Beyond cardboard characters: The evolution of North Korean defectors on screen | NK News
NK News Logo
December 29, 2024

NK News is hiring

Features

Beyond cardboard characters: The evolution of North Korean defectors on screen

Hit shows like ‘Squid Game’ and ‘Money Heist’ show how ROK film and TV has moved past anti-communist tropes of the past

It used to be that North Korean characters in South Korean films were little more than stock villains, cardboard cutouts that served the anti-communist narrative pushed during the Cold War.

But rapid changes in the film industry and the evolution of inter-Korean relations in recent decades have had a dramatic impact on the way that films depict the DPRK and defectors, giving rise to more three-dimensional characters and sophisticated storytelling.

Try unlimited access
Only $1 for four weeks

  • Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis
  • Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period
  • The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop
  • Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns
  • Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting
Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts.
Subscribe now

All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time.