How can their abilities be fake? The children were dancing, singing, playing instruments, whether or not you think it's staged doesn't removed that fact that they had an incredibly sound capacity for what they were doing
+Neggy Faceplant ? They are talented. They can't fake talent lmao you struggle with the concept North Korea isn't all what you see in America . Mostly it seems to be .
Hopefully the regime will fall during their lifetime and they are free(er) to travel then... But probably need a visa to most places still, until the country develops, which will take time.
Not true, there are tonnes of North Korean people working in Europe. The NK government needs more money and they have lots of people so they send them overseas to make foreign currency to then give it to the government.
+Em Flint true the party members who are supporting the government get to do that. since they got to meet the class they are probably part of that group. but his statement still leaves a bitter after taste since the majority of north koreans don't have the freedom to go wherever they want to go
+BIGMAN FROM MICHIGAN maybe America shouldn't get involved in so many conflicts, then it's citizens wouldn't have to sacrifice their lives. If you think your country is innocent in all of this, you are just as brainwashed and controlled as some North Koreans
finally!! the amount of breakdancing I've seen i was like "jesus, again...?" i don't actually dislike it though, he's got a talent and he's showing these kids who may not see American culture again something from it
Gott mit uns that is true, but I mean travel the world freely :( the options you mentioned are them just getting sent to certain spots to do work and represent NK
These vlogs from North Korea are honestly so cool. I'm super fascinated by the culture that we don't see in the media. The culture difference is also fascinating. I love viewing it all.
Tah Sin lmao u gotta be joking right? North Korea does generational imprisonment and you think its just our media trying to make them look bad? you're fucked kid
Im a bit suspicious as to why nobody is looking at the cameras when Louis and his crew are filming, it's like they see stuff like this everyday - but they obviously don't. Plus, all of them are carrying on with their daily lives, like Louis and the crew didn't even exist, i didn't see the slightest some sort of attention given to them by locals. What if the people we see in public places (e.x. the metro station) were sent there in crowds to "show" Louis and his crew that they use public commodities and are after all "civilized" ? I dont know, thats just my opinion. Something smells fishy
I think it would be more likely that the people in this city are all either working for the government (and so are on side with them anyway) or are acting civilised as a general rule out of fear etc., rather than as part of something orchestrated just for Westerners
The description is quite disturbing to me. Like the positive things are mostly staged and are actually quite dark to think about because when you leave the masks will just be removed. That's not positive, it's just sad. The media doesn't paint a negative picture of Korea, North Korean defectors do. Watching you have "fun" while in this country when the people around you are pretending and not too far people are suffering just doesn't feel right. Very eerie watching these videos to be honest.
I take it you have an intimate knowledge of North Korean life? Also what government doesn't abuse human rights? Please, tell me... really, I want to know. And what are human rights? This is real tricky, I could argue that Capital Punishment is an abuse of human rights and that the US is heading towards a complete abuse with the possible presidency of Trump. Why don't they have an image problem? Anyway, I think he is really just trying to show that the entire country is not evil, or hates outsiders. Most of the people he meets seem to enjoy the American & brits' company & culture. Also, I hate it when people travel to places like Dubai, who are far more evil, outdated and repressed than North Korea, but because they have a tall building and shit tonnes of money everyone wants to fucking be there. Hypocrisy will never die!
So whats your source? Have you been to north korea? Have u lived there? For sure there is poverty and stuffs but this problem is rooted in every country. Even in Melbourne here the amount of homelessness person is ridiculous. 1 in every 200 Australian is homeless. Some lives on street some under the help of government. So yea
Cameron H We can just talk to North Koreans. They seem to have the exact same life stories as what the western media tells you. If you don't believe them, you are far too skeptical.
North Korea has never finished that good in the Math Olympiad, finishing 14th in 2014. More propaganda. Can't wait to see what Louis has to say about the trip afterward!
In his description, he says he's trying to combat the negative depiction of NK portrayed by the media. So, I'm not sure what he will or will not say about his trip once he leaves. Which is unfortunate because I'd love to hear about what he saw off camera.
+Annah Scaccia North Korea has seemed to go to special lengths to ensure secrecy in their country . Only 3 million people live in pyong yang for a reason . There is only 'trusted' people allowed to love their . Also they keep abandoned and empty villages around their border specifically to show off to South Koreans and encourage they move north . They blast out propaganda for 20 hours every day in these abandoned but modern villages . All what Louis is seeing may or may not be propaganda . I am not gonna say anything for sure .
"Exploring this amazing country".. Well some hundred kilometres north of Pyongyang there is the Hoeryong concentration camp in which more than 50.000 humas are held prison for lifetime including the next 3 generations of their families. So yeah, it really is an "amazing country" and I'm glad you're "combating the purely negative image we see in the Media"
I dont think he is being serious. If he said otherwise though who knows something might have happened to him or they would have confiscated the footage.
cue the dozens of "louis is so naive ..." comments those smart arses who think they know so much about north korea, anad expect louis to talk negatively in the footage that's filmed while he's in north korea. use your head a little. think.
I suppose that's what he does best and they might not have breakdancing in North Korea?? To show the locals something new and something that he feels is part of his culture?
It's so they can't give money to any of the people there, out of charity or to bribe. Foreign currency would be useless and a liability to any north korean people.
You've also got to read btwn Louis' lines. A lot of what he says and that seems positive, is actually a disguised critique of what is going on in the country. For example when he speaks about N. Korea perfectionist culture and states that "he cannot imagine the number of hours that they [the kids] have spent on it" _and added (not to get in trouble)_ that in his culture "he would have wished to have had such dedication" (paraphrase), Louis is pointing to inhabitual behaviours and things but cannot say them explicitely. *READ BETWEEN HIS LINES*
+Cinderelle M. Thank you!! I was wondering if I was just wanting to hear things when he spoke. He is very subtle and not nearly as overtly sarcastic as other DPRK vlogs and documentaries, but he's still being critical.
pyongyang has the richest and mpst strusted north koreans so i think thats why they seem happy cause they get the bether rigths not too shore... maybe an act at the same time. I would just realy want to hear about what he realy thougth about n korea
In the previous video, I saw an Audi SUV and at first I thought it must be some elite North Korean. But I'm sure only the people working for the government are allowed to own luxury cars.
Caleb Bonsall-Pearson I never would trust what the media says. I trust actual people who have escaped the country and have told their story. And in this case it is exactly what the media is saying. No I do not trust media for anything. but they are not always putting on a fake story. Sometimes they actually have a story.
you feel morally superior to those kids? are you certain the west doesn't practice a similar propaganda through forced capitalism and consumerism, indoctrinating kids to want the superfluous and develop no skills. i understand the atrocity of a dictatorial country like nk. but i was only valuing the kids skills. nothing more.
Really, really nice to see a blog/documentary on North Korea that focuses on the positive, human side of it. Thank you. There is two sides to everything, and we should never forget that - regardless of politics.
I agree. Even though though this is all set up to make them seem so happy and perfect as a nation, the people are still people! I love seeing them in their daily life
There is two sides to this one side Louis is showing. North Korea has 30 million people and they are given a fixed tour that everyone gets that's basically a movie set.
@Versced but he's also getting to know people who live there and give this tour for a living like Mis. Kim dose she enjoy it maybe maybe not but as a person she's genuinely kind as are many of the other people they have encountered.
Versced Yea there are lots of horrible things going on there. But we all know that! I think the point of these vlogs isn't to show "North Korea is actually not so bad", it's more of just to give us a glimpse of what North Korea is. Sure, it's staged. And i disagree with Louis saying he's trying to find the positive sides, because there are none! But it's interesting nonethless !! Otherwise we wouldn't be watching.
Unfortunately, he did not have access beyond what the tour guides wanted him and his group to see. If you actually had the chance to explore on your own, you would be disgusted. But yes, Louis did a great job showing us the good that can come out from such an isolated country.
If you want to combat the purely negative image we see in the Media about North Korea then leave the tour bus behind, leave this main city, and go explore the country independently. Going through this tour isn't proving anything. Leave the city and visit smaller towns or villages, hear what they have to say, especially when they aren't expecting you to arrive. It is pretty easy to prove a country isn't bad, but restricting access and even the use of the country's currency like in this video raises more questions then it answers. You know how Anthony Bourdain or Eddie Huang go to different places and actually have conversations with locals, explore around the country to really see a place. That is how you break stereotypes and a bad reputation, through exploration, not on an amusement park ride on rails. I'm not bashing Louis, but people defend this country and blame American propaganda, when in fact it is North Korea itself that is perpetuating the bad image everybody has. If you have nothing to hide then open your country up to the rest of the world and allow your people to be apart it.
You physically can't go to North Korea without doing it as a tour. It's illegal. If you want to go to North Korea, you have to be on an organised tour and you go wherever your taken as it's what they want to show. Tourists are only allowed in at certain times of the year so everything is organised. If they went in their own, they would get in serious trouble (death/jail).
Bro they aren't going to let him explore and if he does he will end up as a slave you really think there going to let a outsider interview locals from a village and then just fly back to there home country? Were talking about *NORTH KOREA* here.
It's irritating to say the least when someone is 100% buying into the very conducted guided tours of a city and feels self-congratulatory for doing it after some guitar playing and surfing with a handful of locals - what a convenient reality for you to have experienced.
Remember when you went to school and when you came home the first thing you wanted to do was get out of that uniform and put something comfortable on? Native NKs get out of their school uniforms and get in to government supplied clothes, another uniform. Everything is set out for them, you must pick a skill to perfect and then you MUST perfect it, you must wear the correct clothes, have the correct haircut, act correctly around tourists (cheery and smiley) and there's no two ways about it, do this or be punished.
Karmen U Well I'm not sure of the ins and outs of things, I'd imagine for not wearing the correct clothes or having the correct hair cut the most they'd do is give you a small fine and make you get you hair cut/ wear the clothes. However, I do know that for things such as murder, rape, grand theft auto, defecting and even just consuming media not approved by the government, capital punishment is the answer for the DPRK.
Yeah all the tours are the exact same. If you look at vids of other people visiting North Korea you'll see them stay in the same hotel, visit the same restaurants and sights. Some will even have the same people.
The little girl's smiling face when she was listening to the dude playing guitar seriously made me well up. It was the first "real" smile i've seen in these vlogs from a local and it seemed like it was a distraction to her from the evil going on in North Korea? That's how I interpreted it anyway. These vlogs have seriously confused me and as much as I always try to read beyond media headlines, I really can't see through the things I have heard about this country.
it's crazy that those children will most likely never get to travel the world and experience different cultures. and that the interaction with Louis and company in the class room will probably be their only interaction with non-north Korean people.
Louis loves to see all things about culture of a country. He is not able to do that in NK . That is not US propaganda that is NK only wanting to use these people to have the world think everything is fine.
I'm Rick Harrison, and this is my pawn shop. I work here with my old man and my son, Big Hoss, and in 23 years I've learned one thing. You never know what is gonna come through that door.
It’s truly sad that these kids will never get to experience many things. The kids with the bubbles are adorable but it’s very sad because such a small interaction with these tourist probably means a lot to them.
its quite sad that a rich country like this has kids running round in the park with dirty clothes on and has never seen bubbles before and there's hardly any cars but then in the tourist area's the grass is cut to perfection and everyone is looking clean and dressed well something really shady is going on behind the scene's.
The girl at 10:15 is the first one I've seen in the 4 days that actually looks happy and looks like she has a real appreciation for music. Hope she can makes something of it over there... So sad seeing so much potential that may go unnoticed due to their rules and laws.
I'm finding this series fascinating, Louis. I think it is great you were given this experience while being allowed to share this with us on TH-cam. It is super interesting to see how North Korea wants us to see them and just in general to learn more about the culture. I actually attended a talk by a refugee from North Korea and have a copy of his book (that I have yet to read but will definitely be reading) which of course painted a very different picture, and it was interesting to hear his escape story as well. I look forward to your remaining videos and reading that book after to compare the two. I think it is so important to have an insight and better understanding of other cultures than your own, and the best way to do that is go straight to the source and talk with locals. So thank you for the work you do and for sharing it with us!
+Frothar But these aren't normal people and they are not living their normal lives. They are extremely privileged people who are acting. It's all fake, like a really big amusement park or a film setting where you're the only ones not in on it.
those little kids playing with the bubbles was the sweetest thing ever! I love how completely overjoyed they were! also, miss kim is a baller for skating in heels
ok, all countrys have ugly sides for example, U.S. has yellow stone park beautiful place but we also have "ghetto" areas like certain places in LA and NY, the people in the vlog are seeing a super small portion of the area while a few miles out its all poverty, Korea shows the bread not the mold
During this time, Raya was probably freaking out and worrying so much about Louis, and Louis be like skating and just chilling, no danger at all in North Korea haha
If anyone is interested in what North Korean defectors have to say, search on YT "Now on my way to meet you", it's a South Korean entertainment/talk show where female North Koreans talk about what it's like to live in NK. (I'm not criticizing this video, I really like how he tries to see the positive in everything, that's a strength as well.)
Just watched VICE's 3 part documentary visit to North Korea...eerily similar tour. Crazy part was Louis pointing out the small kid with the big guitar; VICE said the same thing years ago when they went!
It's kind of sad to see those kids performing because they don't have a childhood.. They have to perfect everything as far as academics goes, they don't know what fun is. Also why can't you use north korean currency
Did you at some point feel that you were being obviously used for propaganda purposes? I can't shake the feeling that the lunch time performances and random entertainment sessions are so marionette-ish.. if that does make any sense. Also, how did you guys feel to be so obviously used as propaganda tools?
Gosh! That girl smiling while he was playing guitar and those children with the bubbles almost let me in tears. They have such an empathy and joy of life that the government take away from them after growing up. It makes me really sad to know that they won't never have freedom.
No matter what you think of north Korea you have to admit those kids were insanely talented.
It's all fake
+Neggy Faceplant it may not be reality for everyone and be staged to a level but those kids can play and dance really well.
+Brendan Jackson I am trying to look at positive aspect. Sue me
How can their abilities be fake? The children were dancing, singing, playing instruments, whether or not you think it's staged doesn't removed that fact that they had an incredibly sound capacity for what they were doing
+Neggy Faceplant ? They are talented. They can't fake talent lmao you struggle with the concept North Korea isn't all what you see in America . Mostly it seems to be .
"my dream was allways to travel and meet a lot of cultures"
these kids will never be able to leave there country...
Isn't that sad?! That part broke my heart.
Hopefully the regime will fall during their lifetime and they are free(er) to travel then... But probably need a visa to most places still, until the country develops, which will take time.
Not true, there are tonnes of North Korean people working in Europe. The NK government needs more money and they have lots of people so they send them overseas to make foreign currency to then give it to the government.
+Em Flint true the party members who are supporting the government get to do that. since they got to meet the class they are probably part of that group.
but his statement still leaves a bitter after taste since the majority of north koreans don't have the freedom to go wherever they want to go
+Em Flint and not just to make money but to educate themselves learning about the economy science and so on
I can't wait until Louis can openly talk about and discuss the things he saw in North Korea in the vlogs after these.
And the old guy with the white hair in your group seems like a complete nutter haha
i m also waiting his real experience.... lolzzzz
I really hope he makes an additional video where he talks about his experiences a bit more critically.
+1937528564 Louis is a smart man. I'm pretty certain he knows exactly what's going on behind the propaganda.
+BIGMAN FROM MICHIGAN maybe America shouldn't get involved in so many conflicts, then it's citizens wouldn't have to sacrifice their lives. If you think your country is innocent in all of this, you are just as brainwashed and controlled as some North Koreans
Yea, we got it. He can breakdance. Everywhere.
finally!! the amount of breakdancing I've seen i was like "jesus, again...?"
i don't actually dislike it though, he's got a talent and he's showing these kids who may not see American culture again something from it
lmaoooo thats what i was thinking...and he's just doing the same 3 moves.
+James Wells not just American :/
Makes me cringe lmao
+Sam R same profile pic
Telling a kid who is not allowed to even leave her district without permission that your dream is to travel the world.....wow....i've got no words...
pff he was honest, so what
I mean, they *can* leave, but it is very rare to be allowed out.
+Generic Username only for special events (olympics, contests etc.) if they leave without permission, they'll die
+schllrt and even so they are not allowed to see anything
+u know nothing highly insensitive
lol nice to tell kids you want to travel the world when they cannot leave their own country.
true
Gott mit uns that is true, but I mean travel the world freely :( the options you mentioned are them just getting sent to certain spots to do work and represent NK
What if these kids aspire to do something about just that because they want to be able to travel? :)
Revolutions needs resourcefull leaders
@ Bazze true
$200 for 50mb of data, and I thought my internet bill was outrageous.
lmao right? sheesh
+l3laxxx Ich bezahle 10 € für 1,5 gb
I pay €15 for 4GB
Daniel Nicoi 15 € für 5gb too
Im paying 85 a month for 10 Gigs and I live in Germany...
I'm worried that everytime you put someone on a skateboard, then their life is now marked by the government for enjoying themselves
those kids with the bubbles melt my heart
probably the first time they've seem bubbles but the last as well :(
They bought it at the NK store.
Sounds painful.
10:05 the moment when you spot a real smile out of all the fake ones
misterOsc that kinda made me tear up 😶
Damn man! That really hits the spot 😢
That's exactly what I thought too
These vlogs from North Korea are honestly so cool. I'm super fascinated by the culture that we don't see in the media. The culture difference is also fascinating. I love viewing it all.
Thanks Louis 👍🏻
its all fake its all rehearsed and hes spreading the exact propaganda they want him to spread that north korea is a good place its not
+Fred Vasquez2 says who the western media ? and you trust them wow you mush be a genius lol
+ADDABOY CHAMP and have you ever thought that what western medias are saying are not propaganda as well to make them look bad
Tah Sin lmao u gotta be joking right? North Korea does generational imprisonment and you think its just our media trying to make them look bad? you're fucked kid
Im a bit suspicious as to why nobody is looking at the cameras when Louis and his crew are filming, it's like they see stuff like this everyday - but they obviously don't. Plus, all of them are carrying on with their daily lives, like Louis and the crew didn't even exist, i didn't see the slightest some sort of attention given to them by locals. What if the people we see in public places (e.x. the metro station) were sent there in crowds to "show" Louis and his crew that they use public commodities and are after all "civilized" ? I dont know, thats just my opinion. Something smells fishy
I think that is a strong possibility
Cameras are allowed in North Korea, when I went I saw locals on phones and stuff
you honestly think every one of those people were orchestrated just for a couple of westerners, get over yourself.
I think it would be more likely that the people in this city are all either working for the government (and so are on side with them anyway) or are acting civilised as a general rule out of fear etc., rather than as part of something orchestrated just for Westerners
you would be surprised
The description is quite disturbing to me. Like the positive things are mostly staged and are actually quite dark to think about because when you leave the masks will just be removed. That's not positive, it's just sad. The media doesn't paint a negative picture of Korea, North Korean defectors do. Watching you have "fun" while in this country when the people around you are pretending and not too far people are suffering just doesn't feel right. Very eerie watching these videos to be honest.
I take it you have an intimate knowledge of North Korean life? Also what government doesn't abuse human rights? Please, tell me... really, I want to know. And what are human rights? This is real tricky, I could argue that Capital Punishment is an abuse of human rights and that the US is heading towards a complete abuse with the possible presidency of Trump. Why don't they have an image problem? Anyway, I think he is really just trying to show that the entire country is not evil, or hates outsiders. Most of the people he meets seem to enjoy the American & brits' company & culture. Also, I hate it when people travel to places like Dubai, who are far more evil, outdated and repressed than North Korea, but because they have a tall building and shit tonnes of money everyone wants to fucking be there. Hypocrisy will never die!
So whats your source? Have you been to north korea? Have u lived there?
For sure there is poverty and stuffs but this problem is rooted in every country. Even in Melbourne here the amount of homelessness person is ridiculous. 1 in every 200 Australian is homeless. Some lives on street some under the help of government. So yea
+dixy pixy I got the stats while doing research on school assignments
Cameron H We can just talk to North Koreans. They seem to have the exact same life stories as what the western media tells you. If you don't believe them, you are far too skeptical.
You have no idea what inside North Korea is like: so what upon do you base these so called opinions of yours
That girl at 10:12 was adorable
She looked so happy, empathetic with the tourists, in that moment she felt free :)
+Hjard Kuk she looked so emotional, my heart hurt for her:/
Blurr Music q
Blurr Music I
the guitar music of koreans is lit
North Korea has never finished that good in the Math Olympiad, finishing 14th in 2014. More propaganda. Can't wait to see what Louis has to say about the trip afterward!
In his description, he says he's trying to combat the negative depiction of NK portrayed by the media. So, I'm not sure what he will or will not say about his trip once he leaves. Which is unfortunate because I'd love to hear about what he saw off camera.
+Felipe Souza I was just stating what he said in his description. I don't disagree that he saw things he didn't say in his vlog.
+Felipe Souza I 100% agree. Just didn't know if your comment was directed at me or not
+Annah Scaccia North Korea has seemed to go to special lengths to ensure secrecy in their country . Only 3 million people live in pyong yang for a reason . There is only 'trusted' people allowed to love their . Also they keep abandoned and empty villages around their border specifically to show off to South Koreans and encourage they move north . They blast out propaganda for 20 hours every day in these abandoned but modern villages . All what Louis is seeing may or may not be propaganda . I am not gonna say anything for sure .
Actually if you check ( www.imo-official.org/country_individual_r.aspx?code=PRK ) North Koreans have great results...
"Exploring this amazing country".. Well some hundred kilometres north of Pyongyang there is the Hoeryong concentration camp in which more than 50.000 humas are held prison for lifetime including the next 3 generations of their families. So yeah, it really is an "amazing country" and I'm glad you're "combating the purely negative image we see in the Media"
I dont think he is being serious. If he said otherwise though who knows something might have happened to him or they would have confiscated the footage.
Next 3 generations?!? You mean they are literally born into jail?!? NO WAY!!!
do you expect him to express his real thoughts on camera... while being in north korea?
Admilson290 well id he mention that he be going there.
The old guy with the mustache is the kinda guy that claps when the plane lands
cue the dozens of "louis is so naive ..." comments
those smart arses who think they know so much about north korea, anad expect louis to talk negatively in the footage that's filmed while he's in north korea.
use your head a little. think.
itsadelight Still can't excuse the fact he is being naive. And neglecting that Korea is the most oppressive nation on earth
FC FC FC FC oppressive? How so?
I like these vlogs.
Louis is trynna spread us a message through those kids...
When those kids saw this man playing the guitar, they were fascinated !
I love how we get to come along with you on your adventures. Most of us will never go North Korea but you give us an idea of what it's like
Yet that's not at all how it is... It's a façade set up to only show positive things.
+Thomsii we still get more of an insight more than we'd ever dream of
+14ccr dude, we get a brief look. Better than nothing I think.
Zara What are you on about? All i'm saying is watch a documentary to see more if u want to see more stuff
+14ccr cheers, will do
first day of Olympics nkorea anounced on their TV they won 6 gold medals.... there were only 4 gold medals given out at that time
And they say they keep getting to the World Cup Final and other random stuff. But NK did get a gold medal a few days ago in weightlifting.
I didn't know you have access to North Korean media . Oh wait you most likely don't
+rabbid frosties I think they currently have 2 gold and 4 silvers . They aren't doing too bad considering the population count .
Bumpy_Road You realize that people outside north korea have access to their radio and TV channel, just people in nk dont have access to our stuff
+Bumpy_Road lol yeah it's the North Koreans that don't have access to our stuff. Not the other way around bro.
Why does that guy keep breakdancing
because he's in north korea
I keep asking the same...
I suppose that's what he does best and they might not have breakdancing in North Korea?? To show the locals something new and something that he feels is part of his culture?
Just because
what do you do ? square dance? i hear white girls can't twerk also..
Weird how they aren't allowed to use North Korean currency
Yeah in fucking North Korea
Haha racist but guess what North Korea don't give a fuck so a corny L for them
Hardly anywhere exchanges dollars to NK currency
It was the same in China before
It's so they can't give money to any of the people there, out of charity or to bribe. Foreign currency would be useless and a liability to any north korean people.
You know that kid won't keep any of that
That's exactly what i was thinking
Feelsbadman
It genuinely makes me feel great seeing these kids smile
I thought exactly the same thing
But you "know".
Those kids do NOT look happy to be playing their guitars.
Foalhaus But they are happy.
Liri 👽-"Polski Antysystemowiec.....Stop lying!? But holy cow your last name!? 😎"
You've also got to read btwn Louis' lines. A lot of what he says and that seems positive, is actually a disguised critique of what is going on in the country. For example when he speaks about N. Korea perfectionist culture and states that "he cannot imagine the number of hours that they [the kids] have spent on it" _and added (not to get in trouble)_ that in his culture "he would have wished to have had such dedication" (paraphrase), Louis is pointing to inhabitual behaviours and things but cannot say them explicitely. *READ BETWEEN HIS LINES*
He's a stooge.
THANKYOU. At least somebody gets it
You know you don't have to waste your time typing a paragraph and trying to sound smart. Everybody who has some knowledge of North Korea knows that
Doubleungss 63 You obviouly need to read around Louis' vlogs...because it's clear not everybody shares my point...Quite the contrary.
+Cinderelle M. Thank you!! I was wondering if I was just wanting to hear things when he spoke. He is very subtle and not nearly as overtly sarcastic as other DPRK vlogs and documentaries, but he's still being critical.
Who tf is that weird old dude
*THANK YOU*
Annoying as fuck
one of the tourists
Thought the same thing
I swear that guy has CIA written all over him...
7:45 Thank you for capturing such a special moment showing the true innocence of children.
NK seems to have a surprising amount of skate parks.
with no skaters lol
its.. almost as if they were put there specifically for tourists
+Oscar Dudley woah
+Oscar Dudley woah
10:07 made me so happy. That girl probably smiled genuinely for the first time because of music. Music knows no bounds or borders❤️
These North Koreans are great actors honestly
true
pyongyang has the richest and mpst strusted north koreans so i think thats why they seem happy cause they get the bether rigths not too shore... maybe an act at the same time. I would just realy want to hear about what he realy thougth about n korea
its a movie?? how can u move the building??
who knows the proganada may have an effect on some of the more affluent north koreans
In the previous video, I saw an Audi SUV and at first I thought it must be some elite North Korean. But I'm sure only the people working for the government are allowed to own luxury cars.
that girl at 2:15 was probably astonished at an asian guy living a free life and travelling around the world.. i hope he was an inspiration to her
Louis, these vlogs are very important. So glad you are sharing the positive in a country that is seen so negatively
It's mostly staged
+NoobPilot831 not really, don't eat up what the media says
+Caleb Bonsall-Pearson Don't eat up what you see in these tourist videos. Cause your only seeing what they want you to.
Are you fucking serious you fucking apologist
Caleb Bonsall-Pearson I never would trust what the media says. I trust actual people who have escaped the country and have told their story. And in this case it is exactly what the media is saying. No I do not trust media for anything. but they are not always putting on a fake story. Sometimes they actually have a story.
the kids they play guitar better then 90% of pro musician around.Amazing
How is that amazing? It's awful because it is a result of early selection and forced practice facilitating both propaganda and indoctrination.
you feel morally superior to those kids? are you certain the west doesn't practice a similar propaganda through forced capitalism and consumerism, indoctrinating kids to want the superfluous and develop no skills. i understand the atrocity of a dictatorial country like nk. but i was only valuing the kids skills. nothing more.
They're good for their age, but they're honestly not amazing
+TheRayFrom1989 says the person who probably can't play a guitar
+singamajigy What does his guitar skills have to do with anything? That's completely irrelevant to his point.
"my dream was to travel around the world" LOL saying that in North korea where people can't leave their country was kind of ironic lol
Really, really nice to see a blog/documentary on North Korea that focuses on the positive, human side of it. Thank you. There is two sides to everything, and we should never forget that - regardless of politics.
I agree. Even though though this is all set up to make them seem so happy and perfect as a nation, the people are still people! I love seeing them in their daily life
There is two sides to this one side Louis is showing. North Korea has 30 million people and they are given a fixed tour that everyone gets that's basically a movie set.
@Versced but he's also getting to know people who live there and give this tour for a living like Mis. Kim dose she enjoy it maybe maybe not but as a person she's genuinely kind as are many of the other people they have encountered.
Versced Yea there are lots of horrible things going on there. But we all know that! I think the point of these vlogs isn't to show "North Korea is actually not so bad", it's more of just to give us a glimpse of what North Korea is. Sure, it's staged. And i disagree with Louis saying he's trying to find the positive sides, because there are none!
But it's interesting nonethless !! Otherwise we wouldn't be watching.
Unfortunately, he did not have access beyond what the tour guides wanted him and his group to see. If you actually had the chance to explore on your own, you would be disgusted. But yes, Louis did a great job showing us the good that can come out from such an isolated country.
the girl at 10:05 looked so happy :( she will never hear non government and state orientated songs again :(
"They built all of these scyscrapers in less than a year. That is hard to believe BUT IT'S TRUE , BUT IT'S TRUE."
the workers get crystal meth so they work faster
+u know nothing if it's anything like the Chinese builders I believe them. There's a time lapse somewhere on TH-cam it's crazy
+Blurr Music it's not a time lapse actually, it's slow motion
Most of the buildings are said to just be models but not in use. Empty shells.
But is there anything in those skyscrapers?
If you want to combat the purely negative image we see in the Media about North Korea then leave the tour bus behind, leave this main city, and go explore the country independently. Going through this tour isn't proving anything. Leave the city and visit smaller towns or villages, hear what they have to say, especially when they aren't expecting you to arrive. It is pretty easy to prove a country isn't bad, but restricting access and even the use of the country's currency like in this video raises more questions then it answers.
You know how Anthony Bourdain or Eddie Huang go to different places and actually have conversations with locals, explore around the country to really see a place. That is how you break stereotypes and a bad reputation, through exploration, not on an amusement park ride on rails. I'm not bashing Louis, but people defend this country and blame American propaganda, when in fact it is North Korea itself that is perpetuating the bad image everybody has. If you have nothing to hide then open your country up to the rest of the world and allow your people to be apart it.
no one cares
You physically can't go to North Korea without doing it as a tour. It's illegal. If you want to go to North Korea, you have to be on an organised tour and you go wherever your taken as it's what they want to show. Tourists are only allowed in at certain times of the year so everything is organised. If they went in their own, they would get in serious trouble (death/jail).
Bro they aren't going to let him explore and if he does he will end up as a slave you really think there going to let a outsider interview locals from a village and then just fly back to there home country? Were talking about *NORTH KOREA* here.
he cant actually leave the tour you know?
You absolute specimen.
It's irritating to say the least when someone is 100% buying into the very conducted guided tours of a city and feels self-congratulatory for doing it after some guitar playing and surfing with a handful of locals - what a convenient reality for you to have experienced.
Why don't you people get that he CANT SAY ANYTHING BAD. He has to act cool with it until he's left, I swear you people are super dense.
Remember when you went to school and when you came home the first thing you wanted to do was get out of that uniform and put something comfortable on? Native NKs get out of their school uniforms and get in to government supplied clothes, another uniform. Everything is set out for them, you must pick a skill to perfect and then you MUST perfect it, you must wear the correct clothes, have the correct haircut, act correctly around tourists (cheery and smiley) and there's no two ways about it, do this or be punished.
Or be punished how?
Karmen U Well I'm not sure of the ins and outs of things, I'd imagine for not wearing the correct clothes or having the correct hair cut the most they'd do is give you a small fine and make you get you hair cut/ wear the clothes. However, I do know that for things such as murder, rape, grand theft auto, defecting and even just consuming media not approved by the government, capital punishment is the answer for the DPRK.
Sounds like that one movie where the people that are multi skilled get killed.
I saw the same kid in the talent center thingy in all episodes about North Korea
You asians all look alike.
+Bitch_I Might_Be uh, you must be a very smart and wise man when you say that. We are not the same mr
Btw: I'm half asian
Yeah all the tours are the exact same. If you look at vids of other people visiting North Korea you'll see them stay in the same hotel, visit the same restaurants and sights. Some will even have the same people.
The little girl's smiling face when she was listening to the dude playing guitar seriously made me well up. It was the first "real" smile i've seen in these vlogs from a local and it seemed like it was a distraction to her from the evil going on in North Korea? That's how I interpreted it anyway. These vlogs have seriously confused me and as much as I always try to read beyond media headlines, I really can't see through the things I have heard about this country.
I swear that weird old guy is a cartoon character, he is literally the embodiment of I’m hip with the kids
the dancing dude is getting annoying haha
it's crazy that those children will most likely never get to travel the world and experience different cultures. and that the interaction with Louis and company in the class room will probably be their only interaction with non-north Korean people.
Anyone else having playback issues? Where the video doesn't match the audio?
yup!
yeah me it's really jumpy and the sound isn't syncing up properly
yup
Thank god it's not just me!
Damn yeah
These kids aren't born driven to do what they want, they're given a task and that's what they have to do everyday.
sounds like my childhood
What if the US is propaganding us into thinking that NK is bad. Kappa
Oh damn lol
True true
Louis loves to see all things about culture of a country. He is not able to do that in NK . That is not US propaganda that is NK only wanting to use these people to have the world think everything is fine.
NK _is_ bad, and I don't care what Americans think.
Kappa
09:58 ... the young girl was so enjoying this alien entertainment experience ... Music touches every language and culture.
bruh everybody has the same haircut.
They make them
They have a set list of required haircuts.
They have to choose from a certain amount of haircuts, all usually 70/80's style.
+로라 men have 10 hair cut choices . Married woman have 18 and unmarried woman have 28 choices
i thought it was the other way arround, married woman 28 choices and unmarried 18 :)
The little kids who are playing with the bubbles, Louis is very diplomatic , you can not everything say what you think boom 😛😂😛😂😛
A real-world Truman Show . . . stay on the tourist path Louis.
I'm Rick Harrison, and this is my pawn shop. I work here with my old man and my son, Big Hoss, and in 23 years I've learned one thing. You never know what is gonna come through that door.
Honestly I feel like Laine is like in love with Mis. Kim 😂😂😂😂
It’s truly sad that these kids will never get to experience many things. The kids with the bubbles are adorable but it’s very sad because such a small interaction with these tourist probably means a lot to them.
you could see the kid's happiness when that guy played the guitar, something new for a change
you can see the pure joy on that little girls face, listening to that song
Who else thinks Mrs.Kim (their guide) is pretty hot? 😂
feel like watching the Truman Show...
omg same, it's just like it
Spot on.
Is anyone else getting the old TH-cam layout?
just so you know everyone at that train station is acting
apparently the only train that goes through the 'station' is for tourists
Why didn't you take the chance to visit the concentration camps?
Cause he isn't allowed. U can't just roam around. U can only go where they tell you
+Grandmaster Q No the ones in North Korea you can find on Google Earth and have spotted by other platforms too.
Those
+Miyuki Nishioka USA allow u to visit Guantanamo concentration camp??
lamenti thats a prison...dumb bitch
Miyuki Nishioka coz they only exist on western propaganda imagination?
If anyone is wondering at 10:00, that was Stevie Lujan playing his song "trees". Awesome songwriter.
That clip at 10:15 gave me goosebumps. Very powerful.
Miss Kim is quite good at skateboarding once you realize she is wearing high heels
At minute 10:15 when that little girl was smiling it made my heart warm but made me sad all at the same time
One of the Only Vlog Channels that I have to watch Full Screen =D It Rain sooo Much there!! THANKS LUIS YOU ARE AWESOME!!!!
its quite sad that a rich country like this has kids running round in the park with dirty clothes on and has never seen bubbles before and there's hardly any cars but then in the tourist area's the grass is cut to perfection and everyone is looking clean and dressed well something really shady is going on behind the scene's.
Rich country?? Do some research ffs that city may look nice but it's all one big Truman Show
Sad to see that a rich country like America has so many prisoners and homeless people
What do you think about Jigger Victims in Kenya?
The girl at 10:15 is the first one I've seen in the 4 days that actually looks happy and looks like she has a real appreciation for music. Hope she can makes something of it over there... So sad seeing so much potential that may go unnoticed due to their rules and laws.
These Korean Vlogs continue to amaze me! Thank you!
I'm finding this series fascinating, Louis. I think it is great you were given this experience while being allowed to share this with us on TH-cam. It is super interesting to see how North Korea wants us to see them and just in general to learn more about the culture.
I actually attended a talk by a refugee from North Korea and have a copy of his book (that I have yet to read but will definitely be reading) which of course painted a very different picture, and it was interesting to hear his escape story as well. I look forward to your remaining videos and reading that book after to compare the two.
I think it is so important to have an insight and better understanding of other cultures than your own, and the best way to do that is go straight to the source and talk with locals. So thank you for the work you do and for sharing it with us!
Even if Louis is basically showing off propaganda I'm sure he'll address it when he leaves North Korea
read his description :)
Thanks 😊
he is just showing that normal people live their past the mental leadership. He obviously wont be shown things that will negatively affect NK anyway
+Frothar But these aren't normal people and they are not living their normal lives. They are extremely privileged people who are acting. It's all fake, like a really big amusement park or a film setting where you're the only ones not in on it.
you know how ridiculous you sound right ? westerners are not all that special
That part with the girl showing the kids how to blow bubbles is so great and extraordinary...
If you wanna see long escalators, go to the Maryland metro system. We have longer 😂
My escalator is bigger than yours.
We have the longest escalator on the Western Hemisphere
i got one down south thats pretty long
those little kids playing with the bubbles was the sweetest thing ever! I love how completely overjoyed they were!
also, miss kim is a baller for skating in heels
This would be a really beautiful country without all that ugly propaganda. Imagine western metropolises without advertising.
ok, all countrys have ugly sides for example, U.S. has yellow stone park beautiful place but we also have "ghetto" areas like certain places in LA and NY, the people in the vlog are seeing a super small portion of the area while a few miles out its all poverty, Korea shows the bread not the mold
Advertising is what's allowing you to watch all this TH-cam content for free.
it would be without a absolut dictatorship
This is the minority, the 'good part' so to speak, the rest of the country is absolutely the opposite
During this time, Raya was probably freaking out and worrying so much about Louis, and Louis be like skating and just chilling, no danger at all in North Korea haha
If anyone is interested in what North Korean defectors have to say, search on YT "Now on my way to meet you", it's a South Korean entertainment/talk show where female North Koreans talk about what it's like to live in NK. (I'm not criticizing this video, I really like how he tries to see the positive in everything, that's a strength as well.)
interesting series just... I'm really sick of them making kinda dumb beats and skate boarding everywhere
The train carts are from east Berlin
Series GI ar from Lokomotivbau Elektrotechnische Werke Hans Beimler Hennigsdorf, from 1983, Metro Pjöngjang get in 1990, 120 Wagon per Ship.
Thank You that is that what i heard to
Props for miss Kim for skateboarding with heels!
why hating at least those kids don't watch the kardashian's/Jenner's... they waste time by doing something good
Miss kim is my favourite person in north korea. too bad we cannot rescue her :(
It's a long escalator because the metro doubles as a bomb shelter
Just a fun fact
this video was amazing. you could see the joy and difference you guys brought to north korea.
Ignoring the negatives is in no way a positive thing
People do it in America all the time.
+M. Strain Jr. Nah m8 people do it all around the world ;)
you want to get arrested? fucking stupid.
Just watched VICE's 3 part documentary visit to North Korea...eerily similar tour. Crazy part was Louis pointing out the small kid with the big guitar; VICE said the same thing years ago when they went!
It's kind of sad to see those kids performing because they don't have a childhood.. They have to perfect everything as far as academics goes, they don't know what fun is.
Also why can't you use north korean currency
Miss Kim is the real star of this series.
Who is the crazy old guy?
a rat
+Leonardo da Vinci XD
i know he is a chode. he was cheering on and shaking the military guys hand who captured the usa ship. wtf
Also annoying as fuck.
+Gator Pantz I'd rather shake their hands than get shot in the face
4:39 "I think this might be one of the longest escalators I've ever seen"
Mate, you've clearly never been to London.
5:21 Louis captured her momentary glance!
I noticed the smiles you were able to bring to those kids faces with your talents, especially with the guitar. They needed it. You're a good guy :3
Those Korean kids blowing the bubbles were adorable!!!
Makes me sad to see those kids on the school knowing that they will probably never leave the country and/or experience anything outside it.
that Lane guy is so annoying to watch 🙄
Children! Puppies! Unicorns! Beyond tourism, let's all unite in a fun fun fun DPKR waterpark.
Did you at some point feel that you were being obviously used for propaganda purposes? I can't shake the feeling that the lunch time performances and random entertainment sessions are so marionette-ish.. if that does make any sense.
Also, how did you guys feel to be so obviously used as propaganda tools?
I don't think he doesn't care. But hey.. would be nice if Louis could comment cuz my question was really just an honest question, not an attack :)
I hope you understand how ignorant you sound calling someone out when you are being a useful idiot yourself for western propaganda.
Gosh! That girl smiling while he was playing guitar and those children with the bubbles almost let me in tears. They have such an empathy and joy of life that the government take away from them after growing up. It makes me really sad to know that they won't never have freedom.