Vice Essentials Season 1 Episode 29 The VICE Guide to North Korea, Part 2

In the second part of the VICE Guide to North Korea, the team continues their exploration of one of the world's most secluded nations. With unprecedented access to its people and places, they aim to uncover the everyday reality of life in North Korea. This episode delves into the country's political system and its strict rules and regulations, from the ubiquitous statues of its leaders to the pervasive propaganda on television and in public spaces.

The team also visits a textile factory and a farm, where they witness the daily lives of workers. They discover a society that is both regimented and deeply hierarchical, with a rigid class system that permeates all aspects of life. From where and how people live and work to the clothes they wear and the food they eat, everything is tightly controlled by the state.

Beyond its official facade, the episode also explores the underground economy that exists beneath North Korea's surface. The team meets black market dealers who smuggle goods across the border from China, including South Korean films and popular music. They also encounter North Koreans who risk their lives and freedom to communicate with the outside world, using illegal smartphones and smuggled DVDs.

Throughout the episode, the VICE team manages to provide a nuanced and unflinching view of life in North Korea. They capture everyday moments of joy and camaraderie among the country's citizens, from children playing games in the street to adults attending a revolutionary opera. Yet they also reveal the harsh realities of living under a regime that puts the propaganda of state over the needs of its people.

Ultimately, The VICE Guide to North Korea, Part 2 is a must-watch for anyone interested in the country's politics, society, and culture. It provides a candid, eye-opening look at a nation that remains one of the most secretive and enigmatic in the world.