• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EST 09:15
CET 15:15
KST 23:15
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
RSL Season 3 - RO16 Groups C & D Preview0RSL Season 3 - RO16 Groups A & B Preview2TL.net Map Contest #21: Winners12Intel X Team Liquid Seoul event: Showmatches and Meet the Pros10[ASL20] Finals Preview: Arrival13
Community News
Weekly Cups (Nov 10-16): Reynor, Solar lead Zerg surge1[TLMC] Fall/Winter 2025 Ladder Map Rotation13Weekly Cups (Nov 3-9): Clem Conquers in Canada4SC: Evo Complete - Ranked Ladder OPEN ALPHA8StarCraft, SC2, HotS, WC3, Returning to Blizzcon!45
StarCraft 2
General
Weekly Cups (Nov 10-16): Reynor, Solar lead Zerg surge [TLMC] Fall/Winter 2025 Ladder Map Rotation Mech is the composition that needs teleportation t RotterdaM "Serral is the GOAT, and it's not close" RSL Season 3 - RO16 Groups C & D Preview
Tourneys
$5,000+ WardiTV 2025 Championship RSL Revival: Season 3 Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament Constellation Cup - Main Event - Stellar Fest Tenacious Turtle Tussle
Strategy
Custom Maps
Map Editor closed ?
External Content
Mutation # 500 Fright night Mutation # 499 Chilling Adaptation Mutation # 498 Wheel of Misfortune|Cradle of Death Mutation # 497 Battle Haredened
Brood War
General
FlaSh on: Biggest Problem With SnOw's Playstyle What happened to TvZ on Retro? BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ SnOw's ASL S20 Finals Review BW General Discussion
Tourneys
[Megathread] Daily Proleagues Small VOD Thread 2.0 [BSL21] RO32 Group D - Sunday 21:00 CET [BSL21] RO32 Group C - Saturday 21:00 CET
Strategy
How to stay on top of macro? Current Meta PvZ map balance Simple Questions, Simple Answers
Other Games
General Games
Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Should offensive tower rushing be viable in RTS games? Path of Exile Clair Obscur - Expedition 33 Nintendo Switch Thread
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Community Thread SPIRED by.ASL Mafia {211640}
Community
General
+256792321827 ELOQUENT RELIABLE LOST LOVE SPELLS Russo-Ukrainian War Thread US Politics Mega-thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine About SC2SEA.COM
Fan Clubs
White-Ra Fan Club The herO Fan Club!
Media & Entertainment
Movie Discussion! [Manga] One Piece Anime Discussion Thread Korean Music Discussion Series you have seen recently...
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread Formula 1 Discussion NBA General Discussion MLB/Baseball 2023 TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
SC2 Client Relocalization [Change SC2 Language] Linksys AE2500 USB WIFI keeps disconnecting Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
Dyadica Gospel – a Pulp No…
Hildegard
Coffee x Performance in Espo…
TrAiDoS
Saturation point
Uldridge
DnB/metal remix FFO Mick Go…
ImbaTosS
Reality "theory" prov…
perfectspheres
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 2208 users

Great North Korea Documentary

Blogs > DoctorHelvetica
Post a Reply
Normal
DoctorHelvetica
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
United States15034 Posts
February 16 2010 05:32 GMT
#1
I know a lot of you TLers are documentary lovers and I would consider myself one as well. A friend linked me to a documentary series about North Korea and I have to say, it's a must watch.

http://www.vbs.tv/watch/the-vice-guide-to-travel/vice-guide-to-north-korea-1-of-3

It's a 3 part series where these guys from VBS manage to get into North Korea by bribing a chinese consulate and they have the most absolutely bizarre experience.

I've read a bit about North Korea, but actually seeing these guys experience in the country adds a whole new perspective. I especially felt sad for the "tea girl" working at a tea shop when she probably gets about 1-2 customers every 6 months.

***
RIP Aaliyah
il0seonpurpose
Profile Blog Joined January 2007
Korea (South)5638 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-02-16 06:18:43
February 16 2010 05:35 GMT
#2
Will watch!

Wait, did that guy go by himself? And how did he manage to carry on a camera?


I wonder where all those people from the subway are going...
Disregard
Profile Blog Joined March 2007
China10252 Posts
February 16 2010 05:37 GMT
#3
Yea, seen all of their documentaries. Some hilarious stuff.
"If I had to take a drug in order to be free, I'm screwed. Freedom exists in the mind, otherwise it doesn't exist."
lazz
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
Australia3119 Posts
February 16 2010 05:40 GMT
#4
yeah seen this before its mildly entertaining but the tea girl scene is grossly sensationalised im sure she does other shit too
lokiM
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
United States3407 Posts
February 16 2010 05:42 GMT
#5
this was actually posted somewhere, cant remember tho =\
You can't fight the feeling.
SanguineToss
Profile Blog Joined August 2009
Canada815 Posts
February 16 2010 05:43 GMT
#6
On February 16 2010 14:37 Disregard wrote:
Yea, seen all of their documentaries. Some hilarious stuff.


hows it fucking hilarious
Disregard
Profile Blog Joined March 2007
China10252 Posts
February 16 2010 05:45 GMT
#7
Watch the other documentaries they did, you would comprehend what Im saying.
"If I had to take a drug in order to be free, I'm screwed. Freedom exists in the mind, otherwise it doesn't exist."
RoieTRS
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
United States2569 Posts
February 16 2010 05:46 GMT
#8
On February 16 2010 14:43 SanguineToss wrote:
Show nested quote +
On February 16 2010 14:37 Disregard wrote:
Yea, seen all of their documentaries. Some hilarious stuff.


hows it fucking hilarious


Watch the documentary before criticizing.
konadora, in Racenilatr's blog: "you need to stop thinking about starcraft or anything computer-related for that matter. It's becoming a bad addiction imo"
DoctorHelvetica
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
United States15034 Posts
February 16 2010 05:46 GMT
#9
On February 16 2010 14:40 lazz wrote:
yeah seen this before its mildly entertaining but the tea girl scene is grossly sensationalised im sure she does other shit too


Well, it's the filmers take on her life, it might not necessarily be true.

Not really the point though, doesn't make North Korea any less fucked up. It's actually just really sad.
RIP Aaliyah
CaucasianAsian
Profile Blog Joined September 2005
Korea (South)11584 Posts
February 16 2010 05:51 GMT
#10
I enjoyed as well
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1875007335054132657#

Calendar@ Fish Server: `iOps]..Stark
Mickey
Profile Blog Joined July 2005
United States2606 Posts
February 16 2010 06:52 GMT
#11
I enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing it. I loved how the North Korean government thought they could fool them, but it's so blatant the whole trip was a charade.
Dgtl
Profile Blog Joined December 2008
Canada889 Posts
February 16 2010 06:56 GMT
#12
Jesus, North korea is crazy. I knew it was kinda off, but not this off. The whole mass gymnastics thing really stuck out for me out of all of the events, that was bloody crazy.
^______________^
AcrossFiveJulys
Profile Blog Joined September 2005
United States3612 Posts
February 16 2010 07:35 GMT
#13
Wow. I've been waiting to see something like this; north korea fascinates me. By the way, those guys either greatly exaggerated the guard's threats about filming or they are extremely lucky to have made it out of there.

Also, I wonder if every tourist is treated in the same manner as they were?

And how does bribing Chinese foreign affair workers earn you this trip to north korea?
3clipse
Profile Blog Joined September 2008
Canada2555 Posts
February 16 2010 07:47 GMT
#14
Already seen this one. Very interesting, though. North Korea is in my top 5 places I'd like to visit.
iloahz
Profile Blog Joined March 2007
United States964 Posts
February 16 2010 08:13 GMT
#15
the tea girl is very cute.
samachking
Profile Blog Joined August 2007
Bahrain4949 Posts
February 16 2010 08:50 GMT
#16
Thanks for reminding me to watch this. I wanted to watch this a couple of times before this but always forgot about it. It's a pretty good documentary and quite enlightening although really really scary.
"And then Earthlings discovered tools. Suddenly agreeing with friends could be a form of suicide or worse. But agreements went on, not for the sake of common sense, or decency, or self preservation, but for friendliness."
Imagist
Profile Blog Joined June 2009
Australia484 Posts
February 16 2010 09:47 GMT
#17
I'd seen it before and I think it really highlights the surreal differences between NK's ideal projected image, its actual projected image, and what it really is like. I found it fascinating and would recommend to anyone to watch it.
I enjoy Starcraft when I'm not too busy being dynamic and attractive.
DoctorHelvetica
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
United States15034 Posts
February 16 2010 09:52 GMT
#18
Yeah. I wouldn't recommend it as a serious documentary (with a lot of numbers/facts) and it is biased, but it does a perfect job at just showing what North Korea is like from the PoV of a westerner, first hand.

North Korea is like one giant ghost town and I find that very very very disturbing : /
RIP Aaliyah
Jibba
Profile Blog Joined October 2007
United States22883 Posts
February 16 2010 11:20 GMT
#19
BBC had a really good documentary about the mass games.

IMO, the most ridiculous parts of the N. Korean collective conscience is their preoccupation with the US (power goes out, it's the American aggressor's fault!) and the complete lack of China in any type of acknowledgement or understanding. The country is basically on life support from Beijing, both politically and economically (most of the population survives on aid food), yet none of them seem to realize it. I don't think the government even admits that the Chinese had a significant role in the Korean War. It was the N. Koreans who did it all with their collective will, after imperialist America invaded them.
ModeratorNow I'm distant, dark in this anthrobeat
Lovin
Profile Joined May 2009
Denmark812 Posts
February 16 2010 16:37 GMT
#20
Watched it, and holy mother of Jesus that was sick. Thanks for link
AKA SuddenSalad
Ideas
Profile Blog Joined April 2008
United States8143 Posts
February 16 2010 18:09 GMT
#21
I watched this a few weeks back right after watching the one on Liberia, and I really couldn't decide which one was more depressing. One one hand North Koreans have power and toilets and stability (or well, it seems that way, but I know that everything they showed the documentary makers was a complete charade and satellite photos show that the capital is the only city with lights on at night). On the other hand, the population has 0 freedom and has no idea wtf is going on in the outsider world, basically kept in a physical and mental prison. North Korea truly is a dystopia reminiscent of science fiction.
Free Palestine
Deleted User 50491
Profile Blog Joined July 2009
721 Posts
February 16 2010 19:41 GMT
#22
On February 17 2010 03:09 Ideas wrote:
I watched this a few weeks back right after watching the one on Liberia, and I really couldn't decide which one was more depressing. One one hand North Koreans have power and toilets and stability (or well, it seems that way, but I know that everything they showed the documentary makers was a complete charade and satellite photos show that the capital is the only city with lights on at night). On the other hand, the population has 0 freedom and has no idea wtf is going on in the outsider world, basically kept in a physical and mental prison. North Korea truly is a dystopia reminiscent of science fiction.



Can you link the one for Liberia?
Jyvblamo
Profile Blog Joined June 2006
Canada13788 Posts
February 16 2010 20:00 GMT
#23
http://www.vbs.tv/watch/the-vice-guide-to-travel/the-vice-guide-to-liberia-1-of-8
Here's the link for the Liberian documentary. It's hard to tell how much of these Vice guides are true and how much is exaggerated, but they're still interesting to watch.
BrTarolg
Profile Blog Joined June 2009
United Kingdom3574 Posts
February 16 2010 20:36 GMT
#24
Wow this was something!

Amazing post, amazing documentary
Deleted User 50491
Profile Blog Joined July 2009
721 Posts
February 16 2010 21:07 GMT
#25
Man the Liberia one is fucked up.
Jibba
Profile Blog Joined October 2007
United States22883 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-02-16 21:12:13
February 16 2010 21:09 GMT
#26
On February 17 2010 03:09 Ideas wrote:
One one hand North Koreans have power and toilets and stability

But really, they don't. The people living in Pyongyang live 1000x better than anywhere else in the country, and even there they're totally dependent on donations from Russia and China. They'd be out of food and probably wouldn't have anything beyond radio technology if it weren't for those two countries. Their train system basically consists of old E. German trains from the 50s, 60s and 70s and old Chinese railway cars.
ModeratorNow I'm distant, dark in this anthrobeat
eNoq
Profile Joined June 2009
Netherlands502 Posts
February 16 2010 21:14 GMT
#27
I feel so bad for the tea girl, makes me wanna go there just to give her some company
Proburu
Intr3pid
Profile Blog Joined November 2009
Switzerland336 Posts
February 16 2010 21:35 GMT
#28
Some of the best stuff I've seen recently! Fascinating and interesting documentary!
bladebrood
Profile Blog Joined April 2008
189 Posts
February 16 2010 22:08 GMT
#29
tea girl part made me laugh so much for some reason><
Lexpar
Profile Blog Joined March 2009
1813 Posts
February 16 2010 22:20 GMT
#30
Really good. Thanks a bunch.


I remember seeing one where they managed to get away from their tour guide for a bit, or broke into the country or something, and basically filmed like all the villages and stuff where people actually live. Apparently people are so poor that cannibalism is rampant. It's just goofy to see how much of a show they put on to impress tourists. "Choreographed" as the fat guy with long hair said.
MetalMarine
Profile Joined June 2007
United States1559 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-02-17 02:43:34
February 17 2010 02:05 GMT
#31
I think it's an attraction.. that teashop.. i really dont think she lives there, she probably only comes there when there are "tourists". NK is a wierd enough place for that to happen.. WHY? because look at the restaurant situation.
DoctorHelvetica
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
United States15034 Posts
February 17 2010 02:07 GMT
#32
On February 17 2010 11:05 MetalMarine wrote:
Wheres part 2 and 3


Just replace 1-of-3 in the url with 2-of-3
RIP Aaliyah
MetalMarine
Profile Joined June 2007
United States1559 Posts
February 17 2010 02:43 GMT
#33
Thank you sir
textbook
Profile Blog Joined January 2010
Korea (North)129 Posts
March 10 2010 08:04 GMT
#34
The documentaries are pretty interesting, but all of them show how poor and bad the country is. Are there any documentaries that shows the better side of North Korea, like people in major cities and their culture, etc.?
Caphe
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
Vietnam10817 Posts
March 10 2010 08:24 GMT
#35
Watching now, I'll comment when I finish.
Terran
caelym
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
United States6421 Posts
March 10 2010 08:43 GMT
#36
On March 10 2010 17:04 textbook wrote:
The documentaries are pretty interesting, but all of them show how poor and bad the country is. Are there any documentaries that shows the better side of North Korea, like people in major cities and their culture, etc.?

Did you not watch the part about the arts school and the huge art performances? That was really amazing. You'll never see that anywhere else. Shows the power of dictatorship can bring about awe inspiring and strangely beautiful things.
bnet: caelym#1470 | Twitter: @caelym
snotboogie
Profile Blog Joined August 2009
Australia3550 Posts
May 31 2010 23:00 GMT
#37
Bumping for awareness. Just watching this myself; this is fascinating. It's like a time machine or something, it doesn't feel like that kind of thing actually exists today.
dtnmang
Profile Joined April 2010
Vietnam752 Posts
June 01 2010 01:28 GMT
#38
Fact: North Koreans do not know that the Vietnam War has ended.
KT Roflster - the lulziest team of Proleague.
XCLuSive
Profile Joined November 2009
Canada121 Posts
June 01 2010 02:15 GMT
#39
my gosh, i always knew North Korea was weird, but really? I mean... is there ANYWHERE in North Korea where there is... civilization and people? The most we got to see was the subway..
nothing less than legendary
Megalisk
Profile Blog Joined October 2008
United States6095 Posts
June 01 2010 02:19 GMT
#40
I thought Dr.H was back
Tear stained american saints and dirty guitar dreams across a universe of desert and blue sky , gas station coffee love letters and two dollar pistol kisses from thirty five dollar hotel room stationary .
Monst3r
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
119 Posts
June 01 2010 02:47 GMT
#41
Wow this is VERY interesting.
Deleted User 47542
Profile Blog Joined May 2009
1484 Posts
June 01 2010 02:54 GMT
#42
I love these kind of documentaries, will definitely watch, thanks!
syst
Profile Blog Joined March 2003
United States247 Posts
June 01 2010 12:29 GMT
#43
Check out the BBC documentary called Crossing the Line.
wanderer
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
United States641 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-06-01 16:32:17
June 01 2010 16:31 GMT
#44
I 100% approve of the bump - I will watch this after I finish breakfast.

I apologize for the irony in that statement.
Fuck you, I have a degree in mathematics and I speak 12 languages. (I called the World Cup final in 2008 btw)
enzym
Profile Joined January 2010
Germany1034 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-01-14 20:41:33
January 14 2011 20:32 GMT
#45
I resurrect this thread in light of another documentary done by AlJazeera that was uploaded to youtube just recently. Its called "101 East - Learning Liberty" and is about defectors from North Korea who are now living in the South (I'm only 5 minutes in).

I thought that it doesn't need its own thread but might still be interesting for people to see.



edit: feel free to ignore this blog and post in this thread instead. I didn't find it earlier because searching for "documentary north korea" only returned this blog. I didn't notice that it was a blog and then wasn't satisfied with it, so I searched for "north korea" instead and found the thread in the general forum.
"I fart a lot, often on my gf in bed, then we roll around laughing for 5 mins choking in gas." — exog // "…be'master, the art of reflection. If you are not a thinking man, to what purpose are you a man at all?" — S. T. Coleridge
Normal
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Wardi Open
12:00
#61
WardiTV1010
TKL 241
Harstem180
Rex118
Liquipedia
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
Reynor 394
TKL 241
Lowko225
Harstem 180
Rex 118
ProTech111
BRAT_OK 23
StarCraft: Brood War
Britney 41661
Calm 7061
Horang2 1353
EffOrt 1208
Jaedong 890
Soma 671
Stork 576
Larva 518
firebathero 435
Rush 233
[ Show more ]
Pusan 190
Killer 164
ToSsGirL 103
Mind 90
Sea.KH 66
yabsab 37
sas.Sziky 26
scan(afreeca) 24
Hm[arnc] 11
ivOry 8
Rock 6
NaDa 6
Dota 2
Gorgc3936
qojqva2182
Dendi1124
XcaliburYe186
Counter-Strike
olofmeister1994
pashabiceps910
allub309
oskar118
markeloff96
Other Games
hiko567
Pyrionflax436
crisheroes361
B2W.Neo343
Fuzer 299
Hui .241
Sick215
Liquid`LucifroN137
QueenE69
Organizations
Dota 2
PGL Dota 2 - Main Stream10379
PGL Dota 2 - Secondary Stream3904
StarCraft: Brood War
UltimateBattle 61
Kim Chul Min (afreeca) 3
StarCraft 2
IntoTheiNu 1
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 14 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• Adnapsc2 8
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Dota 2
• C_a_k_e 1657
• WagamamaTV277
League of Legends
• Nemesis3110
Upcoming Events
Monday Night Weeklies
2h 46m
Replay Cast
8h 46m
ChoboTeamLeague
10h 46m
WardiTV Korean Royale
21h 46m
BSL: GosuLeague
1d 6h
PiGosaur Cup
1d 10h
The PondCast
1d 19h
Replay Cast
2 days
RSL Revival
2 days
herO vs Zoun
Classic vs Reynor
Maru vs SHIN
MaxPax vs TriGGeR
BSL: GosuLeague
3 days
[ Show More ]
RSL Revival
3 days
WardiTV Korean Royale
3 days
RSL Revival
4 days
WardiTV Korean Royale
4 days
IPSL
5 days
Julia vs Artosis
JDConan vs DragOn
RSL Revival
5 days
Wardi Open
5 days
IPSL
6 days
StRyKeR vs OldBoy
Sziky vs Tarson
Replay Cast
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2025-11-14
Stellar Fest: Constellation Cup
Eternal Conflict S1

Ongoing

C-Race Season 1
IPSL Winter 2025-26
KCM Race Survival 2025 Season 4
SOOP Univ League 2025
YSL S2
BSL Season 21
CSCL: Masked Kings S3
SLON Tour Season 2
RSL Revival: Season 3
META Madness #9
BLAST Rivals Fall 2025
IEM Chengdu 2025
PGL Masters Bucharest 2025
Thunderpick World Champ.
CS Asia Championships 2025
ESL Pro League S22
StarSeries Fall 2025
FISSURE Playground #2
BLAST Open Fall 2025

Upcoming

BSL 21 Non-Korean Championship
Acropolis #4
IPSL Spring 2026
HSC XXVIII
RSL Offline Finals
WardiTV 2025
IEM Kraków 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter 2026: Closed Qualifier
eXTREMESLAND 2025
ESL Impact League Season 8
SL Budapest Major 2025
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2025 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.