Contributed by volunteer Julian, who has taught sessions on startups in North Korea and is an avid Crash Landing on You fan!
Recently released on Netflix, the South Korean drama TV Series “Crash Landing on You” has been a big hit around the world. It is the story of a young and beautiful South Korean chaebol heiress starlet who accidentally lands in North Korea during a paragliding trip gone wrong and ends up falling in love with the young and beautiful soldier who found her.
Choson Exchange has been organising economic policy and business training programs by bringing foreign business leaders and professionals to North Korea and bringing North Koreans to international conferences and training for more than a decade. With these years of experience in North Korea, we decided to put what we see on Netflix to the test with some comments from our volunteers.
We also note that like any country, DPR Korea (as North Korea is officially known), is a diverse country where people live in diverse conditions. Someone in the capital, someone in Wonsan, on the border with China or living in a village could have very different experiences. Many villages lack clean running water or electricity. As such, we can only speak to our experience in the larger and medium-sized cities where we run our programs.
1. Young people like Ri Jeong-hyeok can have lots of power in North Korea.
Partly true.
In our workshops, we have seen local participants from all ages and a variety of backgrounds. While North Koreans typically value seniority, we have witnessed younger participants with lots of influence within their network. It often depends on the status of their family, but not only: one can sometimes gain power through hard work.
Left: Captain Ri Jeong-hyeok, North Korean captain in his early 30s in the series
Right: During Choson Exchange’s Startup Festival in November, the winning team leader was 27
2. North Korean Women’s role is to take care of the house.
Partly wrong.
While North Korea is not the most progressive country (e.g. yes, women generally take care of the house), we have seen a lot of influential women attending our workshops. Despite a patriarchal societal structure, many females actively participate in running small businesses. To meet that interest, we have organized workshops dedicated to women in business.
Women of the village preparing kimchi, in the series
North Korean men and and women discussing during one of our workshops
3. Networks matter.
True.
There are a lot of regulations in the country. To be able to get things done, being influential or having access to influential people helps a lot. While the business sector opens up new opportunities for enterprising individuals, connections still matter.
In the series, Ri Jeong-Hyeok has high level contacts and enemies
4. You can buy foreign imported products in North Korea.
True.
While international sanctions do not allow import of many foreign products into North Korea, it is still possible to find foreign goods (mostly Chinese- or imported via China). As depicted in the series, it is possible to get foreign luxury goods from large department stores in Pyongyang (a must-stop place during our trips). One of these stores even sells pre-assembled IKEA furniture - although presumably not one that IKEA’s Swedish managers might know about.
In the series, goods for sale at a local market in North Korea, hidden under a blanket
While KFC or McDonalds did not find their way to Pyongyang, we have tried the food at a fried chicken joint and a burger bar. We have seen Nutella and German sausages in Pyongyang
5. Sport, Art, Music and Science are big in North Korea.
Very true.
Art, music and research are held in high regard in North Korea. In Pyongyang, locals can visit many venues to access books, music rooms or research labs. However, internet access is highly limited.
Ri Jeong-Hyeok is a talented piano player. Here he plays in front of a Swiss crowd in the series
A circus artist during his act at the Pyongyang Circus, photographed by a volunteer workshop leader © Alain Schneuwly
Two scientists developing medicine, photographed by a volunteer workshop leader
6. You can have fancy dinner dates in Pyongyang.
True.
Pyongyang has more diversity in their food scene relative to expectations and local restaurants serve up surprisingly delicious fare. From the local specialities (such as the famous naengmyeon cold noodles) to German or Italian cuisine, both the capital and some of the larger provincial cities have some surprisingly good food. Recently, one of our delegation also visited the famous Japanese restaurant opened by Kenji Fujimoto, the former sushi chef of the country’s former leader.
In the series, two South Korean protagonists are having dinner with a view at the Pyongyang Hotel (By the way, the Pyongyang Hotel does not look as it is depicted in the series, but also offers beautiful city views)
Kenji Fujimoto showing off his sashimi
7. North Koreans like dancing, singing, gossiping and having fun.
Duh.
They are people like you and me. However, music and culture can be heavily top down and state-driven with far less variety than in other places.
In the series, the women in the village are dancing together
8. North Koreans drink beer.
True.
Not only do they drink beer, North Korea also produces different types of beers. The Pyongyang-based Taedonggang brewery, for example, has a range from No. 1 (a light easy-to-drink rice beer) to 8 (a dark heavy stout). There are a few brew bars around Pyongyang where we typically love to stop during our breaks.
In Crash Landing on You, the two heroes are drinking beers in Pyongyang
9. North Koreans are lovely people.
True, true and true.
When our delegations visit the country, all members are warmly welcomed. Local participants in our programs are curious and are keen to ask a lot of questions during the workshops. During the 7-10 days spent in the country, we get a lot of opportunity to bond with our program partners around a beer, over songs or during bus journeys.
In the series, two North Korean soldiers are having fun by the river
A Choson Exchange volunteer with two North Koreans in Kumgangsan National Park
10. Young and attractive South Korean starlet sometimes crash lands on you.
We don’t know.
We are still waiting for this to happen.
Conclusion
Whilst Crash Landing on You is a work of dramatic fiction, we appreciate how the show has helped increase public interest on this important and stagnant issue and showcase a more human side to its people. For more than 10 years, Choson Exchange has organized workshops and conferences in North Korea. Three to four times a year, our delegations travel to Pyongyang and spend 7 days in the country. We typically spend a few days touring the country to get acquainted with this isolated place. These programs are a unique opportunity to spend time with local entrepreneurs to learn more about how they think, live and learn. A chance to ask many questions about their culture, their lifestyle and their life.