The good – but not too good – Japanese of N.Korean mass culture



Analysis The good – but not too good – Japanese of N.Korean mass culture The late 1980s saw the movement of the ‘good foreigner,’ including from Japan, in Northern works Tatiana Gabroussenko February 17, 2016 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Story of a Blooming Flower still When on one of my recent lectures on North Korean propaganda I demonstrated a North Korean feature film Story of a Blooming Flower, during a break I was approached by a puzzled South Korean student. “Seonsaengnim, are you sure that this film was made in the DPRK?” he asked. “How come that the Japanese characters are so nice here?” I do not blame the student for this confusion. Indeed, this film, screened in 1992 seems to break the steady stereotype of North Korean propaganda according to which the Japanese ought to be portrayed exclusively as bestial creatures © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update & Podcast Updates Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by Trending

Analysis

The good – but not too good – Japanese of N.Korean mass culture

The late 1980s saw the movement of the ‘good foreigner,’ including from Japan, in Northern works

Tatiana Gabroussenko February 17, 2016

The good – but not too good – Japanese of N.Korean mass culture

Story of a Blooming Flower still

When on one of my recent lectures on North Korean propaganda I demonstrated a North Korean feature film Story of a Blooming Flower, during a break I was approached by a puzzled South Korean student. “Seonsaengnim, are you sure that this film was made in the DPRK?” he asked. “How come that the Japanese characters are so nice here?”

I do not blame the student for this confusion. Indeed, this film, screened in 1992 seems to break the steady stereotype of North Korean propaganda according to which the Japanese ought to be portrayed exclusively as bestial creatures

The good – but not too good – Japanese of N.Korean mass culture

Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most –

as selected by

One more step!

Error!

Trending

Recent Stories

About the Author

Tatiana Gabroussenko

Start your day with
the North Korea stories that matter most –