This is one my favorite Japanese films ever. I have re-watched it a few times, and often listen to the gorgeous OST on my phone. For the record, The Hunger Games is just a cheap copy for teenagers in comparison.
I have also got the book, which I have yet to start.
Thank you very much for your article! ^^
P.S. Let's just pretend the second film doesn't exist, please...
Thank you for this great article, and the YouTube playlist! I'll definitely check some of these out, just to see…
Thank you for your kind words! I am glad you enjoyed the article. ^^
Actually, it's not that strange that some movies have been banned, even if they were produced by Kim Jong-il himself. Kim Jong-un wants to entrench his power and legitimacy in all spheres of society, including culture, which is both a means and an end in itself. When the leader changes, an old era comes to an end and a new one starts (this doesn't necessarily mean a policy change).
While this change has led to the modernization of the film and drama industries, it has also led to the ban of a few movies for obvious political reasons. But to be honest, the changes have not been too bad: only very few movies have been banned and the industry has gone through the modernization it needed so badly. Also, some old dramas such as Nameless Heroes have been colorized!
In contrast, when it comes to the North Korean music industry, it has been the complete opposite. In fact, it has been disastrous. While two new modern NK-pop groups have been created, gorgeous old groups such as the Mansudae Art Troupe have almost disappeared from public view and all of their albums have been discontinued. This is really sad.
My point is, in a country like North Korea, progress sometimes means breaking completely with the past, or even erasing it. When changes at the top come, everything changes.
Apart from these shows, we've only watched very few more. There are not many more North Korean dramas, so we've probably watched more than half all North Korean dramas in existence. xD
I have also got the book, which I have yet to start.
Thank you very much for your article! ^^
P.S. Let's just pretend the second film doesn't exist, please...
Indeed, mainstream information on North Korea is usually very shallow and too political. North Korea is much more than what the media tells you.
Hope you enjoy the dramas and movies :)
Actually, it's not that strange that some movies have been banned, even if they were produced by Kim Jong-il himself. Kim Jong-un wants to entrench his power and legitimacy in all spheres of society, including culture, which is both a means and an end in itself. When the leader changes, an old era comes to an end and a new one starts (this doesn't necessarily mean a policy change).
While this change has led to the modernization of the film and drama industries, it has also led to the ban of a few movies for obvious political reasons. But to be honest, the changes have not been too bad: only very few movies have been banned and the industry has gone through the modernization it needed so badly. Also, some old dramas such as Nameless Heroes have been colorized!
In contrast, when it comes to the North Korean music industry, it has been the complete opposite. In fact, it has been disastrous. While two new modern NK-pop groups have been created, gorgeous old groups such as the Mansudae Art Troupe have almost disappeared from public view and all of their albums have been discontinued. This is really sad.
My point is, in a country like North Korea, progress sometimes means breaking completely with the past, or even erasing it. When changes at the top come, everything changes.
What does "xero" mean? It's the only word I didn't understand. ^^
P.S. A Spanish translation is coming soon :)
Thank you for the video! ^^
As Ebi said, don't disregard the movies :)
Regarding propaganda, you actually get used to it. But it's undeniable it influences the storyline and character development.
You can find all these dramas on YouTube, but they are TVrips without English subtitles.
Kye Wol Hyang: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUCIO0H5s9I
Our Warm House: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDOZSu5SqRA
Footprints of Military Service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fenWJMrIvY
Hope these are accessible in your country.
Apart from these shows, we've only watched very few more. There are not many more North Korean dramas, so we've probably watched more than half all North Korean dramas in existence. xD
That feature would we really cool!
The SK movies that portray North Korea most accurately are:
https://kisskh.at/1314-crossing
https://kisskh.at/22094-operation
https://kisskh.at/2881-south-of-the-border
I have yet to see a K-drama that portrays North Korea accurately.
I will talk about it with Ebi :)