My North Korean Holiday: The Funniest / Worst Place on Earth?

An unstable Soviet dictatorship, notorious for human rights abuses and known to be developing nuclear weapons, is probably the last place most people want to visit on holiday. But one travel agency, specialising in ‘danger tourism’, regularly organises trips in North Korea for tourists keen to meet ‘the last Soviets’. We join a group of three and travel around the country. Keen to experience first hand the realities of life in a totalitarian state, we even try to escape the official tour guide...

[@jamesbulldogmiller]

The porter wasn't trying to exercise his authority. He was trying protect you from authority.

[@kjova251]

And himself. I imagine if someone gets out on your watch it is bad news for you

[@brotherben4357]

No, mate. He was trying to protect his entire family from authority.

[@kk-po1hj]

@@brotherben4357you have to wonder how many people starved, were harmed, punished and even lost their lives purely because of this documentary. Not hundreds, probably not even dozens, but people were, and only because they wanted to make this documentary, which really isn’t all that informative, ground breaking or interesting.

[@jaegerolfa]

North Korea reminds me of George Orwell’s 1984

[@jamesbulldogmiller]

@@kjova251 Absolutely 👍🏻 You’re right !

[@gerberjoanne266]

This video is older than I first thought. At 29:49 you see a statue of Kim Il Sung, but in 2012, that statue was replaced by two statues: one of Kim Il Sung and one of his son and successor, Kim Jing Il, who had died in 2011. Also, I googled and found out that the North Koreans sunk that South Korean navy ship in March 2010, and the narrator in the video mentions that this event took place recently. And later there is a reference to Kim Jung Il as the current ruler. So, this video must be around 14 years old. It's still an interesting video, and admittedly not much changes in North Korea, but I would have appreciated your giving the correct date of this video in the description. It is really misleading to only say that the video was uploaded 2 weeks ago. At first I thought I was looking at something much more recent.

[@rabbijacoobbenjaminisraelb7095]

Ironically.... thats propaganda

[@marwerno]

You can also see on some shoots that they use actual film rolls in the cameras.

[@vuzereusazureus2245]

Yes, this is old video, watched it about 5 years ago I think.

[@crilleboys]

Many who have filmed there never release their video at the same time, but wait several years.

[@jacobmecrob5185]

@@marwerno Some do and some don't. I wonder if using film makes it easier to get photos out of the country or if they force you to develop all film before leaving.

[@04fys513]

The school reminds me of the “it’s a small world” ride at Disney, except that the children are real instead of animatronic.

[@PootWindbreaker]

They use real children at Disney? No substitutes?

[@gilwood7530]

You thought they were animatronics ??? LOL Third world kids , Walt had a deal to purchase them cheap

[@04fys513]

Their sad smiles had a plastic quality to them.

[@04fys513]

True happiness cannot be faked

[@TheCutiePatrol]

You mean like how western schools put on shows and plays, once you've practiced in drama class? Oh the horrors of being taught drama and dance! Should look at your government and country, look how they got you thinking lol. Every government treats their citizens this way, you try stepping outside of societies rules.

[@alextp4563]

It's like being in a videogame, you can't do that, you can't go there, you can't have a conversation, everything is staged, you are allowed to do only few things, you have to go to certain paths and complete the tour and you can't escape the stages. Actually a videogame has more options and freedom to play in it... it's a real life nightmare.

[@chenbeixuan3844]

as in the video game The Stanley Parable

[@0thewings]

Complete with even background music

[@Nanagos]

The woman who directs the non existant traffic is so surreal and saddening to me.

[@Mossyz.]

Yeah me too ...imagine what type of life that would be .

[@rossmaclennan1120]

That’s what really got to me.

[@josiasluciano550]

Um verdadeiro experimento social em macro proporção!

[@dirkniedfeld7411]

23:40 yes...

[@garfieldsmith332]

A lot of the stuff in NK is all staged by the government. I like the video, somewhere on you tube, where the people in a car dealership are actors playing the role of people who want to buy cars.

[@creolespanish34]

I used to be a tour guide in a country under a dictatorship. If you live in a regular country and visit one of those, please be aware of this: the degree of participation of hospitality workers in the oppression can range from being totally brainwashed and ignorant of the truth, to 100% being willing to help the regime to dupe tourists with their version of history. Either way, those poor people hope to make a little money or benefits by having access to foreign tourists, but they're also subject to heightened scrutiny by the regime. So, never forget you have all those liberties, but they will stay behind living in hell. Did you notice that the girl in the museum was never by herself? She and the group guide were very much keeping track of each other's actions. Therefore, please, be wise and learn the evil ways of dictatorships without implicating locals into violations of their rules, they could lose everything, livelihood or even life, by not sticking to the script

[@MrQwertyman111]

As someone who's lived in a communist state, I can confirm everything you've written. People in the west simply can not comprehend how opressed and inflitrated the people of NK are. They can not understand, that the state raises people to snitch on one another because it's beneficial to do so and it also draws attention away from you as you show you're a good citizen. There will be those who actually believe in their system as they never saw any other, and there will be those who just want to live in "peace" and will do whatever it takes to make their life a bit better. And in the end? The system will simply kill you should you look at wrong person at a wrong time. It's visible in this film that a significant number of people from the "hospitality" divisions are terrified of having contact with foreigners. Because they know a single word can be harshly judged by the state with long lasting and dire consequence for them. It's sad there are still places like this in modern world, but people from the outside need to understand what they're looking at.

[@Lex1uth3r]

Exactly what I was thinking. Keep your western version of history and events to yourself regardless of how outlandish the claims may be. You can't change their world for the better, and if anything you're more likely to get them killed by doing anything besides smiling back, nodding and enjoying the show.

[@LIPGLOSS13]

@@Lex1uth3r I was thinking the same thing. Its rather ignorant to go somewhere like North Korea and complain and scoff. Part of the allure is seeing the shocking circus show in person.

[@chitskirits]

And lucky you now you live it up hopefully your children will have a future to me it looks like the ruling class from DAVOS will have your children eat bugs and live under the night sky if the house prices keep going up, by the way, I grew up in a Communist country too and wasn't that bad let see no homelessness, no illegal drug use, everybody had a job and could bring up a family, free medical care, free hospitals, three weeks paid holidays every year, free education if you chose to, the funny thing is the country I live in now had most of these things before the collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe but slowly they all went away including with a lot off so-called rights and freedoms so give it a break with the bull s**t

[@MrQwertyman111]

​@@chitskirits That's so nice! Let me list some of the great things in communist states you somehow forgot to mention: 1) People getting beaten up by regular police on a daily basis. Because you're trash and in communicm nobody tries to pretend you're not. 2) People getting locked up for criticizing the state. Well... if you were too stuborn to get the message, you'd eventually dissapear and many did. The state security police was VERY effective on what they did. 3) Not being able to leave your country because normal people wouldn't get a passport in the first place, but if they did you'd still need valid (state beneficial) reason to travel anywhere. Hell, in some communist paradise states you weren't able to leave your city or village without approval! 4) Empty store shelves and bacis food products like meat being rationed, but hey... we got oranges once per year for Christmas! 5) Indeed there was no risk of being unemployed, because if you didn't get a job? You'd be forced to take one and the state made sure you worked. 6) Money you earned was pretty much worthless, especially when it came to products made outside of your own communist paradise. And let's not mention real technology, because whatever was considered "current" was out of your reach, and outdated stuff still cost a fortune. 7) While talking about fortunes? You could have billions, but unless you got a "talon" for being a good citizen? You'd never be able to buy a new car, washing machine or TV. Because those were available in such small quantities, that it was laughable. 8) And if you managed to get a car? Chances were you weren't using it because of the fuel shortages. I do remember my father being woken up by our neighbour in the middle of the night, because he was a fireman and was informed that the petrol station got just supplied. So he'd have to go, because in the morning there would be no more gas left and only the state officials knew when the next truck with petrol would come in. So you know what? I'll take eating insects over your beloved communism. I've been there, did all of the above and have nothing but contempt for totalitarian regimes and people who try to glorify them. Just like you.

[@jeremyh5638]

The lady directing the invisible traffic is exactly how I felt 75% of my Army career when I wasn't deployed

[@James-ly3wf]

And they try and make out we’re so different ! There’s just more tinkly bells and sparkly bits to distract us in the west , it’s as much of a fckn totalitarian state! I quite liked the lack of constant consumer shite and corporate advertising being shoved down their throats over there !

[@DerrickHarvey-c1f]

Yeah serving the dprk must've been tough

[@ELrussDIABLO]

Il n'y a pas d'obésité ou de personnes qui passent 24 heures devant un smartphone ou un ordinateur.

[@AutoNomades]

@@ELrussDIABLO Ah donc tout va bien alors 😅

[@ELrussDIABLO]

@@AutoNomades Qu'est-ce que la liberté et la démocratie selon vous ?Les deux gâtent un homme... mais il ne faut pas pousser les choses à l'extrême..

[@MissusAnon]

I'm so mad at the sheer disrespect in this, they don't consider at all the lives of the tour guides who have to make sure they don't do anything 'wrong'.

[@Rumble2024injungle]

52:23 rip Mr guide

[@ambermarie8885]

I agree. They knew where they were traveling to and yet try to rebel and push the limits at every turn. As if there weren't real lives on the line, just for the experience. I found the tourists very disrespectful.

[@indianahomestead]

The conversations held during filming make this film feel much more like a suicide mission.

[@xrazzr1]

not only the conversations but also behaviour too, going out to meet the locals and get angry that you have to delete photos and complain about statues, these idiots forgot that north korea is a dictatorship and this could mean the death of them and also the guides. it shows how disrespectful some tourists can be even in a dictatorship

[@toidIllorTAmI]

I felt like their lives were on the line.

[@dizzie1451]

@@toidIllorTAmI same! i kept thinking why ask that? why do things you know aren't allowed? it felt more like a horror than a documentary...

[@toidIllorTAmI]

@@dizzie1451 pushing the limits is good journalism but they were too pushy hahaha

[@MauricioSzabo]

@@dizzie1451 My take on this, and it's my own opinion, is that after a while in oppression you kinda "turn off" - like, you can't stand it anymore, maybe even physically. When I went to Japan, for example, everything was so "orderly" and so "proper" and everyone was so "educated" (in a probably true artificial way considering I'm a tourist) that after a while I could FEEL something similar to nausea - like, "I want to get out of here"; I could not stand the way of the country, it was simply too much for me. For context, I am Brazilian - a much worse country by all possible measurements - but the cultural differences, especially socially speaking, where couples are 30cm apart, where every store have the same routine to receive your money, pay, and give you change, where people speak with you in such a formal, professional way all the time (I know a bit of Japanese, and at the time was sufficient to keep a simple conversation), they basically bothered me a lot after 20 days there. I can only imagine how much worse that can be in a dictatorship, where everything is controlled. Imagine being treated as a possible criminal all the time, having basically no liberty at all, and being shown a narrative, like a fairy tale or a movie show, except that they are trying to convince you, all the time, that it's real, and you can't question, you can't comment, you can't even make some face because you're being watched. For a day? Maybe; for a week? Yeah, I would start to crack too, probably...

[@enthusiasticamateur8516]

that blond guy looks like a Bond villain

[@HYDRA_MARK_VI]

lol tellement vrai !

[@katella]

I went to the Soviet Union in the 80's the local guide for the foreigners was a real sketchy guy too. Think about it. Who takes a job like this and why.

[@mikethemike232]

@@HYDRA_MARK_VI Maybe he is Mads Mikkelsen's brother.

[@HYDRA_MARK_VI]

@@mikethemike232oui ! Ou Alan Rickman dans Die hard ! (Piège de cristal)

[@prima_z6210]

he has Macron's voice im ded

[@Ironbuket]

The sad thing is that visitors that try to dodge their minders and do things they weren’t meant to do, ends up with the guides getting punished for not doing their jobs

[@H4nut4fr3ss3]

yeah its cuz of their stupid egoism, i know that they just want to show us more footage of nk but thats not a reason to get the guides killed

[@link9047]

Yeah, I agree, and it doesn't really prove anything. I would like to ask some less pointed questions though and act the clueless foreigner, like what did they think of the Americans fighting Japan. It would be interesting to see their answer while not forcing anyone to get in big trouble.

[@Ravenwolf_Gaming]

The sad thing is a government assigning “guides” to make sure tourists don’t go to places they don’t want them to go, or take pictures of things they don’t want them to take pictures of.

[@link9047]

@@Ravenwolf_Gaming For sure. But nothing anyone can do to change that except the people in power.

[@fartamplifer]

Exactly. When I was there a few years ago, my group was really good. However, I've heard lots of stories about people disobey the guides and then a few days later that guide isn't there and none of the locals will acknowledge that they ever existed. If you don't want to follow the rules then don't go. You went there voluntarily knowing it's incredibly messed up. Don't make things worse for the people there by acting like an ass.

[@SeananigansShow]

God this is so sad and heart breaking. My anxiety went through the roof seeing these tourists antagonize their tour guides and filming in secret. They were truly playing with their lives here and are lucky to have made it back. I sincerely hope that one day, the people of North Korea can be free.

[@doglover-xg1kh]

they risk the life of all the other people

[@Jalsren]

South Korea is the one that's under USA occupation lol

[@SupermodelGaming-MechArena]

Americans as well

[@craig3077]

They were not in danger, others were. Also if you think that’s so heartbreaking how can you praise and love Nint*ndo? Do you have any real idea about their workers and conditions? Please, “free guys from west” think twice when you are in other countries. You guys put people’s life and jobs in a string.

[@andrewmorton395]

Same here

[@MichaelRicksAherne]

That guard at 52:00 getting real with them and being like "we have to walk back or they'll kill me" -- that's scary.

[@_vla]

I hope he is doing well

[@NahThisIsPatrick]

@@_vla how could he?

[@jan4004]

He was easy to see and therefore recognizable, I sincerely hope that he is doing well.

[@Azsunes]

@@_vla They probably watched this video also and I could see him getting in trouble for saying that.

[@zayned3967]

@@_vla the maker of this video is a pure narcissist to put that man's life in danger by posting this video

[@joshmiller2725]

The hotel worker looked like he was pleading with you to come inside. Not with his words but with his eyes. He probably would be tortured or killed if you just left the hotel on his watch.

[@Polarisarts11]

I never thought of it like that. That really is sad to think about

[@chrisgriffin9164]

drama queen.

[@Henry-sv3wv]

Would you please come inside so i won't get executed? Thanks!

[@psyview4188]

@@chrisgriffin9164 thats a bad joke but i laughed anyway xD

[@LathropLdST]

​@@Polarisarts11"ai nevurr zought of zat..." Pampered zit... Have you ever ventured outside your living room!?

[@SomeeGuyy]

52:06 They should have blurred his face, because you can be assured that someone in their military has seen this doc and has decided that this man's loyalty is a threat. Since this doc is over a decade old, well, RIP.

[@heavyion]

I was going to say the same

[@aggrocd1985]

But he didn't do anything wrong. He was being honest and saying what would happen to him if he said these things. That's what the dictator wants.

[@pedrovcvc]

no, they dont care abt it at all lol

[@KaramjitSingh-d7i]

Gukem

[@MizzKillercult]

​@@aggrocd1985you do realize our definition of wrong and the definition of wrong in north korea are 2 totally different definitions. It's not about weather or not you thought it was wrong, it's about what the regime thinks. Do you really think they're going to be okay with how he portrayed the regime , after allllll the security measures they take to specifically manipulate foreigners into thinking everything is perfect?

[@healingv1sion]

"she was spoiling the scenery by being poor" what a hellscape

[@User_92020]

😂

[@AtomicDog-v2d]

The poor are looked at the same in the US.

[@craig3077]

@@AtomicDog-v2dlol no 😂 you have zero idea about dictatorship if you really say this.

[@RealityRenegade-bv2ww]

​@@craig3077 It's not about the dictatorship part, champ. What was stated was true.

[@o_felicioo]

tu não tem noção do que é viver ​ numa ditadura,ate seu modo de falar pode te custar a vida@@AtomicDog-v2d

[@theschmonkiboy]

27:57 "Filming is forbidden"... immortal cameraman continues filming.

[@girlsdrinkfeck]

he isnt filming ,he is recording , no one used film for decades

[@sheiladikshit5110]

cameraman never dies.

[@vulpo]

Some viewers were able to glean that this was made in April of 2010. The exact dates of the trip ought to have been stated in the video itself or else at least given in the description. Maybe the channel could add a pinned comment with more information.

[@CMDR_Hal_Melamby]

Taking film using a Nikon? Is that to get around the checks on digital photos. Or is this very old footage??

[@CMDR_Hal_Melamby]

​@@girlsdrinkfeckone guy is shooting with a film camera on the ferris wheel

[@user-nn9mg3sw9j]

No phones in sight just people starving in the moment.

[@TheJmarco24]

I Believe this film was made in 2010. Still a funny joke!

[@علینیککار-ت6ف]

do you saw their hungery

[@andrewarszawa7700]

Underrated comment

[@That-one-Italian-guy1]

@@TheJmarco24bruh I think they’re still starving

[@lorryelis31]

But we know the reason...

[@mirandahotspring4019]

The woman cleaning glass off the road after an accident. How do they manage to have a traffic accident with five lane boulevards and only three busses at any given time?

[@schpeidermann]

Maybe someone lost it and acted deliberately. Another possibility would be a collapse due to malnutrition. Someone could've simply dropped a glass container or similar.

[@knine1652]

You're a cutie.

[@ChipLenn]

Maybe the lack of safety in addition to ancien transportation that lead to brake failure. It can also be the malnutrition

[@SemperSig]

They ran out of break pads for the cars in 1962. ;-)

[@roybatty2680]

Staged accidents.

[@DeusLuxMeaEst]

I’m so grateful for my happy situation on this Planet. I give thanks and gratitude.

[@doeeyes2]

Its amazing how being born in the right place makes all the difference. We must have been good in pur past lives to be so blessed not to be born in this god farsaken place. Have mercy.

[@johnvanderschuit]

Henri knew exactly how to behave to avoid having his vacation “extended”

[@c3nty2]

screw that journalist lol. I didn't see him following up on the question haha. I'd shit my pants

[@DookRahool]

From his speech and actions, I believe that he has finally been able to see a communist "paradise" and that he is enjoying himself immensely. France's dissident community is very strong, and Communism is idealized in a lot of those types. Where most see poverty and degradation, Henri more than likely sees a version of what he believes is a utopia. Of course, he would also see himself as an intellectual and, therefore, at the top of the regime. I only say this as my father was one of these kinds and spoke about how the world "should" be, but never would take any action to make it into a reality. They are cowards and dreamers who end up doing nothing but disrupt the more stable society they live in and only cause harm to those around them. Sad, delusional people with sad, delusional lives.

[@martinaasandersen3775]

Then he's the world's greatest actor. Seemed more like he actually liked it. Maybe he's a communist too. Or too stupid to see beyond the veil.

[@egg-h4b]

That one 'vacation' you don't want extended 😂😂

[@ragtimegals]

@@DookRahoolExactly, and that’s why he doesn’t want to show his face, these types are subconsciously ashamed of themselves…

[@mindmachinepsy]

I gotta be honest, them trying to push the guides is kinda pissing me off. I understand people wanting to see the unfiltered truth, but they've put peoples lives in danger for footage. You gotta be real careful in places like that, you might be fine and go home, but those guides get, excuse my language, absolutely fucked for things you did wrong. The one guy near the end made that very clear.

[@alyonkabenya]

right? 6 minutes in, and i felt nauseaus from the intro. tourists "collecting" dictatorships in their "trophy closet" as if they are in a zoo. they are just the lucky ones to get born in better environment.

[@kwilde1131]

It is a fucking zoo. Sorry if that hurts feelings but it's true.

[@ellielilac2]

Totally agree feel so sorry for the Korean people who are suffering from an abhorrent dictator.

[@mirra758]

они идиоты

[@wlbrobinson]

They are French remember.

[@aggrocd1985]

"Septic tank on wheels, but it used to be a truck." 🤣 🤣 Whattt?! That is still a truck sir! A truck carrying a septic tank.

[@LinkinLTU]

I think point here is that they don't have specialized vehicles and instead do this kind of makeshift stuff.

[@Alexycy100]

I can’t just help thinking that the tourist were soooo reckless. They were pushing the boundaries really hard with their questions. People were arrested for less around there 😂

[@jonboogy]

I think their saving grace is that they're not Americans 😅

[@johnnycaps1]

Just going to North Korea is soooooooo reckless. People have been shot to death for less around there. They're lucky they got out alive. Good thing no one asked the question does the leader "poop".

[@Youtubecansuckmycock]

stage055definitely reckless… brave but reckless.

[@penebanz7310]

I know. Especially when they were honoring the brutal dictator with flowers and bowing like devout worshipers. Really boundary pushing

[@penebanz7310]

stage055 Last thing I would ever do is give these coward tourists any type of credit for so ignorantly touring NK as if it’s a game. They were willingly used as pawns and looked like privileged morons doing it. Such an offense to the people who have no way out except near certain death

[@skvltdmedia]

Photos are checked and deleted, yet the entire time there's a cameraman just chillin and getting absolutely everything. LOL

[@SDE1994]

yes but secretly

[@skvltdmedia]

@@SDE1994 There was little to no "secretly" sized video devices in 2012 that could produce that level of quality....

[@YashaDecat]

@@skvltdmedia 2012 not 1912... With enough budget you had the best espionage gear back in the day. If you were CIA you had micro-cameras to your disposal of better quality then your modern day smart phone

[@OhMy-pr1qq]

@@skvltdmedia There were even Hi-Def button cameras back in 2010. Dont forget, your eyes see at a 1 megapixel resolution. Everything above that is just a luxury that you may/may not differentiate under normal every day light conditions

[@Afura33]

@@YashaDecat Ah yea sure as if they would risking doing that and wouldn't be controlled first... these people are maybe poor but not dumb.

[@thegreatchrispy]

32:50 The scene with the children marching, and then showing the children on the playground, made me feel something. I can't quite describe it. I'm watching these kids so enthusiastic and genuinely joyful, but I know they are going to be forced to grow into all the adults you've shown so far that have that empty happy look on their face. That expression of "I'm smiling, please don't say anything bad to my boss", you don't see that on the kids. It makes it painful to even watch them playing like nothing bad is happening. I hope they have a better future in store.

[@rlhugh]

Yes, and if the world is like that in London, imagine how other places must be.

[@JB9000x]

I wouldn't have children if I lived there

[@staunchlyspeaking]

Those kids are adults now, nothing changed.

[@depholade]

You can rest easy knowing they already are adults (this was filmed in 2010)

[@Foreverarose8]

@JB9000x Might not be up to you, especially if you’re a woman.

[@LionsInBoots1277]

„Mr. John, Mr. Ho said I can go for a walk outside“ Immediately sees through it and laughs

[@glasperle77]

that was absoluley idiotic to even try to lie to put another one in danger, because if he wouldn't have seen through the other might have been lost his life.

[@LionsInBoots1277]

@@glasperle77 I just thought it was funny, no need to try and dampen the mood by elaborating the obvious of what everyone already knows.

[@DavidMCammack]

This was filmed in 2010. The owner of the channel should have said this in the notes, in my opinion. Don't be fooled into thinking you're viewing something new just because it was uploaded yesterday.

[@adamsmith8765]

The fact Kim Jong-il was the leader and it latter says King Jong Un was set to replace him kind of gives it away. That said, i doubt much has changed in North Korea since then nor will it for decades to come.

[@jazz_hbk]

Wouldn't make any difference in my opinion, infact after 25 years, one can reupload this and say its failrly new, wouldn't change anything in North korea..... its fucked up

[@xrazzr1]

the camera quality show clearly that this is old

[@seanplace8192]

Thanks for confirming my suspicions. In the first 30 seconds I could tell that this seemed a bit dated.

[@evanabbott2737]

Well, I bet nothing has changed in North Korea. They keep things the same, always.

[@EdgarUeno]

Cherish your Democracy, Freedom and Liberty, don’t take it for granted, it was very expensive. Thank you for your service.

[@nomaam9326]

these democracy you are talking about destroyed so many countries ... i prefer to cherish North Korea, they have values.

[@alvaromartinezgonzalez4677]

​@@nomaam9326 valores? Los valores se aprenden sin miedo. Allí todo se aprende si o si. Si no pues te van a matar y ya está. Si tanto te gusta vete allí a vivir.

[@martinaasandersen3775]

For people who dont know: this doc is from 2010.

[@binouze29]

Quand ils sont a pyongyang ,on voit que la statue du premier leader, Kim-jong-il est mort en 2011 ,donc par recoupement c'était pas difficile de comprendre que le reportage a été tourné avant 2011.

[@lukerocket3559]

Thanks, wondered about the time. It's shot in an old style.

[@NOTAGOVTAGENT]

​@lukerocket3559 crazy that even news videos from like 2005 are starting to look old timey, but back then it seemed high def.

[@cakeofthepan2233]

Thank you

[@MotorSwapDan]

Thanks yea

[@nata.sasmita]

Thanks for time travelling. I just gone back from 50's era.

[@AudioJellyfish]

23:42 - "Her movements are of those of a puppet gone mad" what an awesome line.

[@klin1klinom]

They never showed the whole road, so I'm calling a bullshit on this one.

[@A.X.76]

I also found it profound. Dressed up beautifully like a doll and reduced to a traffic light.

[@indridcold8433]

​@@klin1klinomThere is a lot of imperialistic propaganda in the video, not just communist propaganda.

[@indridcold8433]

​@@A.X.76This happens all over the planet. Constables always dress in a nice uniform, even when performing the humble traffic duty. Have you not been to Toronto? Halifax, Ottawa, London, Manchester, Tokyo, New York, Washington, Boston, Mexico City?

[@robw7676]

Only the puppeteer can be mad, and he definitely is.

[@robertjeter5984]

Slots with no jackpots well that’s same at Hollywood Casino too !!! 😂

[@yfrontsguy]

I'm sure there are a lot of parallels that can be made between N. Korea & The USA & the UK and other neoliberalist countries. Trump did nothing letting half a million of his people die during covid. And throwing all the poor onto the streets and off health care is such a sport for inhuman neolibs. I visited the soviet bloc in 1981 and see many parallels between that & the disaster that is N. Korea The crony capitalists are no better than the crony "communists". Power is evil.

[@KellAdk76]

They got you too!!! Im from Ohio, they get me all the time

[@JaysRandomnessChannel]

​@@KellAdk76the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over with no difference in results 😂

[@williamyoung9401]

HAHA! I used to work there, and you're 100% right!

[@tommy9565]

This one line is actually what has me quastioning the objectivity of the documentary. There is no way the tour guide would have told them this, so how would they know?

[@csjrogerson2377]

18:21 USS Baltimore was never in Korea. She was in the US from 1950-52 and the Mediterranean in 1953. She was never sunk. She was decommissioned in 1956

[@growinglifeorganic940]

Its north korea what can you expect.

[@SS-ec2tu]

That is just a detail. To insane people, if the government says the Baltimore is sunk, it was damn well sunk.

[@pavelivantsov3572]

Judge not lest ye be judged.

[@fabio.1]

You're right

[@eugenekranz6981]

Correct. Here is what really happened: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Chumonchin_Chan

[@softonic-s2q]

I like how the translator doesnt drain the soul from everything they say and repeats it all with the same tone.

[@ajf5823]

Why do people go to countries like this and expect to have the same freedoms that they enjoy at home and make the poor tour guide’s life miserable and possibly endanger them? It’s horrible.

[@ohhi5237]

why do people in american send their kids to school and expect them NOT to get groped and shot, in whatever order?

[@benjaminharper2983]

Theyre all spies or smugglers

[@MrWolfSnack]

Did you hear about the drunk american that tried to steal kim jong un's banner from the hotel and was sentenced to death? he was extradited to the usa but not before he was tortured so badly he died on the way back.

[@creolespanish34]

@@ajf5823 my first thought of an answer is 'because they're stupid and know 0 about the world', but I know by my own experience that it's too easy to take freedom for granted when you're born free. None of them has ever had to deal with starvation, informants, surveillance, brain washing, betrayal, self-censorship, disinformation and state-sponsored ignorance. The same way that, when you're born a slave to the state, you have no idea of how to be free, even living in a free country

[@drakefrs]

they’re old, that’s why

[@RuneSwagga]

Incredible video! Only thing i wish you did in post was blur out the guys face who warned against you filming the shore. He was the only genuine person in the entire video.

[@sirbunsalot7726]

This footage was incredible

[@xungnham1388]

Regardless of whether they blurred out the guy or not, they know exactly who were in this group of tourists and all of the soldiers who were responsible for minding and clearing videos for this group. All of them were probably punished and replaced.

[@annakeye]

@@xungnham1388 Not Mr John. He was going strong as a 'minder' around four years ago.

[@jenniturtleburger3708]

Ya seriously. He actually was the only one to give any REAL info to them about what would happen to him if any of the real N.K. was revealed and they couldn’t even do him the courtesy of blurring his face. SNL though now that I’m writing this I realize the government would know exactly who was with them and if they blurred his face perhaps ALL the guards would be punished instead of just him. So it’s either show us the footage and risk one guy, blur it and risk all of them or don’t show it at all.

[@jenniturtleburger3708]

@@xungnham1388 I just realized that as well.

[@OhMy-pr1qq]

19:04 "... on the penalty of having to extend our stay for several month..." This is hilarious! What a way of telling someone "shut it or you go to jail!"

[@BillAnt]

This is pretty sobering how good we have it in the free world of the west. I was born on a former Soviet satellite state, and while I left pretty young I do remember the hardships including the shortages of food till 1990.

[@GorodDorog69]

@@BillAnt везде хорошо, когда есть деньги ;)

[@MrSlanderer]

Not even one minute in, and I already feel bad for that poor porter. He doesn't want to seem bossy, but the consequences for both him and the tourists would be much worse.

[@tomaseire]

The French ladies with their most dramatic indignation at the Embroidery Museum’s exhibits is very telling. Complaining about embroidery is almost comic when you consider what they have witnessed, especially the incident where the poor elderly woman is being whisked away to be out of sight of the prying eyes of the foreigners. Clueless!

[@GorgioFernen]

its poverty tourism. what do you expect.

[@Dawne41]

It was really disrespectful actually. The Korean staff have no idea about our lives and probably have no idea why the tourists were so disrespectful towards their museum

[@The_Ballo]

She was being French

[@greenleaf2233]

She wasn't cleaning the stones....unless you name her looking for new tender plant shoots to eat....

[@ililililili9726]

It's about expectations.

[@MrYorickJenkins]

"under penalty of having to extend our stay here by several months" haha that's one way of putting it!

[@JamieRHubert]

I don’t understand why tourists come here and ask the questions to which they already know the answers, knowing their guides are being watched and are in complete danger.

[@drziggyabdelmalak1439]

Totally agree. What a waste of a holiday and money!

[@laladieladada]

it's called extreme tourism.

[@C_R_O_M________]

That's not a problem. Get accustomed with the fact that you won't understand many things in life. I, on the other hand, get it perfectly!

[@ashleyobrien4937]

@@C_R_O_M________ you wouldn't happen to be North Korean ? would you ?

[@C_R_O_M________]

@@ashleyobrien4937 No, I am not.

[@zzzabcd13]

it is amazing that all these people agree to live this way. yes agree, because if soldiers would turn on dictator, his reign would be over.

[@Steve-qn6bt]

French tourists book a tour to visit the worst dictatorship in the world, and are surprised that it's the worst dictatorship in the world. I'm shaking my head in disbelief.

[@AshleyMakovickova]

Thats the French for ya. *Chuckles in German*

[@matalbasse]

Yes, same as any other tourists. Nobody is ready for that.

[@sofianebouchou3733]

@@AshleyMakovickova that's honestly peak french behavior. Trust me. i'm one of them.

[@andrzejtomasik7740]

Sami byli dyktatorami. Gdzie rządzili został bałagan, bieda, wojna: Haiti, Indochiny, Afryka Zachodnia

[@TomorrowWeLive2]

@@andrzejtomasik7740 Nope. When the French ruled there was peace, order and prosperity. After they left, war, chaos and poverty without end. Honest Africans themselves will tell you that.

[@nickram81]

I would not test the limits in a place like that. It seems like they tried to make the lives of the guides difficult at every turn.

[@anima1996]

Absolutely. Totally oblivious to the fact they might be making the lives of the people there even more miserable by their actions.

[@1nataliia2]

Навпаки . Вони поводять себе як справжні туристи. Ніби не знаючи що вони в тоталітарній країні і типу щиро дивуються чому неможна. Все ок . І гіди якраз знають що робити в таких випадках. А коли людина постійно остерігається значить боїться і знає або думає щось не добре про цей режим. Гарно грають.

[@rucker69]

that's an extreme exaggeration, and suggests you wrote that before watching most of the video

[@JaysRandomnessChannel]

​That's exactly what was going through my mind. @@rosalinda-305

[@jimmyy9273]

@@rucker69 Clearly you haven't heard about Otto Warmbier

[@Pow3llMorgan]

18:20 The cruiser USS Baltimore (CA-68) was under decommission in 1950 and was recommissioned into the _Atlantic Fleet_ the year after. During the rest of the Korea war, she sailed around in the Mediterranean. Was decommissioned again for the last time in 1956 and was stricken from the register in '71 and scrapped the year after. In conclusion: The DPRK did not in fact sink the USS Baltimore.

[@ArthurTanner-d7s]

I'm shocked I tell you. Shocked and surprised.

[@seeer3240]

Your statement sounds like propaganda to me.

[@harbourdogNL]

@@seeer3240 A running dog lackey of the imperialist American lie-mongerers!

[@landofthelivingskies3318]

​@@seeer3240....but it's not. It is factual information. The truth. Propaganda is lies made to prop up a cult of personality. North Korea is all about one man, not one nation. I would much prefer to learn more about that poor North Korean woman that was washing the rocks then any of their selfish leaders.

[@juniatamc]

​@@seeer3240, why?

[@kissbela4936]

That porter probably saved your and his life as well. That walk would last for a decade/s, and you would definitely learn the North Korean style hospitality.

[@johnappleton9349]

The woman directing nonexistent traffic is hauntingly scary. What could she be doing with her "life" if she was born somewhere else. Really sickening, dont take freedom lightly or you could be her too.

[@piccadelly9360]

She is paid for it

[@pippadawg7037]

They have security cameras everywhere watching your every move. Can you imagine what that is like?

[@ohhi5237]

@@pippadawg7037 like london or america?

[@pippadawg7037]

@@ohhi5237 Yes, at this point it describes just about every street in the civilized world, not to mention a lot of interior cameras. I'm making a sarcastic point that what we used to call totalitarianism we now call normal.

[@user-gz4ve8mw9l]

Working for $9.79/hr at a retail store what else? While going home to live in a small studio apartment. Which costs 70% of her monthly paycheck. While eating prepackaged garbage for dinner. Rinse repeating, 6 days a week, 'freedom'. North Korea is quite messed up no question. However IF you believe what you perceive as freedom is truly that either....

[@punk46664]

That tour guide is scarier than any of the guards

[@vuzereusazureus2245]

You really think he is really a 'tour guide' ? He is fully trained ruthless loyal commando/spies assigned to babysit tourist. In seconds he can make your nose less than 1 inch from earth. Other guards/army are not so well fed. though.

[@Jezus667]

100% this man is a military intelligence officer

[@NPC-bs3pm]

Needs to be if you think about it. Takes a special kind of person to be in that position 😁NEVER stop the optimism ... OR ELSE so... be CrAzY 🤪

[@indridcold8433]

He is the good guy. He is protecting the tourists from the omnipresent military guards. A citizen taking photography, going to the amusement park when it is not their assigned day, and asking questions in a military museum, would be severely reprimanded and maybe sent to a work internment camp. He made certain the vile westerners returned to their capitalistic, cesspools of oligarchic rule and inequality. They must spread the word of righteous socialism and the holy Kim Jong-Un, the Dear Leader and savior of Korea and later the planet.

[@maxzak5310]

if you think about it this is a great job to have in a country like NK where most of people are basically laborers , he must be very well connected to get a job like this

[@classic.cameras]

As old as this documentary is (2010) I can almost guarantee that NOTHING has changed in North Korea besides the dictator.

[@vindobonaification]

And I was wondering why that one of the tourists still had an old analogue camera with film rolls. Explains why

[@likkidixx]

Probably not, but are the facts there. Probably.

[@factspoken9062]

same to same with Chlna

[@saschaeggert2148]

​@@vindobonaificationDigital cams were already pretty common in 2010. He is either an analog enthusiast or he's pretty smart since your negatives on film cannot be immediately scrutinized like digital shots. That was my first thought.

[@snakeeyes3733]

And who are you that you have this insider knowledge?

[@Mike-zj3zj]

This gets more and more nightmarish as it goes on. Really well done documentary.

[@princessjora1598]

I feel horrible for the one guide in the last 5 minutes. I’m sure that was a cry for help, to explain what it’s like, the way he looks in the camera. I’m sure he has been punished since this came out

[@rmcnally3645]

Watching the kids perform for the tourists is brutal. Imagine being that teacher and NEEDING your kids to obey. Imagine being the kid and NEEDING to obey. Imagine being the kid and watching the consequences of a failure to obey. Its utterly terrifying to imagine my own kid-- autistic-- in this world. It chills me to the bone.

[@ytcarol]

Two grandsons with ASD and completely agree. Scary to think of them in the wrong hands.

[@daveericson8447]

Would children with autism be tolerated under this regime

[@Jimalcoatl]

Possibly in the countryside, but I imagine they'd be treated pretty harshly in school and definitely wouldn't be welcome at one of the elite kindergartens.

[@vuhdoo7486]

I would assume that those kids wouldn't the the light of their first birthday candle, as sad as it is. We had another regime like that, and those people their had to breath something unhealthy.

[@lauramantua7398]

I thought of exactly the same thing. Would anyone care for autistic kids in such a society?

[@RealBoiJare]

There’s not a single chance that “electrified” fence is actually powered 😂. The museum made for tourists didn’t even have powered lights

[@sabrinaTmartens]

I also wonder that.

[@carneasadaburrito]

They would easily be able to hear if it was.

[@ChoctawNawtic4]

That's where the power is prioritized tho.

[@ben6089]

@@carneasadaburrito you can't hear an electric fence

[@The_Ballo]

Even if it was powered it would be useless

[@Fierie333]

Impressed by the North Korean french speaking guide!

[@guydreamr]

Omg, the scenes of the regimented children in the classrooms and performances were pretty terrifying.

[@acaustik8763]

@@courtrye Nice try Kim!

[@nilssonschmillson5395]

@@courtryethere’s regimented and there’s prison-like. The way these people are treated by authority is truly disturbing.

[@guydreamr]

@@courtrye So what are you waiting for, move to North Korea then. And have fun. 🎉🎉

[@poppylover200]

Little do they realize, mom or dad wear a pair of jeans, sing a pop song...they are all dropped into a camp. Estimated mortality rate.. 3 months.

[@brokkrep]

HUGE RESPECT for the people having the balls to film all of this and publish it. Never forget there are foreign agents of North Korea.

[@paulbrookfield4133]

What foreign agents? The vast majority of them struggle to keep allegiance to North Korea when exposed to the 'real world' a.k.a. Not North Korea. And for a many of them, even threats to family and friends don't weigh enough for them to take the chance to flee ~ assuming there's any of those left for them, even. North Korea is a complete joke abroad and is not a real intelligence threat for any nation. However, while actually within its borders? You are fucking *insane* if you dare risk anything to displease them, including fruitless attempts to poke holes in the propaganda stream they feed you. What's it going to do? The tour runners will deny it or brush it aside, and you just look more and more worrying to the *real* handlers that are watching you both. What a fantastic way to ensure that both of you end up with an extended stay in an NK gulag - the tour giver also, most probably, for failing to quash your insubordinate line of questioning effectively. These French 'tourists' on the video are astounding me with how much they're risking their necks with useless questions and protestations while within the NK tourist system. Suicidal.

[@baplotnik]

yeah but all they can think about is a cheeseburger bro. north Korea is like, whatever is less threatening than no threat at all. it's kinda sad. America could fart and half the continent would no longer exist. they are too easy of a target, that's why we put up with them. also like the guy says in the vid, we are in control over there.

[@WilsonPendarvis-tn3wm]

Scary shit. I was really scared that those people were not gonna make it out of there onfee was though

[@dericharris1983]

Imagine! Everyone grows a set and doing something.

[@humanipulationnation]

Careful commenting, they can get you

[@AndersMagrioteli]

This is surreal. And sickening. Poor people of North Korea. Sweden (where I live) was the first western country to establish diplomatic relations with “DPRK” (don’t ask me why it’s named “Democratic” People’s… - it’s anything but) in 1975. DPRK’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had to get a place to host their embassy in Stockholm. Finally they did get to rent a big house in one of Stockholm’s absolutely most fashionable and expensive neighborhoods and streets; Villagatan 17, Östermalm. North Korea owed Sweden a lot of money since the early 1970, after a Swedish industrial commitment went south. Sweden send both VOLVO mining machines and cars to North Korea, in some kind of wishful thinking that this could be an investment. North Korea didn’t give it back to Sweden when the time had came. Instead they dismantled every machine and vehicle, and copied its parts, structures, etcetera and build ripoffs. The expensive embassy (check the house out on Google Maps) was paid with money from smuggling. DPRK’s employees at the embassy were sent to the Baltic countries to buy cigarettes and alcohol, which later was sold on the black market in Stockholm - in order to ring in money for the embassy rent. OMG! The police and the Swedish authorities raided the embassy. But the diplomats couldn’t be touched. In 1988 the embassy moved from Villagatan. I guess they weren’t welcomed any longer. North Korea is hell on earth. A twisted and totally isolated country. Sick!

[@Pipopodi]

Ich sage nur ,Deutsche Demokratische Republik

[@AndersMagrioteli]

@@Pipopodi YEAH. DDR was also a “democracy” 😂

[@jjw2632]

Dear oh deaar. One thing Im learning is Swedish seem to mean well ) Have good intentions) but are VERY naive when it comes to how the world runs. ie bringing in a deluge of muslim migrants .they couldd have EASILY learnt from other countries that did. DONT do that

[@Mansikkacake]

fascinating, all truman show film is right there. I was surprised this was in 2010 (since that article newspaper says) and looks like 1970s.

[@rdrgtreer]

@@jjw2632 Exactly, really embarrassing to point fingers at other countries while your own is severely mismanaged. And threw away their greatest asset: homogeneous society. if you want to see the middle east you go to Paris for example.

[@899bubbles9]

This is an amazing video. Thank you. But it is way older than you made me think.

[@freonsmurf]

23:45 the lady directing traffice with no cars with such enegry....wow

[@smithenstein79]

That’s because she wants her $2 a month income.

[@ducomaritiem7160]

Freonsmurf❤that's a good name!

[@hgghgguk]

more passion more passion more energy

[@rogerb5615]

She knows she is being watched, and scored on her level of enthusiasm.

[@Alex-jt2pn]

it's sad

[@simhthmss]

"There are gambling machines but no jackpot" that just sums up the totalitarian weirdness of North Korea.

[@Ahmedhkad]

smart move, why wasting your money in game ?! its for fun

[@simhthmss]

​@@Ahmedhkad it is a gambling machine. Usually this is done partly to win. I would be ok with this if they had the choice to play jackpot and non jackpot games but I get the impression that they don't seeing as that is the only casino. It seems like they did this to fit in with the communist ethos of no one being allowed more wealth than another to maintain equity. This is not something they are consistent with though considering Kim Jong Un's immense wealth. My point was that to me this looks like it was done with ideological and tyrannical intent rather than people organically choosing to play non jackpot games.

[@jeffwheeler3427]

just like every casino in the world, no jackpots really. all an illusion

[@Deep_wolf]

You mean any other country has jackpots for you? Keep on dreaming.

[@oxanexios]

KKKKKKKKK iludido demais

[@CliffuckingBooth]

George Orwell's 1984 in reality. Unbelievable

[@0x777]

That country sure looks like someone mistook Nineteen-Eighty-Four for a manual.

[@Judge_Magister]

@@0x777the west is currently on the path to Brave new world so not much better either.

[@kayfitzgerald309]

My thoughts 😮

[@christianriddler5063]

The west will soon look the same.. "Ordo Ab Chao"

[@0x777]

@@christianriddler5063 Ok, who left the door open and let the conspiracy nutter in?

[@user-wy1dl2me2p]

In the 60s our elementary school teachers usually taught a class and coached or taught music as well we sang a lot in class back then .

[@yvonne495]

It's really bizarre. The guides have their work cut out for them and they have to keep positive all the while knowing their life is on the line.

[@Stevexupen]

and with the tourist constantly trying to push all the buttons, don't they realize if they create problem the whole 3 generations of the locals involved will be sent to camps?

[@caveymoley]

Those kids were heartbreaking.... So much of this was.

[@tarstarkusz]

We do the same exact thing. In fact, when I was in elementary school, there were pictures of Presidents looking down upon the class room. American history class was all about our heroic founding fathers and the war against Britain. I learned to sing patriotic songs like God Bless America.....

[@caveymoley]

@@tarstarkusz Doesn't make it right....

[@tarstarkusz]

@@caveymoley Sure it does. Everyone does it.

[@grahamx8623]

@@tarstarkusz Not in the UK or many European countries.

[@tarstarkusz]

@@grahamx8623 OF COURSE THEY DO!

[@vestilad242]

i cant get over the old french lady constantly going "so they dont have this?!!!" lmao what did you expect

[@bigtenfourrubberducky]

you may notice several other repulsive traits she possesses.... and your repulsion is natural, yet you are not allowed to express it, lest you be canceled

[@OrdinaryApprentice99]

She expected a minimum of necessary tools for the „normal“ daily life. It is totally normal to ask that question. You would’ve asked that as well if you were on her place!

[@elaine1034]

You are not seeing druggies defacating on the streets like they have in California. Nor homelessness living in tents on the streets and under bridges in every state of the US.

[@PRGRAMMING]

@@elaine1034 Oh, that's because most of that is hidden. You can google child gangs in north korea - there is video footage of them, ganging up and intimidating people, but their all malnourished and trying to steal food - however, filming is forbidden, so footage is rare.

[@vestilad242]

@@elaine1034 nah all's good where I'm at

[@johnmc3862]

There’s even riff-raff. 😂😂😂😂

[@juliawirch2454]

These tourists are acting so recklessly and naively...the one blurred out dude at least knows how to play the game. What do they not understand about THEY CAN STOP YOU FROM LEAVING. If I was paid enough to go there, you BET I would act like I loved Dear Leader! 😄😬

[@Vortigon]

You have to remember this was before that western tourist was jailed and eventually died because of simply taking a poster off a wall from his hotel. I think nowadays they would be much more cautious.

[@slickstretch6391]

Yeah, when they were talking about him bowing to the statue and impressing the guides, I was like "Yes. That is how you should behave while you're there." This was obviously not his first rodeo. Keep your criticisms to yourself until you're out of NK.

[@uranusneptun5239]

AND despite it being a dictatorship it's also a matter of respect to anyone living there. Liking it or not the people who live there have their system, their rules and "traditions". They don't know any different so acting like this is just rude. I bet they wouldn't do this if it was a different place where it was just culture and tradition. Also they are all in fear because they don't have a true justice system anyone can get blamed for anything randomly...

[@Cwgrlup]

@@VortigonNK doesn’t allow tourists anymore.

[@simply_oat755]

the entire bit on the inside of the school was fucking heart breaking. Knowing all those happy faces are already lost causes to the evil rule of a dictatorship.. With nobody coming to save them

[@Solomanmode-dmm]

Theyre lost due to western sanctions on a poor nation

[@-._Radixerus_.-]

If china didn't support them for some reason, basically the entire country would be gone by now.

[@Sacred_Fire]

That's what has been happening in America and Canada now with children being brainwashed in public schools.

[@Wunstab]

Don't be sad, it's just propaganda made to tug at your heart strings and lead you to believe a false reality.

[@onnadarts23]

Enslaved minds that will never be free. So sad.

[@dreamerworld1495]

I can't go to a place like that. Having to bow to a statue and being careful about what you say. Having to listen to a lady singing about a dictator in an awkward empty front yard. Alternate universe. Poor people

[@yurikendal4868]

Abd yet people in the SUA 1/3 of them crave this. I have no understandig why.

[@GoodGood-vb8gm]

@@yurikendal4868 Americans have itchy backside because of their "Let's go check it out" suicidal culture.

[@joaorocha3138]

And we still are force to respect it, okay it´s doesn´t interfere with my freedom I respect it (despite I can't feel sorry for oppressed people in the middle of 2024, perhaps I speak with my mouth full, but that's what I think) but being censored nowadays for judging or expressing the opinion of North Korea as being a sh*t country is beyond me, because if you censor this, you also have to censor those who criticize the genocide Pol Pot regime of the combodja which makes no sense

[@InfinityNS]

There's a certain point in the life of almost every well traveled person when they get curious about "alien" destinations. I'm 36, explored abot a third of the World's countries, and I can honestly say that the itch to visit unusual places had started quite a long time ago. For example, the wife and I had plans to spend one New years eve in Pripyat (Chernobyl) but the TV series came out and made it instantly popular. I kinda never go back to the same contry, life's too short for that. And time off work is wasted doing the same thing every summer / winter year after year. Our firstborn child (now 9 months old) somewhat halted things. She'll have her first airplane flight soon, and I'll have a basic b*tch seaside resort hotel type of a vacation that I've been avoiding for around 15 years. When she's 5 we'll continue with the wonderlust. Travel, explore, open your mind.

[@lostintranslation1957]

Did you adhere to the Covid policies and lockdowns based on lies?

[@bogardus11]

This is absolutely hideous. I can't stop crying 😢 As bad as America has become, I've never felt so grateful to be here in my life.

[@ohhi5237]

usa has less freedom than nk, wake the fuck up ps this is 20+ years old

[@craig3077]

Awww a “free eagle” spreads tears? Dude, that country and many are become hell thanks to your colonist and enslaver nation. North and South problems are YOUR country and UNs doing. Because you people bring “democracy and liberation” to them.

[@badkatrising3918]

It’s amazing that not one kid needed glasses. Their healthcare system must be phenomenal for all those kids to have 2020 vision.

[@nikostalk5730]

No phones = no myopia

[@RealBoiJare]

@@nikostalk5730 no glasses in North Korea = no glasses for kids.

[@bmuseo]

@@nikostalk5730 While phones have some effect on vision, it isn’t the all out cause myopia. There is a lot of genetics involved. You’ll find certain people groups will have a predisposition toward myopia, hyperopia, and/or astigmatism.

[@nikostalk5730]

@@bmuseo bro, phones affecting in a GREAT way to a vision. Check kids which playing outside for 95% of their free time, and the kids which taught to watch iPad, TV, phones, PC since they been toddlers. Now compare graphs. Sure, i do understand genetic thing, but anyway, spending life doing normal things - will do better for health, instead of having diseases in exchange to "fun time".

[@akaku9]

@@nikostalk5730 I can't see shit and I was born well before nokia had their "flagship model"

[@jarrahtree5130]

As a professional classical musician, the most heartbreaking moment was seeing the violinist and pianist. All their movements were so precise and every moment of "expression" was so clearly programmed into the child. The horrific discipline placed upon those children make it so much clearer how much further the extremes of north korea are

[@network735]

horrific discapline? you are upset a child can play thre violin better than than you can. those children are amazing, such talent at such a young age amazing, i disagree with you. oh yeah because our children in the west or not out of control are they

[@kristinedoty7876]

​@@network735I'm sorry, but you do not understand. The "talent" of these children will NEVER be realized. Even if one of these children actually has the innate gifts of a virtuoso, he or she will never be able to fully express it. The regime will rigidly control their existence, what, when and to whom they can play. Eventually whatever creative spark they had will be extinguished by the relentless pressure to conform. There will be very little room for creativity or innovation. This is a living death for any artist.

[@jarrahtree5130]

@@network735 I'm not a violinist, and I can play better those children, but that doesn't detract from the fact that these children are just FIVE years old. If you have ever tried to teach a five year old classical music at any capacity, you would understand the extremes one has to go to to squeeze out such results from a child so young and in such a short time. Every movement of physical "expression" was clearly performed by the pianist as was ingrained into her by her teacher, as if it were ingrained in the score. You are clearly not experienced in the field, so I wouldn't expect you to be able to differentiate the real from false in this regard, but there you go.

[@waitaminute-vw9hf]

​@jarrahtree5130 As a professional musician, you have a unique perspective of these children. To be a true artist, one must have freedom of expression. Otherwise, it is just a copy of some other artists work.

[@holdinmuhl4959]

@@paogiak , I also wondered this. There seems to be some fake. In other scenes as well they claim that every photo has been deleted but they still show whole video sequences. A bit strange, isn't it? Nevertheless, I would never go there as a tourist. You won't learn anything about the country there.

[@22fps]

knowing the story of otto warmbier it is really dangerous to try out how far you can go

[@therandompeeters7485]

No, if you are from China/Russia and you look like be from China/Russia.

[@RaveBabyFuu]

I still can't believe Obama refused to help the POWs during his presidency. Trum came in and had over a dozen POWs freed from N. Korea within mere months of becoming president. a lot of people seem to forget that.

[@donwires5793]

This has to be one of the best documentaries on North Korea I’ve seen! Thank you for openly criticizing North Korean policies. And also thank you for not taking the opportunity to bash either Trump or American policies.

[@RobertSweet-nw4tm]

What have they achieved by all this criticising?

[@MrWolfSnack]

Obama was still president when this was filmed.

[@Timothy.365]

Slot machine with no jackpot? Them dudes are on another planet! ZERO PERCENT CHANCE I would ever step foot in that country!

[@JustLetMePickAFuckingUsername]

Yeah the dicator ship is but a minor issue but god forbid the gambling machine doesn't pay out

[@TechGamesAU]

So you just watched this entire documentary and it was the slot machines that were a step too far for you?

[@ililililili9726]

@@TechGamesAU you guys missed the joke

[@trabant601e]

Can't even gamble in North Korea 💀💀💀💀💀💀

[@Vostok7]

The kids giving a performance at 37:00 starts getting in to real uncanny valley territory. They look like animatronics, the girl playing piano especially. Crazy.

[@ГераТуман-о8ф]

Now, they are just talented and well educated. I didn't see anything scary. It's just asian way of performing and training.

[@chrisd2p2]

@@ГераТуман-о8ф Found a North Korean!

[@minimaxmiaandme.4971]

Robotic, so sad...

[@Donyourmom]

@@ГераТуман-о8фit’s fake as fuck homie

[@EdFredHernandez]

It's like Chuck E. Cheese only sadder

[@Arro23]

School teacher seems acting as Japanese style, very friendly and good mood , 5 yrs-old kid playing piano like that (??) ... must have begun at 2 !! :0 👏

[@DickDawsome]

"he had an Italian chef from Naples come over for several years" dude was kidnapped...I mean invited against his will

[@CalCap]

He was voluntold.

[@Kifrans]

There are more people hating the US than you think, you know the US as a country of peace. Anywhere outside of it, its know as the state to start wars.

[@carter_1]

Are you assuming... or is that fact?

[@HMOCreations1807]

😊😊

[@playnochat]

He wasn't kidnapped, but his passport was taken away. He wasn't allowed to leave until his contract was over. On the other hand his pupils took extremely detailed notes of pizzas. They even measured the distance between olives. You wouldn't find so highly motivated pupils in any other country.

[@James-lu1bk]

I liked how the blurred faced tourist bowed at the "birthplace" shrine and appreciated everything, he understood that its art on a massive scale, like a surreal Truman Show type experience where your role is to be a good tourist and then leave. Respect the boundaries imposed by the guards, who politely smile while understanding they and their whole family could be severely punished if you don't.

[@peerpaulin8486]

I thought similar. If you visit this country you exactly know what to expect. No matter if you like it or not, you need to respect that. It's their country and it's their rules. And for a civilized person it should not be a problem to accept those and obey. If you are expected to bow in front of one of their leaders statue it's also a matter of respect to do so. If you have got problems with it just stay out. Simple as that.

[@Ginger-w8h]

One can be courteous without being obsequious

[@pauliewalnuts240]

The irony of being the biggest failure of a state yet assuming everyone wants to spy on you.

[@muhammadzariff7075]

North Korea might be a totalitarian state, but it’s far from being the biggest failure of a state. The biggest failure of a state in the world are countries ravaged by civil wars.

[@leagueaddict8357]

They are doing it to convince the people not to flee the country since other countries are ''worse off'' or there is no food outside of there is another lie they tell the people.

[@MrRedberd]

That's why they were there. That's why we are here.

[@maxdee5237]

The irony of being so good at war even the USA choose to lie about mass destruction weapon to use their weapons without being humiliated.

[@keenannelson-barer307]

@@MrRedberdtrue

[@crazyfool1]

those poor kids man. I feel the worst for them. Imagine what each of them goes through to achieve such "perfection". awfully heart wrenching😥

[@annakeye]

Can you imagine how scared they must be, that they may screw up? That girl playing the piano was bizarre and those jaw aching smiles were just sad.

[@fabiss23]

just like circus animals

[@abdonramirez7178]

Nah don’t feel bad, those kids are doing ok, you guys need to visit Chicago, Detroit, south phoenix, or any us city you will see really ugly shit, these Korean kids are fine.

[@wasabiginger6993]

This narrator is my fav for his fine and proper pithy humor.

[@Netti103]

This is by far one of the best North Korea things I ever seen. Usually it’s the EXACT same footage. Just glad these tourists are ok. We appreciate you willing to break rules but my anxiety just watching it is insane and I don’t even know you. Truly appreciate your bravery

[@gringo9170]

There is an old documentary from german railway enthusiasts. They paid a lot of money to travel with an old steam train through the countryside. They collected a lot of interesting footage apart from the propaganda stuff

[@vsenafilms]

@@gringo9170 where i find?

[@Mae-nr7wr]

glad u got excited about footage that is 14 years old

[@gringo9170]

​@@vsenafilmsI will look it up but it's in German.

[@gringo9170]

The title is "Hinter Dem Letzten Eisernen Vorhang Verbotene Bilder Aus Nordkorea". I just skipped through the video. It's from 2002 and maybe it's not as interesting as I remembered because this documentary already showed a lot of non touristy stuff.

[@SunblokAnsand]

North Korea seems to be the most extreme case of "Its not me, its you". Just that idea carried to its ultimate.

[@0ee63]

Whats up with old North Korean documentaries being reuploaded and passed off as current? For the sake of posterity, please include a date in the description

[@0ee63]

​@@busimagen The fact that it was uploaded 1 month ago with no acknowledgement of the original filming date in the title, description, intro or outro. A viewer with a knowing eye will be able to spot through certain things here and there and clues in the dialogue, but for the average person probably not. It's especially relevant when a country like North Korea is the subject, a place visually outdated.

[@MrCzechCtRl]

If you watched the video you'd know it was made in 2010 you communist shill.

[@toidIllorTAmI]

lol did you really think this quality footage was recent? MY WORD

[@vivianriver6450]

This video is dated by the mention of French President Sarkozy, 2007 - 2012

[@Red_Lion2000]

Gotta demonize those countries that conflict with your ability to make wealth.

[@majidifan5846]

SAO documentaries filmed one of their own visits during this same time. They visited a different school, a farm a a Korean food restaurant. Their visit was more one of childhood nostalgia and quaintness. No complaints but rather compliments. The overlap of the tour groups occurs when they are visiting the old style village where they are making a mochi like desert

[@argentummolonlabe]

The electrified barbed wire fence along the shore is on the inside of the posts. That is designed to keep people in, not out.

[@googiegress]

Also it wouldn't have been an effective barrier to a landing party in 1944, much less in 2014.

[@phuturephunk]

Good eye.

[@mercyful22]

@@googiegress virtually any modern amphibious IFV can cross this wire with ease

[@MrWolfSnack]

"You can check out any time you like, but you may never leave"

[@wysoft]

Nice job, Henri. I have never understood the flirtatious attitude towards totalitarian communism by many French.

[@Jesse-wn6jd]

France surrendered and worked with Nazi Germany pretty quick in the war, maybe its a longing for napolean who knows

[@patrickwatters7555]

Do they know that Amerrican satellites can see everything, that electrified fence can only stop cows.😂

[@donaldkgarman296]

THEY MOST LIKELY HAVE LITTLE TO NO IDEA HOW FAR WESTERN TECHNOLOGY HAS ADVANCED

[@donaldkgarman296]

IN FACT THE US HAS SATTELITES CAPEABLE OF READING THE TIME ON YOUR WRISTWATCH FROM ORBIT

[@DeadRedRider]

That fence is not there keep people from entering North Korea, it prevents people from leaving. 🙁

[@davidz2690]

@@donaldkgarman296 the people don't but the government does

[@kraanz]

@@donaldkgarman296 Your CapsLock is on, stop yelling.

[@chris.breadz]

Haha I love Henri's attitude, he had more fun because he embraced it

[@jonathancollard3710]

The stuffed animals in the school aren’t for teaching; it’s a museum showing all the extinct flora and fauna as the peasants have literally eaten anything and everything in the fields since they are starving 😲

[@thisho]

people are starving in North Korea?

[@Twosies20]

Some dude literally has a pet dog in the video. Wouldn't that be the first to go?

[@TheHandleSystemDoxesEmails]

@@Twosies20 The dog is in Pyongyang. The animals are in the countryside. The city dwellers are fed enough to afford a pet. The people who are starving are mostly in rural areas of the country and cannot afford to purchase or adopt pets in the first place.

[@ejd7881]

@@Twosies20 why don't you go see for yourself

[@Iloveyourmom8888]

I thought communist countries everything’s free

[@jeremycortese]

The USS Baltimore was never over in that area and never did participate in the Korean War….

[@LizZard1988]

it also did not get sunk but was decomissioned in 1972

[@ricky_pigeon]

Facts don't matter there though if they're made to believe it.

[@The_Greedy_Orphan]

If that's true then maybe North Korea didn't win 120 gold medals at the last Olympics 🤔.

[@johnmc3862]

The quality of hidden cameras these days must be saluted!

[@fross1203]

These tourist are lucky they weren’t detained.

[@ChiefHerzensCoach]

Being detained is the best that can happen to you in this case. There are a lot of options much much worse.......

[@Mae-nr7wr]

anyone who actually visits north korea knows these "documentaries" are proropaganda at best.

[@UhtredOfBamburgh]

@@Mae-nr7wr Dear Leader tells us so, and as we follow his visionary lead we will be propelled into appropriate socialism, as it should be comrade

[@Mae-nr7wr]

@@UhtredOfBamburgh have fun thinking a documentary from 2010 is new

[@phil_5430]

@@Mae-nr7wr I think there are enough defectors telling how fued up this country is...

[@janon2402]

I was touched by the irony of those little children receiving their brainwashing from a Samsung TV.

[@peerpaulin8486]

Same here.

[@claudemirmarangoni2470]

Eu também fiquei pasmo em ver criancinhas com lavagem cerebral, serem forçadas a aprender coisas ditatoriais, e sem futuro nenhum de se destacarem para serem cientistas, grandes pensadores e geradores de riqueza.

[@theostragonidis7548]

Nothing different in the West or anywhere else in the world, actually. Brainwashing happens in the West too, you're just too blind to see it.

[@bigginsmcsauce]

This video is a just a liiiiiiiiiitle bit late to the party... Edit: 8:10 so much for keeping Henri's identity hidden--Great job.

[@rumpelpumpel7687]

damn 😱

[@r4microds]

This is actually a re-upload. I remember watching it about a year ago, possibly under a different channel, but between the content and french tourists, im certain its been on YT before.

[@sk3lterh3lter38]

@@r4microds This, a lot of the footage is from 2005

[@pezcore2142]

right? he catches his face from multiple angles multiple times lol why even bother blurring out some shots but not others?

[@fritzchen0.523]

​@@r4microds About two years ago, it was uploaded by "Best Documentary" kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5_QZodnrrV8aq8 , but copyright seems to be with Eric Lafforgue. KZbin has some longer snippets of conversations with people shown in this video. Although this video was obviously recorded around 2010, the videos I found in Eric's channel were uploaded about 6 year ago. There's probably more why he is banned from North Korea than just the few pictures shown in the video about his ban.

[@peteralfano4278]

thank you. Fasincating and troubling

[@sirbentley369]

That old woman cleaning the stones being asked to leave just broke my heart. I really hope she's doing okay these days...

[@TymexComputing]

She has the same status as the people washing the autobahns. The same thing starts in US and Califormia + NY with the minimal wages.

[@kraanz]

I'm more baffled at "she's cleaning stones." WHY?!?!?

[@arisaga822]

Plot twist: she didn’t make it

[@PrismosPicks]

It seems as though perspectively, the old woman has been promoted to breaking rocks into much smaller rocks.

[@TymexComputing]

@@kraanz Well in Poland in the communism era (that is still here as we have socialist is-real-aelites here still - we had the grass being painted green so it would look better that dry one - really, they were painting grass green (instead of watering it prior) - simply the work force was so cheap that they could do anything just not to drink alcohol as the judeao-christan ideology allows (drinkink vodka) - painting grass was real! Why not clean the stones then...

[@Poetrheiho98]

It looks like this was North Korea 15 years ago, you can see from the statue of Agung Mansu Hill that only Kim Il Sung was there at that time.When the late Kim Jong Il died, his statue began to be kept next to Kim Il Sung in 2012

[@lafred6178]

Oui c'est aussi ce que j'ai pensé : la vidéo date un peu, non?

[@RT-qd8yl]

Yes, this documentary has been reposted a bunch of times.

[@majorbrighton]

No it has to be much older right? The ancient rotting decor you see makes you feel it´s the 50´s.

[@Manuel-we5iy]

its from 2010

[@drscopeify]

The South Korea warship was attacked and sank in 2010 so yeah that is the right timing. They don't have those traffic women anymore as far as I know and invented a new amazing magical creation called the traffic light, only in north Korea that is for sure!