North Korea's celebrity defectors - BBC World Service Documentaries
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 26. 03. 2020
- There are 30.000 North Korean defectors currently living in South Korea. Most have fled the brutal regime of Kim Jong-un in the hope of a better life and some of them have become celebrities.
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We follow two North Koreans as they gain fame in front of the camera capitalising on their defector status, yet struggle to move on from their past.
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Producer/Director: Natalia Zuo
Co-producer: Jonathan Griffin
Picture Editor: Amanda Gunn
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âThe biggest gift I could give my two children was to be born in South Korea.â That stuck with me.
Wow..."prejudice against defectors"? Brave people who risked their lives for freedom should never be looked down upon....they should be praised!
Capitalism. If you look poor and not to their standards of dress, hair makeup you're a second class citizen. Same thing happened in Germany after the end of the socialist GDR when people from there went to the capitalist Western part.
greenknitter Thatâs not capitalism you idiot. Thatâs class prejudice. Class is an issue in all human societies, but at least capitalism allows class mobility.
@@glasscanvasart5273 @glass canvas art Where do you think class prejudice comes from? The era of Industrialisation and the birth of capitalism. Class prejudice is not an issue in a communist society which by definition means a classless society. Class mobility? Lol that's dead and buried, read some Thomas Picketty. The more hyper-capitalism the country the less mobile it is. Look at the UK, more stratified than ever. The countries that are the most mobile are the ones that have some socialist policies-particularly greater income distribution through high taxation and act as a buffer against the worst excesses of crony capitalism- Nordic countries for example.
South Koreans are a very judgmental, tribal people. actually, as I type this I feel that way about all humans.
@@blahblahyou22 It might well be instinctive to some degree. If you imagine thousands of years ago you and your small group seeing an approaching different-looking or different-sounding tribal group. That's what brains are for..to recognize this instinct within oneself and to nullify it as much as possible...
You can't think of anything you are really proud of? How about escaping from North Korea risking your own life for starters? That ranks pretty high on my list...
Honestly, all South Koreans should actually respect those people the most and treat them well just because of that. They need to put themselves in those people's shoes, they need more empathy. It's mind-blowing, very brave people that risked it all to live as a free human.
â@@DoctorStrange01 South Korea treat them very well, they get a plenty of money each month, a startup fund to buy clothes/furniture and free housing, schooling etc. Also Kang Nara for example is big on youtube and accepted. South Korea recently made a k-drama about North Korea (where she was one of the advisers) and it was one of the highest rated shows in South Korea. Maybe 10-15 years ago there was a stigma etc but not so much lately. I think this bbc show might be a 2-3 years old and also life is hard everywhere no matter where you are from, specially as a refugee as you lose your family, culture etc. Other then that though from what I've seen North Koreans say on youtube it seems there is very little stigma etc. There are people that cant adapt to the new life and move back to North Korea though.
@@vir042 was the drama crash landing on you?
@@helenemaja0912 yes :P
@@vir042 I'm watching that right nowđ
11:12 âEvery time he doesnât eat, I think about sending him to North Koreaâ hahahah dead.
sksksks i wheezed
The Korean version of "You know there are starving children in Africa who would love to eat what I've made for dinner. Now eat up!"
haha ruthless
đ€Łđ€Łđ€Ł I wanted to laugh at that soo badly. That's exactly something like ky mum would say.
@8:12 "I had everything I wanted but I didn't have freedom. So I chose freedom and my mum." Made me cry.
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@@mk4883 where can I find that information? Thanks.
The way she tells story is very captivating.
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I wanna here about South Korea
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I am a North korean defector who was on this show. There are many stories behind this tv show. If BBC wants know more, I can publish the story what I had been through from them.
Thanks for sharing informative contents of North Korean defectors' life.
From Morocco peace and Love and one day north and south will be united
I'm a South Korean living in America. I'm so glad that you are able to express your thoughts freely on CZcams.
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Kang Nara has no accent. Is she a real defector?
@@jenm7896 most North Korean defectors staying in South Korea try their best to change their North Korean accent to South Korean accent. That's why.
@@jenm7896 As far as I know she is. And lots of defector have no accent.
I really appreciate that South Korea tried to help many North Korea defectors to immigrate in the South Korean lives. I think it would be even better when they attract people from the North into South so that Kim Jong Un will be left alone
Well sk did that so nk destroyed the only communication and have been closed off ever since.
Heâll be known as Kim Jong Uno.
@@DeJuanchi27 HAHAHAHAHSHDGA
@@DeJuanchi27 Kim Jong Unlone.
Alone, Unlone...
Ok I leave the chat
@Ghost Hunter and who are you to say that?
It's an irony how looking big in North Korea is probably admired by many but looking big in South Korea is shunned by many
because if you are big in north korea means you are probably well off and have a lot of money for food.
@@chariza13 yeah.. things look better when theyre A LOT harder to get and when u have almost nothing
Itâs the same with skin color. In Asian countries they want to be light because the working class is darker because they are working outside. Iâm from Germany and many people over here want to look tanned because it means you can afford vacation in a warmer country. Itâs a weird world we live in.
@@itsnemosoul8398 from Philippines đđđ
JC that Excuse me?
Yeonmi Park, also a defector and CZcams creator, describes how life was for the lower classes and the atrocities. Very informative, and gives even more incite.
@@rft9776 she's changes her story depending on who she's talking to. Listening to her aunt was interesting.
@@rft9776 Just read it, there are holes in her story indeed but still... If she was from one of the financially well off families, imagine what life the farmers must be living
Yeonmi Park is very impressive. She can do practically anything except cry real tears.
Maybe she changes her story cause she forgot, from what i remember, its small details not the base
@@ceilconstante7813where did you hear about her aunt? I looked it up and couldnt find anything
5:18 it was worth risking my life. That says alot.
If you think about it, the idea of the "real outside world" would have been this over-glamorous k-drama life, where people magically fall in love with the perfect person and everything is perfect and beautiful. Of course that would have been enough to make people want it, but it could have been a big dissapointment and I could imagine how confused they were when they came over to South Korea expecting to have the imagined life, only to realize that it's not inmediate. I suppose the fact that it could be reachable makes them not lose hope of being stranded in the place that just doesn't feel like theirs
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17:25 Kang Myung-do is not the only one who says the TV program is full of exaggerations. I worked at an NGO related to North Korean human rights issues, and ALL the North Korean defectors I met said the same thing. They told me if I want to learn about North Korea, "Now on my way to meet you" is not a good program, as it is mostly about ratings and thus full of exaggerations. But at the same time, I do think the TV program serves a useful purpose because it gets South Koreans at least more interested in the status quo of North Korea and the lives of North Korean defectors in South Korea.
Even a show about defectors doesn't escape the fate of scripted "reality" shows. Execution with an artillery shell is wasteful of resources for a poor country when a bullet does the same job.
Bless her for having such a positive outlook she seems like a nice girl.
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it's really sad how kang nara's father and brother chose to live a comfortable life in NK even without freedom
And very strange that it is possible after the mother's and daughter's escape. It is unlike the consequences that are described by all other defectors I have heard for those remaining behind. Such consequences are only for the lower class? That doesn't really make sense as a policy if deterrence and loyalty are the goals.
@@ReflectedMiles I think if you consider the economic situation in NK, and the relative need for a lot of things, they can't just go killing off families and lose valuable workers, farmers and tax payers. One has to remember the NK regime is built on lies to an extent. So a lot of fear-mongering is inevitable to keep the population in line. Also having everyone in work camps does no good for the country if they're losing skilled workers. So the higher, more skilled position you are in, you are guaranteed a relative amount of safety even if you break the rules.
@@LeCatte In the Soviet era, the one thing that broke down any restraint or safety in the face of any well-known act(s) against the system, though, was publicity. I can't imagine one family being so significant to NK's economic scheme that they are irreplaceable when publicly flaunting the normal system of consequences for dissent, escape, etc. I would think the regime would fear the "loose" signaling and encouragement of other such families to see it as tolerated, and in that kind of system, "tolerated" is the same as encouragement. I have just never heard of family members behind being safe at all, from anyone else.
@@ReflectedMiles I agree with you, there might be levels of leniency depending on social status and visibility. But with talks of reunification and the such, they have to consider their actions more than ever. Also with increasing international pressure, even from other communist countries, they're more inclined to not trap themselves in layers of international sanctions. Also, the defectors can also serve as a sort of export of soft power and publicity, noting the public interest in it.
Maybe thatâs what they only said to her so that she doesnât worry about them. Maybe they are only safe because the father and brother are in a very high position and their loyalty is tested if they defect. Plus she mentioned that their family line is considered elite as in they are related to important people there as well, her family however is upper middle class. It might be possible that her mom defecting then the daughter doing the same gave them some sort of reputation like âoh itâs not surprising, like mother like daughterâ. I remember a video about NK saying that if a citizen visited other cities/towns they are considered already rich. Her family is well off, not in the same standard as South Koreaâs rich but itâs well off nonetheless. Also, I heard somewhere their family back home may be safe since the NK government cannot track all the dissenters, if the people donât know they escaped then they never did. For instance Nara mentioned in another vid that her friends in her home town never knew she escaped since she left her town to go to art school in Pyongyang. She even mentioned her dad crossing China once to buy a Chinese phone so they can contact one another.
a country that wont let there citizens to leave tells you allot about the country; they consider the populace more like sheep.
ever tried to get a us passport? papers please.. it might be easy getting a drivers license for illegals.. but if your a us citizen and lose your papers your screwed. you have to lie to get a ss card.. and rebuild from that.
this documentary could be 10 hours long and not even cover half of it. i urge anyone interested in hearing more stories from defectors/survivors to please look up more of these interviews on youtube. they are going through some truly horrific things in north korea.
I truly hope all North Korean survivors will find comfort and happiness wherever they settle. People escaping North Korea have been through enough and deserve true happiness.
People in NK are told differently about the outside world. God please free NK people.
Even the elderly in Korea seem so fun and energetic
They are a hoot! Full of characters. They built South Korea from ashes of Korean war.
I assume Kim is super mad when seeing these defectors succeeding in South Korea. Fun part is that they're much more successful than him. Well done.
Do you know that Kim is rich as hell and has security? Meanwhile these guys still struggle and are living in fear for the rest of their lifes.
@@SuperGeronimo999 I know. It's crazy.
Hmm KIm has his own personal nuclear weapons.. he is prob the most powerful individual person in the world.. yes other govts more powerful.. but not so many can just hold life and death over everyone and everything in their world. Kim also has his own pleasure squad.. wont say much more about that but.. US politicians have to work for corporations and tho the american peopel are wage slaves and fodder.. they have to share those slaves with other corporations and politicians.. while kim just simply owns them all.. he even owns the corporations.. something our politicians only dream about. but the us politicians are making headway into getting what kim jeong un has.. slow but sure..
@@stumpedii8639 i would argue putin,xing pi and the american president are over him,after the shit putin just pulled he is basicly dictator on lifetime,xing pi is near that status,also both are more powerful countries while supressing their own population,i put the american president on the list cause he is the de facto most powerful man of the most powerful nation in the world,his term when he can do stuff can be short but i would remind you what one simple sentence from one president changed the lives of the people in afghanistan and irak massively for over 2 decades,kim jong un has his nation more under control compared to the rest but they dont have nearly the recources and opportunities compared to the big 3
This is so interesting in many levels sociologically. They are true survivors who have high communication skills and they don't have a fear of getting killed by a dictator which is why they have been in doing well in the entertainment industry in South Korea.
Very touching stories đ„ș
There were lots of funny moments (North Korea doesn't have many basic infrastructure), many talented people while incredibly sad & frightening stories all cause one heck of a roller-coaster ride. Only thing North Korean government does for its people is cruelly stopping the people from defecting North Korea.
i remember seeing this on tv at midnight 3 months ago, her story is so interesting to me.
Great show, Kamsahamnida, Thank You!
so good tks for sharing !!!
defectors are so brave.
It weird that she went from 56 to 40 kg after defecting to SOuth Korea.
Beauty standards are apparently different in North and South Korea. Being overweight like Kim Jung Un is considered attractive in North Korea whereas being skinnĂœ is attractive in South Korea.
Ms L adding onto that she was in a richer family so they didnât have to worry as much about food shortages
@@ninee330 The quote "people want what they don't have" fits this situation very well. In North Korea being fat is admired because it means you can eat well compared to the hungry people watching. In almost all countries these days being slim is viewed as beautiful because everyone can eat well but it's hard for a lot of people to get fit. Kinda like how in medieval times being fat is attractive to women because it means they can feed the family if they get married.
North Koreans think chubby is cute but South Koreans like the anorexia look. Not healthy.
prolly flushed out all those tape worms in her gut.
I wanted to see a Korean autobiography film, showing the story from their perspectives.
damn 30000?
I didnt expect it to be more than 1000
risking my life......
you. awesome one.
I love how the BBC tells it how it is.
They all look so much happierđ„°
I havent found a single North Korean defector that were dummies, all are people with amazing personality, amazingly different....so much potential in the starving North Korean population.
It's because the "Dummies", as you put it, die trying to escape.
who else knows her from the youtube channel 'dimple'
Me
Outstanding !!!
9:25 The song she sings sounds exactly like the Hawaiian song "Aloha 'Oe"
According to the interpretation of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, all North Koreans are eligible for the Republic of Korea.
What song are they playing at 22:45 ? I recognize it but I forgot the name and itâs driving me crazy!
Beethoven - 3rd movement of the Pathétique
Am I the only one who thought her accordion playing sounded like an anime fight theme
This was actually sad
I think thatâs a Seventh Day Adventist song that she sang with an accordion.
I think it's "Aloha Oe", a Hawaiian song.
Yu hyunjoo-ssi reminds me of my teacher.
9:52 am i geekin or does that sound like alohaâoe?
I saw nara's face in the thumbnail and just genuinely put my hands in the air went 'wooo'
edit: why is every middle aged english woman now commenting like an expert when they just learned that sheffield exists
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she`s a very cheerful and lively woman! ^_^
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Very uplifting stuff. The most important thing, I think, is that people in Korea are happy and can enjoy fundamental freedoms - such as freedom of speech and expression. In both South and North Korea :)
22:53 Kim Jung-Eun is watching this
wow I didnt even realize 20 something minutes passed. And also, hi Nara!
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My mans legit the Harriet Tubman for his people
Kang Nara said she weighs 88lbs and she's 5'4" that makes her BMI 15. That is considered "severely underweight" usually it indicates malnutrition or an eating disorder. Poor girl. She used to be a healthy weight but needed to look better in her mind and now she is starving herself or malnourished or both like the people of the country she left. What they wouldn't give to have access to food like she does.
what is the song at 11:36
there's no easy way to tell the truth. some are misinterpreted, and for some reason, some are exaggerated. tv shows like this was created for some sense of clarity for the benefit of those who wants to know the unknown and truth seekers as well. one thing is clear(or not??): have there been North Korean defectors living in the South who went back (to the North) in their own volition???? if none, that's suits me just fine... may they live a prosperous and happy life in the South....
Not really, but there is one girl who was on a show in the south, went to China, and disappeared for 2 months. She then appeared on NK propaganda talking about how terribly she suffered in sk. Peopler speculate that she was kidnapped
I would say she is a survivor
Kang Naraa is too pretty. She resembles Oh My Girl's Arin đ„°
the fact that the show attracts elderly men is awesome.
Iâve been trying to find Naraâs CZcams page for so long now. Does anyone know what sheâs called or why it isnât on western CZcams???
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Norsae Nara TV, translate if you can't copy paste. It's not possible to give link anymore.
So hard to escape
are you from the north?
No I m from north east india
But why did you ask are you from north
Raima Riang idk curious
Kookiexgames if they were in NK they wouldnât have access to CZcams and couldnât comment
16:12 when your mouse disconnected from the USB
It's very hurtful to see such conditions of NK citizens,, those who escaped from this so called prison are very fortunate,,very brave as they gone through many obstacles to reach South
does anybody know what song she was singing at 9:46?
I think it's "Aloha Oe"
14:10 *WARNING* Don't use hard metal kitchen tools instead use wooden ones when cooking with Teflon because if you scratch the Teflon with the metal tools they become harmful and carcinogenic
I bet they don't dare go back one day
Anyone else notice Kim Jung eun in the credits?đłđ
i love the Korean lady who admitted K-dramas is the reason she defected.
Im big fan of the youtuber im korean and now I know how she lives đ
can you still speak Korean? you live in usa? have you ever been to Korea? wish i had a Korean neighbor.
It does matter whether you are NK or SK as long you can perform well
In 1989, when the Soviet block opened it's borders, all Western bonuses and privileges for defectors disappeared. Even for the most unscrupulous.
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She gets down on that accordian.
40 kg? That's 88 lbs.....jfc,my 6 year old who's skinny as heck is 32 lbs less than Nara.
Nara does not have any northern dialect accent, yeah, she will have to find a new venue.. so many defectors have youtube channels.. soo many..
There's also an oddity in her story. Since when do people defect to South Korea with no consequence to their immediate family in the North? Just because they are "upper middle class" means that family left behind carry on with relatively good lives? If they desired to escape someday, they would...? I have never heard that type of laid back situation, analysis, and expectation from any other defector.
@MegaJf16 I have never heard any defector say that. In fact, what has characterized the "wealthy" (relatively speaking) upper class was being food-secure and wanting to have as much access and exposure to South Korea, China, Europe, and elsewhere along with their material because there is no way to live at that same level in the North unless you are the ruling family itself. Even the best living quarters given to the top scientists, etc., don't exactly compare--at all, actually--with high-end living quarters in the South, let alone in Western Europe or the US.
@MegaJf16 No, that's why I said that a principle difference that defectors have commented on is food security. Another is access-by-invitation to Pyongyang, whether to live or to work. Another for an even smaller class is assignments outside the country. The degree of benefits is relative, though. If your poorer classes are starving at times, food security alone is a huge difference. I am quite confident in the testimony of multiple defectors from different classes over time as far as whether or not it is "propaganda." Their stories have all differed somewhat, reflecting their personal and family experience and position, but I've never heard any say that their life in the North was the same as the South materially.
@MegaJf16 And the percentage of total population in the North that is "poor," then? She actually describes having very elite status as far as potential dating, etc., I believe. Again, I have no reason not to accept the testimony of the defectors as well as diplomats that have served in the country.
I saw Kang Nara in the Thumbnail and had to watch it, sheâs such a bright person Iâm glad sheâs pretty famous as a youtuber now
Tips for Kang Nara, if you are reading this, I want to let you know that some South Korean CZcamsrs are currently enjoying some popularity from Indonesian viewers. They simply learn Indonesian language (which is not hard according to them) and speak about life in South Korea to Indonesian audience. Wish you luck, Nara :)
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Wanneer komen noord en zuid korrea samen
19:33
11:40 Lord's sake! Compatriots, we are literally everywhere :)
11:15 , good idea momma.
The set on this show reminds me of the show Hee Haw. I expect to see Roy Clark and Grandpa Jones appear any minute.đ€
We Indians love koreađ„°đźđłâ„ïžđ°đ·
Is that the girl from Dimple?
Yes
I have been watching it. Didn't realise. ._.
She's very cute though. đ
No
Oh mY Girl Arin liteđ
Please. The world citizens, please, allow the Koreas to reunite. Who divided the country against the will of the Koreans, and why?? Dividing the country and separating families forever was evil.
Japan annexed Korea in 1910 and controlled the entire peninsula until 1945 with their defeat in WWII. As part of their unconditional surrender all foreign territory occupied by the Japanese was handed over to the allies with each allied country taking responsibility for different areas. The Soviets influence zone for Korea was everything north of the 38th parallel with America controlling everything to the south of it. Stalin made sure a loyal communist like Kim IL sung seized power in the north while America and Britain set up a democracy in the south. The north invaded the south in 1950 to unite the peninsula under communism but failed. America and China would both intervene and after three years of fighting back and forth the border would return to the 38th parallel where it remains today.
making money should be equal based on skill etc
who says it's not.. but.. i believe you do not consider everything.. fact is north koreans did not have the opportunities for education south koreans had.. its not their fault. so given same opportunity yes perhaps making money should be based on skills.. but when the opportunity is not equal.. then you need some adjustments and balances to be considered a civilized society. give NK escapees educational opportunities and employment opportunities so they can help themselves. And i do think SK helps the defectors.
I would think, as horrible as NK can be, a defector leaving family must also carry with them some great sadness.
How come they said they watched kdramas in North Korea ? I thought internet is prohibited there
If your are upperclass in north korea you can watch kdramas
There are actually StarBucks in North Korea??!
I'm confused. I thought when you defect NK they send all your family in the camp were they get punished for "raising you wrong". So how did this lady bring her mom to SK? Same for the girl who join her mom after 5 years? đ€
After great famine 1996-8 there have been so many defectors from NK to SK. So I guess NK goverment cannot do something to all defector's family. It means that not all of family which has defector will be punished. However if the defector is an important person like officer, scientist, sportsman, soldier etc. it really does matter.
@@johnburr4414 that makes sense thank you
They can't punish everyone because people go into hiding a lot, they switch locations and avoid being caught. Its a dangerous life, but there are so many people living it they wouldn't be able to catch them all.
Damn that girl from North-Korea is beautiful
At least North Korea defectors found footing for themselves in S Korea. Tks BBC for sharing...
Considering her height (probably tall) and 40kg? underweight, but its normal in south korea.
no one is tall from North Korea because of their diet. Sheâs short. probably 5 ft.
Bellissima đđ
This made me grateful about being born into the 70% middle class family of India đ. I always used to feel why isn't our country developing or why don't we get an honest good working govt to get out country developed faster and eradicate poverty. Why can't my parents get me everything I want at once. Why do they have to restrict me so much.
But now that I've seen this I'm grateful that atleast our country is developing and atleast the poverty is getting less day by day. Atleast they get me everything that I nag about no matter much time they take to think over it. I'm grateful for everything dear God , very grateful that I wasn't born into a poor family anywhere around the world and atleast not in North Korea, Syria or any country where people are living their lives no less than hell. Atleast I have my own freedom. Atleast we have enough money to live happily. Atleast we have the facilities. Atleast we are capable of Everything. Atleast we aren't forced to live under a rock about what's going on in the worldđđ
I hope North Korea gets their freedom soon. So many of their people are suffering in this day and age. Talented individuals canât even help their own people there because of how unjust and hierarchal the system is
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me a Mexican-Canadian who knows nothing about Korea "hmm interesting"