It seems to me like many people here are misunderstanding his work and maybe not hearing his words. He's not a journalist or an activist, but a photographer and an artist. I think he explained himself pretty well, that his photographs are neither a perfect representation of reality nor a total fantasy, but "playing with fiction". Those are actually very beautiful and mesmerising images.
Anytime he actually says something mildly critical he follows up with “but I actually like it”. How can you like being watched, followed and restricted? It seems like he was coached to be careful what he says.
Maybe he meant there was some comfort that he always had someone to watch over/chaperone him... that would either alert him to his mistakes/transgressions in a foreign environment or make them go away... like an invisible guide that lets you do what you want to do and jumps in when he needs to...
I feel like he was saying that showing some images of NK is better than no images at all. This must have been a grueling trip for 60 days and I’m curious to see more. He did submit to censorship and he wants us to view the images knowing that they were censored. It is what it is. We are bombarded with images of Kim, its very good to see real people.
@Adinath Patil not sure how much if your comment is reality. Wages in Pyongyang are pretty much ordinary in comparison to the rest of the country, although the more mountainous areas in the countryside have food shortages and malnutrition because of the countries lack of ability to feed itself. Most of Pyongyang is just a normal city, just with a crazy government.
I thought it was obvious he was implying he knew he was being bugged, and that he just didn't find any. In a building like that made for foreign visitors, the bugs probably are built into the walls, in the ceilings, and so on. Wouldn't be any need to add devices to things like phones or lamps.
No, most north koreans are quite happy with thier country, just like the chinese are happy with thier country. Thats because of a mix of propaganda and nationalism, and because they are used to that life. Fun Fact: there are north korean who return to north korea afther having defecting, and from what I have read they are taken in again without real consequences, as it serves as propaganda because they returend.
He really has to get creative. Even the words he spoke was made in a way that will not offend the communist government but at the same time hint on something that caanot be directly said as they had checked the videos first.
rebecca rhb he remarks on the pool image as being a dreamland/fantasy ...then at the end he says people have to consider if his work is propaganda and which images are the real North Korea.
I am bothered by what he says starting at 4:32. It feels like something he was forced to say by the North Koreans. It feels like he's being told to dismiss his own work and say that his photos aren't always truthful or representative of a situation.
⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻ That’s actually what they’re taught in school as far as I know, so most people are being taught that America etc are bad.
⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻ I just watched a video of a NK defector talking about what she was taught about America. There’s LOADS of propaganda presented throughout school and society from a very young age. You best believe they fear/hate the west: th-cam.com/video/ojTdY8W1Lic/w-d-xo.html
@@unclechinsyou8555 like my African grandgrandgrandparents? What does this have to do with NK? Are you THAT white and middle/high-middle class to have a Eurocentric view of the world? Do you think my grandmother was racist too, despite being black? My gosh, you are so ignorant, the Arab slave trade was far worse that the European and they were the first and the last to abolish slavery!! I'm so proud to be born on he first nation to abolish slavery and death penalty!!!
@Riley Byram Speaking of Colonization, the hidden fact that Second Amendment in U.S.A was historically put in place in American Constitution, mainly to encourage slaughtering indigenous Native American people, in order to take over their homeland. Besides, mega genocide of indigenous Native Americans, and their population in Continents of America 500 yrs ago was around 15 millions, while European population in Europe was around 20 millions.Today, Native Americans population at 15 million, while European population , in continents of America + Europe, at a staggering 'ONE BILLION'! For instance, 200 years ago in USA, around 3 million Germans came, and now there are 65 millions German-Americans; while 150 years ago, around 2 millions Irish came, and now there are 45 million Irish-Americans. While 500 years ago there were estimated 5 to 6 millions indigenous Native Americans in U.S.A, before Christopher Columbus arrived, today there are only around 2 million indigenous Native Americans survived. Imagine this scenario, if Native Americans cross the Atlantic ocean, invade and Colonize Europe, and slaughter most Europeans, and put the remaining populations in tiny reservations, for 500 long years. How would Europeans feel about it? Think about it. All they need is their beloved fatherlands back, the lands that their ancestors forebears had lived through thick and thin, endured through hardships and all for generations. Moreover, indigenous Native American people in Colonized lands of Anglo British, Spaniard and others are more of the same. Kill the indigenous Natives and whoever is left, marginalize them and create artificial poverty, once that poverty becomes crime and drinking, the media points to the poor and blames them to continue to stigmatize the 'other' community, scumbags, etc. Amazing fact that Indigenous Natives had built such great civilizations as Mayan, Inca and Aztec without outside help, and all from the scratch, and all on their own, since they had been cut off from the rest of the world for ten of thousand of years. In other words, they actually are great and proud people. Imagine what would it be like today if Native Americans had possessed some kind of nuclear weapons to defend themselves, and their beloved motherlands from invaders Colonizers? The answer is they would still have their own beloved motherlands, plus their population comparable to that of European population. In my humble opinion, it's about time to decolonize the Colonized lands, and return it to rightful owners Native American people. Remember, notorious global cardinal crime such as Slavery and Colonialism had long been over, why is this another notorious Colonization still lingering on earth? Google 'Continents of America is Not a New World' for God's honest truth.
That driver wasn't lost. He was taking wrong turns because something was happening on the typical route that they didn't want foreigners to see. An unplanned arrest, an issue with the power, or damage due to weather. Anything that might show an imperfect image or expose unapproved families to foreigners. Those doors opening and his guides accompaning him in the hotel weren't accidents either. Yeongmi Park did a video on tourism in NK and she discussed the realities behind the perfromative nature of these tours.
@@brenzikmohaa there will be a video of some Arab guy holding his chest with blood on him With a bomb to the side with the letters USA I know this stand for the United states of America
@@colorcrazy2629 but thats not terror right, not when a country is doing the killing and bombing. These shits produce terrorists themselves to invade and harvest other countries' resources. To think what for? The lust of power? Justified with the propaganda of nationalism. Worse than NK.
@@kiwichan5242 Because the leaders expect nothing less than perfection, hence the comment about them viewing themselves as Gods. So from their perspective the driver wouldn't be doing a good enough job if he was getting lost. If the driver missed his stop he may have exposed a part of the land that wasn't on the confirmed places to visit for tourists. Or simply falling behind schedule. Theres a few theories that could land them in trouble haha...^^'
Doing that just gives the N Korean leaders more credit. The population already thinks they are almighty almost God like and now they see these foreigners coming into BOW 🙇♂️ as well? Hell no!
You were silly to add the clip of him claiming the driver was incompetent. They could easily watch this, track them down, and do what north korea does best.
I don´t think the driver was incompetent though. I think it was his way to show things outside of the planned route. And act like it was on accident. Hope he is ok.
@@Asa...S this, or probably the driver is simply just new one. we dont know. but if the driver really intent to make the photographer to see things that not allowed by the government, bless that guy, i hope he got chances for better live outside NK
Obviously, there were bugs and cameras. Just in the fact that when he decided to open his hotel room door, his handlers immediately knew and opened their doors. And he LIKED the fact he had handlers and couldn't go anywhere w/o their OK b/c it allowed him to be more "creative"...come on.
@Darryl I do know that it is screwed up in North Korea, but most of Asia is weird. I couldn't live like that and I don't think they should, but I think it isn't as worse for them as we imagine...
@@kalpanamishra2323 You are exactly right, the life of modern farm animals is very similar to the servitude of the average North Korean, they are both highly controlled chattel, only kept alive to serve their masters
kalpana mishra lets focus on the humans first. Some animals like to work and have evolved to. Their animals, of course they have a owner. I’m not talking about animal abuse, just like farm animals existing
@TheHumanSpeciesIsAPlague NotMeantToBeInExistence That may be true, but at least in Western secular states you are allowed small moments of reprieve, a semblance of freedom and your mind is momentarily tricked , most people would prefer a gilded cage than a rusted one...
My family is from North Korea originally, before the Korean war. I would never go there. The most interesting photo is the one of rice planting. I'm so grateful my family got out. My father's family was separated. Very sad.
Yes. The rice harvest. The people clearly have to work hard to survive. Thats why there are no liberals there. Liberals hate WORK and cry all the time about everything. They can't survive anywhere except where they can get an easy government employee paycheck like in the USA.
Even if you live in another country, it's still like prison, it's just that you think differently. Allegory of the Cave is a good example of being “happy” in a prison.
@welc mabu on which drugs are you? I live in europe and we're free to move out of the country if we don't like it where people in NK are literally prisoners and can't cross their border. What do you think europe is? We live same as usa except we all have healthcare and free education. If fact EU is the best place to live on earth considering our countries end up on top "happiest people" list.
You don’t need to analyze his words to see how awkward and pressured he is to process what he’s about to say to make sure he does not offend North Korea. His body language reveals how hesitant he is. It’s so disgusting how Kim Jong Un treats “his” country and citizens especially the women and children.
Criminal psycho Don's "great friend and great leader" Kim Jung UN! The both have much the same narcissistic mentality and immorality and both need slapped around a lot!
@@maticbukovac6966 no, but people in north korea aren't free and have basically no rights to do things for themselves, which is inherently wrong. idk where you got the 'do you want all countries to be the same?!!?!' thing from but no; we don't, we want people who are held in captivity to be free and not at a risk of being killed for speaking out [actually, they 100% will be killed]
Imagine thinking that you can decide how you want North Korea to be. Just live your useless life and stop judging them. They don't care about your fake "freedom".
@@abhisand5605 if they don't like their leader, they can change him. Hitler was a monster for the allies, but a lot of Germans loved him... so... if the allies hadn't defeated them, he would happily continue to rule till the end of his days...
At this point, truly “surprising” images would be ones of the nation’s people walking about without restrictions and without being required to put flowers at the feet of the “dear leaders” statues. If I saw pictures of North Korean people dressed in a variety of ways, eating whatever they want, and just appearing like healthy, happy, non-cult-members, now THAT would be surprising.
@Mohamed Moothy Azwar actually ONLY the rich nk people becomes defectors. Poor north Korean people can't even dream of getting out of the country no matter how much hell hole they think their country is.
Reyha Of Midgard My name isn’t Jesus but I am very grateful I didn’t have to grow up in a dystopian society like North Korea, like my mother-in-law did. Instead, I grew up in the doomsday religious cult my parents joined when I was two.
This is so interesting.. but beyond disgusting... even though he couldn’t show the full “real” north Korea, even the fabricated stuff is so strained. I really hope the people there will be saved soon...
The interesting thing is that the people there don't actually think they need to be saved or want to be saved. They seem to like their country and despise other countries.
@@lewitm4591 That is what communism and control is! They don't know anything different there. They are not even aware, they don't even imagine that there is a world outside in North Korea that does things different. Most of their life is a lie. The communist government literally controls what people think to an extent that you will never even know, and be glad for that!
@@ju3480 It is much worse in North Korea than it was in USSR, just as if regime experiments how far it can go with limiting people's freedom and rights
It's Crazy and to think I am from Kenya an African country and people here are allowed to criticize the president on social media platforms and they also have a variety of nicknames for the president with different meanings
Denied the right to move freely, tracked everywhere you go, subjected to fear tactics and outrageous punishment for non compliance, even denied access to medical care... the single MOST locked down place on earth. North Korea? Nope... right here, Melbourne Australia. FML, i miss freedom and justice. *weeps*
@@Craigelz Yep.. in Euope the jab becomes mandatory (Austria, France) although in other countries like the Uk the restrictions will end. Talking aboyt freedom..
@Teagan, same here, but to be fair he was monitored by North Korean handlers constantly and had to do as they say and only take pictures of what they approved of. Plus they were constantly reviewing his pictures to ensure they were suitable in the eyes of North Korea. You can't really do much exposes or anything earth shattering under those tight conditions.
@@olddude07 He's not special, each pack of tourist has someone from the government to watch them. And the reviewing of photos or videos is part of the country's rule/regulation/law. I've watched a lot of NK vlogs (not from the west) and I think they aren't controlling the things that tourist do. They let the tourists talk or do what they want as long that they didn't step the NK's laws.
"I was feeling awkward sometimes that these young children had to do this show just for me". It's awkward just the fact that they have to do the show, that's straight up slavery and children abuse, using them as puppets for fun.
You’d have to be the most spoiled kid in the world to find doing a play or dance as slavery. I’m by saying they have freedom but these kids most likely have WAY more problems than a dance recital
Why would anyone threaten him? He is a journo in state run media, he's perfectly aware what he can say and what he should keep for himself. Especially about the bit when six year old, half naked girls were dancing specially for him. He knew what it was, but he said it was 'awkward'.
ACtually not necessarly, the picture could be bigger and they just had zoomed in, but cut it to focus more into the bottom/middle of the picture with the overwhelming red flowers/ yellow communist/christian symbol
Wouldn’t suprise me if it came out of dprk intentionally or unintentionally. The only reason it would be a bit safer is because of restrictions on travel
@@Fit_soldier There has been reports coming out of South Korea that it is there, But nothing official coming out of North Korea. Experts say it could be devastating if it did, lack of medical equipment and medication. But nobody knows one way or the other the truth.
I have never heard photography described in such a way. I love that he was able to truly express why photography is considered an art form and not just documentation.
I've been a photographer for 11 years. The medium is truly one of humanity's greatest creations. The effect that images have on our lives really can't be measured- there is just so much versatility of creativity, of documentation, of freedom to make whatever you want with a camera that I find it strange to think that anyone would be able to miss the artistic potential of photography. But hey, clearly I'm a fan.
I talked to a Nk defector whose family is part of the elite that live in Pyongyang and even he could not stand it, so can you imagine the life of an average citizen? I feel sorry for all of the citizens that live there since it is an open prison. I can imagine them following you to the bathroom.
As an American and my wife is Viet I was shopping in one of the larger department stores in Vietnam and was being followed everywhere, I turned to the young lady who was a sales person and asked why are you following us do I look like a criminal, I wasn’t trying to be a butt hole I just wanted to shop and not feel uncomfortable like the government was watching my every move .
apparently every single year the nk football team has come home saying they won the world cup. insane. but these people have no other means of discovering the truth. they have 3 tv channels all filmed in nk and all checked by the government. they are manipulated to think these things and it’s quite scary. even more scary when you think some citizens believe this is the way the world is and know no different
Dave Scheer Thanks for sharing as I never knew that since I have never been to Vietnam in my life. I am American born and raised but heard stories from my late parents and relatives and they were kind of like North Korea back in the days. But luckily, I think Vietnam is way better now although not as free as many other countries. However, they are currently better than North Korea.
Trinh Nguyen ,I've been to Saigon 4 times I call it Saigon because it deserves the respect of the south Viet people that built it before the take over, Vietnam is is a great country but the government ,well let's just say not so much , if you haven't been there when all this corona virus thing goes away you need to see it , most of the people are friendly out going and want the western life , let's just say the government is like a leash on a dog ,holding the people back from freedom and their real potential . I could only pray someday that it becomes a democratic society and the people can choose their leaders instead of leaders choosing leaders, you should be proud of your parents and all they have gone thru , I'm am so lucky to live in the US , we take freedom for granted, health wealth and happiness my friend .✌🏻️
Sequoia you really don't have a clue ! My nephew is a high ranking Viet police officer and I have been with him and can tell you things I've seen that would make you grateful that you don't live there, you don't see the secret police and commie snitches, police going on street cleaning raids taking all of the street vendors things and putting them in jail , police taking a persons new scooter accusing them of reckless driving or doing something wrong and impounding the scooter with a really big fine that know they can't pay then they buy it at city auction and sell them to make the police rich , you don't have a clue !
What percentage of people in NK do you think spend their hard earned money buying the latest spy on me device, can't go anywhere without surveillance cameras watching, have to know there is a multi billion dollar computer complex with just one purpose, keeping your data? In the US, that number is damn close to 100%
@@kiaralord5358 Yeonmi Park isn't reliable at all, she's a liar who changed her "story" several times and invented facts about NK. All she care about is money, and selling her books and manipulate people with sad stories.
@@nedifar-haunts-you do you have any specific examples? I haven’t read her book but all of her videos I’ve seen and interviews with her she’s consistent with her story and she’s definitely an actual North Korean defector, so it’s hard for me to be critical of someone who’s escaped from such a horrible situation in general.
@@kiaralord5358 not in her books, but for example, she claimed that in North Korea, you can't have any dessert, while it's false. She also claimed that North Korea didn't have any museum, while there is one museum in Pyongyang. Experts about North Korea have serious doubts about her claims that you can be executed for have watched a movie from South Korea. She also lied about the life expectancy in North Korea. If you want something else than my own words, Google "The Strange Tale of Yeonmi Park", it's a article very interesting about the subject. Even in her Wikipedia biography, she's criticized by other defectors and people noticed inconsistencies in her story. She's obviously a liar, and she makes money with her lies.
Syrias WAY better I lived in Damascus for 4 years that was about 2 years ago and I met the best people ever and it wasn't even near as bad as people say, the capitals still extremely alive and you'd see people outside hanging out anytime u go out
@@nuggetbucket1864 ... Extremely alive until you find out there are thousands if not tens of thousands of innocents in prisons which function more like detention camps for dissidents. There is probably not a single family in whole Syria that don't have an imprisoned or even forcely disappeared family member. The whole country is a one big prison with a mafia similar gang in power that allows and is responsible for almost a hundred thousand Syrians mostly civilians being "taken care of" that is imprisoned or forcely disappeared since 2011. Plus the fact that the govt used gas attacks at least several times and literal barrel bombs thousands of times on its own civilians... Syria is where humanity entirely ceases to exist.
@@seanbrennan9188 No choice. You dont show dissent in NK. Not advisable at all. Respect where you come from and your freedom to post this message. That freedom does not exist in NK.
You think if they know you open your door to go out the room must be bugged, just because you can't find a camera or microphone it doesn't mean they're not there.
There were actually two. The one you could barely see. Hopefully they were allowed to do that. People are not things, they are human with human instincts.
Odds are, it’s likely the safest place you could visit. Not to mention you essentially have guides/bodyguards. Yeah, if you go there and start trashing the place or being disrespectful you are going to create a problem. Suffice it to say, that goes for any place you visit.
But a very insightful, albeit abbreviated clip. My feeling is that he is sincerely not trying to be political in any way, and simply explaining each frame and scene objectively, but allowing room for subjectivity also. Very good presentation.
So he had a standard tour like thousands before him, showing the same pictures we have seen before. How old is this video if he is making the claims he was the first to visit sanctioned locations for visitors? And BBC wonder why they are about to be defunded.
I'm sure there are lots of photographers that want to go to North Korea to make themselves famous. Add the "mystical" North Korea to their portfolio for clout. We don't need more pictures of your government guided tours, you aren't helping bring political issues to light with your fancy photos on your tour. Honestly. Don't go to North Korea, tourism should not exist there.
I’ll never understand why you make children put on shows for tourists. It’s as if they want us to look elsewhere- but the facade is so obvious that it makes me wonder if they’re doing it on purpose.
Clumsy It’s all part of the fairytale image. To display such talent illustrates a competent, well cultured society which caters for it’s children’s needs. But they are still slightly naive to not notice that western tourists can see through the fake, cheesy, tacky, tasteless facade.
I cant imagine you not see how terryfying is what he telling. Even more than if there would be brutal photos. Its death of freedom. I hope there will be day when N. Korean people can leave this behind. 😢 I can bet there was nothing unplan in his trip. If he wod rly see or bring photos of places thats only because they let him.
5:08 Man you were LUCKY to be able to bring that picture with you, hopefully your guides and guards didn't get into trouble. And those who are wondering what on earth I'm talking about., just look and try guessing which 2 persons are on the painting on the pedistal :D
I recently saw a video about north korea where in a school kids were performing an anthem was as follows i remember only two lines "our beloved leader Kim jong un" "You are our shining star" And throughout the whole performance and after the performance there was mot a single sign of smile on their face ,that was really heartbreaking, those kids have their freedom snatched .
what bugs me the most is that he must have paid loads of money to stay there for 60days, all of which went to Kim and his dictatorship, none of which went to the poor ppl
Looks like the Soviet towns....I hated living in Soviet period....I live in Europe now. How little did I know I was so brainwashed by soviet propaganda....yet, I appreciate the experiences of living in Soviet Union because I am so so so grateful for the human rights I have in Europe. Yes, I took flower flowers to Lenin monument. Photos of Lenin, Carl Marks they were in each room, at school, at work, as well their monuments in every city. Worship, blind, worship of leaders. Regardless if you agree or not..... I am free of it now. But It has taken me years to understand how those years, my formative years formed and shaped me. For me, that period was horrible. I did not like my childhood. Did I like anything? I am not sure. Probably I appreciate that I was very independent from a very young age....I liked it then because I was a child. I liked my independence but looking back I am horrified I did take so many risks being 6-7 years old I cooked, shopped. Stayed at home alone after school. Took empty milk bottles to recycled centre in exchanger for pocket money..... I was a child .....an independent child. I am very independent adult now, -:)
@@shiesty5675 Your traumatic experience in the Soviet Union teaches us how fortunate we are to live in the West and other democratic nations. We tend to take democracy, human right, freedom of speech, affluence etc. for granted, but they are stil unknown to many people in the world.
You sound a bit like my wife, she was born in Uzbekistan in 1973 but from 16 years old moved to Moscow to go to university on her own. She lived there with her Babushka. In the 90's she worked in the first PizzaHut to open in Moscow during her studies. She doesn't talk much about Soviet times but seemed happy enough, she also played top ranking vollyball whilst in Uzbekistan and was fortunate enough to fly to different regions like Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan to compete.
So you should grateful to Soviet that you became this strong woman that can handle problems much better then others. No one could ever teach you that and you can't buy that as well.
People from USA are like “Oh, our country is so much worse” “I see no difference with my country”. You’re ridiculous. I’d invite you to live in my populist country where 50% of the people in the country are poor and then we can talk. And my country is heaven compared to NK.
@@absonex7438 Sii soy jaja. Estoy harta de los yankees quejándose, no digo que su país sea la perfección, pero por dios no podes compararlo con Corea del Norte o un país del tercer mundo. Son unos ridículos.
Do they think that having the freedom to travel is much worse than getting shot while attempting to escape the country? Just escaping north korea is already worse and no other countries have this absurd law.
Yeah they don't know outside there's Justin , Feminists , gays, transexual competing in girls sports, Coronavirus. Korean gay pop.They will never have the opportunity to protest against Trump while they smoke marijuana
North korea is so bizarre. Its not even communist, its looks like old korean kingdom with modern attire. Even their attire is so outdated and stuck in 1950.
Some contradictions in the comments here. Folks saying the photographer looks like he's being 'forced' to speak a certain way or to only say certain things, while also commenting on how some of the photos look like they should have gotten someone in trouble. If the latter is true, these photos wouldn't even be part of the video. Everything had to be approved, remember? I imagine there were actually many more photos taken over this 60-day trip and these are just some of the (or maybe the only) ones that were allowed to be shown. In short, I don't think there's anything 'wrong' with these photos in the sense that someone's going to get 'disappeared' over any of them. People outside of NK have just been brainwashed to think a certain way, exactly like they claim the citizens of NK have been brainwashed to think a certain way. The brainwashing just went in opposite directions.
Omg finally someone said it lol. One video of North Korea and suddenly everyone is an expert as if governments like the U.S. aren't always surveying its citizens and allowing atrocities to happen/committing them 🙄🙄🙄
What exactly do y'all expect? There's limited stuff you can do in North Korea do you want him to be imprisoned for taking *"illegal"* pictures or what? 🤦🏿♀️🤦🏿♀️🤦🏿♀️🤦🏿♀️
I love this guys perspective, he is not biased or trying to inflict his opinions on anyone he is just documenting and that is so beautiful what a wonderful man
I kind of want to go there because my country also used to be like this. My family also used to live like that. And I got so lucky being born about 2 decades after we were free and I grew up like a normal child and I don't think I appreciate it enough but if I see what my parents were through and what I thankfully wasn't it'll make me appreciate it even more that even if I'm not from the richest country, I'm from one that has freedom
Wonderfully descriptive. You have a great attitude and copious amounts of empathy regarding your experience. The world desperately needs these traits. I will be sure to pass it along :O)
@Manda PandaBear As an art lover myself, I can say this is true from art point of view but he clearly stated that not to offend NK. he was twisting the facts
He accepted he twisted the truth. That is already propaganda. He probably doesn't want to anger NK because he would like to go back. Nothing he showed was the real NK. He was very favorable to the Kim linage. It doesn't matter if you call propaganda art. It is still propaganda.
it's the same with people who prefer lenses that cannot zoom (I don't know the English word sorry 😂) like 35mm, 70mm, 200mm as compared to say, a 70-200mm lens. Not only is the quality of those lenses better, but not being able to just zoom and therefore being limited forces you to see your subject in a different way. So yeah I do think limitations boost creativity!
This was so interesting to watch. The narrative was well woven together and it's almost like a story or fairy tale unfolding with the pictures. IMHO..the gentleman did an excellent job recounting his journey with both humor and reflection to portray what he saw. Pity it was so short, would've liked to see more. Anything on the secretive North Korea (& the people's lifestyles) tends to make for some gripping drama indeed.
I like how this guy tried to remain unbiased as much as possible. He didn’t just judge North Koreans for their different government. He tried to look at the bright side too. New Info: A lot of people are getting worked up over this comment and I feel like they’re misunderstanding the point. What I’m trying to say is that people in North Korea probably aren’t aware of the freedom that we have, and if they do, they’ve been raised to look down upon it. They don’t really see the way we see our world. Instead they’ve been raised to look at the outside world with a sense of distaste. In schools, they’re taught that other countries are wild and malicious. Because of this information that they’re being fed, many North Koreans don’t really understand freedom like we do. They’ve grown up learning entirely different things. I’m not saying that North Korea is the perfect place, but I am saying that it’s really different from what we’re used to. I appreciate how the man being interviewed doesn’t immediately criticize their form of government. He’s remaining open minded, unlike some of the other people in the comment section.
@@oxiclean3162 Genocides are committed by "Different Forms of Governments". NAZI Germany (Socialism), Mao's China (Socialism), Pol Pot, Cambodia,(Socialism), Stalin, Russia, (Socialism), Castro's Cuba, (Socialism), Kim Jong-un, North Korea, (Socialism), Chavez/Maduro, Venezuela (Socialism). Again, do your research Comrade Troll, take this to heart from a former citizen of Cuba, who experienced Socialism first hand.
Lee Davis I understand but genocide is the mass killing of people of a certain ethnic group in order to eliminate them from the country. That’s not what’s happening here
@@leedavis7508 Nazi Germany is actually a form of Fascism, literal opposite of socialism. You have some learning to do before I'm able to take you seriously. Do you even know what happened to people such as socialists in Nazi Germany? Pol Pot was also anti communism and even admitted it himself when he got into power.
I know in north korea they check every single pic on your phone on the way back, so I would have just taken them though snapchat, deleted the app and then just log in when i’m out of there.
![PASULOL รามเกียรติ์ ตอนที่ 4 นนทกพบรัก [Ramakien Ep.4: Nonthok in love]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/tMUQgmZzf_A/mqdefault.jpg)
We'll never see the real pain.
ZionHillCalling :1
ZionHillCalling For our world, it doesn’t get much better than the USA...
@@bjnz yeah best producer of school shooting imperialists..
From the campers 🤦♀️🙄
Hunger!
"You can checkout anytime you want, but you can never leave." ---- Hotel Pyongyang
Romeo Nicolas II i heard that song like 10 minutes ago and this quote gave me chills
lol
for real tho 😔
Amy Cooper WELCOME TO THE HOTEL CALIFORNIA
WELCOME TO HOTEL NORTH KOREA
It seems to me like many people here are misunderstanding his work and maybe not hearing his words. He's not a journalist or an activist, but a photographer and an artist. I think he explained himself pretty well, that his photographs are neither a perfect representation of reality nor a total fantasy, but "playing with fiction". Those are actually very beautiful and mesmerising images.
More American propaganda
@@UnrealSickness +1000 Kim credits have been added to your account
People are idiots, this is an internet comment section.
@@UnrealSickness meh, you won't last a day in a comunist country.
@@UnrealSickness The photographer in the video is Belgian!
Anytime he actually says something mildly critical he follows up with “but I actually like it”. How can you like being watched, followed and restricted? It seems like he was coached to be careful what he says.
I thought the same.
Maybe he meant there was some comfort that he always had someone to watch over/chaperone him... that would either alert him to his mistakes/transgressions in a foreign environment or make them go away... like an invisible guide that lets you do what you want to do and jumps in when he needs to...
I think he hoped to be able to come back and take more photos in the future. In this case he doesn't want to say anything bad about them.
Yeah, he feels better "embedded" lol
I was thinking exactly the same thing and his little nervous laugh
This was painful to watch. So awkward and strained. He is trying so hard not to be offensive that it physically hurts to watch.
He said everything without being offensive, great work!
Very intelligent journalism.
Felt suffocated
I feel like he was saying that showing some images of NK is better than no images at all. This must have been a grueling trip for 60 days and I’m curious to see more. He did submit to censorship and he wants us to view the images knowing that they were censored. It is what it is. We are bombarded with images of Kim, its very good to see real people.
Inbet if he says something bad he would get a hitman after him probably xD
@Sequoia you can take pictures but they have to be approved by whoever is in charge of screening whatever you take.
I feel like the driver took the wrong turns on purpose to show him.. I hope he’s okay
Yeah because the north korean people want help
@@motlesluna1857 I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic or serious
@@hsnjskdsnjsnsn8803 lol I don't remember if I awas being sarcastic or not 😅
@@hsnjskdsnjsnsn8803 Huh? Ofc North Koreans need help, no sarcasm.
@Adinath Patil not sure how much if your comment is reality. Wages in Pyongyang are pretty much ordinary in comparison to the rest of the country, although the more mountainous areas in the countryside have food shortages and malnutrition because of the countries lack of ability to feed itself. Most of Pyongyang is just a normal city, just with a crazy government.
The fact that he sweeped for bugs and found none, doesn’t mean there were any at all.....he was definitely watched and heard.
I know right
Especially when they're opening their door when you open yours.
Yeah he as watched
True. Might be one in their camera.
I thought it was obvious he was implying he knew he was being bugged, and that he just didn't find any. In a building like that made for foreign visitors, the bugs probably are built into the walls, in the ceilings, and so on. Wouldn't be any need to add devices to things like phones or lamps.
Plottwist: The driver took wrong turns on purpose crying for help
@Kim Jong Un uhhm.. well this is awkward. .
lol your name confused me
In the beginning I thought this comment was written 27 years ago. You take the prize for the most confusing username.
No, most north koreans are quite happy with thier country, just like the chinese are happy with thier country. Thats because of a mix of propaganda and nationalism, and because they are used to that life.
Fun Fact: there are north korean who return to north korea afther having defecting, and from what I have read they are taken in again without real consequences, as it serves as propaganda because they returend.
@@leonl9123 ????
He really has to get creative. Even the words he spoke was made in a way that will not offend the communist government but at the same time hint on something that caanot be directly said as they had checked the videos first.
like what sentence?
@@rebecca5521 the whole video was more ore less a hint about how f upt NK is
rebecca rhb he remarks on the pool image as being a dreamland/fantasy ...then at the end he says people have to consider if his work is propaganda and which images are the real North Korea.
I am bothered by what he says starting at 4:32. It feels like something he was forced to say by the North Koreans. It feels like he's being told to dismiss his own work and say that his photos aren't always truthful or representative of a situation.
@The Anonymous Sir Backspace Come on. We all know damn well that a government's influence doesn't stop at physical borders.
I wonder what the locals think about foreigners coming into their country.
Are they afraid or curious?
They mostly fear and don't make eye contact with them. Their genuinely believe that Americans and S Koreans are their enemies.
@@natashasingh784 They don't believe that.
⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻ That’s actually what they’re taught in school as far as I know, so most people are being taught that America etc are bad.
⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻ I just watched a video of a NK defector talking about what she was taught about America. There’s LOADS of propaganda presented throughout school and society from a very young age. You best believe they fear/hate the west: th-cam.com/video/ojTdY8W1Lic/w-d-xo.html
Hate-
Creepy af what a terrible way to live. I can’t imagine having a disability or learning disability in a place like this.
I would imagine North Korea transports you to "free" and quick "healthcare" for anyone with a disability.
@@unclechinsyou8555 like my African grandgrandgrandparents? What does this have to do with NK? Are you THAT white and middle/high-middle class to have a Eurocentric view of the world? Do you think my grandmother was racist too, despite being black? My gosh, you are so ignorant, the Arab slave trade was far worse that the European and they were the first and the last to abolish slavery!! I'm so proud to be born on he first nation to abolish slavery and death penalty!!!
I feel like this is a fake conversation considering how these comments are structured
@Riley Byram Speaking of Colonization, the hidden fact that Second Amendment in U.S.A was historically put in place in American Constitution, mainly to encourage slaughtering indigenous Native American people, in order to take over their homeland. Besides, mega genocide of indigenous Native Americans, and their population in Continents of America 500 yrs ago was around 15 millions, while European population in Europe was around 20 millions.Today, Native Americans population at 15 million, while European population , in continents of America + Europe, at a staggering 'ONE BILLION'! For instance, 200 years ago in USA, around 3 million Germans came, and now there are 65 millions German-Americans; while 150 years ago, around 2 millions Irish came, and now there are 45 million Irish-Americans. While 500 years ago there were estimated 5 to 6 millions indigenous Native Americans in U.S.A, before Christopher Columbus arrived, today there are only around 2 million indigenous Native Americans survived. Imagine this scenario, if Native Americans cross the Atlantic ocean, invade and Colonize Europe, and slaughter most Europeans, and put the remaining populations in tiny reservations, for 500 long years. How would Europeans feel about it? Think about it. All they need is their beloved fatherlands back, the lands that their ancestors forebears had lived through thick and thin, endured through hardships and all for generations. Moreover, indigenous Native American people in Colonized lands of Anglo British, Spaniard and others are more of the same. Kill the indigenous Natives and whoever is left, marginalize them and create artificial poverty, once that poverty becomes crime and drinking, the media points to the poor and blames them to continue to stigmatize the 'other' community, scumbags, etc. Amazing fact that Indigenous Natives had built such great civilizations as Mayan, Inca and Aztec without outside help, and all from the scratch, and all on their own, since they had been cut off from the rest of the world for ten of thousand of years. In other words, they actually are great and proud people. Imagine what would it be like today if Native Americans had possessed some kind of nuclear weapons to defend themselves, and their beloved motherlands from invaders Colonizers? The answer is they would still have their own beloved motherlands, plus their population comparable to that of European population. In my humble opinion, it's about time to decolonize the Colonized lands, and return it to rightful owners Native American people. Remember, notorious global cardinal crime such as Slavery and Colonialism had long been over, why is this another notorious Colonization still lingering on earth? Google 'Continents of America is Not a New World' for God's honest truth.
There are no disabled in NK. You know why
That driver wasn't lost. He was taking wrong turns because something was happening on the typical route that they didn't want foreigners to see. An unplanned arrest, an issue with the power, or damage due to weather. Anything that might show an imperfect image or expose unapproved families to foreigners. Those doors opening and his guides accompaning him in the hotel weren't accidents either. Yeongmi Park did a video on tourism in NK and she discussed the realities behind the perfromative nature of these tours.
hahahahha lol
Who said that the latter was accident, you d*mb
Maybe the driver getting lost and the tourist seen the real NK, was also staged. The real NK he saw, was not the real NK, it was also a staged NK.
@@antioedipus72 sunson
Oh darn!
This guy is nervous as heck. He's not telling everything.
@@brenzikmohaa actually it could be like that search up 5th floor north korea
@@brenzikmohaa there will be a video of some Arab guy holding his chest with blood on him
With a bomb to the side with the letters USA
I know this stand for the United states of America
@@colorcrazy2629 but thats not terror right, not when a country is doing the killing and bombing. These shits produce terrorists themselves to invade and harvest other countries' resources. To think what for? The lust of power? Justified with the propaganda of nationalism. Worse than NK.
i think he seems totally fine
@@brenzikmohaa lmfao why are you acting like radical islamists are the only tyoe or radical religious people ever,istg islam in your heads rent free
Damn u snitched on the driver making wrong turns, he’s done for.
Like the driver wasn't being observed anyway!
Snitched on the boy looking at him too. lol
what.
@dev gana why bring gender into it? stfu
dev gana how do you know the driver is a man
Saying his "driver was always lost" may condemn that driver to a labor camp or worse.
Why though?
@@kiwichan5242 you seriously wanna ask that when the authorities there make the people believe that Kim Jongun is god ?
@@AJ-jv1wh you really wanna make someone feel bad for asking a genuine question? They just don't understand the reason.
@@kiwichan5242 Because the leaders expect nothing less than perfection, hence the comment about them viewing themselves as Gods. So from their perspective the driver wouldn't be doing a good enough job if he was getting lost. If the driver missed his stop he may have exposed a part of the land that wasn't on the confirmed places to visit for tourists. Or simply falling behind schedule. Theres a few theories that could land them in trouble haha...^^'
@@lalaiisha damn, way to go!
"Buy flower as a present for leaders and bow infront of the statue"
Old saying: Respect cannot be forced,
It get back to you when you respect others.
Doing that just gives the N Korean leaders more credit.
The population already thinks they are almighty almost God like and now they see these foreigners coming into BOW 🙇♂️ as well?
Hell no!
@@medicisounds1384 that's why I am never going to visit North Korea...
Wonder what would happen if you just point blank refused?
Paying respect to monsters almost
@@rashmibharti5786 same why we should bow neverrrrrrr , not even if God come down
You were silly to add the clip of him claiming the driver was incompetent. They could easily watch this, track them down, and do what north korea does best.
Which one was the driver ?, Cudnt figured it out 🙄
I don´t think the driver was incompetent though. I think it was his way to show things outside of the planned route. And act like it was on accident. Hope he is ok.
@@Asa...S this, or probably the driver is simply just new one. we dont know. but if the driver really intent to make the photographer to see things that not allowed by the government, bless that guy, i hope he got chances for better live outside NK
Jonathan BornAgain That alarmed me too. And all the comments here saying he did it intentionally can’t help. I’m sure he wouldn’t have risked that.
Now I’m worried O.o
He didn’t find the hidden cameras, but there were hidden cameras.
I'm sure there was a toilet cam and a shower cam.
Yeah because you went there and hand checked while deflecting nukes Kim Jong Un was personally firing at you for breathing the wrong way.
To be fair, he didn't say there weren't, just that he couldn't find them.
Obviously, there were bugs and cameras. Just in the fact that when he decided to open his hotel room door, his handlers immediately knew and opened their doors. And he LIKED the fact he had handlers and couldn't go anywhere w/o their OK b/c it allowed him to be more "creative"...come on.
Ah yes secret agent Keith Wilson you can see the hidden cameras from a video eh?
why did i suddenly get this video recommendation out of nowhere after finishing crash landing on you
Dude I'm literally watching that drama right now. What ep are u on??? M on 10 .. and I swear m crying like crazy
C D i already finished everything but will probably rewatch soon CAUSE I CAN’T GET OVER IT
Am i the only one who wasn't satisfied with the ending ☹
Samee!! I just finished it today and was crying my heart out!
@@vaishnavitripathi341 the ending was beautiful.
I feel terribly sad for the children working at the fields 😢
They don't know anything else so no pain. People always tell me the same and I always answer we were happy!
That or being on social media. I'd prefer the former.
Thank you. I was cranky about it as a kid too.
I know, working outside in the fresh air when they could be in a stuffy classroom staring at a computer screen. Terrible.
@@andrewkitchenuk apples and oranges 🙌
He really tried to not say anything bad. It felt like some north Korean soldiers were holding guns at him behind the camera.
my pp itches they have assasins everywhere
And he said and showed some nice things, don't forget that.
Maybe it isn't as black and white as we think.
@Darryl I do know that it is screwed up in North Korea, but most of Asia is weird.
I couldn't live like that and I don't think they should, but I think it isn't as worse for them as we imagine...
I think he just wants to visit NK again.
Thank you for the likes 🥺✌
That comment about the bus driver getting lost. Probably got him killed.
Your comment about his comment got him killed
JustSomeGuy your comment about his comment about the original comment probably got the driver killed
@@classact526your comment about the commenter commenting about the comment who commented about the original comment got him killed
@@bluecatphilia I'm gonna stop this thread right away... Coz the driver has been killed like 3 times by now .
Calm down everybody, I'm sure the driver is fine . He may have just taken a wrong turn again and lost his way home. You know what I mean....
Human beings are not meant to live like this. So sad
No animal either should live like that but they are.....
Sad reality because we decided to do so......
@@kalpanamishra2323 You are exactly right, the life of modern farm animals is very similar to the servitude of the average North Korean, they are both highly controlled chattel, only kept alive to serve their masters
kalpana mishra so true
kalpana mishra lets focus on the humans first. Some animals like to work and have evolved to. Their animals, of course they have a owner. I’m not talking about animal abuse, just like farm animals existing
@TheHumanSpeciesIsAPlague NotMeantToBeInExistence That may be true, but at least in Western secular states you are allowed small moments of reprieve, a semblance of freedom and your mind is momentarily tricked , most people would prefer a gilded cage than a rusted one...
Pyongyang, the oldest quarantine facility
My family is from North Korea originally, before the Korean war. I would never go there. The most interesting photo is the one of rice planting. I'm so grateful my family got out. My father's family was separated. Very sad.
ZionHillCalling delete
@ZionHillCalling
Then go there as soon as you can. USA won't miss you.
Yes. The rice harvest. The people clearly have to work hard to survive. Thats why there are no liberals there. Liberals hate WORK and cry all the time about everything. They can't survive anywhere except where they can get an easy government employee paycheck like in the USA.
It is very sad, I'm glad your family was able to get out. Some day, better times for the Korean people.
@@sanfrancisco9661 Then go live in North Korea
It’s like living in prison. I would not have children. It’s so sad to see all the unhappiness of this country.
Gayle Fynaut its actually hard to get condoms in North Korea, so not getting children would maybe be hard
Tuva Ù - there is this called called abstinence...It all depends on how determined you are to not have kids.
Even if you live in another country, it's still like prison, it's just that you think differently. Allegory of the Cave is a good example of being “happy” in a prison.
You know they force them to have families?
@welc mabu on which drugs are you? I live in europe and we're free to move out of the country if we don't like it where people in NK are literally prisoners and can't cross their border. What do you think europe is? We live same as usa except we all have healthcare and free education. If fact EU is the best place to live on earth considering our countries end up on top "happiest people" list.
You don’t need to analyze his words to see how awkward and pressured he is to process what he’s about to say to make sure he does not offend North Korea. His body language reveals how hesitant he is. It’s so disgusting how Kim Jong Un treats “his” country and citizens especially the women and children.
Yea thats so true.
nctzens! :D
Criminal psycho Don's "great friend and great leader" Kim Jung UN! The both have much the same narcissistic mentality and immorality and both need slapped around a lot!
Like his father and grandfather were any better.
Wouldnt he be out of the country during this interview. Why would he need to mince words?
I hope I'll see a North Korea that is free from this tyranny in the future
Why? What is it to you? Do all countries have to be the same?
@@maticbukovac6966
All countries may or maynot be same but every living creature which can think on their own should have their own freedom
@@maticbukovac6966 no, but people in north korea aren't free and have basically no rights to do things for themselves, which is inherently wrong. idk where you got the 'do you want all countries to be the same?!!?!' thing from but no; we don't, we want people who are held in captivity to be free and not at a risk of being killed for speaking out [actually, they 100% will be killed]
Imagine thinking that you can decide how you want North Korea to be. Just live your useless life and stop judging them. They don't care about your fake "freedom".
@@abhisand5605 if they don't like their leader, they can change him. Hitler was a monster for the allies, but a lot of Germans loved him... so... if the allies hadn't defeated them, he would happily continue to rule till the end of his days...
At this point, truly “surprising” images would be ones of the nation’s people walking about without restrictions and without being required to put flowers at the feet of the “dear leaders” statues. If I saw pictures of North Korean people dressed in a variety of ways, eating whatever they want, and just appearing like healthy, happy, non-cult-members, now THAT would be surprising.
@Mohamed Moothy Azwar actually ONLY the rich nk people becomes defectors. Poor north Korean people can't even dream of getting out of the country no matter how much hell hole they think their country is.
Really stupid put flowers at the base of statues, it not in life it just in stone but they are from the dauthers of Babylone culture.
Its suprising because you grew up with freedom. Be greatful jesus
Reyha Of Midgard My name isn’t Jesus but I am very grateful I didn’t have to grow up in a dystopian society like North Korea, like my mother-in-law did. Instead, I grew up in the doomsday religious cult my parents joined when I was two.
Excellent point.
Lmfao I thought the waves at 4:13 were real for ages lol
Wazowski CS:GO I really tripped at that too haha
Me too although I'm an artist😂😂
Wazowski CS:GO I’m not the only one then!😅
me too lmao
They are real.., if you just believe
Plot twist: He was held at gunpoint behind the camera.
...not really a plot twist, its believable
Crusty Spaghetti Unfortunately yeah.
Nah man, he already back abroad.
i mean, in a sense, he was
Just like Team America
Accept he isn't there anymore and is back at his own country
Can we have a moment of silence for the driver and the boy who looked at this guy😢😢
This is so interesting.. but beyond disgusting... even though he couldn’t show the full “real” north Korea, even the fabricated stuff is so strained. I really hope the people there will be saved soon...
The interesting thing is that the people there don't actually think they need to be saved or want to be saved. They seem to like their country and despise other countries.
Lewi TM Tell that to all of the North Korean defectors.
Up to them to save themselves. There's millions of them.
@@lewitm4591 better than being rothschild slave
@@lewitm4591
That is what communism and control is! They don't know anything different there. They are not even aware, they don't even imagine that there is a world outside in North Korea that does things different. Most of their life is a lie.
The communist government literally controls what people think to an extent that you will never even know, and be glad for that!
I love how you cropped the last picture.
Yeah nice touch
I know
Their culture is so like the dead USSR, it's eerie
Japan? lol .... how much suffering has japan left behind after their occupation of Korea ... stupid remark from you ..
Are you from Russia? Do you even know what are you talking about?
@@ju3480 It is much worse in North Korea than it was in USSR, just as if regime experiments how far it can go with limiting people's freedom and rights
@@tanyapavlenko6435 have you ever been to North Korea ? Did you live in the USSR, pretty girl ?
@@C20F fake documents, huh ?
These photos are haunting for some reason - it feels like watching old photos of people who no longer exist.
Well...this just makes me appreciate all the little freedoms I have every single day. Can’t imagine being in their world..
We r n their world it's just watered down here.
It's Crazy and to think I am from Kenya an African country and people here are allowed to criticize the president on social media platforms and they also have a variety of nicknames for the president with different meanings
Denied the right to move freely, tracked everywhere you go, subjected to fear tactics and outrageous punishment for non compliance, even denied access to medical care... the single MOST locked down place on earth. North Korea? Nope... right here, Melbourne Australia. FML, i miss freedom and justice. *weeps*
@@Craigelz Yep.. in Euope the jab becomes mandatory (Austria, France) although in other countries like the Uk the restrictions will end. Talking aboyt freedom..
Working in a rice paddy?
Oh what a humiliation I would not like to go there ever. It is below my dignity to bow to dictators, murderers and mind sick family.
If I go i will not bow, I bow only for god not for mortals humans
@@azizbelkharmoudi2564 If you go and don't do that they will probably kill you
Same
@@fring9594 I don't compromise on my principles, I prefer to die than to live without my dignity
@@azizbelkharmoudi2564 Or just don't go to North Korea?
Surprising? These are the most typical images one can see of NK.
@Sequoia Go follow DPRK 360 if you have Facebook, they post a lot of photos of everyday life and not just tourist spots.
@Sequoia take a look of this th-cam.com/video/StjIv33zJ9c/w-d-xo.html
And thats exactly what they want you to see. They choose what gets out and what doesn’t
The picture in the mist, it is a master piece
I was hoping for something with an impact. This is stuff we’ve all seen.
Impact? Not until China falls 🙈😅🤒😷
yeah I was hoping for something interesting here
@Teagan, same here, but to be fair he was monitored by North Korean handlers constantly and had to do as they say and only take pictures of what they approved of. Plus they were constantly reviewing his pictures to ensure they were suitable in the eyes of North Korea. You can't really do much exposes or anything earth shattering under those tight conditions.
@@olddude07 He's not special, each pack of tourist has someone from the government to watch them. And the reviewing of photos or videos is part of the country's rule/regulation/law. I've watched a lot of NK vlogs (not from the west) and I think they aren't controlling the things that tourist do. They let the tourists talk or do what they want as long that they didn't step the NK's laws.
Just watch videos of regular people living and working in North Korea. This one, for example:
th-cam.com/video/Dm4BnVNTU4c/w-d-xo.html
"I was feeling awkward sometimes that these young children had to do this show just for me". It's awkward just the fact that they have to do the show, that's straight up slavery and children abuse, using them as puppets for fun.
Ever heard of a school play
You’d have to be the most spoiled kid in the world to find doing a play or dance as slavery. I’m by saying they have freedom but these kids most likely have WAY more problems than a dance recital
@@kaboomie dude they literally act for a group of tourists, not even family or friends, using them almost as an attraction.
@@codexm37 ^^
The kids are forced to do this play over and over every day for tourists, who knows how many groups on one day.
"One rule when taking pictures of the two leaders is to never crop them"......... Cuts to 5:03
how edgy ;)
I noticed that too😅
The actual photo wasn't cropped. That's just editing back at the BBC studio.
Multiple North Korean Vlogs made us remember the rule.
What is restricted people want to do that first
2:39 the two kids looking behind them amongst kids looking forward feels so symbolic for some reason.
This guy is threatened for sure.
Why would anyone threaten him? He is a journo in state run media, he's perfectly aware what he can say and what he should keep for himself. Especially about the bit when six year old, half naked girls were dancing specially for him. He knew what it was, but he said it was 'awkward'.
@@drgonzo4714 where r u frm ??
@@gauravniroj7807 Born and raised in Poland, lived there most of my life.
Well of course
@@donalgrump69yrsago9 Where are u frm ??
“You have to take a picture of the full artwork”
*only shows legs at 5:04
Lmao
ACtually not necessarly, the picture could be bigger and they just had zoomed in, but cut it to focus more into the bottom/middle of the picture with the overwhelming red flowers/ yellow communist/christian symbol
@@majormononoke8958 The yellow symbol is just communist, not Christian.
😂😂😂😂
Dude... for the sake of the photographer, delete this comment before they read it and check the photo.
The safest place from the Corona Virus...
Unless you end up in one of the labor camps. Then you'd wish you had the virus.😂
Wouldn’t suprise me if it came out of dprk intentionally or unintentionally. The only reason it would be a bit safer is because of restrictions on travel
How do you know Squidward ???
@@Fit_soldier There has been reports coming out of South Korea that it is there, But nothing official coming out of North Korea. Experts say it could be devastating if it did, lack of medical equipment and medication. But nobody knows one way or the other the truth.
Actually Indonesia is. No reported cases. I feel so safe. Yes, I'm being sarcastic.
I have never heard photography described in such a way. I love that he was able to truly express why photography is considered an art form and not just documentation.
I've been a photographer for 11 years. The medium is truly one of humanity's greatest creations. The effect that images have on our lives really can't be measured- there is just so much versatility of creativity, of documentation, of freedom to make whatever you want with a camera that I find it strange to think that anyone would be able to miss the artistic potential of photography. But hey, clearly I'm a fan.
Ok cringe
But what is he saying at the end, exactly: He's doctored some of the images to create his own narrative? If that's the case, I just wasted 5 minutes.
I talked to a Nk defector whose family is part of the elite that live in Pyongyang and even he could not stand it, so can you imagine the life of an average citizen? I feel sorry for all of the citizens that live there since it is an open prison. I can imagine them following you to the bathroom.
As an American and my wife is Viet I was shopping in one of the larger department stores in Vietnam and was being followed everywhere, I turned to the young lady who was a sales person and asked why are you following us do I look like a criminal, I wasn’t trying to be a butt hole I just wanted to shop and not feel uncomfortable like the government was watching my every move .
apparently every single year the nk football team has come home saying they won the world cup. insane. but these people have no other means of discovering the truth. they have 3 tv channels all filmed in nk and all checked by the government. they are manipulated to think these things and it’s quite scary. even more scary when you think some citizens believe this is the way the world is and know no different
Dave Scheer Thanks for sharing as I never knew that since I have never been to Vietnam in my life. I am American born and raised but heard stories from my late parents and relatives and they were kind of like North Korea back in the days. But luckily, I think Vietnam is way better now although not as free as many other countries. However, they are currently better than North Korea.
Trinh Nguyen ,I've been to Saigon 4 times I call it Saigon because it deserves the respect of the south Viet people that built it before the take over, Vietnam is is a great country but the government ,well let's just say not so much , if you haven't been there when all this corona virus thing goes away you need to see it , most of the people are friendly out going and want the western life , let's just say the government is like a leash on a dog ,holding the people back from freedom and their real potential . I could only pray someday that it becomes a democratic society and the people can choose their leaders instead of leaders choosing leaders, you should be proud of your parents and all they have gone thru , I'm am so lucky to live in the US , we take freedom for granted, health wealth and happiness my friend .✌🏻️
Sequoia you really don't have a clue ! My nephew is a high ranking Viet police officer and I have been with him and can tell you things I've seen that would make you grateful that you don't live there, you don't see the secret police and commie snitches, police going on street cleaning raids taking all of the street vendors things and putting them in jail , police taking a persons new scooter accusing them of reckless driving or doing something wrong and impounding the scooter with a really big fine that know they can't pay then they buy it at city auction and sell them to make the police rich , you don't have a clue !
You don’t even know if there’s cameras in all angles hidden capturing all your movements, never trust what was told is just too surface.
Jason Googly heat imaging is probably through the walls
@@Papeeshka or they might think it is an unecessary expense?
THE WALLS ITSELF ARE CAMERAS
@@sweetnsour3693 🤔
Ayam is delicious *_big brain_*
I would have just been crapping my pants through every exchange.
He didn't say a single concrete thing. 5 minutes without saying anything !!
R R i don’t really think he can, he seems kinda scared. but that’s pretty reasonable
@@languyen0722 yeah I noticed that 2
Maybe he doesnt want to be in trouble with North Korea 🙄
I noticed that too!
Exactly, no point to the video at all, what did I just watch.... nothing!
This reminds me of '1984' by George Orwell.
I am reading that book right now...very depressing...
Just thinking the same
Oh yh
What percentage of people in NK do you think spend their hard earned money buying the latest spy on me device, can't go anywhere without surveillance cameras watching, have to know there is a multi billion dollar computer complex with just one purpose, keeping your data? In the US, that number is damn close to 100%
I’m surprised they let you keep that one picture of the leaders where their faces were not in the picture you only had the lower half‘s
DeviantMotives he said, that wasn’t allowed. Could have been cropped after?
Bill Petersen : I wonder if he did that on purpose, sort of a last second spit in their face?
“Voice of North Korea by Yeonmi Park” is a channel with much more accurate information of what living in this hermit kingdom is like
No. Not at all.
@@nedifar-haunts-you um...how??
@@kiaralord5358 Yeonmi Park isn't reliable at all, she's a liar who changed her "story" several times and invented facts about NK. All she care about is money, and selling her books and manipulate people with sad stories.
@@nedifar-haunts-you do you have any specific examples? I haven’t read her book but all of her videos I’ve seen and interviews with her she’s consistent with her story and she’s definitely an actual North Korean defector, so it’s hard for me to be critical of someone who’s escaped from such a horrible situation in general.
@@kiaralord5358 not in her books, but for example, she claimed that in North Korea, you can't have any dessert, while it's false. She also claimed that North Korea didn't have any museum, while there is one museum in Pyongyang. Experts about North Korea have serious doubts about her claims that you can be executed for have watched a movie from South Korea. She also lied about the life expectancy in North Korea.
If you want something else than my own words, Google "The Strange Tale of Yeonmi Park", it's a article very interesting about the subject. Even in her Wikipedia biography, she's criticized by other defectors and people noticed inconsistencies in her story.
She's obviously a liar, and she makes money with her lies.
Imagine being a citizen if tourist gets treated that way... we all are very lucky not to be born in north korea, even Syria etc still sounds better
Syria is much much worse lmao what are you on about
Syrias WAY better I lived in Damascus for 4 years that was about 2 years ago and I met the best people ever and it wasn't even near as bad as people say, the capitals still extremely alive and you'd see people outside hanging out anytime u go out
@@nuggetbucket1864
... Extremely alive until you find out there are thousands if not tens of thousands of innocents in prisons which function more like detention camps for dissidents.
There is probably not a single family in whole Syria that don't have an imprisoned or even forcely disappeared family member.
The whole country is a one big prison with a mafia similar gang in power that allows and is responsible for almost a hundred thousand Syrians mostly civilians being "taken care of" that is imprisoned or forcely disappeared since 2011.
Plus the fact that the govt used gas attacks at least several times and literal barrel bombs thousands of times on its own civilians...
Syria is where humanity entirely ceases to exist.
yes
@@metalji_20s
Both Syria and North Korea are trash countries . If I had to choose between two bad things I would choose none
Went to NK in 2015 on a group tour. It's TRUE, we did the flower and bowing cemenary. By doing it, you show respect and the guides will be happy.
Paul Hancock “happy”
Paul Hancock yes I've noticed that tyrants get real happy when people slavishly submit and degrade themselves before them.
@@seanbrennan9188
No choice. You dont show dissent in NK. Not advisable at all. Respect where you come from and your freedom to post this message. That freedom does not exist in NK.
@Tru Quality
Go try it yourself bright spark.
@Tru Quality
Foxtrot oscar.
New thing on my bucket list:
Swim in a propaganda swimming pool
Ibrahim Malik Take it up a notch with a wave pool
you been swimming in it your entire life and you didn't even notice ....
@@MrMarioSupermario - 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
You should go to USA for subtle and North Korea for straightforward stuff
@@MrMarioSupermario You've been brainwashed as well it seems
You think if they know you open your door to go out the room must be bugged, just because you can't find a camera or microphone it doesn't mean they're not there.
No one:
4:25 - Snow white just casually surfing in North Korea
True XD
nice bee and puppycat pfp
Lmaoo
Lmaooo
Lol
I pray for that kid looking behind
There were actually two. The one you could barely see. Hopefully they were allowed to do that. People are not things, they are human with human instincts.
Yeah..he might be punished for tht too
I was thinking the same, he should have blurred his face...
I would be terrified to go anywhere near there. That’s a very brave photographer.
Bravery is going against your fears. He has none concerning this, therefore...
It's not a western media news report. You're safe.
@@lampoyo maybe he just hides it
Odds are, it’s likely the safest place you could visit. Not to mention you essentially have guides/bodyguards.
Yeah, if you go there and start trashing the place or being disrespectful you are going to create a problem. Suffice it to say, that goes for any place you visit.
I love this guy. He sees nothing as a boundary but as an opportunity.
But a very insightful, albeit abbreviated clip. My feeling is that he is sincerely not trying to be political in any way, and simply explaining each frame and scene objectively, but allowing room for subjectivity also. Very good presentation.
I suspect that he was just being truthful without embellishment for the TH-cam audience.
@@60-second-HACKS Perhaps. We should ask him.
So he had a standard tour like thousands before him, showing the same pictures we have seen before. How old is this video if he is making the claims he was the first to visit sanctioned locations for visitors? And BBC wonder why they are about to be defunded.
Thanks for your comment... skipped this video... saved data and time...
Channel to Click Like I watched the video fully. I think it Haas something nice to offer
He didnt take a standard tour if the driver got lost all the time lmao
I'm sure there are lots of photographers that want to go to North Korea to make themselves famous. Add the "mystical" North Korea to their portfolio for clout. We don't need more pictures of your government guided tours, you aren't helping bring political issues to light with your fancy photos on your tour. Honestly. Don't go to North Korea, tourism should not exist there.
Andi Cee Thankyou!!
I’ll never understand why you make children put on shows for tourists. It’s as if they want us to look elsewhere- but the facade is so obvious that it makes me wonder if they’re doing it on purpose.
Reminds me of Kim Sol Mae
Clumsy ....maybe they are just trying to entertain visitors.
Clumsy It’s all part of the fairytale image.
To display such talent illustrates a competent, well cultured society which caters for it’s children’s needs.
But they are still slightly naive to not notice that western tourists can see through the fake, cheesy, tacky, tasteless facade.
Ikr the leaders must have seen the news or something it's like pretty obvious.
Tres Toddlers with Tiaras! 🤣
I really appreciate how he was not making any judgements on the North Korean society, he was just doing his job as a photographer.
I cant imagine you not see how terryfying is what he telling. Even more than if there would be brutal photos. Its death of freedom. I hope there will be day when N. Korean people can leave this behind. 😢
I can bet there was nothing unplan in his trip. If he wod rly see or bring photos of places thats only because they let him.
5:08 Man you were LUCKY to be able to bring that picture with you, hopefully your guides and guards didn't get into trouble. And those who are wondering what on earth I'm talking about., just look and try guessing which 2 persons are on the painting on the pedistal :D
I recently saw a video about north korea where in a school kids were performing an anthem was as follows i remember only two lines "our beloved leader Kim jong un"
"You are our shining star"
And throughout the whole performance and after the performance there was mot a single sign of smile on their face ,that was really heartbreaking, those kids have their freedom snatched .
The way this guy talks..so much passion for his craft🙌🏼
what bugs me the most is that he must have paid loads of money to stay there for 60days, all of which went to Kim and his dictatorship, none of which went to the poor ppl
He is lucky he didnt commit one of their silly crimes and be sent to jail
Looks like the Soviet towns....I hated living in Soviet period....I live in Europe now. How little did I know I was so brainwashed by soviet propaganda....yet, I appreciate the experiences of living in Soviet Union because I am so so so grateful for the human rights I have in Europe. Yes, I took flower flowers to Lenin monument. Photos of Lenin, Carl Marks they were in each room, at school, at work, as well their monuments in every city. Worship, blind, worship of leaders. Regardless if you agree or not.....
I am free of it now. But It has taken me years to understand how those years, my formative years formed and shaped me. For me, that period was horrible. I did not like my childhood. Did I like anything? I am not sure. Probably I appreciate that I was very independent from a very young age....I liked it then because I was a child. I liked my independence but looking back I am horrified I did take so many risks being 6-7 years old I cooked, shopped. Stayed at home alone after school. Took empty milk bottles to recycled centre in exchanger for pocket money..... I was a child .....an independent child. I am very independent adult now, -:)
Idk, honestly I think was it's better to grow up in the Soviet times then to grow up in 90s and begging of 00s.
@SPΛDΣ I grew up in the 90s and beginning of 2000s while there was heroin epidemic in Russia.
@@shiesty5675 Your traumatic experience in the Soviet Union teaches us how fortunate we are to live in the West and other democratic nations. We tend to take democracy, human right, freedom of speech, affluence etc. for granted, but they are stil unknown to many people in the world.
You sound a bit like my wife, she was born in Uzbekistan in 1973 but from 16 years old moved to Moscow to go to university on her own. She lived there with her Babushka. In the 90's she worked in the first PizzaHut to open in Moscow during her studies. She doesn't talk much about Soviet times but seemed happy enough, she also played top ranking vollyball whilst in Uzbekistan and was fortunate enough to fly to different regions like Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan to compete.
So you should grateful to Soviet that you became this strong woman that can handle problems much better then others. No one could ever teach you that and you can't buy that as well.
People from USA are like “Oh, our country is so much worse” “I see no difference with my country”. You’re ridiculous. I’d invite you to live in my populist country where 50% of the people in the country are poor and then we can talk. And my country is heaven compared to NK.
Fijo es latina
@@paula-666 Sí JAJA
@@absonex7438 Sii soy jaja. Estoy harta de los yankees quejándose, no digo que su país sea la perfección, pero por dios no podes compararlo con Corea del Norte o un país del tercer mundo. Son unos ridículos.
Do they think that having the freedom to travel is much worse than getting shot while attempting to escape the country? Just escaping north korea is already worse and no other countries have this absurd law.
@@setter_soul_waifu0930 🤷🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️ we should ask them, because it’s nonsense haha
It’s like a real-life dystopian version of The Truman Show.
Yeah they don't know outside there's Justin , Feminists , gays, transexual competing in girls sports, Coronavirus. Korean gay pop.They will never have the opportunity to protest against Trump while they smoke marijuana
@@angelpirulin9395 I'm gonna say you _kinda_ hate people who aren't conservatives
Is Ri Jeong Hyuk there?
Lol
we never know 😜😜😎😎
He is busy driving around with his Jaguar and Yoon Se-ri 👩❤️💋👨
Asking the real question
lol I'm asking the same question as well🤣
"By accident the two doors opened as well" lel, what kinda accident is that pffft
UnnaturalAny1 obviously being watched
He was being sarcastic
North korea is so bizarre. Its not even communist, its looks like old korean kingdom with modern attire. Even their attire is so outdated and stuck in 1950.
yeah
NK: you cannot crop the 2 leaders
Me: sends over 100+ of cropped images to Kim Jong-un
Are you still alive after all that?
😂😂😂
I want to do this now. Too bad I don't know his email address.
What a sad sad country. Unfortunately, this is just a tad of what’s really inside that country
BBC should do a documentary on homeless teens in their country aka the invisible people.
They did one about homeless young women and another about homeless mums
Where is your country and city?
They did made one.
Some contradictions in the comments here. Folks saying the photographer looks like he's being 'forced' to speak a certain way or to only say certain things, while also commenting on how some of the photos look like they should have gotten someone in trouble. If the latter is true, these photos wouldn't even be part of the video. Everything had to be approved, remember? I imagine there were actually many more photos taken over this 60-day trip and these are just some of the (or maybe the only) ones that were allowed to be shown. In short, I don't think there's anything 'wrong' with these photos in the sense that someone's going to get 'disappeared' over any of them. People outside of NK have just been brainwashed to think a certain way, exactly like they claim the citizens of NK have been brainwashed to think a certain way. The brainwashing just went in opposite directions.
Omg finally someone said it lol. One video of North Korea and suddenly everyone is an expert as if governments like the U.S. aren't always surveying its citizens and allowing atrocities to happen/committing them 🙄🙄🙄
RIP to the driver who took the wrong turns
Angel Demony what happened to him
@@justbeinglexie9929 he met a family of deformed cannibals 😢
Hahahaha.
North korea: no cropping our holy man
This dude: are you sure about that
What exactly do y'all expect? There's limited stuff you can do in North Korea do you want him to be imprisoned for taking *"illegal"* pictures or what? 🤦🏿♀️🤦🏿♀️🤦🏿♀️🤦🏿♀️
I love this guys perspective, he is not biased or trying to inflict his opinions on anyone he is just documenting and that is so beautiful what a wonderful man
Crash landing on you brought us fans here. 🇵🇭
1:45 bowing in front of a statue is the same as worshiping an idol.
Absolutely true. Worshipping an idol other than God Jesus.
I remember that picture of trump saluting the North Korean general. That poor orange guy has dementia, he won't last
I know, right.
Belajar Internet it’s like being Daniel & having the choice to bow before the statue of Nebuchadnezzar
There is a big difference between showing respect vs worshipping someone
I kind of want to go there because my country also used to be like this. My family also used to live like that. And I got so lucky being born about 2 decades after we were free and I grew up like a normal child and I don't think I appreciate it enough but if I see what my parents were through and what I thankfully wasn't it'll make me appreciate it even more that even if I'm not from the richest country, I'm from one that has freedom
Nice videos. Tks
Wonderfully descriptive. You have a great attitude and copious amounts of empathy regarding your experience. The world desperately needs these traits. I will be sure to pass it along :O)
The tourist looks at his phone after the video:
”Kim Jong Un wants to know your location”
4:00 Took me a little while to figure where is mosaic and where is the actual water.
"I like the limitations because it forces you to be more creative" 😂 okaaay
@Manda PandaBear As an art lover myself, I can say this is true from art point of view but he clearly stated that not to offend NK. he was twisting the facts
harpmaster480
you are obviously not an artist in any way shape or form.
what’s so funny? he’s not wrong
He accepted he twisted the truth. That is already propaganda. He probably doesn't want to anger NK because he would like to go back.
Nothing he showed was the real NK. He was very favorable to the Kim linage.
It doesn't matter if you call propaganda art. It is still propaganda.
it's the same with people who prefer lenses that cannot zoom (I don't know the English word sorry 😂) like 35mm, 70mm, 200mm as compared to say, a 70-200mm lens. Not only is the quality of those lenses better, but not being able to just zoom and therefore being limited forces you to see your subject in a different way. So yeah I do think limitations boost creativity!
This was so interesting to watch. The narrative was well woven together and it's almost like a story or fairy tale unfolding with the pictures. IMHO..the gentleman did an excellent job recounting his journey with both humor and reflection to portray what he saw. Pity it was so short, would've liked to see more. Anything on the secretive North Korea (& the people's lifestyles) tends to make for some gripping drama indeed.
Because its not a real city......its just for show on the world stage...
I like how this guy tried to remain unbiased as much as possible. He didn’t just judge North Koreans for their different government. He tried to look at the bright side too.
New Info: A lot of people are getting worked up over this comment and I feel like they’re misunderstanding the point. What I’m trying to say is that people in North Korea probably aren’t aware of the freedom that we have, and if they do, they’ve been raised to look down upon it. They don’t really see the way we see our world. Instead they’ve been raised to look at the outside world with a sense of distaste. In schools, they’re taught that other countries are wild and malicious. Because of this information that they’re being fed, many North Koreans don’t really understand freedom like we do. They’ve grown up learning entirely different things. I’m not saying that North Korea is the perfect place, but I am saying that it’s really different from what we’re used to. I appreciate how the man being interviewed doesn’t immediately criticize their form of government. He’s remaining open minded, unlike some of the other people in the comment section.
That's like saying there's a bright side to genocide....
Lee Davis it’s not genocide, it’s a different form of government
@@oxiclean3162
Genocides are committed by "Different Forms of Governments". NAZI Germany (Socialism), Mao's China (Socialism), Pol Pot, Cambodia,(Socialism), Stalin, Russia, (Socialism), Castro's Cuba, (Socialism), Kim Jong-un, North Korea, (Socialism), Chavez/Maduro, Venezuela (Socialism).
Again, do your research Comrade Troll, take this to heart from a former citizen of Cuba, who experienced Socialism first hand.
Lee Davis I understand but genocide is the mass killing of people of a certain ethnic group in order to eliminate them from the country. That’s not what’s happening here
@@leedavis7508 Nazi Germany is actually a form of Fascism, literal opposite of socialism. You have some learning to do before I'm able to take you seriously. Do you even know what happened to people such as socialists in Nazi Germany?
Pol Pot was also anti communism and even admitted it himself when he got into power.
2:41
Him: in this picture one looking at me
Kid: looking at the door
If you look further beyond the one obviously looking at the door there's one looking right into camera lens
I know in north korea they check every single pic on your phone on the way back, so I would have just taken them though snapchat, deleted the app and then just log in when i’m out of there.
that's how you get killed my guy
BBC new slogan “don’t get real - get reel”