuinely one of the best videos I've seen on any platform recently. I did not bloody expect that from a youtube autoplay of all things. It was so very Kiwi and that's a good thing.
This is easily the most amazing and politically unbiased documentary on NK out there. Filmmaker deserves an international award or some recognition for the presentation.
Unbiased because they do not allow u to see the horrible things there only the fake things..I appreciate the video..but I also appreciate the videos of the poor defectors from this hell hole also
@@melflo4651 literally if the North Korean ppl were given freedom and realized Kim wasn’t a god and just a man. His palace/fortress would have been raided and he and his family would be burned at the stake or they’d be crucified for the whole country to watch
Been obsessing over NK related content today, and you've got some of the best footage on YT. Thanks for sharing your experiences with all of us! My heart breaks for the North Korean people, they must be tough as nails to suffer as they have. I hope they have the courage to take their freedom back when the time is right. Until then, I hope they do not suffer again as they did in the 90's...
I lived 23 years in a communist country, under a tough dictator, you don't have a choice. You exist, that's all. If don't obey you cease to even exist. As simple as that.
Yeah, exactly...Most of the citizens of NK, suffer. As their idiot leader, kim jung un, enjoys his immense wealth. This situation is absolutely ridiculous. But yet, almost all of the impoverished people absolutely idolize him. If only someone could reverse the immense brainwashing that has overcome them. And they actually realized just how bad they have it...
These North Korean citizens do not have any idea just how bad they have it, They are indoctrinated from berth to completely give their lives to the dear leader. As I watch this documentary, it makes me think of just how great we have things over here. Even people who are visiting the country are watched over, like they are literal prisoners. I can not even imagine having to live my life like this. Being brainwashed from berth, makes these programmed citizens virtual robots, without ant type of expression, or free will. And the thing that really gets to me is the fact that kim jung un is extremely wealthy, with absolutely no worries about how he is going to progress through his life, as a majority of the citizens there, are dirt poor, and completely rely on the regime for their daily needs. The leader of this country should be brought up on multiple human rights violations, and executed. If it was not for the fact that South Koreas economy would completely crash. I would be all for the reunification of the North and the South Koreas. Making the country just Korea. But, the South would not be able to support all of the impoverished North people, and civil war would certainly break out. Who ever is the one to solve this major crisis, would definitely be a life saver...
very unbiased, refreshing, and to answer many comment questions, you used your many years of journalism well to create this, i did feel a bit sickly sweet by the end, knowing whats behind the scenes i felt like i ate too much ice cream at the manure factory
Having watched many of these fixed tour videos of the North they do end being very similar, but you managed to make your whole experience very different due to your excellent commentary and the odd real side footage of the country. Well worth another watch. Well done.
This is the most transfixing thing I've seen in a very long time. What a daunting and almost hallucinatory trek through N. K. I felt drained after just watching your account. Thank you for taking me along. Feeling grateful for my freedom .
Wow. Great footage of your visit & your facial expressions at some of the things you saw were 'omg'. Your footage shows a prime example of 'leaders' & 'followers', I feel for the 'less worthy' of the regime. Read, remember, recite - taken to the extreme for the Korean people. Bless you for your valiant effort in the making of this & for, at times pushing the boundaries.
Having read the other comments I need to add, that I acknowledge you were only able to get this footage through sticking to the "official tour", and of course that means that we see the same "act" that many other videos show. However your tactic of those few extra seconds holding the camera - keeping your nerve that 10 seconds longer than most, and then adding to your commentary upon your return was a superb technique. Somehow you have brought the important hidden or perhaps just missed signs of real life to the forefront.
Yeah, those poor North Koreans actually have families with mom and dad and an orderly and clean society. And at 52:13 we can really see how they are starving... North Korea also lacks something the U.S. has a lot of: homelessness... Can you imagine a country where there's no homelessness and housing is basically free? This is still more Western propaganda garbage.
I have to acknowledge the wonderful camera work and the ways the shots, at times, pan around the room at an almost perfect speed. Great documentary, and very great filmmaking and camera operation!
I feel sorry for the adults. The kids are young, and don't fully understand where they're standing in the world. The adults there have to have an idea something is not right. Something's off here. I'd venture to say the majority of Koreans in the north, aren't locked under this brainwashing storm, but more so just stuck in this hell hole. It's kind of the cards they've been dealt, and they're trying to do the best with them as they can. You have the handful that will risk losing their life to try to get out, but the majority is going to try the hardest they can to just comply.
"Slightly sinister eye"?? Like all those logos in the West? Like AOL or the logo on the one-dollar bill? Like all those pyramid-like logos in the West? Oh, I see...
Yeah, they actually have families with mom and dad. And at 52:13 we can really see how they are starving. .. This is still more Western propaganda garbage.
@@joshuaalofipo3859 I know, they actually have families with mom and dad. And at 52:13 we can really see how they are starving. .. This is still more Western propaganda garbage.
steve ~ i have not met you but i really appreciate you sharing this video. it was quite an intimate view into north korea that i had not understood or experienced before. very timely and important that you would share this now ~ to put a face on this nation who is so feared. your narrative was insightful and initiated meaningful discussions within my community.
Incredible film. Thank you so much for making this and letting the world see it. A truly fascinating country for sure. Like you say, the people of NK are just regular, ordinary people - the only thing different about them is that they were born into a regime that tells them what to think, what to say, (or not to), every minute of their lives.
I have been watching a lot of these North Korea docs . What I have noticed is in every doc they show a lot of the same people in every visit from different doc makers. And they take them to a lot of the same places. Very sketch!!!!
I just said this too! Your so right the lady in the lift at 48.40 is the same lady I just watched in the Michael Palin in North Korea documentary prior to this. Very fishy
@@CraftBOYGamers It's like being in a computer game where you want to go down some little corridor or visit some obscure room, but there is always a Non Player Character there to stop you.
@@CraftBOYGamers Was she a tour guide speaking good English? Could explain why she's there? Are tourist from the Land of the Free allowed to ski on those slopes?
Well done, l don’t think l would ever go to North Korea not my cup of tea, but my heart feels deeply for the people there. As an American l know our ways are not for everyone but l’m so grateful l was born in the United States, NYC Thanks you for sharing your journey with us. 😊🙏🏻❤️
lol usa killed 1/3 of Korea population. Kids there have to learn how to recognize bombs today because there's still bombs underground in some places. That was a fucking genocide. Just as they do around the world with no reasons but keep their empire. All of that to keep that fucked internal way of life, with hungry and racism.
That’s because tourist are being shadowed and watched 24 hours a day. And if as a tourist you stray from the govt plan to show only the best. Then you might end up in prison.
@Stef Green Thats because the NK government plans the trips and decides what places the tourists get to visit. The rest of the country is off limits to tourists.
Find the channel The People. This Russian journalist went in there, lying saying he was a lawyer and was allowed more "freedom" to get around and not the usual tour. He has 2 videos of it on his channel
This might be my favorite, highest rated Doc I’ve seen 👏 Not normally could just 1 person pull this kind of production quality but very well done Sir !
@@rubicunduseratiudas1264 Get out of here you ungrateful idiot. Stop bashing your country. I dare you to try to live somewhere else. Need help with moving expenses? Start a gofundme, we'll pay for you to GTFO.
@@aces553 Luckily for me 1D10T$ like you don't decide who enters or who leaves the country. You can make a roll with your miserable "expenses" and stick 'em up and inside your BUT whole. GTFO of here immediately.
I certainly enjoyed this. Well done, film work, narration, editing, all of it. Beautiful. Very unpolitical, unbiased, yet truthful and sad. I have visited Pyongyang on two occasions. They were trips to satisfy the curiosity of a student of history. Also to see the country where my father died as a young marine. Well done
Steve, thank you for presenting us with a brilliant documentary. The photography, the witty commentary, poignant observations, your critical eye and the cool soundtrack have all made this a joy to watch. I cannot recommend this enough.
What i keep see in every NK documentary is, there is not Even a bird or nothing to see, i know the poorest people would easily eat it, but theres not Even a flying bird.
After watching several North Korean documentaries, this one was easily the best. Even though you were only shown what they wanted you to see, your commentary helped explain all the details and craziness around you, and you helped your audience see through the propaganda to see these people for who they are..just people! Even though I live in the US, I would 100% take the opportunity to travel the the DPRK if given the chance. Mr. Wilde you are an incredible journalist!
Great cinematography! I have visited a Non-Democratic country: Vietnam. I did not notice any difference. I could walk freely and go wherever I wanted. I had no "minders" watching me. I could take pictures and leave my hotel room at night. There were very little propaganda images, mainly at tourist spots selling souvenir posters which I bought. .I am sure the North Korean people are lovely but this constant reverence to the leaders is very cultish and the oppressiveness of even the tourists is unsettling. The U.S. is not perfect and we have our issues but at least we can have control over our own thoughts and can choose to believe what our government tells us or we can research the facts for ourselves. The control over everything there is so oppressive. The one good thing I can say is that I Loved the way everything was so CLEAN. I guess that is the only thing that's better in the DPRK.
Been to Viet Nam many times: don't kid yourself, you are still watched, if not restricted like in NK, at least in most places, and photography of infrastructure, especially government buildings is politely refused, and I made sure to ask first. I might not agree with their rules, but as a guest U don't want to be sedn as an Ugly Tourist. We had one bloke with us who took it upon himself to try and evangelise to the locals, and we had to tell him a few home truths: we had little concefn for our safety, but the local government was known for persecuting the associates of foreign fools, and this man's actions had been noted and only excused by quick action by our team leader, and a friendly local police chief and other officialswho knew of our work in education and in installing infrastructure, and greatly approved of it.
This was outstanding! You captured so much of North Korean life that I hadn't seen in other documentaries.The high-quality footage of the immaculate parks, sculptures, artwork, grounds, buildings, countless rituals, and ubiquitous images of their leaders were a trip to watch, especially when juxtaposed to the poverty of the farmers outside the city. Really enjoyed your commentary on the dos and don'ts and the "dance" you must play between you and your "monitors", all with big smiles and laughs.
In North Korea(as a North korean)you just have to be careful of all your actions to prevent bringing shame to the country’s image and to avoid attracting the authorities on your head. They’re really trying cuz I can’t cope with it.
Wow I genuinely thought that this was just a reposted documentary until I realized there was no intro or watermark and found out you made this yourself. This is incredible! Great work!
I’ve watched a lot of documentaries on North Korea & I can honestly say this is by far the best & most informative I’ve seen, fantastically edited & narrated. TOP WORK, new subscriber here... 👍
@@noikzgt9062 A quick google search would hold an answer for you. Why do you need to sound so damn patronizing? Your comment makes you appear ignorant..
Dear Steve Wilde, this is an excelent travel journey. Thank u for this documentary. I am Dutch and saw a lot of those movies, but this is the best one. It is really a strange and back to the past country. It is indeed all fake. And that is the beauty of it.
THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE VIDEO!! Thank you for sharing this with us. I’ve been watching dozens of videos about the country and yours is BY FAR THE BEST!! It should be on National Geographic or somewhere in which the masses will see it. You’ve done an incredible job my friend!
Steve Wilde - You’re welcome. The quality of this is as good as, if not better than many programs I’ve seen on Discovery Channel, Nat Geo, BBC, etc. I hope to see this somewhere on TV someday. You should be marketing this to companies like that.
The MOST informative piece I've seen on NK, yet my mind is simply racing with questions. I now see why the State hasn't seen a revolt yet. It's not just the the yin & yang of NK _same tour clips & a starving countrymen_ there's *more layers* to NK! Thanks for letting us see it through your lens, but now I only want to know more! (Yet to date you by far gave me the best glimpse of the other side).
In most of the world, a newsstand is a place where you buy newspapers. But in Pyongyang , a newstand (e.g. 57:32 & 57:54) is a multi-panel display case showing all the pages of the current newspaper. Nobody seems to ever carry a printed newspaper. Interesting.
Great work Steve- intelligent, insightful commentary and top notch filming and editing. I look forward to seeing more of your work. Cheers from Melbourne ; )
Well done mate! I particularly liked when you pushed the envelope on restrictions. The statues remind me of the ones from Iraq. I pray one day the North Korean statues are pulled down like the ones in Iraq. The human rights atrocities are appalling in North Korea. If Seoul wasn't within artillery range of the North, the world would have ended this Regime long ago.
Best dprk documentary i have seen in year's. thanks for making this ! I love your intelligent and witty comments. The LSD trip like children's palace brilliant. Love this..... PS your facial expressions when you are looking at the kims priceless !🤣
@@chiwanchung3339 iv always been fascinated with korea. And cults i wanted to teach English there. Someday ill see it. Im what i like to call a Pyongyanger.....i made this up it's someone obsessed with north Korea.
It's hard to articulate why but there is something truly horrifying about this contrast of colourful decoration inside such cold, harsh soviet architecture. It's almost a metaphor for the children and the people themselves, what they feel on the inside versus what must be presented on the outside. The fear of growing up in a place like this is outweighed only by the empathy for those who must.
Brilliantly worded, you removed my desire to even comment. You said it first and better than I was about to. I feel like one of the poor Korean 3yr olds now ... Silence is probably the best option, wait until our dear leader requires my service to the country. What that looks like to me : Is Kim Yong-Il fucking a great many 3yr olds whilst telling their parents what great glory they've brought Koreans. Trump is the only dude on Earth who has ever stood up to it, and look where that got him. Trump when you win in 2024, definitely invite Kimmy to watch some American rockets. Let's see him get a fleet of slaved 3yr olds to compete there!! Korean parades look exactly like Hitlers did and that guy died in a ditch to his own pistol...
One of the best videos from North Korea I have seen. Great camera work. I know you haven't shown the full picture but you have shown what you are allowed to see. Can't see myself going ahead with the dog meat.
They're allowed to film in certain places - much of pyonyang, as long as it's "respectable" - can be filmed. PRovided it doesn't have military personnel or the wrong shots of statues and pictures of the leaders.
@@VeggyZ yeah I read if you want to take a photo of statues it must be off the full statue so not just the face or upper half or bottom not in frame ect. Same with leaders photos propaganda ect.
Awesome video, and thanks! I have two questions: 1. How scared were you, trying to shoot that film ? 2. How did you manage to bring back such a large volume of footage? Didn't it rise suspicion that you were shooting too much? I really feel sad for the people there.... It feels like the story is out of a fairytale, where the entire country pretends in front of outsiders. Never imagined anything of this sort before....
It's amazing...somehow you felt VERY UNSETTLED......I can't figure out why. It's just all the citizens are prisoners facing threats of death at any moment for even the slightest infraction. Everything you're seeing is a fake veneer.....why would you feel unsettled? You're a funny puppy.
Unfortunately, this kind of content tricks people into thinking that most of North Korea is just like this - when really, people are barefoot, starving, children are working in the fields, there's electricity for 2 hours a day in the best of circumstances for the non-elite - and sometimes not even that. Most of these clueless viewers don't have a clue either - they're too lazy to look into it, or too stupid to comprehend when told. Such is the state of our world today... evidently. Sad.
I’ve seen two or three of these types of documentaries on NK recently that seemingly paint everything rose colored - I thought I was just being cynical, so I’m glad to see I’m not. Just not forgetting reality lol
I love that you dont even have to talk when you look into the camera, when you see something weird or creepy. I feel like i know exactly what you're saying. lol
Its like the hunger games. The capital is beautiful and filled with elites, mostly smoke and mirror. The tyrant ruler demanding worship. Meanwhile the rest of the districts are barely surviving, starving and black markets, police that show up and interrogate and are constantly terrifying the innocent people just trying to live. They are scary close
Of course this is an incomplete picture of North Korea, but given the limitations placed on the camera man by his guides, I thought it was really well put together. I feel like the North Korean people really are just ordinary people like you and I... I say that even keeping in mind that most of those filmed obviously belonged to a small elite. I do have questions about the skyscrapers and the subway stations, bearing in mind the empty highways... great doc! Huge balls!!!
I found this video awesome. You did an awesome job however I found the entire video made me sick to my stomach and made me feel very fortunate for me and my family to be born where we were, here in the US. It was one of the scariest videos I've ever seen I believe I think I have a hard time sleeping tonight. They seem like good people. Awesome job again thank you
Ever spent time in the ghetto! I've just watched some documentaries about Chicago southside...there are guys living there in practically a war zone with PTS disorder. .this in the greatest country on earth. America is rich and has a high standard of living for most but you have some serious shit in your society. Guns massacres for a start, an underclass on opioids, practically a police state. I'm british.. by the way...we have some of the same social problems.No doubt America is a better place to live than north korea but there are still some really unhappy people in the US.
I'm maybe being an asshole but sometimes we in the west forget about the numbers. ok, one American guy got treated terribly and died at the hands of the NK state. HOW MANY TOURISTS HAVE BEEN ROBBED , RAPED AND KILLED IN THE US..a lot more than one.And that doesn't even include the daily killings that happen to your own citizens, some by the police.
graduke1 Otto was arrested by the government of North Korea and tortured in a variety of ways by the government officials for removing a sign . North Korea considers taking a sign down worthy of capital punishment .
Denise Eggert America thinks killing black people for selling CD’s and playing with BB guns is punishable by death. It’s just cruel to you because the person looks like you. You don’t have that same energy when it comes to others.
Simply Court I am absolutely against police brutality and killing of innocent black civilians . I have been keeping tract and giving my voice against this in Black Lives Matter Movement . Most of my healthcare colleagues and friends are black . I also was a NYC Guardian Angel for 10 years . The only difference, -as bad as the police situation is - “ we can still speak our mind about “ - the North Koreans are not allowed to comment or question their government . The dictator killed his own uncle and family members because he felt threatened by them . I was thinking that these police officers are caught in the mindset of the era of Bloody Sunday at the hands of police -on Edmund Pettus Bridge over 50 years ago , as well as the senseless violence done to black people ( especially young black males ) in Jim Crow South . These corrupt police unions need to stop backing guilty police officers . Every police department needs a civilian review board that they are answerable to. I just saw the video of a Georgia officer that had three innocent black passengers pulled from a Lyft vehicle because they didn’t produce licenses as passengers . The way that these men were being held down by multiple officers could have easily killed them . The one officer was fired . All of these officers should have charges filed against them .
Oof! At 1:21:01 when the girl runs towards the man to grab the flower, the way he looks up towards the camera, being all "Yeah... did you see that? This acting is Oscar-material!" That scene alone felt like a perfect example of how people put on a show for tourists in North Korea. Awesome video, mate!
Yeah, those poor North Koreans actually have families with mom and dad and an orderly and clean society. And at 52:13 we can really see how they are starving... This is still more Western propaganda garbage.
@@rubicunduseratiudas1264 Disciplined and orderly only because they'll get sent to forced labor for 15 years or more if they sneeze wrong. Clean because they'll be executed if they accidentally drop a tissue. Family oriented because if you commit any real crime, your entire family pays for it too. Can't kill yourself, your family will be sent to the mines if you do. & healthy?¿ Yeah. The ones they parade around for us are healthy, cant dishonor the nation in front of the tourists after all.
I know, those poor North Koreans actually have families with mom and dad and an orderly and clean society. And at 52:13 we can really see how they are starving... North Korea also lacks something the U.S. has a lot of: homelessness... Can you imagine a country where there's no homelessness and housing is basically free? Can you imagine living in a country where most women are slim, beautiful and healthy? This is still more Western propaganda garbage.
Thank you. Brilliantly done and, rest assured, the seed is planted. All throughout, I was lost inside my own mind, deep in a reverie thoroughly unfamiliar. The thoughts and images your work evoked in me are inspiring and at the same time haunting. Masterful and insightful. I applaud your creative genius as well as your courage and bravery. Thanks again. Peace
Out of the 100 or so videos i've watched on north korea, this one, hands down has the best cinematography, editing, narrating and storyline. Good job.
Thanks Kateydid18 - I really appreciate your feedback. Take care.
@@SteveWilde Sorry Steve Wilde, your overly melodramatic expressions do not depict the reality of North Korea. North Korea is actually a very orderly society. North Koreans seem physically and mentaly healthier than most Americans.
@Tonia Neese Exactly. All that you say is the same Western propaganda. I guess it's getting late for you to say that "they are all starving", right? ha ha ha ha... Kids!
@Tonia Neese ha ha ha ha ha... right kid.
@Tonia Neese 52:13 We can really see how they are starving and how miserable they are...
This is still more Western propaganda garbage.
My uncle was killed in the Korean war, he was 23 I believe, could be younger or older.. He wrote home once a week and told stories of what he saw & was experiencing. He wrote 3 & 4 pages, front and back. These letters were passed down from my aunt, to my mama and to me. Fascinating to read to say the least.. RIP Uncle Dalton Grantham..
Here’s my view from a Chinese perspective. I happened to know two real North Koreans in person. One is a defector who now runs a Korean restaurant in Beijing and the other is a government official living in Beijing. They are both very polite, humble and friendly people. They told me that even before they left the country, they never thought NK was the world’s paradise and they had a pretty clear idea what the outside world is like from the foreign movies, tv shows, radios which are the most popular products in the black market. They still tried to show me good things about NK and I understood where they were coming from. Everyone has their national pride no matter how horrible other people think of their country and in East Asia, it is said that Koreans have the strongest racial esteem. Sometime I feel quite related to them because in Westerns opinions, China is a place where freedom and rights are partly compromised. That’s true, but it doesn’t mean that we believe in all the crap that we’re taught. Truth is we joke about our textbooks and thanks to the communism education, I feel that we can think of social development from a broader view outside the frame of democracy, capitalism, imperialism etc. The result is that we are generally not politically active because we have a comprehensive belief system. I have no doubt about the necessity of human rights, democracy, freedom; on the other hand, communism is definitely not a negative/horrific word in my system. I find it very inspiring to talk to my NK friends about this stuff, and I believe that a decent percentage of them are not fooled by Kim’s fantasies.They just couldn’t do anything to defy the current system. Thanks to your video for it has been a great encouragement for me to explore this Myterious State from a Chinese perspective one day. I believe that as a Chinese, there’s better chance to see a real NK. At last, I hope that no one is viewing this video with only curiosity and sense of superiority. They are normal people like everyone and I just wish that they were happy.
As an American who is spoiled with such an easy life, that we feel guilty of it... I think human beings are born with inalienable rights, that exist outside of any government. As our constitution asserts. It is ironic that you say China isn't politically active as a populace, but rather religious. Since it is Americans that are the most religious per capita in the world. I think we suffer from that though. We believe in order and government. But we also believe that we're all individuals, all equal but free to make our own decisions. Communism rewards everyone equally, regardless of contribution. Thus making free decisions, like free market and free ideology, more constrained to the status quo. Causing tunnel vision and less quality of life. Since a fresh perspective can't assert a position without first entertaining the original at least at first. Evolution is slowed, innovation is stopped, and forces your people to fly to California to progress technologically. I believe that is the crux of Eastern communism. We might gradually decline economically in capitalism, but we'll also progress spiritually, scientifically. As history has shown. I believe China too, will see the benefits of an informed democracy as they evolve and catch up to the modern world. As our own people did a millennium ago, when they first looked up at the stars and wondered; what lies beyond.
Thank you for such a thoughtful and insightful comment.
I see a interview from a north Korean defector who said if caught in China they have a agreement with N. Korea to send you back.
Defectors are paid handsomely to spread rumors about North Korea, so it's really hard to trust American media and its opinions about north korea
Rachel Terhune Cuba was a lot like that too, at least until Castro died and it started opening up a bit more. The propaganda used to be very intense on both sides so it was really hard to get a picture without actually going there. You can still "feel" the government in the air in Cuba, if that makes any sense. Nobody forgets where they are and big brother can be a constant presence in all aspects of life.
that place is literally a bad dream! Nothing makes sense, it's all very strange and ominous!
It makes sense if your a narcissistic, sociopath, psychopathic dictator who blows up an uncle with a missle, has his half brother assassinated etc just so he can live like King Midas in the 21st century at the expense of millions of people
Literally? Whew! For a while I thought it was a real place!
@@User0000000000000004 Congratulations, clever one. Way to show off your intelligence by deliberately missing the entire point. We're all impressed.
Ominous? Why. Cuz it doesn't look like anything in the US? Well... U will be surprised when visit Finland.
I love how over there, they don’t want you to film the military and yet almost every documentary has footage of them
It's like how in the US, they dont like it when you film cops. They're afraid you're going to catch them doing something bad on film.
They absolutely want it filmed, but the trick is they need an excuse to be included in the picture - and since all glory must go to the dear leader ... The one and only method that works is this :
CLAIM YOU ARE PREVENTING SPIES FROM FILMING and you get yourself in the film legit.
Most North Korean videos show the same footage, the same guides and the same content. This one is original and very very well made and informative. Well done, this should be featured on TV and rewarded.
As a kid, I went to Disney World in 1974 and got trapped on the "It's a Small World" for an hour when it broke down. This video reminds me of that experience.
“The DPRK lost its eternal president Kim Il Sung in 1994”
Well, so much for eternity.
So much for George Washington
Mr. Richard, are you surprised by the respect that the Korean people have for Mr. Kim? Well, in the same way it should surprise you, the adoration that "We The People" feel for Mr. Washington. Mr. Jefferson or Mr. Lincoln. In the US, are hundreds of cities, streets, Malls, parks, squares, monuments, and even their faces appear on our currency. Even in Mount Rushmore we worship them as immortal gods. So, in Korea they are Crazy "LOCOS", but in the US we are fine? LOL
@@salvadorvizcarra769 how many people are those American figures directly responsible for starving? I’ll wait.
@@salvadorvizcarra769 how can the life of any mortal be eternal? No leader of any country in history is any more “eternal” than the meanest peasant of the same country. The word has a specific meaning that in no way describes any human’s lifespan. Those who wish to revere certain humans as god-like misuse this word a lot. When others of us call you on your bullshit, stop with the whataboutism. It makes you look even more stupid than you probably are.
Who in the US worships Washington or Lincoln as “eternal”, or anything god-like? Be specific.
I laughed way harder than I probably should have.. I can just picture all those big-hatted generals going ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 'Welp..'
I love how EVERYWHERE YOU GO, you learn how many times the leader has been there and his EXACT WORDS while there.
I think you would remember if a president visited you and what he would say to you.
I'm sure all these places have this information displayed and the guides are trained to tell you about this
@@Trapatatra Not for years and decades. These people are more scripted than Hollywood. North Korea is a pathetic farce of a country.
@@Trapatatra Not even remotely similar. We have a right to care or not where a president visits. They don’t.
The most boring, sad country. High rises that are empty, streets that are empty,, statues of dear leaders, these poor brainwashed people. Stores filled with foreign goodies for the select few. We want to see the real North Korean people, where they live, what they have and don’t have. Every TH-cam video shows the same boring pictures. I am so blessed to live in America.
Genuinely one of the best videos I've seen on any platform recently. I did not bloody expect that from a youtube autoplay of all things. It was so very Kiwi and that's a good thing.
@Tom Jacobs: If kiwi means music like that, yes it's a very good thing! Superb
What does "to freely quiztion" mean?
What does "protickted" mean?
What does "for-eever" mean?
@@rubicunduseratiudas1264 haha, brilliant
This is easily the most amazing and politically unbiased documentary on NK out there. Filmmaker deserves an international award or some recognition for the presentation.
Thanks BigV - appreciate your comments.
BigV ii
Yes, I'll third that. Gteat job!
how on earth would you consider this politically unbiased? Did you mute the entire thing
Unbiased because they do not allow u to see the horrible things there only the fake things..I appreciate the video..but I also appreciate the videos of the poor defectors from this hell hole also
Kim Jong-un went to school in Switzerland, he knows what freedom is.
That's why he lives like a king because he knows what Freedom isn't
But that freedom will incinerate the Kim’s.
He is the only one in his country who has freedom
Yep
@@melflo4651 literally if the North Korean ppl were given freedom and realized Kim wasn’t a god and just a man. His palace/fortress would have been raided and he and his family would be burned at the stake or they’d be crucified for the whole country to watch
It's really like a real life version of everything in the Hunger Games...
I was thinking the same thing.
Yes, I thought something about it seemed familiar, and that's it.
Yes, right down to the districts. Frightening.
That was my thought as soon as I saw the cameras on the trees. There's also something Kafkaesque about it all.
Nice. Unlike many 'tourist docus' to N Korea, he was a bit sensitive to the situation of ordinary people.
This is the BEST inside DPRK video I've seen... We're glad you made it out!
Been obsessing over NK related content today, and you've got some of the best footage on YT. Thanks for sharing your experiences with all of us! My heart breaks for the North Korean people, they must be tough as nails to suffer as they have.
I hope they have the courage to take their freedom back when the time is right. Until then, I hope they do not suffer again as they did in the 90's...
Thank you so much Avva.
I lived 23 years in a communist country, under a tough dictator, you don't have a choice. You exist, that's all. If don't obey you cease to even exist. As simple as that.
Yeah, exactly...Most of the citizens of NK, suffer. As their idiot leader, kim jung un, enjoys his immense wealth. This situation is absolutely ridiculous. But yet, almost all of the impoverished people absolutely idolize him. If only someone could reverse the immense brainwashing that has overcome them. And they actually realized just how bad they have it...
These North Korean citizens do not have any idea just how bad they have it, They are indoctrinated from berth to completely give their lives to the dear leader. As I watch this documentary, it makes me think of just how great we have things over here. Even people who are visiting the country are watched over, like they are literal prisoners. I can not even imagine having to live my life like this. Being brainwashed from berth, makes these programmed citizens virtual robots, without ant type of expression, or free will. And the thing that really gets to me is the fact that kim jung un is extremely wealthy, with absolutely no worries about how he is going to progress through his life, as a majority of the citizens there, are dirt poor, and completely rely on the regime for their daily needs. The leader of this country should be brought up on multiple human rights violations, and executed. If it was not for the fact that South Koreas economy would completely crash. I would be all for the reunification of the North and the South Koreas. Making the country just Korea. But, the South would not be able to support all of the impoverished North people, and civil war would certainly break out. Who ever is the one to solve this major crisis, would definitely be a life saver...
Yes North Korea people suffer alot
18:00
* curtain opens * "WELCOME TO DULOC ITS A PERFECT PLACE..."
Good one
well done.. and you say your no longer a journalist huh? Please, mate, you need to get back into it.
very unbiased, refreshing, and to answer many comment questions, you used your many years of journalism well to create this, i did feel a bit sickly sweet by the end, knowing whats behind the scenes i felt like i ate too much ice cream at the manure factory
Having watched many of these fixed tour videos of the North they do end being very similar, but you managed to make your whole experience very different due to your excellent commentary and the odd real side footage of the country. Well worth another watch. Well done.
Nothing beautiful about dictatorship and people being brainwashed...
This stuff is completely fake and all staged for foreigners
This is the most transfixing thing I've seen in a very long time. What a daunting and almost hallucinatory trek through N. K. I felt drained after just watching your account. Thank you for taking me along. Feeling grateful for my freedom .
Wow. Great footage of your visit & your facial expressions at some of the things you saw were 'omg'. Your footage shows a prime example of 'leaders' & 'followers', I feel for the 'less worthy' of the regime. Read, remember, recite - taken to the extreme for the Korean people. Bless you for your valiant effort in the making of this & for, at times pushing the boundaries.
Superb work. THIS is why TH-cam was developed in the first place. We need platforms for everyone to share their version of reality. So important.
Having read the other comments I need to add, that I acknowledge you were only able to get this footage through sticking to the "official tour", and of course that means that we see the same "act" that many other videos show. However your tactic of those few extra seconds holding the camera - keeping your nerve that 10 seconds longer than most, and then adding to your commentary upon your return was a superb technique. Somehow you have brought the important hidden or perhaps just missed signs of real life to the forefront.
Yeah, those poor North Koreans actually have families with mom and dad and an orderly and clean society. And at 52:13 we can really see how they are starving...
North Korea also lacks something the U.S. has a lot of: homelessness... Can you imagine a country where there's no homelessness and housing is basically free?
This is still more Western propaganda garbage.
I have to acknowledge the wonderful camera work and the ways the shots, at times, pan around the room at an almost perfect speed. Great documentary, and very great filmmaking and camera operation!
Thanks 🙏
I feel so sorry for the kids amongst everything.. 😩
this i agree 💯 breaks my heart 😭😭😭😭😭
I feel sorry for the adults. The kids are young, and don't fully understand where they're standing in the world. The adults there have to have an idea something is not right. Something's off here. I'd venture to say the majority of Koreans in the north, aren't locked under this brainwashing storm, but more so just stuck in this hell hole. It's kind of the cards they've been dealt, and they're trying to do the best with them as they can. You have the handful that will risk losing their life to try to get out, but the majority is going to try the hardest they can to just comply.
"Slightly sinister eye"?? Like all those logos in the West? Like AOL or the logo on the one-dollar bill? Like all those pyramid-like logos in the West? Oh, I see...
Yeah, they actually have families with mom and dad. And at 52:13 we can really see how they are starving.
..
This is still more Western propaganda garbage.
@@joshuaalofipo3859 I know, they actually have families with mom and dad. And at 52:13 we can really see how they are starving.
..
This is still more Western propaganda garbage.
steve ~ i have not met you but i really appreciate you sharing this video. it was quite an intimate view into north korea that i had not understood or experienced before. very timely and important that you would share this now ~
to put a face on this nation who is so feared. your narrative was insightful and initiated meaningful discussions within my community.
I've watched dozens of videos about North Korea and this is the most fascinating one. THANK YOU!!!
Thanks!
Incredible film. Thank you so much for making this and letting the world see it. A truly fascinating country for sure.
Like you say, the people of NK are just regular, ordinary people - the only thing different about them is that they were born into a regime that tells them what to think, what to say, (or not to), every minute of their lives.
Steve Wilde... I've seen just about every video on North Korea. You've got the best footage out there!
Thanks Shellybean!!
You should definitely watch "Under the Sun"
Very interesting to watch 👍
I have been watching a lot of these North Korea docs . What I have noticed is in every doc they show a lot of the same people in every visit from different doc makers. And they take them to a lot of the same places. Very sketch!!!!
I just said this too! Your so right the lady in the lift at 48.40 is the same lady I just watched in the Michael Palin in North Korea documentary prior to this. Very fishy
@@CraftBOYGamers It's like being in a computer game where you want to go down some little corridor or visit some obscure room, but there is always a Non Player Character there to stop you.
@@CraftBOYGamers Was she a tour guide speaking good English? Could explain why she's there?
Are tourist from the Land of the Free allowed to ski on those slopes?
Yeah they are all clones! Digital 🤖
@@CraftBOYGamers It's called a Job... you are supposed to be there from 9 to 5 and you do it for years if you don't suck at it.
How did they ever let you film all this? Amazing
This is the biggest and grandest maximum security prison tour video I’ve ever seen lol
hah
prisoners get fed, and have their medical needs taken care of. this is a torture video.
@@deedsmillar6056 you’re absolutely right. Comparing the US prison system to North Korea is an insult to the prisons overall LOL
You’re beautiful, do you wanna come over to mine and take it back to the Dawson’s Creek days?
Coming to your town soon
Well done, l don’t think l would ever go to North Korea not my cup of tea, but my heart feels deeply for the people there. As an American l know our ways are not for everyone but l’m so grateful l was born in the United States, NYC Thanks you for sharing your journey with us. 😊🙏🏻❤️
US farms in California are worked by illegal migrants, surviving on meth.
@@ViceCoin poor things
@Best Movies Most migrants become a hated, exploited underclass in their new country. Ask Trump....
lol usa killed 1/3 of Korea population. Kids there have to learn how to recognize bombs today because there's still bombs underground in some places. That was a fucking genocide. Just as they do around the world with no reasons but keep their empire. All of that to keep that fucked internal way of life, with hungry and racism.
@HuckleB680 The US killed 6 million in 251 conflicts in the war on terror. Presidents are just sock puppets for the deepstate.
Each time I see the rocket, I automatically thought of space. Then I remember this is North Korea...
Wait
Every single TH-cam video on North Korea tours show the exact same things but your's was very well edited and I enjoyed it very much. Thank you.
That’s because tourist are being shadowed and watched 24 hours a day. And if as a tourist you stray from the govt plan to show only the best. Then you might end up in prison.
@Stef Green Thats because the NK government plans the trips and decides what places the tourists get to visit. The rest of the country is off limits to tourists.
Hmmm then work on your searching skills 😋
Find the channel The People. This Russian journalist went in there, lying saying he was a lawyer and was allowed more "freedom" to get around and not the usual tour. He has 2 videos of it on his channel
Yep there's nothing different it's always the same thing in North Korea
This might be my favorite, highest rated Doc I’ve seen 👏 Not normally could just 1 person pull this kind of production quality but very well done Sir !
The whole nation like a big prison !
Yeah, just like the U.S.
RUBICUNDUS ERATIUDAS you’re free to leave the US, North Korea, not so much.
@@rubicunduseratiudas1264 Get out of here you ungrateful idiot. Stop bashing your country. I dare you to try to live somewhere else. Need help with moving expenses? Start a gofundme, we'll pay for you to GTFO.
@@aces553 Luckily for me 1D10T$ like you don't decide who enters or who leaves the country. You can make a roll with your miserable "expenses" and stick 'em up and inside your BUT whole. GTFO of here immediately.
@@aces553 Sorry if my phallic opinion hurt your viginal sensitivity. Kisses, princess...
I certainly enjoyed this. Well done, film work, narration, editing, all of it. Beautiful. Very unpolitical, unbiased, yet truthful and sad. I have visited Pyongyang on two occasions. They were trips to satisfy the curiosity of a student of history. Also to see the country where my father died as a young marine.
Well done
Steve, thank you for presenting us with a brilliant documentary. The photography, the witty commentary, poignant observations, your critical eye and the cool soundtrack have all made this a joy to watch. I cannot recommend this enough.
Thanks Amyn - appreciate your feedback!
Amyn Mangi
Ditto
8
What i keep see in every NK documentary is, there is not Even a bird or nothing to see, i know the poorest people would easily eat it, but theres not Even a flying bird.
Steve, this footage was mind blowing. I was lost inside my mind trying to wrap my head around everything.
Thanks for watching Taylor!
Steve Wilde my mother and I kept wondering the whole time how anyone has the balls to go there. Why did you risk everything for this footage?
taylor, I'm with you, it is mind-blowing and disturbing.
After watching several North Korean documentaries, this one was easily the best. Even though you were only shown what they wanted you to see, your commentary helped explain all the details and craziness around you, and you helped your audience see through the propaganda to see these people for who they are..just people! Even though I live in the US, I would 100% take the opportunity to travel the the DPRK if given the chance. Mr. Wilde you are an incredible journalist!
Thank you Nicole - your comments mean a lot to me! Take care and thanks for watching.
@@SteveWilde she’s right, this is easily the best quality NK documentary I know of and I’ve watched all of them lol
And I too agree 👍. So glad I’ve, finally, found such an exceptional report on a fascinating place. Well done and thank you.
Great cinematography! I have visited a Non-Democratic country: Vietnam. I did not notice any difference. I could walk freely and go wherever I wanted. I had no "minders" watching me. I could take pictures and leave my hotel room at night. There were very little propaganda images, mainly at tourist spots selling souvenir posters which I bought. .I am sure the North Korean people are lovely but this constant reverence to the leaders is very cultish and the oppressiveness of even the tourists is unsettling. The U.S. is not perfect and we have our issues but at least we can have control over our own thoughts and can choose to believe what our government tells us or we can research the facts for ourselves. The control over everything there is so oppressive. The one good thing I can say is that I Loved the way everything was so CLEAN. I guess that is the only thing that's better in the DPRK.
"we can have control over our own thoughts" Are you sure? I don´t think so.
if you are a serious threat you can be eliminated, even in the west....3 words for you....martin luther king
*Cough* Snowden *Cough*
Been to Viet Nam many times: don't kid yourself, you are still watched, if not restricted like in NK, at least in most places, and photography of infrastructure, especially government buildings is politely refused, and I made sure to ask first. I might not agree with their rules, but as a guest U don't want to be sedn as an Ugly Tourist. We had one bloke with us who took it upon himself to try and evangelise to the locals, and we had to tell him a few home truths: we had little concefn for our safety, but the local government was known for persecuting the associates of foreign fools, and this man's actions had been noted and only excused by quick action by our team leader, and a friendly local police chief and other officialswho knew of our work in education and in installing infrastructure, and greatly approved of it.
This documentary is award-winning level work. Incredibly interesting.
I agree. I couldn’t stop watching even tho it was way past my bedtime lol.
This was outstanding! You captured so much of North Korean life that I hadn't seen in other documentaries.The high-quality footage of the immaculate parks, sculptures, artwork, grounds, buildings, countless rituals, and ubiquitous images of their leaders were a trip to watch, especially when juxtaposed to the poverty of the farmers outside the city. Really enjoyed your commentary on the dos and don'ts and the "dance" you must play between you and your "monitors", all with big smiles and laughs.
Thanks for taking all the risks you took to show us this video :) Happy to have seen this
Thanks for watching C L!
My local travel agent has no brochures for a holiday in DPRK. I wonder why.
but lots do. Extreme tourism is big business.
In North Korea(as a North korean)you just have to be careful of all your actions to prevent bringing shame to the country’s image and to avoid attracting the authorities on your head. They’re really trying cuz I can’t cope with it.
Wow I genuinely thought that this was just a reposted documentary until I realized there was no intro or watermark and found out you made this yourself. This is incredible! Great work!
Thanks for watching!
is this an award winning doc? because it should be. well done! footage, insight and soundtrack all great
Gorgeous Metro. Thanks for posting this cool video.
I’ve watched a lot of documentaries on North Korea & I can honestly say this is by far the best & most informative I’ve seen, fantastically edited & narrated. TOP WORK, new subscriber here... 👍
The best newest documentary ever seen!!! Thank you! Regards from Brasil!!!!!
You can't even spell your own country's name?
It's called brazil btw.
@@noikzgt9062 A quick google search would hold an answer for you. Why do you need to sound so damn patronizing? Your comment makes you appear ignorant..
Noikz GT if you were educated you would realize that in Brazilian Portuguese Brazil is spelled with an s
@@noikzgt9062 idiot!! Stupid!! Can you speak portuguese asshole??! Dumb ass
Feels like Im at Disney world. Statues to Walt, people at your beck and call, etc etc
Simply don’t speak bad about the Mouse on top of it all...
Dear Steve Wilde, this is an excelent travel journey. Thank u for this documentary. I am Dutch and saw a lot of those movies, but this is the best one. It is really a strange and back to the past country. It is indeed all fake. And that is the beauty of it.
EVERY FIVE MINUTES A COMMERCIAL !!! GOOD GRIEF! THIS IS UNWATCHABLE!
you can skip the adds. not like watching all the dreadful woke adds on TV.
Just start the video then sweep to the end then start it over....COMMERCIAL FREE !
@@4june9140 exactly
loved this video, amazing filming
Yeah?
What does "to freely quiztion" mean?
What does "protickted" mean?
What does "for-eever" mean?
THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE VIDEO!! Thank you for sharing this with us. I’ve been watching dozens of videos about the country and yours is BY FAR THE BEST!! It should be on National Geographic or somewhere in which the masses will see it. You’ve done an incredible job my friend!
Thanks Joey!
Steve Wilde - You’re welcome. The quality of this is as good as, if not better than many programs I’ve seen on Discovery Channel, Nat Geo, BBC, etc.
I hope to see this somewhere on TV someday. You should be marketing this to companies like that.
The MOST informative piece I've seen on NK, yet my mind is simply racing with questions. I now see why the State hasn't seen a revolt yet. It's not just the the yin & yang of NK _same tour clips & a starving countrymen_ there's *more layers* to NK! Thanks for letting us see it through your lens, but now I only want to know more! (Yet to date you by far gave me the best glimpse of the other side).
In most of the world, a newsstand is a place where you buy newspapers. But in Pyongyang , a newstand (e.g. 57:32 & 57:54) is a multi-panel display case showing all the pages of the current newspaper. Nobody seems to ever carry a printed newspaper. Interesting.
Great film. Did you shoot all this yourself? I love docs about N. Korea. For some reason, they really astound me. Thank you.
yes all my own work!
Steve Wilde Very cool. Thanks for all the hard work and effort.
Awesome work!
Same here, I hope to visit one day. It's amazing to see what humans are capable of. This is why we need to limit the power of all governments.
Raymond... amen. Too much or not enough is not good for anyone. The fact is in America we have too much government and not enough at the same time.
Nice to see that the traffic problem is sorted
Edmond Sveikutis we need some if those traffic signal girls here in Chicago. That would really brighten things up😍
Great work Steve- intelligent, insightful commentary and top notch filming and editing. I look forward to seeing more of your work. Cheers from Melbourne ; )
Thanks for watching Danoz!
I've always wanted to go there, and I hope I get the chance some day.
Well done mate! I particularly liked when you pushed the envelope on restrictions. The statues remind me of the ones from Iraq. I pray one day the North Korean statues are pulled down like the ones in Iraq. The human rights atrocities are appalling in North Korea. If Seoul wasn't within artillery range of the North, the world would have ended this Regime long ago.
18:29 the flute continues playing, they were definitely miming to the music
I noticed that too, but I suspect it is more of a video editing issue. I do not blame the performers for this one.
There was another video about Korea and they showed it was fake. They weren't playing the instruments (accordions).
You all do realize that she was not the only flute player, right?
@@pis1ca i think that was the Russian dude.
Best dprk documentary i have seen in year's. thanks for making this ! I love your intelligent and witty comments. The LSD trip like children's palace brilliant. Love this..... PS your facial expressions when you are looking at the kims priceless !🤣
lolly rod 대한 관심이 높아지고 있다 이런 한국
@@chiwanchung3339 iv always been fascinated with korea. And cults i wanted to teach English there. Someday ill see it. Im what i like to call a Pyongyanger.....i made this up it's someone obsessed with north Korea.
It's hard to articulate why but there is something truly horrifying about this contrast of colourful decoration inside such cold, harsh soviet architecture.
It's almost a metaphor for the children and the people themselves, what they feel on the inside versus what must be presented on the outside. The fear of growing up in a place like this is outweighed only by the empathy for those who must.
Brilliantly worded, you removed my desire to even comment. You said it first and better than I was about to. I feel like one of the poor Korean 3yr olds now ... Silence is probably the best option, wait until our dear leader requires my service to the country.
What that looks like to me : Is Kim Yong-Il fucking a great many 3yr olds whilst telling their parents what great glory they've brought Koreans. Trump is the only dude on Earth who has ever stood up to it, and look where that got him.
Trump when you win in 2024, definitely invite Kimmy to watch some American rockets. Let's see him get a fleet of slaved 3yr olds to compete there!! Korean parades look exactly like Hitlers did and that guy died in a ditch to his own pistol...
It's super unsettling for sure
This was perhaps the best video on this topic.
there are no pets in North Korea? I didnt see one cat or dog
no cell phones either?
They eat them 😂😂😂
The stew....
whatcha think they ate during the famine when there was nothing else?
Dog stew and roasted cat is a favorite in North Korea.
This is still one of the best edits of the North Korean "Tour" on TH-cam. I always come back to it. I think I've watched it 7 or 8 times now.
That seltzer water factory was impressive..Looks like they could crank out a couple hundred bottles a month there.
I think I 🤔 mumbled WTF about 150 times watching this video.
Honestly me too. Awkward lol
One wtf per ad?
Lol
Same here. Fake EVRYTHING PEOPLE SCARED
They heard you.
Really enjoyed this documentary! The best one I’ve seen so far! Thank you 🙏
One of the best videos from North Korea I have seen. Great camera work. I know you haven't shown the full picture but you have shown what you are allowed to see. Can't see myself going ahead with the dog meat.
*Excellent.👍. documentary*
How the hell did you manage to get such good shots undercover? Amazing camera work. Top class work.
Hey Michael - not all of it was undercover - just certain elements - particularly around the military and checkpoints etc. Glad you enjoyed it.
They're allowed to film in certain places - much of pyonyang, as long as it's "respectable" - can be filmed. PRovided it doesn't have military personnel or the wrong shots of statues and pictures of the leaders.
@@VeggyZ yeah I read if you want to take a photo of statues it must be off the full statue so not just the face or upper half or bottom not in frame ect. Same with leaders photos propaganda ect.
The music at the end was perfect!
Narges Mik
It is said that is prerecorded, performers merely go with their rehearsals.
Thanks for watching - let me know your thoughts.
I love your New Zealand accent.
Anything I can hear and read about North Korea and its people, is always elucidating, and appreciated!
I love it, i just want more!
The best video I've seen on North Korea. Great job.
Awesome video, and thanks! I have two questions: 1. How scared were you, trying to shoot that film ? 2. How did you manage to bring back such a large volume of footage? Didn't it rise suspicion that you were shooting too much?
I really feel sad for the people there.... It feels like the story is out of a fairytale, where the entire country pretends in front of outsiders. Never imagined anything of this sort before....
This documentary is a little piece of art!!! Thank you for the effort….really…thank you
The film quality is excellent, nice job man !
Thanks Inox127!
inox127 Aaa
inox127 Digital
inox127 22nd
Only the filter you applied to the images is terrible
This doc. is an absolute Gem! Wow, so many pre conceived notions popped. I feel like I've been there. Thank you so much for all of your efforts. Peace
Thanks for you comments Biff!
It's amazing...somehow you felt VERY UNSETTLED......I can't figure out why. It's just all the citizens are prisoners facing threats of death at any moment for even the slightest infraction. Everything you're seeing is a fake veneer.....why would you feel unsettled? You're a funny puppy.
Unfortunately, this kind of content tricks people into thinking that most of North Korea is just like this - when really, people are barefoot, starving, children are working in the fields, there's electricity for 2 hours a day in the best of circumstances for the non-elite - and sometimes not even that.
Most of these clueless viewers don't have a clue either - they're too lazy to look into it, or too stupid to comprehend when told. Such is the state of our world today... evidently.
Sad.
I’ve seen two or three of these types of documentaries on NK recently that seemingly paint everything rose colored - I thought I was just being cynical, so I’m glad to see I’m not. Just not forgetting reality lol
I love that you dont even have to talk when you look into the camera, when you see something weird or creepy. I feel like i know exactly what you're saying. lol
That’s exactly what I thought.
Agree, his eyes spoke volumes.
There was too much of that for my taste. Let me decide for myself.
That Hotel looks like a good Place to put a Huge Hidden Missile!
Very well done
Love your work...Job well done!
Thanks Nathan!
Its like the hunger games. The capital is beautiful and filled with elites, mostly smoke and mirror. The tyrant ruler demanding worship. Meanwhile the rest of the districts are barely surviving, starving and black markets, police that show up and interrogate and are constantly terrifying the innocent people just trying to live. They are scary close
Of course this is an incomplete picture of North Korea, but given the limitations placed on the camera man by his guides, I thought it was really well put together. I feel like the North Korean people really are just ordinary people like you and I... I say that even keeping in mind that most of those filmed obviously belonged to a small elite. I do have questions about the skyscrapers and the subway stations, bearing in mind the empty highways... great doc! Huge balls!!!
Please do Saudi Arabia next
I found this video awesome. You did an awesome job however I found the entire video made me sick to my stomach and made me feel very fortunate for me and my family to be born where we were, here in the US. It was one of the scariest videos I've ever seen I believe I think I have a hard time sleeping tonight. They seem like good people. Awesome job again thank you
Ever spent time in the ghetto! I've just watched some documentaries about Chicago southside...there are guys living there in practically a war zone with PTS disorder. .this in the greatest country on earth. America is rich and has a high standard of living for most but you have some serious shit in your society. Guns massacres for a start, an underclass on opioids, practically a police state. I'm british.. by the way...we have some of the same social problems.No doubt America is a better place to live than north korea but there are still some really unhappy people in the US.
Interesting, fascinating, entertaining and superbly put together. 10/10
This is the best film on North Korea I have ever seen. Wonderful commentary and although depressing, it left me with a feeling of hope. Thank you sir.
i'm too scared to go there, thanks for this safer view
It was on my travel list until the Otto Warmbier incident. saddest and cruelest thing ever.
I'm maybe being an asshole but sometimes we in the west forget about the numbers. ok, one American guy got treated terribly and died at the hands of the NK state. HOW MANY TOURISTS HAVE BEEN ROBBED , RAPED AND KILLED IN THE US..a lot more than one.And that doesn't even include the daily killings that happen to your own citizens, some by the police.
graduke1 Otto was arrested by the government of North Korea and tortured in a variety of ways by the government officials for removing a sign . North Korea considers taking a sign down worthy of capital punishment .
Denise Eggert America thinks killing black people for selling CD’s and playing with BB guns is punishable by death. It’s just cruel to you because the person looks like you. You don’t have that same energy when it comes to others.
Simply Court I am absolutely against police brutality and killing of innocent black civilians . I have been keeping tract and giving my voice against this in Black Lives Matter Movement . Most of my healthcare colleagues and friends are black . I also was a NYC Guardian Angel for 10 years .
The only difference, -as bad as the police situation is - “ we can still speak our mind about “ - the North Koreans are not allowed to comment or question their government . The dictator killed his own uncle and family members because he felt threatened by them .
I was thinking that these police officers are caught in the mindset of the era of Bloody Sunday at the hands of police -on Edmund Pettus Bridge over 50 years ago , as well as the senseless violence done to black people ( especially young black males ) in Jim Crow South .
These corrupt police unions need to stop backing guilty police officers . Every police department needs a civilian review board that they are answerable to.
I just saw the video of a Georgia officer that had three innocent black passengers pulled from a Lyft vehicle because they didn’t produce licenses as passengers . The way that these men were being held down by multiple officers could have easily killed them . The one officer was fired . All of these officers should have charges filed against them .
Oof! At 1:21:01 when the girl runs towards the man to grab the flower, the way he looks up towards the camera, being all "Yeah... did you see that? This acting is Oscar-material!" That scene alone felt like a perfect example of how people put on a show for tourists in North Korea.
Awesome video, mate!
Yeah, those poor North Koreans actually have families with mom and dad and an orderly and clean society. And at 52:13 we can really see how they are starving...
This is still more Western propaganda garbage.
@@rubicunduseratiudas1264 Did you escape North Korea yet? Are you safe? Can you tell us how it really is there?¿
@@azlucky1762 Well, I was being sarcastic. I visited and what I saw was a disciplined and orderly society. The U.S. can learn some of that...
@@azlucky1762 It's very clean, orderly, family-oriented, healthy people. Practically no suicide rate, etc.
@@rubicunduseratiudas1264 Disciplined and orderly only because they'll get sent to forced labor for 15 years or more if they sneeze wrong. Clean because they'll be executed if they accidentally drop a tissue. Family oriented because if you commit any real crime, your entire family pays for it too. Can't kill yourself, your family will be sent to the mines if you do. & healthy?¿ Yeah. The ones they parade around for us are healthy, cant dishonor the nation in front of the tourists after all.
Your commentating and narration is truly an a plus. dictatorship is truly painful and mind baffling I just can't imagine dying living miserable.
You couldn't pay me to go there. Excellent video though. Thank you.
I know, those poor North Koreans actually have families with mom and dad and an orderly and clean society. And at 52:13 we can really see how they are starving...
North Korea also lacks something the U.S. has a lot of: homelessness... Can you imagine a country where there's no homelessness and housing is basically free? Can you imagine living in a country where most women are slim, beautiful and healthy?
This is still more Western propaganda garbage.
Well done Steve. This is the best video presentation of the North Korea I've seen.
Thank you. Brilliantly done and, rest assured, the seed is planted. All throughout, I was lost inside my own mind, deep in a reverie thoroughly unfamiliar. The thoughts and images your work evoked in me are inspiring and at the same time haunting. Masterful and insightful. I applaud your creative genius as well as your courage and bravery. Thanks again. Peace
Yeah?
What does "to freely quiztion" mean?
What does "protickted" mean?
What does "for-eever" mean?
15:05 you look petrified here 🤣 I would be like that until I was on a plane back home lol I would probably get myself arrested for laughing