Traveling through North Korea | DW Documentary

This documentary provides a rare glimpse of change in the notoriously closed country. Filmmakers Gregor Möllers and Anne Lewald discretely shot the video on trips to North Korea in 2013 and 2017, when they were not allowed autonomy or spontaneity.
Despite the fact that their itinerary was arranged for them in advance and guides chaperoned them everywhere, the two Berliners found a way to register their impressions. They depict a city lacking authenticity, a country longing for reunification and a people shaped by Juche beliefs and socialist propaganda. In a society steeped in obfuscation and spectacle, where deception is necessary for perception and expression, the filmmakers were forced to play a double role, secretly recording without permission while also genuinely relating to their hosts. By blending travelogue and espionage, A Postcard from Pyongyang captures what happens when you rely solely on what you see, not what you’re told, and reveals a reality Kim Jong-Un’s regime doesn’t want foreigners to see.
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[@Eqvil]

I understand that they went in and filmed incognito, but showing the faces of their guides while probing them, and endangering their livelihoods after these guys go back to safety of their own country is absolutely detestable.

[@Trollika_Devi]

Yeah ! Just what I was thinking while watching it. Those people could get murdered because of this. Dw should have blurred their faces

[@Eqvil]

@@RedScotland a guide deemed them too risky and swapped with another. This does not happen unless real danger is in the picture for speaking negatively against the regime.

[@kek207]

@@Eqvil I don't think they were sent to a labor camp for that but they might have gotten in trouble with their supervisor

[@lelz0394]

​@@RedScotland You really shouldve been born there

[@hungerhaken9682]

@@RedScotland what do you mean by enslaved consciousness?

[@anya5893]

I'm obsessed with documentaries about North Korea. I've watched almost every single one on KZbin.

[@kaitertot]

Me too! It's fascinating

[@Steveinthailand]

SAO Documentary on DPRK are by far the best insight

[@CANvsDK]

U must like cult like mentality videos. I watch Both north Korean and cult documentaries they are very similar

[@douglasallen511]

@@Steveinthailand but some of the episodes are really boring, like in the shoe factory as an example.

[@eedragonr6293]

@@douglasallen511 outsourcing leasing?

[@Kdude563]

When I went to South Korea 3 years ago to visit my family, I had the opportunity to visit the DMZ. I was surprised at how still the soldiers are. On the border, the north and south Korean soldiers stare into each other's souls. There was also that eerie atmosphere on the border.

[@dcollier7239]

NK party soldier's have no soul. Their not allowed too. It's called brainwashed and threatened.

[@1deep499]

Strange.....😳👀

[@yarajax5023]

May I ask how did you get to leave? And we’re you afraid you wouldn’t be able to go back to where you were coming from?❤️

[@Kdude563]

@@yarajax5023 It was a guided tour.

[@larim4445]

It's still technically a warzone

[@sus10651]

I hope that lady is doing okay. You guys should have blurred her face and protected her identity. I really hope she is doing okay.

[@taijisyxom6888]

absolutely. and why is this not a 10 hours video? too many cuts

[@ChrisCer1]

Detestable is the regime not the media

[@potatosalad6699]

I’m sure the government knows who the guides are and are aware foreigners are in their country well ahead of time.

[@nonenone4433]

This might not necessarily have helped. There is a good chance NK keeps track of everyone guiding or contacting with foreigners (be it a minder or a museum guide). esp. after such videos have been released.

[@Gusr404]

She probably gone by now

[@hourz]

I feel bad if any of these people get in trouble for unknowing being recorded.

[@sherwood9917]

I share your concerns.

[@erikthehalfabee6234]

I hope they thought it over well

[@sth7603]

Diffidently , it is a crime the #DW must be acted as responsible

[@chrisp755]

original lol

[@dothedelima1065]

Collateral Damage?

[@emthebest]

Honestly, I’m a little worried for the people that were unknowingly recorded. I wouldn’t be surprised if they got in serious trouble.

[@allbyhisgrace8925]

Exactly my thoughts.selfish from.this guy really didn't try to sensor anything or protect these people in any way ,cared about himself and making a name foe himself at the expense of these peoples lives and safety. Entitled, selfish guy.

[@DWDocumentary]

We received the following statement from the filmmakers regarding people's safety: “This was of course a question we asked ourselves after we first went into editing, after all we were simply travelers and not trained experts. Accordingly, we gathered various expert opinions, had long conversations, and therefore decided not to publish certain scenes. Therefore, there are no statements of the guides in our film, which are not also in accordance with the regime.”

[@Thursdaym2]

@@allbyhisgrace8925 Bet you watched it to the end though.

[@1TUFZ71]

@@allbyhisgrace8925 what's selfish and entitled are your baseless assumptions, as if you have a clue what's on the cutting room floor 😉

[@in9725]

who cares

[@ohlordy9680]

The fact that we get free documentaries on KZbin by DW Documentary is truly a gift 👍👍👍

[@AWindy94]

You speak the true true.

[@DJMUHIB]

I honestly feel so sad for these poor souls who were recorded unknowingly. This is not responsible journalism when you already know what type of critical environment these people live in. I hope they are alive and safe. Feel so worried for that lady who was talking about South Korea and also the guide who shared their personal lives.

[@pbond9405]

A very irresponsible documentary putting lives at risk. Extremely unprofessional. I don't expect this from DW.

[@strykerthepsycher8412]

Do you know the time stamp of the lady who was talking about South Korea?

[@KokomiyaSangonomi]

​@@strykerthepsycher841219:52

[@user-dd1ud1tu2r]

⁠@@strykerthepsycher8412 19:45

[@amaduconate5262]

These DW Documentaries are getting so addictive

[@Kimjongun19841]

North Korea is the best Korea

[@twizzy4285]

@@Kimjongun19841 Heil Kim Jong-un!

[@at2509able]

True that

[@Kimjongun19841]

African Pirate thank you comrade

[@bethroesch2156]

They're definitely helping make my days better 👍🏼 I love their documentaries ❤️

[@ld7599]

I'm surprised that the juche museum guide admitted that the south has a higher standard of living

[@richshipman9738]

Send the guides mail to labor camp 40

[@punypunic2224]

She was never heard from again.

[@flashladderacrobat]

She lost 60 lbs. in the labour camp where she was sent for reconditioning.

[@conorquarry615]

I’ve seen in a couple of documentaries North Korean people have said this, and have heard them say they are taught this, but that the higher standard of living has lead to a degradation of society, so it’s taught as a bad thing

[@richshipman9738]

I can't help but think what DID happen to that young lady and three generations of her family???

[@alexq.8696]

I never understood why reporters like you keep asking those kind of questions knowing they could get in a huge trouble or basically disregard your entire question entirely. It's so irresponsible.

[@miaomiaou_]

Yes it’s upsetting. We all know the sort of fate they could be subjected to yet they probe them anyway. It’s cruel. What sort of answers are they expecting to get anyway?

[@never_give_up90]

I bet you they got some real answers before, on camera but never shared. They even pointed out how the guide was loyal to the country and said nothing, while chances are he said something that got him in trouble.

[@merricat3025]

Are they actually reporters?

[@jawarren7]

I've watched so many of these types of North Korea documentaries, and what struck me most was the woman discussing religion - her tone was so friendly and casual compared to almost every other official I've seen. It was such a contrast.

[@CNYKnifeNut]

I agree. I've never seen such (seemingly) genuine curiousity.

[@taijisyxom6888]

This video is the answer of: Why is dictatorship beautiful? Such a contrast indeed. While Russia is bad at everything, North Korea is doing better than many thought

[@alexm6193]

"Don't point at the statue" he says, pointing at the statue.

[@scotthull2141]

LoL😂 he's saying: rike me, you white people don't get to point at Supreme Leader

[@marlistrioakbar1227]

Lol 😂😂😂😂

[@Mona.2307]

Hilarious 😂

[@earlaweese]

*He’s probably dead now.*

[@Kimjongun19841]

Pointing is only allowed for Koreans

[@laikanbarth]

I loved the girl in the green outfit that was showing them around the museum and teaching them about the “juche”. I hope she’s okay. I really hope you all didn’t get her in trouble by recording what she said. Her English was perfect!!

[@sirapos6550]

Me too,I liked her much,great body !

[@Nocgirl]

She was the first curvy North Korean I have seen. I liked her. She seems sweet.

[@riturajborah382]

I the reporters are not that understanding to take all that in to consideration.

[@jonkoss3867]

I'm sure she's doing fine, infact probably better than you.

[@FOOJFOOJIYAMA]

Every people that work under NK tourism has a handler. such small mistakes like that are usually overlooked after a talk with their handlers. worst case scenario is a pay cut. sure they are trained what to say to foreigners but what foreigners think that guides are avoiding question in fear of punishment is actually their sense of patriotism. lets not forget that North-korean people are trained to be patriotic at a very young age. punishing people for petty mistakes is expensive and western media poisoning.

[@alexjacoboramos]

I’m so happy I found this KZbin channel, such great content.

[@DWDocumentary]

Thanks for watching and subscribing.

[@oudumbarrajput1858]

I think the identities of North Koreans who interacted with DW should not have revealed irrespective of their opinions rearding the regime.

[@zambe811]

Right. They might be killed

[@courageunitycompassi]

I agree. I assume all the people interviewed in these shows end up in labor camps.

[@vitalino1981]

I think they already killed or jailed

[@nehcooahnait7827]

Sigh. DW made this documentary to debunk the myths concerning N Korea yet people like you are still like ‘should reveal the identities’ ‘could be killed’ ‘ yeah yeah’

[@Miller-hg9dw]

I don't think that people were being negative about their country. Also blurring their faces would not made a difference anyway. If thats the case, many documentaries shouldn't be ever been published.

[@farfarokfarfarok]

They shouldn't ask guides provocative questions. It's putting them at great risk.

[@tpenoel88]

that is a journalist job, thats why north korea prohibited journalist as stated in the begining of the video

[@Jerry-gt7kx]

Sad contradiction. Journalists had to ask. Guides had to shut their mouth.

[@MrThe1234guy]

@@Jerry-gt7kx they are ambush journalists. Unfortunately not the first either. They know they are probably being recorded too. Do they think they are dumb?

[@deepdivedisco4779]

@@tpenoel88 Yeah but they signed a contract saying they wouldn't pose those journalist type questions. I mean it's great that we can see North Korea on video, but there's no need for a political commentary.

[@jennamiles8787]

I dont think so, in the past the guides have not been killed.

[@jharris947]

22:02-23:42 Very impressed by the timing and co-ordination of all who took part. 😎As always, an excellent video.👍

[@DirtyMikeandTheBoyz]

0: cool! Worth the click. Thanks bro. ❤️

[@mikael557]

What a well put together documentary. It was cool to see the contrast between the first and second visit. There is hope.

[@DWDocumentary]

Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment!

[@karthiksivasiva]

I hope the guides don't get punished for the secret recordings of the these journalists.

[@jennamiles8787]

@Chime In I dont think so, in the past the guides have not been killed.

[@chanelvenus]

Obviously these journalists don’t care.

[@SubscriberswithDankPlaylists]

I thought of that too

[@Kimjongun19841]

We have sent them to camp Just to be sure

[@TrashyBadBitchVivi]

It's not like they have access to KZbin in NK, even if they did, what are the chances of them finding this exact video? Little to none, they'll be fine.

[@kaitlin2400]

I got to travel to South Korea years ago and take a tour of the DMZ. Looking across the border and seeing the soldiers on the North Korean side was scary. It was very quiet and eerie but it was an experience I’ll never forget.

[@annacargill6066]

that is scary indeed

[@Trollika_Devi]

The streets are all so empty in these videos. It's sooooo eeerie

[@Kim_Jong_Un_2023]

I saw you from the other side

[@TheFakeyCakeMaker]

It's mad but I actually want to go to North Korea.

[@Maplelust]

the US had to fight those people at one point.

[@deltillis]

These reporters were very irresponsible in recording their minders, grilling them, and then not even trying to blur their faces. It is obvious these reporters did not care for these people's well being So sad...I really hope they are ok.

[@jackbrown4120]

Of course they're OK.

[@martafiord]

Even if they blurred their faces, the dictator, sorry leader, knows who they are as it’s all registered.

[@itsStiflersMomTTV]

@@jackbrown4120 how would u know? :)

[@rashiidabdallah1648]

@@itsStiflersMomTTV how would" you" know too?🙄🤔

[@EvelinaNinudottir]

@@rashiidabdallah1648 Where does Stifler claim to know?

[@djphilipj]

Very interesting information along with footage. Well made documentary.

[@georgepetrin1334]

Well done. As much as I dislike the regime, I have a lot of empathy for the people.

[@Rossbrian1]

Don't worry too much , if you are American they hate you

[@holonow4298]

@@Rossbrian1 because they are brainwashed to hate america. Duh 🙄

[@scythal]

@@Rossbrian1 They don't hate the American people lol, they see the American people as "oppressed" by the American government.

[@tyronevaldez-kruger5313]

@@scythal Do you really believe that North Koreans - who live under the epitome of opression - care about Americans who perceive bs like mandatory vaccine passports as oppressive measures? You wouldn't survive a single day in North Korea. Unbelievable...

[@tyronevaldez-kruger5313]

@Repeeel19 Amendment It's the government that provides freebies. First blame those mf's, then the lazies but please leave ppl tf alone who really need it. You really believe that passport is oppressiv? I remember half of America used to believe in Trump's downplaying of Covid plus the urgency to find a vaccine, until he got infected and took the in the meantime created vaccine. All of a sudden hooray🍻... the very same praised the new "Trump vaccine" and today that little piece called vaccine passport is supposed to be Hitleri-sh? What if a vaccine passport saved Trump's life? I know it's a bs thought but just a scenario, what if🤔

[@alias11786]

Couldn't think of anything worse than running a marathon then immediately being stuck on a bus for 4 hours.

[@Step2thebar]

I was in pyongyang as part of a tour group in june 2019. We were in a tour bus. After visiting the Victory Arch, the NorKor version of the Arc de triomphe, on our way to our dinner venue, our bus, along with all other vehicles were halted at the intersection, a main artery leading from the palace, supposedly to let the visiting Chinese president Xi jinping and Kim jong un pass through, we were stuck for almost three hours waiting, my bladder was unable to find relief, i cannot go down to pee at some random store nor were there public toilets or a fast food restaurant, no pictures nor videos allowed as well. It was a memorable but vividly horrid time. I only got to pee as i hobbled to the restaurant restroom arriving there after a further 20 minutes from the time theintersection was opened.

[@ElliotWORLD]

Well done! Most interesting KZbin watch in a very long time.

[@DWDocumentary]

Thanks for watching and your positive feedback:)

[@xindigochildx]

Sorry to hear that you felt unwell, hope you felt better 🌸

[@Abman31]

This country looks like a gigantic stage where all its actors are trained from the moment they are born .

[@niklasfreericks5436]

Yeah, everything just feels fake

[@meddena]

The shots are pretty amazing considering the circumstances they were taken in.

[@Rossbrian1]

What circumstances? You are allowed to film anything you want except military lol

[@Scythical]

@@Rossbrian1 actually not true. You're only allowed to film what the military allows

[@seltaeb3302]

His camera stick must have a gimball thing as he ran & filmed with hardly any shaking unlike his stomach.

[@seltaeb3302]

@@Rossbrian1 he made a fair point no need for the juvenile Millennial sarcasm.

[@tijuanaiguana190]

This was dangerous how you were interrogating the guides and not protecting their identities. Very irresponsible

[@farhadfarhadian1111]

Thanks for the fabulous work

[@user-qy4sp4fv2r]

As a south Korean It's painful to see only through a western person's eyes

[@daveseemerollin6357]

@@reedfaulk much, much worse I've done a lot of personal research on this subject dating back to 2010. It's worth a read if you're interested.

[@Maplelust]

@@reedfaulk the guy in this video only saw what they allowed him to see. notice how many peope were spying on him when he was running the Marathon to make sure he didn't run off course. they had him locked up. whatever is happening there is obviously awful. it's sobering to see the lengths they goto to hide their true colors.

[@naimishmaniya8382]

@@daveseemerollin6357 I'm interesting

[@somethingaboutbeaute]

I don't think I've missed a single DW DPRK documentary & I'm certain I've watched each one at least 5+ times because they're just that interesting. There's 2 of them I've watched over 10 times. You've been a godsend during covid. Keep up the great content. Watching from Canada.... Nancy. 🙂💯👍❤️😁🇨🇦

[@gmoney3479]

I know what you mean .. very interesting

[@somethingaboutbeaute]

@@gmoney3479 you definitely nailled what i meant for sure. 🙂

[@fresatx]

You have Juiche powers now!!!

[@josesalas2232]

Foreal they are

[@cindysandberg643]

Another Canadian here. I just love these kind of videos.

[@bartcolen]

Almost invariably, such travel documentaries about North Korea feature Westerners asking difficult political questions of their minders, seemingly unaware that even the slightest mis-step on the minders' part could see them and their entire families wind up in prison camps. It's a kind of thoughtlessness that, at least in this person's opinion, is in no way justified under the name of "fair and honest reporting" or "journalistic integrity." It's putting people's lives at risk.

[@jeanneann3545]

Ikr i always feel enraged at that kind of thoughtless actions. Like... They are not animals in zoo for people to peek and poke at them and put them in danger. When you see north Koreans got questioned and they shuffling, looking around and then looked at the camera hopelessly it didnt feel fun... It feels horrible!

[@RyanWolfNZ]

I have to agree with you on that. While I do appreciate the doc they should have blurred peoples faces for their own protection. Typical western selfishness.

[@ems7623]

It's an impossible situation for journalists. They are so restricted by the PRNK that if they don't do things that are unwelcome or risky, they can only produce the exact propaganda footage that the PRNK wants. That, of course, is a disservice to everyone including Koreans who suffer under the Kim regime. I'm not sure the criticism you make is one that can ever be redressed. It's very serious, yes - but it's also a complete conundrum for journalism.

[@Ss-qr2lp]

Totally agree with you

[@user-dw1it5rs8o]

슬프지만 그들의 작은 실수로 죽을 수 잇고 감시와 검색을 당합니다.

[@joeyd4364]

Extraordinary footage. Outstanding!

[@javiermartinez-pais767]

I feel bad for the guides. They are just doing their work, they are not doing anything wrong, just trying to live peacefully. Why ask them uncomfortable questions??

[@Page57]

Why not?

[@marianamartinez9311]

@@Page57 they could be killed, quite simple actually.

[@hypnobearcoup2505]

Not just them, North Korea has a three generation punishment policy. If you say something wrong they won’t just kill you, they’ll kill your parents and children.

[@TenshiProductionz]

"Plastic flowers that brought back to the stand to be sold again." Thats actually a pretty good idea lol.

[@jsteinman]

Very capitalist

[@yasserhussaini2104]

Yes definitely a record-breaking idea!

[@usman_ghuman]

Very common in subcontinent. religions places like temples/tombs use this method in Pakistan & India to recycle the baits/gifts which visitors buy and offer to holy sites 🤣

[@ferosemariehass4576]

🤣

[@piero17y65]

The environment is also important.

[@jupitercyclops6521]

An old American saying -"believe none of what you hear, and only half of what you see"

[@quadraticequation8803]

I can't believe you finished that marathon!

[@Oskar_A.]

Wonderful documentary! I enjoyed watching very much. Such a fascinating and unique country!

[@jianpingwang6916]

3:11 Odd to hear a North Korean guide referring to their own country as “North Korea”. They typically just say “Korea” based on what I’ve heard in other travel documentaries.

[@denise5879]

They say Bokdu in Korean and South is hageuk. So in Korean they use 2 different words. Idk about English, though.

[@Eponimos]

The lady in the museum was so cute Please blur her face, she might get in trouble after this

[@alasdair6654]

Naive is the word I'd use

[@diana23456]

Akrivoos

[@reina13301]

Yeah... I hope that they didn't execute her..

[@MustangRimsJason]

Same with the tour guides. I’m worried for their lives

[@fadhhh]

Even it blurred, they will found her later or soon

[@jayaramanp7267]

A very pragmatic picture of North Korea without much negativity. This is in contrast to other videos about North Korea which I have seen. Was able to get a glimpse of NK, Thanks DW for this wonderful documentary. From Tamilnadu India.

[@potatosalad6699]

This is a great documentary. Doesn’t just show the down sides of the country but shows beautiful moments. The show they attended was the coolest thing ever and I go to many college marching band competitions 😂

[@diesel_dawg]

At that festival in the arena, I thought that was a screen in the background. But kids with cards? Insane! :o

[@iurietivladut7607]

I am surprised how open was that museum guide towards them...stating that the south koreans have a higher standard of life and even pointing at her clothes like "i mean...look at me and how I look" ...I just hope that nobody got in trouble after those discussions.

[@DWDocumentary]

Hi Iurieti, might be interesting for you to check out our DW Documentary Instagram Channel, where the authors of this docu give you more personal information about there experiences!

[@eprohoda]

broth!how you doing?! you created outstanding !:))

[@Bedroom_Musician]

Knowing more about North Korea give me sadness and depression. I literally cried. Those people are like they don't even have their own life. I really feel sad for them. I pray to God that This people can enjoy their life one day, May God helps them that one day that they can live their life freely .🙏

[@OilBaron100]

I really like these DW documentaries. It was good to get an explanation of how the tour guides monitor each other.

[@OilBaron100]

Can you do a documentary, in English, about the Stasiheit?

[@zarinacabarlo5758]

Thank you DW Documentaries for this really awesome piece. I am addicted to NK documentaries and yours are my favorite. p.s. I am very curious on the hidden camera used in filming this docu. A very good quality camera 🤔😄

[@misslevapor]

After listening to the woman speak about North Korea and the juche, and her English I have a greater respect for North Koreans . The leader but the honest regular people who somehow find the path to be able to learn about differences and other truths of the world

[@James-os2eg]

Now that was an amazing documentary. Truly amazing

[@damzstudio]

I love the way they show their experiences in so complex country

[@SpecialKay24]

The image of that little girl waving throughout the documentary and at the end is heartwarming

[@Knite_el6767]

Seeing the smiling excited older women, children, etc. who were even ready to high five a foreign runner was such a trip. I wonder in their minds if they really imagine people are traveling to the Pyongyang marathon because it's a big tourist draw in the usual sense.

[@wilfredzielinski5685]

what a great video thankyou

[@Lauraisabelgonzalezart]

Apart from an ad every 5-6min, this is a great documentary!

[@kennyclauw9713]

addblock lol

[@anitk.brahma7354]

I love all the documentary videos broadcast by DW Channel on KZbin. Really I am an ardent follower of DW documentaries. All videos are very interesting and informative for viewers like me. Long Live DW ! Thank you..... Anit Brahma from Assam, India.

[@user-fv4kr9qz5z]

DW, это лживая западная утка.

[@axelsandi]

i am the laziest person i know, yet you motivated me to consider preparing for a marathon.. besides that, amazing insights about this forbiddingly fascinating country.. 10/10

[@carlahead5072]

I think it’s very interesting to learn about North Korean culture and in many ways how different it is from South Korea . You guys are so brave to have visited such a place and these children are so talented!! My heart goes out to those and makes us who live in the US appreciate how it is to express our opinions openly without being punished.. happy that you guys went back and seen things had changed for the better for North Korea though and a different perspective. Great 👍 tours of North Korea and interesting culture

[@G0t2luvMaggie]

Ummm you should listen the podcast Jordan B. Peterson with Yeonmi Park; the woman who escapes the poverty of North Korea and it explains the class system. The reason tourist cannot go unaccompanied outside the hotel is that they might actually find out the grueling details and the dead people they’re hiding with the masked Korea is great, let’s show you our high class people and well fed children. There’s another video in which the French went to the Northern part of North Korea near the boarder of Russia and they literally showed them a fake village where no one lived. It was picturesque and the tourist was trying to sneak behind the brass large gates and fence and kept asking the guards if they can wander alone. They didn’t allow them and the person took a small clip of what was behind the fence through a small slot of the gate and they were children working and dragging things. They also accidentally went to the beach and found impoverished women picking up seaweed from the ocean to eat and immediately the tour guides and the guards told the tourist to leave the beach and the other tour guide said no you cannot go back there while they were attempting to go back to the beach. He said you can’t go there and they asked why and the man motioned with his hand to his neck basically letting them know that if he allows them back on the beach he’s risking his life. So if you call that children are so talented and how North Korean has changed for the better; you are certainly wrong. This is all a simulation to display North Korea’s good side and ignoring the devastation and mass deaths due to starvation.

[@craighealy4069]

I would love to see those 2 Kim towers torn down like the totalitarian fascist and communist leaders

[@craighealy4069]

You can basically get punished or executed for selling food to South Korea destroying newspapers turning off the radio shouting in public being to happy after the leaders death being to sad in public after the leaders death failing at the performance being religious the leader holding a grudge for no reason against you or if he is just in the mood to kill torture or lock up people in concentration camps trying to leave North Korea insulting the leader assaulting the leader military government official not placing or putting an image of the leader correctly showing anger happiness or aggression telling jokes having a phone calling a foreign relative having internet being to smart or dumb being to white or black unlawful sexual relationships or being related to someone the government didn’t like

[@johnrakthai]

But we actually can’t express our opinions openly anymore. You get cancelled or blacklisted.

[@merppa9842]

⁠​⁠@@johnrakthaiyou are not seriously comparing ”being cancelled” to physical punishment, labor camps and worst case scenario, death. Surely not, right? Freedome to speak your Opinions does not mean that your words don’t have any consequences. But you are free the Express your opinion without systematic covernmental suppervision that leads to the punishment mentioned above. Come on now…

[@apasih6854]

I love dw documentary, honestly. Keep up the good work guys ☺️☺️☺️

[@TheAgim1]

Thanks for this. I was running out of NK documentaries/footage to watch.

[@georgsoehlke]

Tolle Reportage... Gut gemacht mit Liebe zu Land und Menschen.

[@shehrozdoesVR]

DW is one of the best documentary channels hands down.

[@leasmith914]

this documentary is pretty insightful but I'm really concerned about the tour guide and woman's safety.

[@Step2thebar]

Iv seen pyongyang in 2019 june, been to the two monuments, the DMZ, manyongdae, the nuclear bunker like subway, friendship palace museum, the victory arch as well. I agree on your statement that how you talk to your guides, and seemingly they seem not to say what is really on their minds but somehow felt intimate. Our two lady guides were impeccable, they were with Koryo tour. Thank you much appreciate your documentary. It brought back fond memories. I was lucky our tour group took a train back to Shenyang, China from Pyongyang too

[@yohanmaduranga]

Good video 📸 thanks dw

[@DWDocumentary]

Thank you for your comment!

[@StoryBgTeguh]

Jadi penasaran tentang negara korea utara.. pasti menegangkan untuk berwisata ke negara itu

[@ruwiki]

really love your documentaries!

[@ninana143]

That feeling of euphoria he got while people where "cheering" him on is the reason why Kim's grandpa, father and himself are a leaders. The feeling is prob an addiction you can't quit.

[@henrimatisse7481]

The same with Trump. A drug he was willing to lie for and get others to die for.

[@quackss6384]

@@henrimatisse7481 difference is he was elected.

[@alexslater4185]

The reason for the euphoria when he enters a room, or in a public place is that the people there get photographed,.and get severely dealt with if they are seen to be applauding less energetically than they should be.

[@jackbrown4120]

@@alexslater4185 how do you know?

[@alexslater4185]

@@jackbrown4120 How do any of us know anything Jack ? We learn to read at school, we read books and other people's texts, we watch documentaries, and films, and as life goes by we learn to authenticate the truth, and dismiss the drivel. We aren't always right, but when we get the same information from different sources, the later information we get tends to verify what we have seen before. If you watch a leader like putin enter a room full of his cohorts in the Kremlin, the same thing happens, they are all applauding him because they know that they will receive severe punishment when the videos are rerun later if they are not seen to be loyal, yet reading news items would suggest that there is a high percentage of them who definitely don't support him. It is also an ego boost too.

[@rush_han_]

I am concerned about what could happen to your guides after this material had uploaded

[@banistan3500]

спасибо за контент

[@stephanemiallet6090]

Thanks for this documentary !

[@Neillan]

7:16 "We wanted to leave the country in one piece." The difference here is, unlike the people you recklessly filmed UNCENSORED, *you can leave.*

[@suziwatkins5499]

I don't think I would want to visit North Korea...thank you very much.!🤔🤨

[@FlamJongUn]

@@suziwatkins5499 why not? It's a charming country

[@aessedai2739]

@@FlamJongUn pretentiously charming

[@J.Cameron.Stuart.Adams.]

If you consumed coffee, tea, or anything which used water from the tanks on the plane and/or from the kettles on the flight your gastrointestinal issue is easily explained. My enitre trip to NY was spent in the apartment because I had coffee on my flight. Never again. Great reporting. Although I would not have exposed my guides. Despite your filming in total secrecy, they could face punishment for not discovering your devices and methods. Cheers!

[@Felicity2121]

My daughter would have loved it at that school. She does ballet, tap, disco dance. She sings, models and is a young aspiring actor with many films and other theatre productions under her belt. She also is doing a voice over for a major film, she is British but she is doing an American New York accent for an American film 😂

[@Fin-Land]

During your first visit you were seeing things through critical eyes, during your second visit you developed empathy as they were now someone you could relate to and things didn't look as bad

[@MrUPSman]

Thank you DW for these amazing documentaries! Totally for free!

[@aliyafuady8032]

paid by KZbin and some of internet data contribution

[@Garbagepai1Kid]

Could you imagine the Olympics being held in North Korea? They would totally nail the opening/closing ceremonies.

[@sakshi3344]

And they’ll nail you to a prison cell if u missed a beat while final performances

[@medaraudoekong7586]

@@sakshi3344 lol

[@akari8168]

6:21 ich weiß nicht ob ich das richtig verstehen kann wegen dem Übersetzer aber für mich klang das deutch dieses Guides so gut das ich dachte der ist einer von euch und ihr unterhalten euch nur 😮 ich war total verwirrt als erwähnt wurde das er ein Guide ist, wie kann er so gut deutsch?

[@jaybministros7980]

I'm amazed at how DW journalists have managed to hide their cameras while filming secretly at the same time all throughout their tour without being caught by their minders.

[@TheSmartLawyer]

I think this was allowed

[@TitoTimTravels]

@@TheSmartLawyer Well he said all the way through that he was filming in secret...

[@karolsjolund4244]

They’re German so I think they know what they’re doing. Well done!👍👏🇨🇦😀

[@henrimatisse7481]

it was said at the beginning they had cameras with a video function. Something that wasn't checked.

[@curtgottler9961]

@@henrimatisse7481 So this guy is secretly filming while running the marathon, but no one noticed? I think this guy is lying about something.

[@nancyhobson9710]

Yes, amazing documentary considering the conditions in which it was filmed.

[@saintchoi1206]

I know of Arirang due to bts performing it... they made it sort of like their own and since the 7 members came from 5 different provinces it was even amazing to hear!

[@apollon6870]

no adds, beautyful

[@sorinblaga5981]

Well...you did a very good job there ! Respects and wait for the next one :)

[@roycebottoms4570]

The synthesizer they use for the voice over is really impressive. You'd almost think it's a real person.

[@walking_in_the_shade]

Hahaha that hilarious!! 😄

[@omq_seqxuia8571]

35:17 I cried out when I see these 2 little girls cheering up for him

[@fightingfinn1503]

I appreciate you adding subtitles but wish you didn't add them on the middle of the screen.

[@zaennik5245]

What I love about DW's documentary is that it paints North Korea in a interesting light of what a dystopia would look like, scary and unbelieverable yet has just enough happiness to keep it functional and afloat

[@casteretpollux]

Which part was scary? The part with the spooky music?

[@nanskiboutski243]

@@casteretpollux The part where when children are mentionned, we only see scared young girls and everyone looks miserable and undernourished and the streets are empty of life...

[@neillholley5061]

What you've just described is the USA.

[@casteretpollux]

@@nanskiboutski243 Are you thinking this programme had an open mind towards Korea?

[@jamesbrendan5170]

@@neillholley5061 yes, but at least in the USA, you get to yell "FUCK [insert name of the person who is ruling it]!". In North Korea, if you do something like that you'll disappear without a trace. And it's not really like that tbh, most people in the USA is probably 5-10 times richer than your usual North Korean

[@gurufabbes1]

I have to say of many of the reports on north korea, this one is among the best. It gets straight to the point, shows us the country without judging it too harshly.

[@easydoesitberlin]

👍

[@mariahewitt9787]

Totally agree.

[@user-fv4kr9qz5z]

потому нормальные люди и не любят запад. В глаза говорят одно, а за спиной делают другое.

[@celiney.3108]

so good!

[@robertlaidlaw4592]

well tbf they are shown the nicest part and are told exactly what to do. tbh its not a very useful documentary but defiantly interesting to see. you can see how scared people are to say the wrong thing, but also what they may or may not believe, and how much they really know.

[@doanphuctuan]

why can't i move subtitle to the bottom, it stuck in the central

[@ellen5572]

This documentary shows only what the regime wants visitors to see, i.e., Pyongyang and the ski resort. From books by North Koreans who escaped North Korea, the rest of the country is very poor. People live without enough food, without electricity, etc., in addition to fear of expressing an opinion against the government.

[@ariel_monaco]

Awesome documentary! Thank you so much!

[@DWDocumentary]

Hi @Ariel Monaco, You're welcome, glad you liked it. Best, The DW Documentary Team

[@JML6988]

I'm curious if those guides would have been penalized for "allowing" themselves to be filmed undercover.

[@Landis_Grant]

They were probably shot by a firing squad.

[@deleted72636]

They didn't speak against their regime rather spoke in its favor so I doubt it.

[@Jsodat]

Wrong! These guides would be severely punished! It’s ashamed they should have been blurred

[@Cardboardboxy]

This is two trips in one video 💓

[@fractode]

Ist dieses Video auf Deutsch (evtl. auf KZbin?) verfügbar?

[@neptunevibe]

"In South Korea they care about money.. In North Korea we care about leader.. his money!"

[@andresd3104]

You would be sent to the north korean gulag for saying that.

[@companybroadcast2890]

@Blaz Blaz good joke

[@eedragonr6293]

@@ezfist9204 tell us what is the procedure of claiming political asylum at the USA embassy

[@hayesalazar]

Just imagine how hardly to make this film with strictly regulations in North Korea. You must be so brave too to publish this documentary. Two thumbs up

[@DerHammerSpricht]

and risking the lives of all the faces they showed...

[@inkubator320]

They risked the lives of people in this video it’s disgusting honestly that they didn’t care

[@Whoknows688]

39:39 I remember singing this song in Chorus class back in middle school. They gave us a partially translated version to sing, but I had forgotten about this song until now!

[@ivanj.conway9919]

20:43 - Now this seems like a nice, sweet, lady. Someone who could, possibly, adjust to any situation and have a smile with a positive attitude.