I spent a day with NORTH KOREAN DEFECTORS
I spent a day with North Korean Defectors to learn about escaping one of the strictest dictatorships. Sponsors ▸betterhelp.com/padilla to get 10% off your 1st month! ▸Go to buyraycon.com/spent for 15% off your 1st order. ▸kraken.com/padilla to learn more or search for “Kraken” in the app store.
🎙THE PODCAST
Spotify ▸ open.spotify.com/show/5aOLuPe...
Apple ▸ podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
🧨HUGE thank you to:
▸ Cherie Yang - / @cherieyang_an &
/ _cherie_yang
▸ Lucy Park - / @nokoinsight1597 & / lucyand_park
🗯MORE EPISODES…
▸ EX-CULT MEMBER - • I escaped a cult - I s...
▸ EX-AMISH - • I spent a day with EX-...
▸ HUMAN TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS - • I spent a day with HUM...
🎥Crew
▸ Creator, Director, Writer, etc. - Anthony Padilla
▸ Executive Producer - Alessandra Catanese
▸ Producer, Co-writer & Research - Elise Felber
▸ Director of Photography/Gaffer - Kathy Sue Holtorf
▸ PA - Cade Huseby
▸ Editor - Mike Criscimagna AKA Mork Crispy
▸ Assistant Editor - Patrick Horba
▸ Post PA / Assistant Editor - Ash Duckworth
▸ Sound Editor - Gareth Hird
🎵Theme Music Composer - Matt Good AKA The King of Emo
🖼Portrait painted by: Rhianna Robles - / zerogattsu
🦥Slade mascot built by: The Pastel Prince - / theeepastelprince
📺3D animations by: Jacob Dalton - / jacobdaltonvfx
📢BE ON THE SHOW
▸ If you are part of an underrepresented subculture or live a lifestyle you feel is not widely understood and would like to be interviewed by me, email inquiry[at]pressalike.com with your subculture in the title of the email.
❗️You dug this deep into the description. You owe it to yourself to subscribe ▶ kzhead.info_cent... or get more at / anthonypadilla & / anthonypadilla
come back next week for *I spent a day with KLEPTOMANIACS* ≡ ▸ open.spotify.com/show/5aOLuPenneHbhLh05fmkeu ▸ podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-spent-a-day-with/id1550213250
*Ok!* *I will come back* Read more…
Ohh I’m so excited for that!
WOOHOO
@@cammm360 Same, I never heard of kleptomaniacs before
wo
Worst part about this is it isn’t history. People live like this today and there nothing we can do to help them.
*I already heard a KZheadr say this line*
Yeah that’s the sad truth
Stop the 60 year embargo and sanctions and stop the interventionist west and European power. Thats what is going to help them.
@@dankjust0601 based
@@dankjust0601 based lol
My family doctor is in his 70s. He was born in North Korea and his family escaped when he was a baby. His parents carried him into South Korea after they walked for days, slept in buildings that were half standing and bribed guards with everything they had. To have him go through what he did and make it all the way to America after graduating medical school makes me so proud to know him. I’m 40 and he’s been my dr since I was 5. The stories he’s shared.. I just have so much respect for the people featured. So brave.
That's dope
Wow what a story my respects for him 📈📈
Nuke 'em
@@dhruvavikas1632 wtf like nuke the whole country? Why? There are innocent people!
@@dhruvavikas1632 But you aren't so you don't get to make that choice for them
I have a friend from North Korea and her story is so similar to these, i also had asked her "what did you know about the other countries/ the outside world?" And she kinda laughed and said " imagine attack on titan, we only know what we've seen, outside of that, nothing" she's a true sweetheart and to lighten the mood, added a bit of a joke of her favourite anime.
I really thought of AOT hearing the story. Gave me chills.
how'd she escape? all escapes to north korea are very difficult
@@Kneecaptain Thank you for asking! She was living on the streets with hr mom and hiding in alleyways or inside gross places. many people in china, Korea, and even america will escape with north Koreans under their wing through payment or work. a man offered to help them while visiting but they stated they had no money, so he gave up on them but her mother begged of him to save them, so he made a deal they'd work for him for 5 years. he used night as a cape to hide them as they escaped over a wall into his car to china, and then flying after gaining illegal citizenship to china, they went to america, and as they worked for him, she was taught english, and learned about the world during homeschool until she was knowlegable to attend 8th grade in school :) though because they're escaped citizens, they cant go to most countries or they'd be assasinated by people who find out
@@Eri_..Wow! That sounds difficult to get through, your friend is very brave! I wish them the best for the future
@@Eri_.. oml, you need to realize that you are friends with a true legend.
I went to school with a guy who defected from N. Korea, he said he was thankful to be able to live in America and he was surprised by how different things were, but that his mom was still terrified and she had changed every part of her identity even getting plastic surgery to change her appearance. She wouldn’t go out in public ever and she refused to sign anything for her son, I can only imagine the level of fear she had that she would get caught despite being safe
She is traumatized for life,poor thing!!🥲Like when you suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder after violent events. It takes time to recover. Some people may never do it.
Can't blame her because N. Kirea anyone can spy on you at anytime and report you. You are not safe. Your conversations are not safe etc. So maybe she felt that they were trying to spy on her like the school and the rest of the people. And also the fear of getting captured, like you said she got tons of plastic surgery and refused to go outside. May seem weird to a normal person, but after getting context. Can't blame her. She made the sacrifice of leaving her homeland, so her son or other children could have a better elsewhere. Without the fear of being watched, spied on, and persecuted for their beliefs and crimes that shouldn't be crimes.
Except she's not safe: remember Kim Jong-Nam? The regime still got him despite him being in Malaysia at this point.
@@c0mpu73rguy Malaysia isn't exactly the greatest place to be an immigrant in. America has its issues, but we don't just send people to North Korea.
@@ADOPTEDorpha Yes, PTSD is short for "post-traumatic stress disorder".
the fact that young girls are forced to join his harem is just viIe. What fking monster.
Them being brainwashed into thinking it's the best thing that could ever happen to them just makes me sick...
I watch another North Korean defector a lot, and she talks about how most of the time, North Koreans are in the brink of starvation. It’s a goal to be picked up for the pleasure squad so that they can have food to eat. You don’t get a choice to say no, but many families are glad to have their daughters have a way to live.
I really fucking wish he was gone
@@mayday9_whos gonna tell him?
@@mayday9_ *mhm*
We cannot forget the fact that Anthony is one of the most understanding and non-judgemental people of all time.
Exactly my point!
So true
True
yes
Right? Could have sworn he was a Libra! He’s still close to the cusp lol the literal scales of justice ⚖️
I'm extremely proud of Lucy and Cherie. I hope they enjoy their well earned and deserved freedom, and their hamburgers
The hamburger part was genuinely so funny tho
@@csendesmmunista8867 bruh chill tf out
@@csendesmmunista8867 That’s the joke, it’s supposed to be cringy. If not you just didn’t like the joke then.
@@csendesmmunista8867it was funny to 416 people including them
As a mother, I can’t imagine the devastation of the mother who had to contemplating take her own kids life to save them from torture if caught. What an impossible situation to be in.
I was thinking the same. It’s terrifying
i keep tearing up thinking of that...i can't imagine having to even consider that option for my children
though i think its for the best. i could not imagne doing that but its to put them out of misery and pain.
It really makes you think what messed up things they would do if you were to be caught that the woman who brought you into the world, cared for you all your life, would rather have you lose your life than be arrested
@@-Mochi_Rose- its better then being alive to be tortured
This is why I should appreciate every little thing I have in Canada.
Wait Canada exists?
Except for how 90% of it is uninhabitable
As a Canadian I can vouch that Canada isn’t real.
@@boo_5855 same. we actually are all just made of pineapple, y'know?
@@sdsd4108 The 90% uninhabitable number mostly refers to self-sufficient settlements, if you can get supplies by rail you can start a sizeable community up North.
Mad respect for all of Cherie's friends who helped coordinate her escape (they were putting themselves at great risk but they are definitely loyal af)
I worry for them. If NK sees this, it wont be too hard to find them and execute/torture them.
@@pinkrainclouds2190 the phone calls are really risky too, I would cut ties all together just to protect them.
@@pinkrainclouds2190 Obv NK has seen it, they keep tabs on anything to do with their name but they can't really do anything as they're now protected by South Korea as one mentioned and also they're known worldwide now. They won't risk it just to get rid of a couple of people.
@@rHamUK Yeah but they're talking about the friends that helped them escape. The friends who it sounded like were still there.
@@KaityKat117 thank you for clarifying, I thought that person was just an idiot lol
Cherie saying "its so disguting" and laughing when talking about even touching Kim Jong-un was hilarious
The scariest fact, is that if you hear more of the survivors stories, these two girls had better lives than other people. They were from the higher class and probably from the cities, since they don’t talk about public executions or seeing starved corpses and even could watch foreign movies. Instead, one was actually selected to live a “good life”, but escaped. They can even have call phones, instead of having their family sent to camp
Nvm was thinking of a different girl! Yeonmi I think is her name
This comment seems like you are down grading their stories. Just because others have it worse doesn't mean that their stories aren't scary
@@jamjam.445 no, what they’re saying is more like “see how horrific THESE stories are, just imagine how much worse it is for the even lower classes.” It’s putting it into perspective, not minimizing their struggle.
Btw with the girl who could watch foreign movies snuck watched them (if your talking about the girl in this video) they weren't allowed they were sneakily watching it (just making sure your knew)
@@Iluvpie6well said! This comment really put what OP said into perspective
When Cherie said that she and her sister would commit suicide if they were ever caught escaping made me really sad. I can't imagine how bad it must be living in North Korea if you would rather take your own life than be caught. I'm glad they escaped and are living better lives now :( 💕
It's what happens when you're caught. The kwallisos make gulags look like a party by all accounts.
@@AxxLAfriku I am subscribed and love the sh*t your doing but yes let's talk about this while north korean defectors talking about their stories barely escaping North Korea.
Thats communism for ya lol
@@AxxLAfriku Can you maybe not just this once for such a serious subject? Have some damn tact
I heard something similar from another person that was telling their story that people would each carry guns with them while trying to escape because it would be better to take their life than to be taken back and face really awful consequences
These women are so brave for telling their stories. I am just stunned at what they had to go through and what the citizens of North Korea have to go through.
Best comment ever no cap
Is it just me or do I want America UK Russia China and all Main Millitary Countries to Attack The North Korean Leaders
Nk is like the place only kim jong un would be free and not his civilians nor his dictators
I am wondering what happen to the women families :/ absolutely horrible
@@omenblox4728 they probably want to themselves but North Korea has nuclear weapons and Kim jon un has a button literally on his desk to send a Nuke to every major power on the world and ppl can’t just randomly attack a country without a reason and that reason had to effect their own country
i cannot believe for the life of me that this is real life. it’s horrifying and disgusting. i hope someday everyone in north korea is able to experience freedom.
The defector is now rich of the story liveing north korea
@@RedBird7 money doesnt buy your family back and they might be depressed as shit you cant say theyre rich they are humans money isnt going to solve 2 decades of pure suffering and oppresion
@@Rapscalian You forgot the ''by America'' at the last sentence! Anyway, money might not buy your family back, but money will buy you to make propaganda about your home country. For example, Yeonmi Park.
@Løxie_lemøn u seem pretty angry
it doesnt concern u
I escape North Korea in 2005 when I was 14 and it was like Lucy I had a broker come to me from china my sister hire and take me and my mom and dad from my town Manpo to over the china border to South Korea and it was very hard and stressful for me but the South Korean people in my new school was so nice they make me try to feel happy and hangout with me and buy me things and support me but it was still bad for me and I cry every day and I get depressed but now I live in New Jersey and I have a daughter and a son
I am so sorry to hear that you still struggle with that trauma. It is very amazing and wonderful to hear you have a new life in New Jersey with your two children. I hope they never have to experience what you went through as a child. Much love ♥♥
I hope one day those terrible things no longer effect you badly and you live a long prosperous happy life, you and your family. Much love from Minnesota 💚
PLEASEEE do something like this with people who escaped Afghanistan. That would be so cool to watch
Yes we need this
What's happening in Afghanistan? Edit: Will you people please stop attacking me for being concerned? K, thanks bye.
Yess
@@ParadiseDB7 Taliban takeover.
@@ParadiseDB7 do you live under a rock
The part of the razors and s**cide pills is fcking heartbreaking. I’m glad these women made it alive 🙏🏼
I mean it’s better than potentially watching your friends and family getting tortured while getting tortured, much worse than death right?
It's hard to think about the people that actually had to use pills and razors...
It reminded me that so many people had tried to escape but didn’t succeed
@@anormalintrovert5365 yeah but it’s sad it has to get to that point
You don’t have to censor suicide. As far as I know there’s no censoring in this comment section.
I know that it’s a much less horrific experience, but my friend was accused of “extremism” (which basically means being an opposition) by Russian government and had to flee to Lithuania as a refugee to escape imprisonment. She told me she was literally crying out of happiness and relief that she was finally safe and free after days of trembling in fear for her freedom. I’m so glad all these people managed to escape from their country, but I feel bad for those who had to stay. I hope someday all countries will be free of dictatorship and no one will have to experience all this suffering to live a normal life anymore 😥
I'm Lithuanian I think it's quite sad that our country currently tries as hard as it can to not accept Russians They're people too, they want freedom like everyone else
You can tell that he’s trying to fight back the tears, mad respect to all of the people went through this.
??
@@Leebitswifeyou can tell that Anthony is trying to fight back the tears of how disgusting this is, mad respect to all the people who went through this.
Bruh imagine 400 people chasing/hunting you down with the intent to hurt you? That sounds terrifying!
and she was only 16
With guns too But they were probably also kinda weak and starving so idk
@@Xnoob545 she would’ve been too so they had equal playing field there
@@Xnoob545 nah i saw videos of defectors saying the military is treated well
everything about north korea was terrifying
I really wish we could help these people take their country back, it’s awful seeing them suffer so much.
yeah its surprising people haven't rioted yet
The people don't even know there's an outside world. They support the dictatorship as they are brainwashed we cannot help someone who doesn't want our help.
@@enoch4392 they will be executed if they riot . Many have died
@@enoch4392 it’s like the Area 51 raid but you’ll die for sure
A lot of people in North Korea most likely think that’s it’s normal for them to live the way they do as they don’t know the outside world. North Korea is really isolated from the outside world. Why would most people in North Korea want to start a riot, when they think they’re living normally? Since they’ve been there for all their lives, it’s pretty normal for them, I would assume. A lot of them have no experiences about the truth of the outside world.
Man I was on the brink of tears this entire vid, knowing that this isent history, or stories, this is REAL. This is happening. This is happening RIGHT NOW. EVERY. FUCKING. DAY. And there's nothing that we can do about it. The bravery in these girls is amazing, I wish them everything and to live the best life possible.
You should watch where they have defectors in North Korea filming hidden videos and sending them out to foreigners so we know they are suffering. There were so many kids in the streets so skinny and eating debris off the floor and one kid was in the street cuz his mom said she couldn’t take care of him anymore and she told him he had to go he was like 8 or 10. It was gut wrenching
that and the government could do something or at least attempt to and they just won't because they DO NOT CARE
@@Starry_nights09 What are you talking about, the government CANT do anything. If they make a wrong move it potentially means war
@@Starry_nights09 Which government?
@@DoubloonGoblin lots of them, I'm mainly talking about the American gov. I'm not saying it's easy, at all to help but it still really sucks that they never even try
i sometimes take my life for granted. this opened my eyes to how lucky i am and a lot of us are.
Virgin US- has good relations with South Korea Virgin China- has good relations with North Korea Chad India - has good relations with both
The story of having taking a pill or cutting their wrists instead of being caught...it reminds me of my Holocaust class discussing the story of a mother who killed her crying baby so they wouldn't get caught by the Gestapo. Discussing morals/ethics in a life and death situation...unless you've been put in that scenario, it's hard to put your biases aside. I can't imagine.
Yeah, for me it was a little too close home. This episode really sounded so familiar. So much like my family history with my grandparents escaping from Poland and going through horrible conditions in Germany and Siberia.
That kind of reminds me of the khocali massacre. A woman and her baby were escaping the enemies(barefoot in the snow) and her started crying. She had no other choice but to suffocate him. The good thing is the baby actually survived and didn’t die.
yep, agreed. you have zero voices to put any right&wrong in this unless you've been in the very scene b4
The North Korean labor camps definitely remind me of Aushwitz-Dachau. These are modern concentration camps, and we shouldn't take it lightly.
i get it. most of my dad’s ancestors escaped poland during the holocaust but some were never able to gain freedom and were killed. now, he’s trying to comprise a family tree by figuring out who all the people left behind were and it does certainly sound a lot like these north korean defectors stories.
I’m so glad these people made it out of there, you can tell they deserve better. It’s great they can give us this information
*North Korea is terrible*
yeah
@@MrCommentGod No shit
Spy
This reminds me so much of Cuba people should be educated about Cuba as well.
hearing her say that her mother would kill her if they got caught bc an instant death is better than what would of happened to them gave me chills. i can’t even imagine being put in that position where i’d have to do that to my family. they are so brave
Lucy describing her brother smacking her on the back in the plane made me smile in spite of myself. I immediately said, out loud to my cat, “yep! Sounds like a brother!” Some things are human things, no matter what! Lucy, if you see this, I hope you got him back (all with love, of course)!!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤
My mind really can't fathom how a country like North Korea still exists to this day. It's just... I can't imagine how much people are suffering.
yea
Propaganda.
Please you are so brainwashed maybe do a little research into what we do to other countries before going around commenting things like this. 335,000 innocent killed
@@e_3563 your talking to who?
@@loaf8074 fr
mad respect to anthony, he makes sure that *everyone* he interviews is always comfortable and doesn’t ask them insensitive questions or says insensitive statements.
north koreans have gone through ACTUAL struggle, i doubt any of them would be offended by a question unlike americans nowadays getting offended for other people
@@darkinertia2 Also Europeans Asians and Africans get offended at everythingm
I don’t think how much you get offended has anything to do with the continent your from?
to everyone replying, i wasn’t trying to be rude or anything, i was just complimenting anthony :( i’m sorry if i caused anyone any trouble :))))
@@chlo5925 you are good. Your comment didn’t reflect anything negative. People are just trying trying to start drama.
Anthony is one of the most understanding souls I’ve watched and one of the only people I know I’ll continue to support for as long as he posts. Such a sweetheart
I worked in South Korea in an NGO helping to North Korean refugees. Everything said in this video is an unfortunate truth, plus a million other terrible things happening. Every year there are North Koreans trying to escape, and it's getting more difficult for them to do so. The international community is not doing much, and with all those nuclear threats from North Korea, I'm afraid the regime will be able to survive everything. Unfortunately, the people have absolutely no idea what's going on inside, and especially outside their country.
So could this perhaps contribute to other countries being unwilling to house North Korean defectors? Or is it getting more difficult to leave solely because of the country’s more strict lockdown status?
@@aycc-nbh7289 The Chinese and Russian governments are complicit also as they have agreements with North Korea to return defectors instead of granting them refuge
the fact that there might be a lot of people failed trying to escape is sad.
Not might, are
Sadly, that’s most.
For every voice heard, a thousand more have no choice but to be dead silent.
What about those who successfully escaped, but weren’t let in by their adoptive countries and sent back? I’m not trying to argue, but knowing about this may be just as painful.
"the pleasure squad" feels like it would be much worse than what she said...
It is You’re pretty much part of the harem
*IF* you have the guts to look it up then yes,it is much worse then how she said it
I think they were holding back many things because from what i learned from all of my research, it is way worse…
Sickos. I wish that the Kim family gets proper punishment for what they've done, but moreover I wish for the freedom of these people. Hopefully they can get it soon enough.
@@AceOfSpades6699 I think no punishment on this earth is enough for them. I hope they rot in hell.
korean subtitles are a necessity to this video. Thank you for your hard work Anthony! :)
I so sorry for north Koreans, how they have to live and for those who had to go through all of the horrible things and suffered. I never knew that a country like this was even a thing on a world and after finding out, hearing their stories, it broke me... You girls are so brave and lucky and fortunate to have escaped. I'm so happy and glad you're all living a good life and do whatever you wanna do freely. I hope one day all people in north Korea can live a free and wonderful life and got help and were all rescued and given an opportunity to live their life how they want freely like they all deserve, free from all those horrible horrors and sufferings and live a peaceful and safe life...
The fact that these “stories” are all real is absolutely terrifying. I wish the best for everyone who has to suffer like this.
They're not real.
@@hussain6469 but they are real ?
@@tuilpmoa870 source: trust me bro
@@hihihi518 what source is there that they _arent_ real though
@sareb ahmed siddiqui would you not analyze propagandists and grifters who, under an illusive veneer of sincerity, make outlandish and unverifiable claims about a predominantly perceived hostile country? In a vacuum, you'd be right. But rhetorically, this video is one of many examples of propaganda (whether intentional or not -- independent creators can be convinced of notions, as is the rule of all propaganda) plaguing the internet and misinforming people significantly. An independent commenter's call to war is a misguided pursuit of Capital and imperial endeavors, however righteous they might believe they are being.
It’s just horrible that this is still people’s reality. I’m so glad that they are able and brave enough to tell their stories and bring more awareness to what is actually happening
the thing is… most of this isn’t true. “north korean defector” is practically a job title now that rewards people for making up as crazy stories as possible. i’d recommend watching “Loyal Citizens of Pyongyang in Seoul” or just reading the opening sentence of the wikipedia article on media coverage of north korea. its a poor country for sure but media sensationalism makes it seem like nazi germany
@@gustavofreng trolling
@@MayraHernandez-jj2pi we do a little trolling its called we do a little trolling
@@gustavofreng hahaha this is such a funny joke omg hahahaha 😐😑😐
@@nobodyasked12345 i’m not joking holmes
Cherie's story is so touching...she's so brave
I’m gonna need you to do part 2s for almost all of these topics you are doing!!! So amazing and informative.
I think spending a day with Acid Attack Survivors would be an super educational episode, you probably won't see this but if you do, I highly recommend. It's not talked about enough.
I so hope he sees and does this.
Agreed
I agree
Omg yes I would love to see this, I heard a story of a friends friend took acid, had a bad trip, banged his head on the floor, freaked out, and now how permanent mental issues due to the trauma of it all
@@thatgirl5630 obvious bait is too obvious
Damn, we need a whole book from these two. Lucky their families also escaped or I can’t begin to imagine what would’ve happened
I agree
I’ll tell you right now it would be dark for the family’s if they didn’t escape. From what I know 3 generations (I think) of the persons family would be locked up in labor camps and tortured
If you haven't already, check out In Order to Live by Yeonmi Park!
@@andrewzapar2585 oh god. i can’t imagine how traumatizing that would be 😕
@@andrewzapar2585 the one be family still lives there. I’m guessing you didn’t watch the whole thing when commenting
Thank you for using your platform to raise people’s voices and spread awareness 💕
Your films just happened to pop on my for you page and I wanted to say that the work you do is actually amazing. Sharing stories of people with different live experience for others that never experienced such things and probably never will is life changing. I’ve already learned so many things from your videos and I wanted to say that i’m very thankful for that 😊❤️
I want a movie about that girl's escape. I cannot imagine her bravery and endurance. What an incredible story.
There is an amazing book about it called "Nothing to Envy" by Barbra Demick. It really takes a good look at Norrh Korea and tells the stories of multiple defectors if that's something you're interested in :)
Bro Kim Jong-Un would get mad he already hate deflectors
@@SieMiezekatze but i don’t think he would be able to do something about it, or would he?
@@ferchips0243 I was thinking more about people that already live in north Korea, if a movie comes up mocking him, the rules for people living or working will be worse, like he could execute generals that work at the border etc
Right omg I would pay for it
I kept thinking "wow that's so lucky that she had a connection with a general" and stuff like that, and then of course I realised that I wouldn't be listening to them if they hadn't been so lucky. Thinking of all the people who maybe didn't have those connections or the money they needed at the right moment and who we won't be hearing from. It's horrible that this is happening, I feel so helpless to do anything to make it better
But I also get the feeling she was leaving a lot of stuff out. The general has SO much to lose just by helping her, and chances are (and i'm not saying there arent any pure, good ppl in the world and he may have just done it out of the goodness of his heart BUT- hear me out-) , he likely asked her to give him something in return. In the same way she downplayed what the Pleasure Squad really was.
@@mm-uz1gu The true cost of survival, necessary despite how repugnant the necessity of it is. I'd put it in the same category as 127 Hours, though I feel like she's sacrificed a lot more considering that she had to prioritize her survival for years rather than days.
in statistics that's called 'Survivor bias' - the ones who escaped are the lucky ones
I love this series,so insightful. I also am appreciative that one of the KZhead og Kings is going strong keep it up.
Anthony i have been watching these videos for months now and all I can do is thank you for this path you're on. We need this more than any of us can say. May you continue to see success through this.
KZheadr and North Korean defector Yeonmi explained how when she came to the US she found gummy worms to be the most delicious thing she had ever eaten. So that is all she ate, breakfast/lunch/dinner and she couldn't understand how other people ate other things in the US when they have gummy worms. Because she had no clue about nutrition, health and obesity as she grew up starving and eating whatever she could find to eat. The culture shock these defectors must face is unfathomable.
Gummy worms are pretty good tbf
Is she the woman who used to be a North Korean soldier? If so, I love her she’s so wholesome!
that's so cute i wonder if she got a tummy ache
@@samaraisnt this comment is just adorable. I chuckled
It's like going to another planet
As a person whose parents survived the soviet regime, this sounds unfortunately familiar to their stories.
The USSR essentially made North Korea
Same goes with my parents and grandparents :((
@@BlueAl3rt mine did too
@@lizfranklin127 yess!. At first it was a lot like East Germany which was under soviet control too. But they gave the control to a Korean leader way sooner and so bit by bit this korean build his own system. If the soviet Union wouldn't have fallen north Korea would probably be better off since they depended a lot on them. And now still depend on South Korea and China to get food rations
You have no idea what the fuck you're talking about. Soviet Democracy by Pat Sloan? History of the Communist Party of The Soviet Union? Ever heard of these books? I highly doubt it. If you're referring to late from the 60s to till the end in '91, then you're referring to the restoration of Capitalism, not the continuation of Socialism.
I spent a day with- is one of the most amazing things on youtube honestly So well done! Great questions, amazing guests, sensitive, compassionate host and covering such a range of taboo and undiscussed topics Another great video team!
These stories are like George Orwell’s 1984 playing out in real time
My cousin just arrived in the US from Cuba, and it was so crazy to hear her talking about her amazement at being able to speak as loud as she liked without fear of someone hearing. It really made me feel grateful for what we have in the US.
What's going on in Cuba if you don't mind me asking?
@@weezer7757 Its called Communism, seems quite popular with a lot of American students for some reason despite those trying to escape it....
@@Jack-dr9zi Ohh it is also popular here with Canadian students
@@Jack-dr9zi it’s not real communism though, is it? Real communism wouldn’t have such oppressing power differences. True communism doesn’t even exist in this world.
@@binx414 Oh don’t misunderstand. It’s communism. Communism is inherently evil. It reduces the value of earnings and ownership and justifies its evil actions by dressing it up as a “greater good for all”. The same excuse all evil dictators use. Yet no one ever learns.
I’m south korean and i cant really believe that north koreans, just a few kilometers away from us, are experiencing these torture and brainwash and miserable and meaningless lives just because of one sicko family who will burn in hell for doing that to millions of people. I cant imagine the kind of punishment the Kim family would face after their death.
honestly, the thing I'm wondering about the most right now is how has Covid been explained to them? If some of them are not even aware there's a world outside North Korea, how do you explain the vaccines and where the disease came from? You'd have to reveal at least something in that predicament, right? I hope Covid has made the lives of North Koreans a little bit tamer, considering it's a very serious situation
@@LoreCatan it made it actually way worse...now even with a permit noone can travel...
we can only that a new leader would not be a dictator we just need to hope that if its another dictator then they will have no choice if the new leader is more strict and making all the people in notrh korea hard to escape there would be no way it might be a war one day a war for freedom
@@potatoesandmacaroni9464 from what I understand, if Kim Jong-Un dies his sister (?? or some female relative, I forget) takes over and she's apparently worse, so :/ North Korea's not looking so good
@@LoreCatan kinda like that we just need to hope that its not a strict leader or a worse leader we dont want any dictators in in this generation
I love how you went about this interview. You speak to them in a really respectful way and you asked really great questions. They’re English is also amazing, the things they must’ve faced. I’ve read a lot about North Korea and I listen to as many defectors stories whenever I can and I honestly am never not astounded at the level of strength and will defectors have 😅
This has made me feel very bad about my past actions. I used to be extremely picky, and mean, and such a brat. Over the years I’ve changed drastically but this has opened a whole new door of gratitude, I am so grateful for the things I have ❤️
The part where they both said they were going to take their own lives if they were caught was so heartbreaking
I agree no one deserves to go through this
Bless the North Korean soldiers that help people escape. Those people are absolute heroes.
Nah they're just greedy and were bribed to let them leave
@@Fazed_ can you blame them? Even they don't have it very good despite having a stable job (compared to other NK)
@@Fazed_ they’re still risking their lives to help them escape; shut up about your assumptions cause you were never a North Korean
@@Fazed_ they have a family to feed
@@Fazed_ you so uneducated
Thank you for covering this topic. Much bravery for the ladies who told their story. Much Love to this channel!
I just discovered your channel and love it so much !! Thanks for giving all these people a voice
Started crying when the girl talked about her mother saying she'd kill them if they got caught. I have a 5 year old, I can't imagine ever being in a position where killing her would be the best outcome. One of those moments where I'm reminded at how easy I've always had it.
Really random thing, but I always like how Anthony says he understands something "A little bit more" and not implying that he fully understands it because in reality, none of us ever will unless we go through it. Shout-out to Anthony for that small detail.
Thank you for those people who came out to talk about this because this can be very sentimental for a lot of people! They are very brave to come talk about this
Thank you for your program. I'm glad that you are young and interviewed these two ladies because this program will educate more young people. Bless you.
It’s so easy to complain about how much we hate the American government and it’s funny how that ability alone is something we take for granted. These women are incredibly brave and it inspires me to be me thankful for what I do have. Thank you for this wonderful video Anthony! ❤️
i really never thought that it was like this in north korea most of my korean family was there, even my grandfather had to live in north korea before he escaped im sure he had many stories to tell, since even this video is just scratching the surface i agree it is very brave to come out with these stories and shining light on the horrors of this place
i agree, but this makes me rly wonder how people could support trump if he openly makes deals with that monster of a dictator and everything he does
You do realize that whistleblowers against the American government have been jailed for years, right? Right?
@@Bolizen I’m a child on another continent on the other side of the world and I don’t rly ever plan on going back to America, what they gonna do
For sure, that's exactly we need to use the ability to speak against the government to keep it in check. Without people criticizing the government, it can very easily become the dictatorship that North Korea is today
Why did i click this knowing it would be better than an actual CNN interview
Well it would be weird if you clicked it knowing it wouldn't be. But yes, it is.
It is in fact lol
CNN would never let her do the interview beuse it's own by multi billinars the corporation would center her of try sue her
Literal dog shit is better than anything CNN lol
Thank you for making these videos Anthony. I wish i had the chance to meet those people, they are such heros!
You should have had Yeonmi Park on the show! She makes a lot of videos about North Korea and she’s probably the most famous North Korean defector Cherie actually sounds exactly the same as Yeonmi I noticed 🤔 I just wanted to add that now it’s much harder to escape from NK cause the leader have tighten the border and now the guards HAVE to shoot whenever they see someone no matter what, it’s so sad and annoying how no one is able to help them😓 There’s actually was a NK defector who was living in SK and she was on tv and stuff, and she actually was kidnapped back to Korea and had to make a video of her saying basically that she regrets it and wants to be in NK or something, Grazy Tv made a video about her, everyone should check it out!
this ^^^^^^
Nah she's a grifter
she’s a huge grifter and has been caught fabricating details
Nah lmao, she’s a grifter whose story has changed basically every time it’s been asked about. She turned being from North Korea into a money printer for the Far Right
@@petalchild yeah I liked Yeonmi for awhile until she started her whole right wing grift bullshit
I admire them so much. I can’t possible imagine the amount of courage it takes to do what they’ve done.
@@dhruvavikas1632 shut up, troll
@@dhruvavikas1632 hey i know this might seem like a good edgy joke to you since you are a kid but not the right place to do that
@@Danimane ugh what are you a furry what is the profile pic i cant take you seriously
@@dhruvavikas1632 Its actually fan art of a game character!! i think its pretty cute but honestly in a couple years youll look back at these jokes and cringe trust me dude been where you are
@@dhruvavikas1632 Surely there is a better use of your time you could always read a book play a new game talk with friends this just aint it
i’m just in shock that a place like this exists today. it sounds like the book 1984 but this is REAL…
Also sounds like “a handmaids tale” (kind of)
Yes! The thought police but in real life,
There is a lot more than what these women talked about, too, that is like 1984. According to another north Korean defector, they had radios in their house that they couldn’t turn off (they could only turn the volume down). It would chime with messages from the regime, alarms to wake up, alarms to eat lunch, alarms to go to sleep, etc. Every week people would have to gather at work/school/etc and confess one thing that they did wrong against the regime and one thing that they saw someone else do wrong. The other person would then be punished.
@@mintyhippo8125 wow that’s just insanely terrifying. i can’t even begin to imagine living in a place like that
@@emily-tk6xn I know, it’s absolutely insane. So that’s why it’s important to let people know what is actually going on and try to figure out a way to stop it. Plus, there’s way more stuff besides that, too.
Wow this was a real eye opener for me, thank you for making this video!
This all lines up so much with the book I’m reading. It’s called “The Girl with Seven Names: Escape from North Korea” by Hyeonseo Lee. Definitely a good read and very eye opening!
Meant to add that she is the woman who did a TED Talk on escaping.
Some of my best friends escaped from North Korea, and I just gotta say North Korean defectors are some of the kindest people you will ever meet, they really know how to take care of each other. They are also wildly fun when they get drunk, so never pass up an opportunity to get drinks with North Koreans
Taking care of each other is pretty much the only thing in NK you can do. Neighbours and sometimes whole villages are very close in some sense. Although you still have to be very careful what you say
What country do you live in? I've never met a North Korean here (Toronto, Canada) and I am sad to say i probably never will.
Koreans usually are really kind people tho, not just NK’s, all Koreans, except some few like Kim Jong Un etc💀
I was living in Korea ^^
@hihiarinn Shows that suffering can lead to self discovery and strengthen your morals.
It still breaks my heart to know how horrible their circumstances are😭 And we can’t do nothing about it😭
@Dog 🐕 not to get political, but I think that is a not too great decision. We learned this during the Korean War, (though it was because we got too close to China.) China could possibly declare a war. Pressure is a better decision, but would only create tension.
Cause we can't unless you want your home to be nuked exploded and telaported by china
Thank you so much for all your work, this was so interesting and insightful, i watched it all in one afternoon ! Good luck on your graduation 💪 i can't wait for part 2 !
"i hope i can see you one day" killed me. i broke down. it made me appreciate my life so much more than i thought could be possible.
The thing that shocked me the most was that in both cases they had a suicide method, the things they would have experienced if they had been caught were worse than death itself
reminds me of that north korean actress that jumped out of the vehicle to kill herself on their way to the concentration camps. its either death or be tortured/raped to death
@@tink6225 do you by any chance know the name of the actress? ❤️
@@Pixieaugustgirl11 Pak mi hyang
@@tink6225 thank you so so much
Although, they’re pretty sure that they’re going to be pretty safe wherever they’re right now, it stills bothers me to think that there is a possibility where they could get hurt regardless and that’s fucked up
I remember in a video Yeonmi Park, also a NK defector, said she went to speak at the UN and they sat her next to the North Korea diplomats.
@@casandra0 what’s the videos name ?
@@haechansbowlredhair3045 I believe it's her interview with Joe Rogan. It's a good watch.
@@casandra0 That is correct
Not them but their families. Punishments there are familial, your children and parents are imprisoned, so for these girls it would be their grandparents, parents and siblings if they weren't already dead. :/
The best thing about Anthony interviews is that he simply listens and resonates doesn't butt in at all
I have so much admiration and respect for both of them.. Truly wish them all the best in life. Really hope that more people are able to escape from that inhumane place 💔
That bird cage metaphor was depressingly beautiful in how true it was.
Lets take a moment of appreciation for Anthony for being incredibly understanding. I honestly love how he never judges anyone and doesn't force people to answer questions they aren't comfortable with.
Anthony is one of the best people in the world!!! Haha
1:29 Dude he's about to cry- 😭 - Anthony is literally an amazing person.
I’m in love with this content, Thanks Anthony
I’ve watched so many NK documentaries and read books and I could not believe this was happening. The fact that a 10 year old has to come to terms with their own suicide is insane. I couldn’t even imagine
Imagine the shell shock they go through going from one of the most isolated and anti-modernist countries in the world to going to places like South Korea or Japan. It’s like going into a time machine and traveling 50 years into the future. God bless them in their bravery though.
That's sort of what I've heard defectors say before, that they thought the big cities like Seoul was full of stars or from a dream. Since electricity is so scarce in North Korea, getting to a big city completely lit up must be mind boggling.
a lot of defectors are not welcomed into society by South Koreans and their re-education process is often brutal - i feel so sorry for them
@@marxistlynchist wait really?? That’s so interesting bc politically SK grants them automatic citizenship
Omgg Lucy is really well spoken, love her accent!
Absolutely incredible interview... I will be watching this many many times... 2 of the most amazing people. I will always be a dream of mine to meet these people. Once again, just incredible
Anthony has truly become so good at choosing his words and actions to respect his guests and their experiences, while getting to the heart of their struggles very effectively. This series is really quite impressive.
learning about life in north korea is so interesting and crazy, especially when you’re like me and have lived in america your whole life
or.. any other country besides america..
This is truly heartbreaking.. Their stories are identical to stories of the 2 people (that were alive to tell their stories) I've ever heard talk about escaping the country. I've been thee 2 in my whole life and am not banned. My mom that grew up there and has her whole family there is now also banned. I fear what will happen to my extended family if I mention the name of the country, so I will not say the name. The horrible thing is that these people have said that North Korea sounds like a dream compared to their country. I wish nothing but the best for these girls and anyone else that has/is to go through something this horrible.
Thank you for the video please do more!
My heart is so full for these women. They risked everything for their freedom. I’ve read a lot about North Korea, and this has opened my eyes even more. I nearly cried.
Same 🥺
Can we take a moment to appreciate how courageous it is of them to speak out and share their story.
I would speak on this too if I escaped North Korea. No need to hide this.
@@jayus2033 its not that simple kin jung un is crazy hes workers can watch this and try to catch them
@@gus7807 First of all “ kin jung in” is incorrect. I don’t think he would risk sending his men overseas just to kidnap a women, she is probably a civilian now and has citizenship.
@@jayus2033 A north korean defector who was in the public eye for some time on television in south korea disappeared. She went to china and was abducted there and taken back into north korea to be made into an interviewee of a north korean show for propaganda and since then we didn't hear from her again. Her name: Jeon Hye-sung, or Lim Ji-hyun as known popularly in south korea.
@@jayus2033 its kin jjung un he would do it
The fact that in the beginning you can literally see Anthony holding back tears is brutal
Bro I love your interviews. Such fucking amazing content thank you
As a mom I can’t even imagine being in a situation that the better choice would be to end my children’s life’s that being caught, or that I would feel the need to escape so bad and potentially have to make that decision. My eyes have been open and my heart is now breaking
It's terrible what they have to go through. They are so strong and brave woman. Thank you for tell your story
This is so interesting thank you for sharing this