The Unauthorized Autobiography of Kim Jong Il: Q&A with Michael Malice

Kim Jong Il, who was the supreme leader of North Korea until his death in 2011, was a leading authority on gymnastics, cinema, literature, war, cooking, and the arts. He wrote 1,400 works when he was in college, including a senior thesis that was an achievement comparable to Columbus' discovery of America. He revolutionized the opera, personally discovered that Paleolithic man originated on the Korean Peninsula, and came up with a theory of art that was as impactful on modern culture as the Copernican Revolution. Why did the supreme leader always wear sunglasses? That's because his eyes were constantly bloodshot from staying up all night figuring out ways to help his country.
These are details from celebrity ghostwriter (and former editor of Overheard in New York) Michael Malice's new book Dear Reader: The Unauthorized Autobiography of Kim Jong Il, a strange, tragic, and humorous first-person account of the supreme leader's life. On March 18, 2014, at an event held at New York City's Museum of Sex and sponsored by the Reason Foundation, The New York Times columnist John Tierney sat down with Malice to discuss the book.
Highlights from the event included a discussion of how Malice came to write Dear Reader (1:28); why Kim Jong Il is despised by North Koreans (7:00); how North Koreans are forced to engage in regular self-criticism sessions in which they're denounced by their peers (9:00); why it was a surprise that Kim Jong Il succeeded his father, Kim Il-sung (12:00); why there's no hope that political change will come to North Korea anytime soon (20:20); Ayn Rand's influence on Malice (23:20); why Kim Jong Il hated the Mona Lisa (27:15); an example of a North Korean joke (29:15); why Malice thinks the media's coverage of Dennis Rodman's relationship with Kim Jong Un is deplorable (31:35); the story behind the 1987 bombing of Flight 858 by North Korean agents (33:20); the originis of the Korean famine (41:00); Kim Jong Il's "spot on critiques of U.S. foreign policy" (42:00); why North Korea allows its citizens to reunite with family members from South Korea (43:30); the relationship between China and North Korea (50:00); and North Korea's nuclear capabilities (51:15).
For more on Malice's time in North Korea researching the book, read his account from the August/September 2013 issue of Reason.
About 54:30.
Shot and edited by Jim Epstein.
Go to Reason.com/reasontv for downloadable versions and subscribe to Reason TV's KZbin Channel to receive automatic updates when new material goes live.

[@AFGalwayz]

A south korean asks a north korean 'hows life?' The north korean answers 'cant complain'

[@balafama2120]

ha ha i get it .

[@thesamuraihobbit]

Literally, I can't complain.

[@stza16]

@@thesamuraihobbit whoosh

[@josephsmith6777]

Thats super funny

[@JohnnyUnderscore1981]

Lmfaoo!!

[@theowlsarefun]

43:36 Jonathan Haidt in the house!

[@dalelgribble6475]

"Dear Reader" lmao that's awesome

[@bradleyp6679]

Agreed! VERY clever!

[@newdrug1880]

Shut up Hans Brix

[@owenbenjaminshapiro6285]

I'm so ronery

[@drumchanneltunnel5191]

just fuck my shit up.

[@invntiv]

The book is simply amazing. I highly highly recommend it

[@1theatrechick]

Wow, what a fantastic interview. It's really worth the time it takes to watch it.

[@MrMAC8964]

Yeh saw him on Joe Rogans show and followed it here.Great insight and funny too!

[@roughhabit9085]

You are confusing funny with vulgar.

[@toria165]

Michael Malice is brilliant and deserves more recognition than he gets. I love listening to him, learned about him from Joe Rogan. Have a listen, I think he’s done 3 podcasts with Joe.

[@toria165]

Eren Yeager I couldn’t believe it 😁 just finished listening.

[@andrewdevine3920]

He's a knob who boasts he's too much of an autistic genius to watch Star Trek. He's neither autistic, nor a genius, he's just a shithead who thinks too much of himself.

You may like to listen to Michael Malice's numerous appearances as guest in The Tom Woods Show (as well as 3 appearances in Unregistered with Thaddeus Russell, including its 1st episode, and a couple of them in The Rubin Report). Malice also has his own podcast, "Your Welcome," in which he interviews a different guest in each episode (including himself), but what he says as a host isn't so interesting.

@@andrewdevine3920: _"He's a knob who boasts he's too much of an autistic genius to watch Star Trek…"_ - Why should he have to watch Star Trek "We come in peace; shoot to kill, shoot to kill, shoot to kill; we come in peace; shoot to kill; Scotty, beam me up!"? I've been exposed to am ample sample of Star Trek content in its numerous incarnations (TV series, movies) and I can understand why someone who abhors statist propaganda would try to avoid it. As for boasting to be autistic, in a recent interview in his podcast, "Your Welcome," to Matt McCkowry, a comedian with Asperger syndrome, Malice stated he wasn't autistic.

[@andrewdevine3920]

@ You are the most tedious person I've ever encountered.

[@MoonChildMedia]

I just learned of this Michael Malice today.....absolutely fascinating. I've always been quite curious about N.Korea. Great work Mr. Malice, I will have to look into getting your book.

[@andrewdevine3920]

To be fair this was back in 2014.

[@JohnKobaRuddy]

@@andrewdevine3920 and he’s been proven wrong on most of this stuff

[@JTD472]

@@JohnKobaRuddy malice? Can you give an example? Thanks

[@notkenji]

@@JTD472 He has none.

[@alexisjuillard4816]

@@JohnKobaRuddy ... proven (how ?) Wrong (on what?)

[@clickaccept]

Thank-you for your dedication young man, you have done us a service with your sincerity and determination.

[@MrAitraining]

And Thank YOU for one of the few mature and normal comments here.

[@w.h.1940]

@@MrAitraining my balls itch..

[@roughhabit9085]

Oh has he ? And was he for or against the Cold War ? Because the last time I checked Rothbardians were every man for himself.

[@B1gHagar]

31:28 Michael Malice talks about Dennis Rodman and I think he's completely right.

[@wewd]

The problem with Rodman is he is just not smart enough to know better. He's the perfect example of someone who knows just enough to be dangerous.

[@inthefade]

@@wewd a useful idiot.

[@ToTheNines87368]

His voice is different, it’s weird.

[@murmaider2]

that hair tho.

[@mrwrister]

And the glasses too.

[@scott6504]

The guy looks like a white korean.

[@nevermind-he8ni]

Kinda like a runty Wolverine.....

[@impendingdoom385]

@@nevermind-he8ni or Felix The Cat...

[@_pdz_]

Rocky same

[@Ed-pn9id]

I have seen several interviews with Mr. Malice and he is a terrific writer and lecturer. His knowledge of North Korea is so funny but interesting.

[@marialiyubman]

I’m still at the beginning of the book. It’s so hard to read... I’m feeling the indoctrination and I get sick to my stomach.... ex russian citizen.

[@DavidUno23]

Did you finish the book? Would like to hear your opinion on it.

[@scott6504]

Are you speaking from an ex-soviet perspective?

[@scarletpimpernel230]

@Mikey: You're a loser? She clearly never said she 'remembered the Soviet regime'.

[@AsG_4_]

Michael Srite you’re an anti Semite ??? What’s her faith have to do with her opinion ??

[@KORNEWARRIOR]

this Q&A is an absolute gem, so entertaining.

[@Sean2046]

43:30 Jonathan Haidt! :D

[@burnhippiesforfuel]

I was wondering who the gorgeous woman next to him is.

[@Enthos2]

"D.L.'Hugely'"

[@jintak8199]

Michael's face when he said that 😂

[@michaelhunziker7287]

@@benisrood DL is openly racist and an awful "comic." Eff him

[@DavyMcKay]

Purchased the book after watching this. Not disappointed.

[@RebelRadius]

Looking forward to reading the book!

[@mnesbitt100]

Great interview.

[@KarlUshanka]

Book ordered! Thanks for sharing this interview, Reason!

[@jred7]

loved this

[@sephondranzer]

Enjoying this more than the Audible of his book. He should have narrated it.

[@PapiJack]

Wolverine meets Pee Wee Herman with a sprinkle of Sean Hayes. Great stuff about North Korea though.

[@andrewdevine3920]

He's such a punchable shit.

[@Cactus_hug]

Benjamin Rood no, because he’s an insufferable narcissist who thinks it’s cute.

[@sheabear18]

That's gonna be an interesting read. Does he have a channel? This video was well worth the hour. I've never heard of him, or his books.

[@nicosmind3]

Yeah he has his own channel and hosts his own show. Your Welcome (spelling 'mistake' intentional)

[@mapes0576]

Great interview

[@Jack2488]

Brilliant. I'll be picking up this book for sure.

[@texasred1894]

Baby faced Michael Malice ! Im here after reading the book and needing some background 😂

[@curtisowen]

Me too 🙂

[@rhadaze2509]

28:40 THIS Brazilians laugh in the face of tragedy. First world citizens cry in the face of paradise. They always think we're crazy. I can totally understand and relate to this. Obviously, I'm not claiming our situation is the same of even as bad as theirs, but the point still stands.

[@ShredwardWizardhands]

Proud of you.

[@hosfordsinhongkong6388]

Get the book. It's great.

[@Jazzinthecountry]

Great interview.

[@JonBownePolitix]

Great Author, Mike Malice. Buy the book!

[@stormbringer_7774]

Really like this guy! I want that book of his, he's like old Hitchens talking about NK👍

[@JonathanG94]

One of the strangest things after Dennis Rodman formed his bromance with Kim Jong Un is his endorsing Donald Trump for President.

[@JohnnyUnderscore1981]

Update : he still supports our now President.

[@w.h.1940]

Trump rocks....

[@BeerPatio]

Update: trump one term, but icbm’s from n. Korea a threat again.

[@Technoguy3]

Dear Reader OMG

[@adambirnbaum7592]

Ah Michael, never change.

[@kensington1199]

He hasn’t

[@SunsetGuitarist]

Well done

[@RealityStar9]

That level of collectivism should only take place in dystopic novels. *shutters*

[@johannissen2694]

Great

[@Notsram77]

I need to read this book.

[@DRKILLIE]

"The little engine that could but shouldn't" F1 engines in a nutshell.

[@anng.4542]

Those weekly self-criticism sessions sound like a religious "confession", but on steroids.

[@lyscdk9788]

Actually they are nothing new; under communist rule, these sessions took place regularly in China.

[@anng.4542]

@@lyscdk9788 Yes, during Mao's "Great Cultural Revolution". It was a horrible time for the people of China, I am glad someone remembers. Every time we hear news about "woke" students pulling some new stunt to humiliate conservatives on campus, I think of that.

[@karljordan7114]

@@anng.4542 The "Rectification Campaign", yes I also think of that.

[@sausagefingers2885]

Would be funnier if it said "107% TRUE" on the book cover. Love Michael Malice!!!

[@AneTix101]

The uproarious laughter is really god damn unnerving.

[@lizp5004]

Ugh. The term "uproarious laughter" makes me roll my eyes -so hard -now. Ha, but yes -completly agree. It was unnerving, &a bit idk what's going on/ I think it's supposed to be funny, so I'mma laugh now.

[@edmundkempersdartboard173]

D.L. "Hugely" is my favorite.

[@michaelhunziker7287]

DL is a tool

[@artraygalleryart1159]

Great view outlook of North Korea. Interesting.

[@sosaysthecaptain5580]

Wait, Tierney interviews Malice on the subject of tyranny? That worked out pretty well!

[@freak4twenty]

John: D.L. HUGE-Lee Michael: *Literally bites lip as to not laugh.*

[@bananabread6148]

Wow, I knew that Michael Malice was cool, but I didn't realize that he was this cool.

[@allin4395]

What the future looks like under Comrade Bernie....🇻🇳

[@spitfireap77]

Lol. Jonathan Haidt in the audience at 43:30!

[@FreedomLovin]

That's some amazing hair

[@lyscdk9788]

Jonathan Haidt is in the audience 🤩

[@MrCt40]

Mr malice is a very intelligent man - razor sharp wit

[@LLlap]

Oh Wow, Dude is from Lvov (Lviv!) I never knew.

[@DanWhe]

A New Zealander that talked about an amazing amusement park, that could of simply been a see saw and a swing!

[@DeusVultTKD]

i want his book

[@drzin6252]

🤔 Weird shot at Rick Santorum…

*Michael Malice* [15:47]: _"… and in fact, in the early 80s they had their own Tiananmen Square massacre where the US was involved, and the US doesn't deny that that happened. There was this big uprising and they came in with tanks and they started killing students, and this is something that's kind of been swept under the rug. So a lot of the North Korean about the South was true. After WWII, the US installed this kind of signory strong man, and he was overthrown, but there was one kind of dictator after another, he culmination of which when I read this in North Korean propaganda, again, like OK, this isn't true, but it's on Wikipedia, te head of the South Korean CIA assassinated the President and declared himself President, and he became the President, and it's just like 'what?', no that really happened, the First Lady was assassinated, so there were all sorts of horrific things in the South that we've kind of forgotten but they share a lot of commonalities, they're extremely xenophobic, there's a lot of Korean pride and contempt for any kind of strong racialism and things like that, so they're not as removed as we' like them to be culturally. Politically, of course, it's like night and day, and that's a good metaphor because at night Seoul is lit up brightly and if you look at the NASA map at night North Korea is just a black void."_

[@MrKfq269]

I was stationed in Korea from 85 to 89. There was alot of unrest amongst the population towards their government. IF the military was unleashed on the populus it was the ROK military. There were times when USFK were restricted to our compounds but usually during the spring and onl6for a few days. The South Korean college students were definitely protesting enmass against their government. For a while the entire nation was in turmoil but only in the spring and summer months. The claim that US tanks were involved is complete bullshit.

[@MrKfq269]

The US military didn't kill any South Korean students.

[@krichardt]

He looks like Justin Timberlake got into pills

[@Cars4Uspringfield]

karl and the side effects of those pills was to quadruple his IQ and become incredibly well spoken and hilarious 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@andrejdrame9641]

Cool 😎

[@chadjones4255]

Living without freedom seems to mean no protection of basic rights -- such as life, property and association. Increasingly, I think arguing economic principles is a waste of time. Markets rise naturally out of freedom. Protection of rights is the only economic theory that matters.

[@inthefade]

This is funny... But damn is it horrific. I like this guy and how he deals with this dark subject through comedy, but clearly he feels strongly about the DPRK. I don't doubt that he has nightmares about it. I'm thankful for other people who delve so deep into dark subjects and give me a glimpse into their insights.

[@Vorpal_Wit]

Michael Malice is awesome.

[@newyardleysinclair9960]

Malice hair looks like the batman mask when looking at him from straight on

[@nicoheidenreich]

Just started the read. Damn we got Korean Jesus in here.

[@andrewattenboroughtwothumb4697]

interesting that he never meet the great leader comrade Kim Jong il but wrote a book about him

[@CVsnaredevil]

Malice!!!

[@undolf4097]

Before anyone gets on him for saying “japs,” consider if it was “krauts” for the Nazis instead

[@maxsmodels]

To add a little detail to the pardoned aircraft bomber, once deprogrammed she became an anti-north activist. She lived under guard for years as she was targeted by the north (big surprise).

[@ImageJPEG]

Seriously, no one else noticed the fart at 30:27?

[@kathykelly5930]

according to Wikipedia the guy who assassinated the South Korean president did not become president afterwards

You do realise Wikipedia is frequently edited, right?

[@user-si4fh7zw9m]

i love Michael Malice 사랑합니다..맬릭미챌

[@NeoSilvanus]

That haircut is unique.... is he becoming Wolverine?

[@Lizardo451]

Is "Team America" still popular?

[@creestee08]

malice sounds like in his teens

[@curtisowen]

I thought the same haha

It's funny so many people hate that graphic book, "Ego and hubris: The Michael Malice Story," because they despise its main character. I guess they will also hate Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood" because they don't empathise with the killers Richard Hickock and Perry Smith.

[@kyuny87]

I'm lowkey disturbed by some of the audience who thinks that the topic of North Korea is such a thigh slapper. I guess they are laughing because it is an uncomfortable topic.

[@d1agram4]

I feel it is more insulting to the Kim regime to have people laugh at them than to show fear and disgust.

[@michaelhunziker7287]

The foundation of comedy is tragedy. Lighten up

[@tonym994]

guy on the left needs to speak into the mic.

[@tyso1173]

I’m proud of kim I wish African countries was followed him to free themselves from the west

[@MrKfq269]

Ju Che means self reliance.

[@invisibleillnessashley8850]

He talks without even taking a breath haha.

[@ASMRFan2144]

The regime liked his book on Instagram? Proof?

[@kathleen5237]

100% growth - now I have a rock. lol

[@JustNews351]

These 107 "don't likes" are mostly from NK.

[@scorpionsdogG64]

He's a fun sussy guy 🧐

[@antonlampe2272]

He looks like David Lynch younger and with short hair

[@SageManeja]

29:08 That joke "you're the principal and youre 35 years old" was also popular in Spain during francoism... Do dictatorships share the same sense of humor or is it just that they have super old simple jokes? Seems crazy that francoism, soviet russia and korea would share some specific jokes like that from.what ive seen.

[@DanWhe]

They haven’t “outlasted everyone else” because the concepts of representation through elections has been in effect for hundreds of years and the Korean Dictatorship is not even 100 years, and that includes the necessity of existence with hand outs

[@kcnjessicamullins8683]

They are against sex???? The regime sells sex slaves to china.... but it's north Korea we are talking about they are weird as hell anyway... iv always wanted to date a Korean woman some of them are pretty cute. I did mess around with a north Korean woman that defected to south Korea I brought her back with me to south Carolina here in myrtle beach we was together for 6 years and she wanted to get her mom and brother ect.. she went back to south Korea and we got into a argument and I left her... she was a beautiful woman where friends now. But I went ahead and got married to my child hood crush. She told me so much about north Korea and this guy is 110% spot on She said the USA and south Korea is alot more diff then north Korea

[@stephenmalley3415]

Imagine the US with a Canadian communist state or England with a communist dictatorship North Korea style. It would change these countries massively without the boulder being breached. It's the psychological impact that would do the damage. Gotta be pretty surreal.

[@ShadeWMD]

Is Michael a Dragon Ball Z character?

[@inappropriatern8060]

Cumtown's own Nick Mullen at 39:08.

[@Oxiizu]

So what would have happened if Kim Jong Un was a kid and made friends, who would have dobbed him in for anything lmao

[@Hashishin13]

Pretty funny how theres a troll here either pretending to be NK or actually NK.

[@ParachutesOnParade]

43:43 yung money cash money jon haidt

[@blurglide]

Unauthorized autobiography? He didn't give himself permission to right it? LOL- at "Dear Reader". He was so ronry. AMERICA- FUCK YEAH!

[@unnamedchannel1237]

Would you rather be the smuck you are or be Kim Jong II (Most likley also a Smuck)

[@johnlacey7126]

Smuck.

[@zombiewack]

Friendlyfire53 why do u think Socialism fails everywhere?

[@7curiogeo]

Simple fact, it does, can not work, even under the threat of death. A failure All over the world. Kill socialism and communism totalitarian/authoritarian governments and any one pushing this bull shit ideology.

[@marcwroblewski5409]

dude cautions giving "this guy" air time, but next second he squeels like a school girl promoting it

[@ShangDi_became_Jesus]

Korea seems to always be compared to the East Germany situation. Its apples to oranges. Korea has been a kingdom for 5,000 years. Let that sink in. Jesus was 2000 years ago. And it would be appropriate to put the word “only” before saying 2k years.

[@zachmorgan6982]

Yo Michael cut his hair him! AHAHAHA