A new South Korean film about a secret Christian community in North Korea has drawn praise for shedding light on religious persecution, but also criticism for misrepresenting life in the DPRK.

“Choir of God” was released in South Korea on New Year’s Eve and ranked third at the box office this week, attracting audiences with its dramatic portrayal of North Korean Christians. 

In the film, officials from the DPRK’s state security ministry assemble a fake Christian choir to secure $200 million from a Hungary-based nongovernmental organization, seeking to create the illusion of a thriving religious community.

But counter to state