THIS IS NORTH KOREA? (not what I expected)

Thank you for watching.

[IndigoTraveller]

Want to see how I got into North Korea and how much it cost me? Watch here:

[Martu_CAS]

This is all very interesting to me. The tour guides are clearly taking you to the places they want you to see. Nothing wrong with that. You definitely looked nervous the whole time. That's pretty messed up.
I had the chance to be surrounded with NK people last year. I was part of the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games as an NOC Assistant (National Olympic Committee). I was assigned to the North Korean delegation, which included representatives, manager, trainers and athletes (No representatives came).
The kids were extremely quiet and only the manager spoke English, so I had no way of communicating with them other than with signs. I got along especially well with the girl in weightlifting, she was really sweet and smiley. The manager told me "don't talk to them". I think he then realized how harsh it sounded and corrected himself with "They won't understand you". He was a nice guy, very centered and polite. Never lost his temper (even when we ran into problems). The trainers didn't speak English so I couldn't really understand them. We just sort of understood each other with signs, pointing, and nodding. They didn't go sightseeing at all while they were here, they went out only once to buy a pair of sneakers and protein powder. They didn't have credit cards nor cellphones. They eventually purchased three to keep in touch because everyone kept getting lost. There were several activities going around the Olympic Village but they never participated.
The most shocking thing to me was that my co-assistant (who speaks some Korean) asked one of the girls if her parents were happy about her being here competing. I assume she must have misunderstood the question because she answered "my parents are happy because we live in a happy country". That really stuck with me.

[Britgonzalezz]

this gives me the same energy as showing a house tour where they only show you the pretty renovated main floor but the rest of the house is closed off and restricted

[mikesgirl]

I imagine this would be like if someone from the outside came to tour the Hunger Games universe, they' take you on a tour of the Capital and maybe like District 1 and be like see, things are great here they're not so bad

[bg]

Am partially disabled but thrilled to be traveling with you from my armchair. Brilliant series, enjoying tremendously.

[christinekisuule]

Yeap, we understand your tone of voice showed that you were scared of getting into trouble, I am glad you got of that place alive with full body functioning parts.

[fishyfin]

"Honestly i felt controlled this whole trip and this place kinda sucks..." *Gets sniped*

[tallle]

He keeps sayinh how "nicely stocked the stores are" . Take a closer look, that is obviously not stocked to be sold, that is obviously not merchandise that is being sold all the time, i work in retail, you will never stock 3 pieces of chocolate so nicely, if you are selling them. Its very obvious that those stores are there for the tourists to see, and think how well north korean stores are "stocked", when in reality there is shortage of food and people dont have a choice of what they buy.

[malapasqua]

Spent 4.5 years as a war planner in Korea and a infantry company commander on the DMZ. I know extremely well the well rehearsed process you were apart of and very predicable. Lots of folks went hungry in the countryside while you were there...not to mention the brutality of this government on their own people. You did not see the REAL North Korea frankly. You saw only what the government set you up to see and you did exactly what their government hoped you would do. These are the folks that beat and tortured a college kid senseless and sent him home to the states to die. Meanwhile to the south is a modern society that is light years ahead of this despot of a nation. Keeping it real.

[bridgetshanpienaar]

Indigo Tourist: some kids playing over here

Kids: what? No. No playing happening here...

[CaraMacDonaldCT]

I'm shocked how much of the countryside you were able to see AND that they allowed you film so much.

[notagod-]

i bet the food is good because your tourists and they want to appear like a good country when locals don't have much for food

[Flutterbyby]

I’ve watched a lot of documentaries and vlogs on North Korea as its intriguing country, and wasn’t expecting to see anything new considering how controlled the Pyongyang tours are. Pleasantly surprised to find you have shot lots of footage of places I haven’t seen and love being also given more information (thanks to your attention to detail). The editing and music is really great too.

[kishorebestha]

for some reason I feel like they are hiding a whole lot of things. just the vibes and all, it's wierd

[HeartFarts]

7:09 that is not a "stocked" shop...that's a display.

[thespankdmonkey]

I have watched several of your North Korea videos and it's scary to see just how structured each activity was, . And those "well stocked" stores were just damn creepy. Congratulations on having the cojones to travel to such a despot controlled country and I am just glad for you and your family that you survived.

[Justgregular]

Also can you imagine how busy that beach would be if NK was a open free country. Sitting there on a clean quiet beach having a beer, without a tourist bar, shop, boat etc in sight is incredibly rare these days, hope you enjoyed it

[shikashiknight]

The contrast between the two Koreas is crazy considering the fact that the citizens of both countries have the same ethnicity.

[Nagarath]

I feel like NK officials read Youtube comments under non-propaganda travel videos.
Because every time someone visited there has been videos and comments about things what were lacking and missing.. Things what felt weird for people watching.
And now when someone goes to visit - those things what were lacking before were fixed one by one.. Every fresh video ther has been some changes made and this have most of them. Kinda creepy but same time impressive from North Koreans to managing to do that fairly efficient time.

[kellerlambert]

Absolutely incredible series. Stumbled upon your channel from the YouTube recommended page and am stunned. Love the unabridged, decide-for-yourself style of narration. The video shots are incredible and raw. Stellar photography work. You should be proud! Keep the great work coming.