March 19, 2024

About the author

Monique Macias

Monique was born in Equatorial Guinea and grew up in Pyongyang, North Korea. She graduated at the University of Light Industry, with a BA as a Textile Engineer. Since leaving North Korea, Macias has been working as a fashion designer in countries including Spain, South Korea, and the U.S. Macias recently wrote a book about her life in North Korea which will soon be translated in to English.

More articles by 'Monique Macias'

Farewell from a former North Korean resident

Farewell from a former North Korean resident

Monique Macias says heart will always be with Korea despite eye-opening times abroad

Farewell from a former North Korean resident
Monique Macias
Monique Macias January 5, 2015
Hanging out with Pyongyang’s international students

Hanging out with Pyongyang’s international students

Young visitors from other countries stood out in 1970s-80s N. Korea, adding to the flavor

Hanging out with Pyongyang’s international students
Monique Macias
Monique Macias August 1, 2014
1989 in North Korea: What We Were(n’t) Told

1989 in North Korea: What We Were(n’t) Told

"Everyone knew North Korea was becoming increasingly isolated. But, as with everything in the DPRK, when people were in public, they pretended to have no idea about what was going on."

1989 in North Korea: What We Were(n’t) Told
Monique Macias
Monique Macias June 3, 2014
Growing up Godless in North Korea

Growing up Godless in North Korea

"I was raised to be an atheist in an atheist country"

Growing up Godless in North Korea
Monique Macias
Monique Macias May 13, 2014
Breakdancing in North Korea: Celebrating Kim Il Sung’s Birthday

Breakdancing in North Korea: Celebrating Kim Il Sung’s Birthday

Respect shown in the DPRK for the Great Leader, father of the nation, is often genuine

Breakdancing in North Korea: Celebrating Kim Il Sung’s Birthday
Monique Macias
Monique Macias April 15, 2014
How I was introduced to capitalism – the North Korean way

How I was introduced to capitalism – the North Korean way

Three currencies in 1980s North Korea allowed foreigners to spend money in sometimes surprising ways

How I was introduced to capitalism – the North Korean way
Monique Macias
Monique Macias April 8, 2014
What I learned from a North Korean education

What I learned from a North Korean education

Despite all I learned, I'll never forgive them for teaching me lies about the Korean War

What I learned from a North Korean education
Monique Macias
Monique Macias March 14, 2014
Mixing with the Cleanest Race: My upbringing in North Korea

Mixing with the Cleanest Race: My upbringing in North Korea

The impact of my education in North Korea - Africans told me, “You are not African, you are Korean”

Mixing with the Cleanest Race: My upbringing in North Korea
Monique Macias
Monique Macias February 28, 2014
How I unintentionally ended up spending 15 years of my life in North Korea

How I unintentionally ended up spending 15 years of my life in North Korea

Introducing her new NK News column, Monique Macias explains why she calls North Korea home

How I unintentionally ended up spending 15 years of my life in North Korea
Monique Macias
Monique Macias February 21, 2014