Watch North Korea From the Inside With Michael Palin

North Korea From the Inside With Michael Palin is a documentary series featuring the renowned British comedian, actor and travel presenter Michael Palin. The program is a groundbreaking look at the notoriously secretive and isolated country of North Korea, providing a rare opportunity for viewers around the world to glimpse inside its borders.

The series is divided into two parts, each episode exploring different aspects of life in North Korea. Throughout his journey, Michael Palin gains exclusive access to people, places and events that are strictly off-limits to foreigners. These include remote villages, state-run factories, schools, museums and even a hospital.

The first episode focuses on the country's capital, Pyongyang, which is unlike any other city in the world. The show reveals how the city is meticulously designed and controlled by the government, with all the major buildings being designed to promote the country's communist ideology. Michael Palin visits several of Pyongyang's standout landmarks, such as the Juche Tower and the gargantuan statue of Kim Il-sung. These buildings are presented as symbols of the country's pride, power and unity, with statues and images of the ruling Kim family present in almost every public space.

Palin also explores the more everyday aspects of life in the capital city, such as the department store where only the elite are allowed to shop, and the mass gymnastics display - a major national event which features tens of thousands of performers. Despite the grandeur of these spectacles, Michael Palin notes an overwhelming feeling of emptiness, as if everything he is seeing is part of a façade, hiding the reality of the country's social and political struggles.

The second episode of the series moves outside of Pyongyang and takes viewers on a more intimate journey into the everyday lives of North Koreans. Michael Palin visits a farm, a music school, a maternity hospital and other places where citizens go about their daily business. Through his interactions with local people, Palin gains insight into their way of living, including their hopes, fears and challenges.

One striking aspect of life outside of the capital is the prevalence of state propaganda. Everywhere Michael Palin goes, he sees slogans and banners stressing the country's commitment to self-reliance and independence from Western influence. Yet, the facilities he visits are poorly-maintained, with limited resources, equipment and personnel. This raises questions about the actual extent of the state's ability to provide for its people.

Palin also speaks with several ordinary North Koreans, who convey their desire for greater communication with the outside world, more access to information and better standards of living. But, he notes that in North Korea, any kind of dissent is met with severe repression and punishment, so much so that many individuals are wary of conversing with foreigners.

Throughout North Korea From the Inside With Michael Palin, the comedian offers his signature dry wit, providing a relatable and engaging account of his journey. Yet, the tone of the series is consistently somber, as the reality of life in North Korea is revealed to be far different from the carefully cultivated image presented to the outside world.

Overall, North Korea From the Inside With Michael Palin offers a fascinating and eye-opening glimpse into one of the world's most enigmatic and mysterious countries. Despite the challenges of filming in a place where outsiders are rarely permitted, Michael Palin and his team have provided a unique and unforgettable account of life in North Korea.

North Korea From the Inside With Michael Palin is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (1 episodes). The series first aired on January 17, 2019.