Go to ground.news/paper to stay fully informed on what’s happening in North Korea and around the world. Subscribe through my link for 40% off unlimited access this month. 1. Addendum: I'm currently looking into ways to categorize and share all the movies/music/tv shows/channels I found during research. For now: if there's anything from this video you'd like to watch for yourself, leave a comment/send me an email, and I'll provide a link! 2. Wanna listen to Funky's recording of "that" North Korean rock band at the end? Enjoy! kzread.info/dash/bejne/g2RpxsGmiJjOp7g.html 3. I may eventually released the full 9 hour version of the video. Bad news, it won't be for awhile. Good news, I promise it won't be behind a Patreon paywall or something. Maybe the subchannel. But.... 4....If you'd like to see the full Collision in Korea segment I had to cut for copyright issues, here you go: kzread.info/dash/bejne/pXqcl7RyiNrPmag.html 5. Recommended channels/reading: StreeterSweeper's excellent video on the difficulties of studying North Korea: kzread.info/dash/bejne/iZh5rpOmaLPOidI.html (It's one of my favorite KZread videos of all time, please check it out!) North Korea Uncovered www.youtube.com/@NorthKoreaUncovered DPRK Explained kzread.info Jacco Zwetsloot's wonderful thesis on NK comics, "North Korean Comics and their Visual Language in the Work of Ch’oe Hyŏk" t.co/fAB98iYYO6 6. Additional Sources List/Recommended Reading/Accounts from the March can be found here: pastebin.com/7X2QJsc5 7. Corrections/Notes - The Kim Il Sung "cameos" were actually performed by several actors, not Kim Il Sung himself. I phrased it REALLY badly in the video by comparing it to Stan Lee cameos, that's my bad. - Quite a few users have pointed out, I was 100% wrong about the Simba/Kimba White Lion comparison! If you'd like to learn more, YMS has a terrific video explaining the situation, (kzread.info/dash/bejne/eWl2k8-ClrTbn5c.html) - In later seasons of Squirrel and Hedgehog, the real-world country comparisons become a lot more cut and dry. I should have talked a bit more about that. - The "Now You Realize This Means War" comic seems to be a fake. What a terrible, wonderful relief. (I'll credit the user who mentioned this once I get their approval!) - Thanks to @derbydali for pointing out that Shonen Mowgli Jungle Book and Robin Hood were produced in Japan, and only distributed by MondoTV. - @hogziller pointed out that the train game was a minigame Uriminzokkiri apparently took from Railroad Tycoon 3. - Some people have pointed out that in the 2000s, Squirrel and Hedgehog really began leaning heavily into more obvious parallels (the wolves are America, bears are Russia, etc.) and I think that's true, but I maintain that in the 70s and 80s, the characters were more representations of general ideas and not specific countries. Just my opinion though! If I missed something, please let me know and I'll add it to the list!

@daymare0

3 ай бұрын

You are genuinely insane, awesome work! (I haven't watched it yet)

@PsRohrbaugh

3 ай бұрын

A sponsor too? HECK YES!

@qweeesh

3 ай бұрын

This video is great! I'm not even done with it but it's my favorite video on all of KZread (maybe even the whole internet)

@ventispore

3 ай бұрын

We don't accept accordion hate! (10/10 video, see you next year)

@froggymint7232

3 ай бұрын

RAAAA

The only KZreadr that makes the year-long wait pay off. Incredible video

@unofficialdoor3799

3 ай бұрын

Absolutely agree, I can't believe how much effort went into this

@DoctorBones1

3 ай бұрын

hello wendigoon!

@blakenewton180

3 ай бұрын

Wasn’t expecting wendigoon here

@Acedog11

3 ай бұрын

@@blakenewton180 (Check the credits) I also technically got to work w/ Will because of Wendigoon giving him a shoutout a while ago lol, long story.

@captainpoptarts

3 ай бұрын

You know it's good when your favorite youtubers are also in the comments/helped with the video.

Kim Jung Il: Why doesn't anyone internationally like my movies? The movies: Oh boy, I sure am glad that Kim Il Sung saved us from the evil people in the rest of the world.

@KOTEBANAROT

Ай бұрын

I mean, American action movies are very often about an american totally destorying barbarians alien hordes, but I do agree Kim Fam was a bit too on the nose about it. And also their action isnt fun to watch. But yeah.

@FengBaoYolotli

17 күн бұрын

@@KOTEBANAROTtool

@FengBaoYolotli

17 күн бұрын

He did though

@GhostTrueCapitalist

2 күн бұрын

@@FengBaoYolotli Cap bot

@MarekKafarek-i6m

3 сағат бұрын

@@KOTEBANAROT you really compare so called "superheroes" to m...cker who demised hundrets of thousand of his nationality? Yup, you are weird

I absolutely love how some dude called Funky goes to North Korea and basically does School of Rock. Like, literally, man goes to teach rock music to a group of students, already talented in classical, bonds with them over music, then gets them to write their own rock song.

I love how the “city bad, small village good” sentiment is shared by both North Korea and Hallmark movies

@kazakukog

9 күн бұрын

lmaoooooo

Not being ironic here, but im actually surprised you were able to put this together so quickly. 18 months to completely educate yourself on an entire country's history of entertainment AND chronicle it in a cohesive manner is INSANE! Outstanding job, I hope you're proud of your work!

@AidanPatko

2 ай бұрын

When you put it that way, he made it look easy. Majorly impressive.

@_iyakin

2 ай бұрын

and to think that P.W. had 9hrs of footage/content but he managed to trim it down to 5hrs 😭‼️ major respect

@MrNeroCat

2 ай бұрын

I am sure Paper Will just got inspired by the example of the Glorious Leader

@YourLocalPlushAddict

2 ай бұрын

True☕🗿

@lindseyclair921

2 ай бұрын

I’ve been waiting for this project for so long. Then when I saw it was out and saw the RUNTIME I felt the same way!!!!!!! This is more than twice as long as apocalypse now, and just the filming for that took 16 months.

At the end of the day, N.Koreans are still people. People who live lives, people who suffer, people who create, people who can laugh, people who are talented and have ingenuity. And that people aren't their government. Good vid.

@_iyakin

2 ай бұрын

I really appreciate that Paper Will never failed to show respect to the N. Koreans. If anything, learning about the history behind their entertainment made me think about the struggles they've been. It would be nice if one day North Koreans can tell the world their own stories from their own perspectives with no restrictions, political and otherwise.

@youbetyourwrasse

2 ай бұрын

Of course my friend. Anyone who thinks otherwise, hasn't thought things through adequately. Hasn't gazed into the Abyss at the Center of their Soul. But eye sea folks wishing for Truth over all other things .. and we soon will understand that we really ARE all on the same side. It is thyme for Dogma to run away from home.

@mr_ozio

2 ай бұрын

It's so rare nowadays to meet someone who shares this thought...

@KizzMyAbs

2 ай бұрын

Yup. Sad tho how most don’t even realize how much better the rest is the worlds doing

@RT-qd8yl

2 ай бұрын

@@KizzMyAbs How are they to know? Watch 5 hours of KCTV some time.

“ooooh im gunna hop over the dmz if you dont quit it girl” absolutely hilarious

@greystar321

Ай бұрын

Saving the time stamp for later: 5:07:33

Your seriously talented. I like creators who aren’t afraid to dive deep, and evade the temptation of quick shallow minimally educating snap shots made for short attention spans. Also the dedication and patience of making and finishing a final product takes a lot of fortitude. Bravo. If it’s long, let the consumer choose to watch it in sections or devour it in one feast, let the consumer decide, which you do, thanks for that. Plus your commentary and humor is priceless and very tasteful. I wish you massive success, keep it up, I’ll keep looking for more releases. Take care and be well.

@PaperWill

Ай бұрын

That's very generous, fellow Will! Thank you. And that's exactly my whole attitude. People say I should make the video into 4-5 parts, but I feel like one video lets the viewer choose to watch in chunks or blast through the whole thing. Next video's on its way...sometime lol

@jonleibow3604

7 күн бұрын

Agreed, his seriously talented!

i need the 9 hour "no stuff cut out" version so bad please go on 37 more tangents

@PinnePon

3 ай бұрын

Frrr

@PinnePon

3 ай бұрын

I just want to listen to him yap

@ki3657

2 ай бұрын

Same!

@youbetyourwrasse

2 ай бұрын

You mean the *90 hour* "no stuff cut out" version with 37 more Tangents? Heheeheh. Did you know that if you ask Random Persons a Prime Number between 1 and 100, they choose 37 more than ANY other number? :D

@wasdaslan68419

2 ай бұрын

@@youbetyourwrasse thats rly cool :DDDDDdddddddD

nothing is better than finding out a youtuber you thought left the platform was working on a 5 hour long giga-video

@Eye_Of_Odin978

2 ай бұрын

Wendigoon was actually telling people on Twitter like 4 months ago that Paper Will wasn't gone or anything, he was just working on a super long video. Turns out that Wendigoon is always right, as usual.

@llodskfj5228

2 ай бұрын

I thought munecat was gone but she was making a 3 hour long vid on evo psych

I went to school for Korean historical/cultural/sociological studies & graduated with my BA 10 years ago. Part of that degree was earned from Yonsei University in Seoul. This video has taught me more about North Korea than all of those courses combined. Thank you so much for all of the time & effort you put into this project. I have no idea how you managed to keep track of every piece of media & history, let alone present everything coherently & in order. Well done.🎉

i watched this whole video in one sitting while doing my makeup and painting my nails and never once was i bored or uninterested... it felt like a good 1 hour and some change documentary. it's kinda the best youtube video i've ever seen. thank you so much for this! it fed my hyperfixation a little too well

It’s such a shame paper will disappeared an hour after this came out, I can’t believe he vanished after being summoned to a North Korean embassy to be awarded a golden medal, we’ll find you Will!

@thestateofdelaware8057

3 ай бұрын

Real talk great video will, it was worth the wait

@dededenova4098

3 ай бұрын

wew... uh... so I didn't know what socialism was... if capitalism bad, communism bad, and socialism bad... tf do we do ._.

@funeraljoint

3 ай бұрын

@@dededenova4098that’s the point we’re screwed x

@PaperWill

3 ай бұрын

Dear old fellow friends...

@SugarbirdyOvO

3 ай бұрын

​@@dededenova4098 The systems that birthed those ways of living are pretty corrupt. There's probably a better 'ism' out there somewhere, it's probably just drowned out by money-hungry high-powered folks influencing things. Maybe things'll be better in the future, though.

I have a theory about all the ABBA music; Sweden was actually one of the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with North Korea (and actually maintains an embassy in Pyongyang to this day), so when you joked about them thinking ABBA was the only music westerners listen to, swedish people were the only ones people consistently interacted with in government so maybe that's not so far from the truth!

@infernoflash

2 ай бұрын

ABBAs songs were also very a-political, great for a country who hates all politics except their own.

@DJSockmonkeyMusic

2 ай бұрын

NK never did pay for that fleet of Volvo's...

@christianjamesmejia8623

2 ай бұрын

another alt theory is that ABBA is also popular in the Eastern Bloc(their music was censor-friendly) so their records became easily accessible to North Koreans

@bispsmith9236

2 ай бұрын

I was gonna add about the Volvos. IIRC that really damaged diplomacy between the nations. I wonder how they view each other now.

@fasted8468

2 ай бұрын

Hmmm

I wanted to have this video on in the background while painting, but it was so interesting, I actually paid attention while watching the whole thing. Incredible work!

Well, first video I am watching from this channel... a 5.5 hour long one. And it's quite amazing. Just a couple brisk hours left to go. And wow, 18 months of prep. That is dedication.

As a Swedish person, i must say: ABBA IS IMMORTAL, TIMELESS MUSIC AND FITS ANY OCCASION

@alfiewilson5482

3 ай бұрын

AS A HALF SWEDISH PERSON I VERY MUCH AGREE. IT IS THE ONE THING ABOUT THE DPRK I LIKE

@brandon9172

3 ай бұрын

As a 1/8th "Swedish" in America, I agree.

@scrittle

3 ай бұрын

AGGA is better

@user-qv2mc3dw5o

3 ай бұрын

As a person with no Swedish roots whatsoever I must say: yea i agree

@teddyfurstman1997

3 ай бұрын

I’m an ABBA Stan too. I’m from New York.

Being a director on the rocks and then kidnapped by a dictator and then told “Make some cool movies for me” must be something out of a bad dream. It sucks that it wasn’t

@socialhenshin6039

2 ай бұрын

Except that wasn't what happened. The director and his wife went there willingly, and then decided to "escape" and create this whole story about being kidnapped for attention. There's no evidence they were kidnapped other than their anecdotes, and there's no evidence of them being on a short leash so to speak during their time in the country. They left the country multiple times before they "escaped." It was just a director who went there with his wife for work, and when they left they decided to make it into this big sensational story.

@saucevc8353

2 ай бұрын

@@socialhenshin6039They went to Hong Kong and were taken to NK, they never went to NK willingly. What is your evidence?

@albiewitz2686

Ай бұрын

​@@saucevc8353uhh maybe the side making the extraordinary claims need to provide evidence

@Malkmusianful

Ай бұрын

@@socialhenshin6039 of course you're a tankie

@socialhenshin6039

Ай бұрын

@@saucevc8353 The dozens of dozens of pictures of them inside and outside the dprk showing no signs of distress, a complete lack of evidence they were ever held anywhere against their will, and the monetary compensation they got for the job they were doing. The burden of proof is on THEM to show they were actually kidnapped, and all they ever presented was testimony.

It is kind of crazy how much Kim Jong-Un looks like his grandfather as he became...rotund.

2024 has really been a year for long form content like this and I swear halfway thru I subscribed! You did such a good, thorough, job on this without it being boring. I learned SO much about Korean history from both sides that I never heard in my life. You did such a good job, thank you!

Thanks for having me on as a translator! This was a really fascinating topic for me, since I didn't get to learn a lot about NK growing up (even as a South Korean). Major kudos to you for working on this massive project :>

@PsRohrbaugh

3 ай бұрын

Thank you for your work on this amazing project!

This is going straight into the "Hyperfixation long form videos" playlist

@Le0mas

3 ай бұрын

I know this is probably a joke, but gimme that!

@weirdnerdygoat

3 ай бұрын

If you genuinely have a playlist like that gimme, i am starved for more /nf /lh (basically seconding the other commenter)

@Pixelshroomies

3 ай бұрын

Please link that playlist lol

@kabooki22

3 ай бұрын

Just like every other Paper Will video

@ItsNotCiara

3 ай бұрын

if you actually have this please link 😭😭😭

Okay I'm 3 hours in and this is the most educational, entertaining, and engaging documentary I've seen maybe ever? I'm learning a LOT and I'm marvelling at how gigantic your computer folders must be with all the individual clips of DPRC media clips you use. And they're used to great effect! Really entertaining content, a new favorite. Thank you 🙏

This is the first video of yours that I’ve watched. I was minutes in, and immediate shared it with my nephew. It was AMAZING. Incredibly well-written and educational. Not to mention funny! I’m so gonna watch everything here.

OH MY GOD ITS FINALLY OUT IM GONNA FINISH A WHOLE CROCHET PROJECT TO THIS edit: guysss i've been trying to reply to your comments but i think they keep getting shadowbanned im sorry :( its so awesome to hear about all the things youre making!! im so glad we can all bond over this, its super wholesome. i'm making a skirt for my upcoming graduation from fashion school :)

@totallyarealdoctor6498

3 ай бұрын

I didn't see how long it was until I saw your comment and yeah, definitely have the time xD

@joy411ful

3 ай бұрын

Me too 🤭! What are you making?? I’m making a kimono!

@missravenmartelli870

3 ай бұрын

Lmao same

@yaboidawg558

3 ай бұрын

Same

@catastrophicfailure2745

3 ай бұрын

SAME BUT WITH MY REN FAIRE COSTUME! update: i ended up making a gym bag instead lol

What really strikes me about North Korea's films is how even newer movies don't look new. They're still shooting on what appears to be film, can't tell if it's 16mm or the more expensive 35mm, and whatever surviving footage of them hasn't been remastered at all. Movies from the 60s look the same as ones from the early 2000's, from the fashion (period pieces aside) to the sets to their preservation. Very unique phenomenon, seeing cultural stagnation caught on film over the course of several decades.

No joke this video has been my favorite thing to look forward to listening to on my commutes from work, I can’t imagine how much time and effort this took, it really paid off this is phenomenal! I can’t believe we get to enjoy this for free?! Very juchae!!

Five hours video from a channel I've never heard of - and it turned out awesome, good stuff!

KZread video essays are getting so long, I swear in 2027 we're gonna have like a day long video from Paper Will. I'm not complaining I'm here for it

@leelubell9080

2 ай бұрын

Quinton Reviews put out a 38 hour video about Beverly Hilbillies for April fools day, but unfortunately it was copyright struck and taken down

@ronbertguy

2 ай бұрын

That's the release year for his next video: "A condensed 25 hour chronicle of Chinese media."

@fisa5964

Ай бұрын

quinton reviews has one over 30 hours but it got copyright striked. u can still watch but u have join his channel

@fredohonius

Ай бұрын

@@leelubell9080 that soyboy beta cuck? who would watch that anyways

@KirkHermary

Ай бұрын

It doesn't take more than 5 hours to make a point or explain something.

This is just my own theory, but I think a big part of the reason why early DPRK animation featured so many antisemetic tropes is because the animators were taught in Czechoslovakia. At the time antisemitism in the eastern block was still pretty common in the casual-racism sort of way, so I imagine the animators were taught to portray villains with anti Semitic tropes and just didn’t know / care how offensive it was. It doesn’t help that the Korean Peninsula never really had a massive Jewish presence so there wasn’t anyone to inform the animators of this offence

@PaperWill

2 ай бұрын

That's a really interesting theory, actually. I can't speak on it with any authority, but I'm going to send this question along to a couple of authors I was talking with and get their input. Thanks!

@moss.in.hiding

2 ай бұрын

based on what I know about soviet media (both of my parents are jews from the ussr, and though i was born and raised in the states i only spoke russian until i went to school, so i solidly grew up on russian and soviet media), that's probably a really solid guess. There's a ridiculous amount of completely normalized antisemitism in soviet/post-soviet slavic media. Plus soviet communism ties jews and capitalism pretty closely together

@AndImsomelady-fq6cw

2 ай бұрын

If you want something amazing, I really recommend looking at Czechoslovakian movie posters for American movies. They are incredible. Most of them look like someone told them about the trailer and then they were tasked with creating the poster.

@molochnyyvolk2688

2 ай бұрын

@@PaperWill May I suggest reaching out to Jewish KZreadr Sam Aranow? He does a serious on Jewish history from the stone Age forward and he might be of assistance!

@pola6794

2 ай бұрын

@@AndImsomelady-fq6cw In general, many places in the Eastern Bloc didn't use the regular posters, like they did in the West, the individual cinemas could have different posters based on the artists they contracted. The history of poster as art and activism in Eastern Europe is fascinating in general thanks to the complex relations between propaganda and poster artists.

despite making a video a year, you're my favourite youtube ever. i can't imagine the amount of effort and research that went into creating this video. plz don't ever stop making these

This made me see North Korea in a whole new light. These are people, humans, they have emotions, passions, love, lives, They aren't robots. Kim maybe cruel, but the people aren't. The amount of dedication and effort put into this video is insane. Truly one of the greatest I have EVER seen.

This should qualify as a PhD dissertation

@Luke-we9gj

2 ай бұрын

Hell, as an essay, it probably matches the length requirements.

@tiffany_greeneyes4901

2 ай бұрын

If it’s peer reviewed, I agree

It was a pleasure working with you Will. Glad to see this finally release!

@strawberrykun6136

3 ай бұрын

You're doing gods work by archiving all of that media heritage!!

@ExperimentIV

2 ай бұрын

i need to know more about ABBA in the DPRK immediately

I know that this will get buried, but youtube randomly recommended this video to me recently, and i watched it over the past two days. It's *extremely* good. Your storytelling, delivery, the contents of the video - entertaining, bingeable, i even learned a lot... peak. You got a new subscriber :) The only nitpick i have were the interrupted tangents. I'd actually love to hear you go off topic when you started with them. But i also understand the desire to keep it consise.

I found your channel two weeks ago. I have already watched this entire video 3 times. Fascinating work, i applaud your efforts. Your other videos are great too but this structuring was superior.

It was a wonder working on this video. o7 to the team.

@PsRohrbaugh

3 ай бұрын

Thanks for your efforts!

@DJG_Studios

3 ай бұрын

Can someone explain o7 please?

@PsRohrbaugh

3 ай бұрын

​@@DJG_Studios it's a text emoji for salute. Sign of respect.

@DJG_Studios

3 ай бұрын

@@PsRohrbaugh oh thank you, that makes sense.

@cailindubh

3 ай бұрын

⁠ o7 /[] / \

No joke, this video un-tiktoked my brain and made me enjoy these extra long form, documentary style, KZread videos again. Thank you paper will and everyone who helped make this project happen! 🎉

@hyperturbotechnomike

2 ай бұрын

I can recommend not using TikTok, IG, Twitter and Yt shorts. I live like this and feel very happy.

@gem9535

Ай бұрын

@@hyperturbotechnomike I only watch the shorts from my subscriptions, and I unsub from anything that I don't feel is productive in some way.

@edisonlima4647

Ай бұрын

Loved this video! Now give Knowing Better a check. His video on slavery was an amazing documentary a couple hours long.

@ukeman1143

Ай бұрын

@@edisonlima4647 will check it out!

@DiamondKingStudios

Ай бұрын

@@edisonlima4647Man is generally consistent in good content.

This was seriously not just one of the best videos I've ever seen on this site but one of the most interesting things I've watched in general! Absolutely fascinating, thoughtful, entertaining and I learned a ton. I found myself watching it in little chunks because I didn't want it to end. Thanks so much for making this! (I also learned that someday I hope to be a basketball grandpa too) 😊

Its taken a month and a bunch of shifts at work but I finally finished the video and it was amazing, great work!!

I have been waiting for this to come out since Summer 2022, it is now spring 2024 and I feel lowkey emotional watching it now. Thank you for putting so much effort into this, paper will.

@PaperWill

3 ай бұрын

I’m embarrassed and proud to say I cried when this rendered for the final time.

@jayzepickle6637

3 ай бұрын

​@@PaperWillI would too! Also I appreciate how much you kept us up to date with the video, the research streams were super fun! But now that it's out get some rest, king. 😌

@coreofkatya

3 ай бұрын

It feels like i’ve become a whole different person 😭😭

@squeaksquawk4255

3 ай бұрын

@@PaperWill You completed a very large, demanding project you put a lot of effort and emotional investment into. Nothing wrong with crying there.

This absolutely did not feel like 5 hours, I was so engaged the whole time. I really appreciate how you managed to highlight the reality of the average people’s lives rather than swinging entirely negative or naively positive. ❤

@shytendeakatamanoir9740

3 ай бұрын

Yeah, I wanted to get out because it's getting really late here, but I couldn't stop

@chubbydinosaur9148

2 ай бұрын

The nuance was perfection. I love people who can admit/say that they liked something that sucks. I personally like the architecture the austrian mustache man's followers came up with. It's so huge and bombastic! Like that new capital city Germania they had planned was just 🤯 but I still hate everything about mustache man and his following. Gotta love me some grey opinion

@20chocsaday

2 ай бұрын

Must listen to this again. I fell asleep a couple of times.

This video is so amazing. I put it on in the background every once in a while. I am on my vacation right now, the drive was a long one so I just rewatched this. I’m excited for your future videoes that I can. Just listen too and just be comfortable with. You have a very soothing voice. I’m excited for your next video ❤❤❤❤❤

This was absolutely worth the wait, incredible video. Really hope you at least put together a YT playlist of the music you highlighted, I'd love to listen to it!

I love the ending with the North Korean kids learning rock music and even showing real smiles. Without the propaganda, these kids are still kids. They dream and want things like any other. Their is so much underlying potential within their restricted livelihood. It really makes you wish North Korean would be freed from this dictatorship and all the potential the people have flourishes and shines internationally. It's a pipe dream and unlikely will ever happen in this lifetime. But it's nice to see the small amounts of humanity that does exist.

@KOTEBANAROT

2 ай бұрын

But muh juche

@mynamesnotshanekid813

2 ай бұрын

This is sadly an impossibility under the US embargo constant suppression of trade that ultimately hurts the civilians and reinforces the current dictatorships's legitimacy as the "only bulwark against the monster that's starving us."

@SiRenfield

2 ай бұрын

Honestly I gotta track down the whole thing of that. Like I was not expecting North Korean School of Rock but it looks like a fascinating watch

@michaelf.4290

2 ай бұрын

Oh poor North Koreans 🙄 Learn about the country about its truths and flaws rather then sensationalist media telling you about some boogey man country.

I should have cleaned my house today and should have done the laundry. I watched this instead and ordered pizza. What a great video. You are the hero we don't deserve.

This was an incredibly interesting watch. I'm glad all your hard work and time made it's way into my algorithm to show me this. Great work, friend. The revenge beep cut was.. *Chefs kiss*

the past couple weeks, idk what it is man, but I have legitimately watched this video maybe 15-20 times. it's my go to video to fall asleep to, to listen to to pass the time at work, to put on as background sound when im home doing stuff. I just wanted to say thanks for this video because it is genuinely so entertaining, informative, well put, it's educational on such a subject that is quite difficult for an average Joe schmoe like me to learn. I love watching this channel and have since watched all of your videos several times over. please keep up this work, thank you for creating this content

as someone who loves learning about a country’s history and also takes too long doing her gel nails, this was the perfect video for me

@user-fg8ml5jd4g

2 ай бұрын

Ew go watch make up videos or something stimky

@ericasrainbow71

2 ай бұрын

I love learning about countries/nations from around the world and each of their histories. But, I don’t do nails, not even gel nails. But I love to crochet, knit, and draw (and also hang around on social media). 😁

@RealElongatedMuskrat

2 ай бұрын

💅✨gaslight gatekeep gel nails

@sadietaylorsversion13

2 ай бұрын

ME TOO! i also got halfway through a yarn embroidery project while watching!

@RealElongatedMuskrat

2 ай бұрын

@@sadietaylorsversion13 I recently got into incorporating beading into my embroidery projects, sooo satisfying

To be honest, I hope the AI thing doesn't come back. I like the tangents and so forth, and was hoping to hear them. Media is so intertwined with every other facet of society that they feed back into each other. So many of us understand North Korea so little, and I would have wanted to hear everything you found interesting.

@wurstbrat.

3 ай бұрын

Yeah I wanted the tangents. Hopefully they'll be in another video. The AI thing was annoying, but I loved the rest.

@kwisowofer9872

2 ай бұрын

AIven is the real villain here

@mr.j3rs3y

2 ай бұрын

@@kwisowofer9872 Facts

@EzaleaGraves

2 ай бұрын

On the one hand I agree, on the other hand the video is already 5 and a half hours long, so I I can understand him wanting to have a way to say, "this thread goes a lot deeper than I'm covering, but for now this is all I can talk about"

@geraldgutsueii3324

2 ай бұрын

@@EzaleaGraves especially since there was that note saying he initially had 9 hours before editing

Phew, took me 3 weeks but I finally finished 😮‍💨 Great work! ❤

The villagers ripping apart people really sounds like the Halloween episode from Smiling Friends

As a Korean American I salute you for the dedication to watching DPRK media "entertainment." The Korean director who was kidnapped, I think escaped and defected to America...his 1st American movie was Surf Ninjas 😉🤙

@jukeyard

2 ай бұрын

Shin Sang-Ok didn't work on Surf Ninjas, but he did seek asylum in America and lived in Los Angeles for some time and worked on a few "3 Ninjas" movies under the name Simon Sheen

@SKPanda1915

2 ай бұрын

@@jukeyard yes his production company did the film....the actor Patrick Labyorteaux (one of the robbers) told the story on a podcast breaking down Surf Ninjas.

The kids who obviously loved playing music were so cute and the teens creating their own rock song was so moving. Obviously, there's so much going on in N. Korea but seeing these glimpses of real happiness there is moving.

@mushyroom9569

3 ай бұрын

Yeah, I hear being a child actor is great. They almost never grow up to be basket cases.

@perkysnood

3 ай бұрын

@@mushyroom9569 the kids I commented on were not actors. Your sarcastic reply was unnecessary

@mushyroom9569

3 ай бұрын

@@perkysnood They are representing North Korea in an extremely diplomatically significant international event, but you don’t think they’re actors? Okay.

@perkysnood

3 ай бұрын

@@mushyroom9569 You're trying to start some debate/argument on a comment that saw the rare glimpse of humanization of people who are forced to live in that country. Go bother someone else.

@mushyroom9569

3 ай бұрын

@@perkysnood We BOTH watched a five-hour video where it was demonstrated and explicitly stated that every form of entertainment’s purpose is propaganda. There is nothing to debate.

Awesome video! Managed to finish my super long work related project in one day, all thanks to this vid :D the formula I used was: work - watch 15 min - work - watch 15 min - work - watch 1h etc... really helped me stay focused, while also learning something new

Probably one of the top 5 most enjoyable videos I've ever watched on this platform. And I've been here a long time. Not once was I bored, or got lost, or drifted from the video. I tend to do that with videos and have to go back a lot. I can tell you put so much hard work into this. Thank you so much for this! It was such an enjoyable and at times sad watch. ❤

@PaperWill

25 күн бұрын

I appreciate it! I'm pretty proud of this one.

I’m 26 and not very old but I’ve got to say this is by far the best KZread video I’ve ever seen. No hyperbole, it’s funny, empathetic and informative. You hooked me for 5hrs of my day, which for me is uncommon I’m not huge into the long form video essay stuff. Bravo this was captivating and beautifully done

@moiseskerschener2634

2 ай бұрын

26 is very old

@nyxldx

2 ай бұрын

​@@moiseskerschener2634 it's literally 8 years after being officially an adult 💀 be serious

@abvvi3319

2 ай бұрын

I agree, this is an extremely well done video essay. As well as staying considerate of the group of people he was talking about while also being able to say negative things about their country’s entertainment culture.

@f1mbultyr

2 ай бұрын

@@moiseskerschener2634 96 is very old. 26 is basically still a child.

@lenibeni7421

2 ай бұрын

@@moiseskerschener2634yeah, to you, a 10 year old.

That ending with the high school kids learning how to rock (and absolutely slaying) made me emotional fr. I truly hope those kids manage to keep that

What a different development from the little mac edits. Truely a growth that you love to see. That being said, please drop another one 🙏

Fantastic work, I was hooked for the whole video. Great research and work, this is an amazingly well done piece, I love exploring different cultures and this was such a fantastic dive on such a hard country to research!

Currently in awe of how much effort was put into putting all of the presented media into its historical context. Like I've legitimately learned a lot about Korean history from this

@meowtherainbowx4163

2 ай бұрын

Yeah, it's amazing what a country's propaganda and entertainment can say about its history, especially when you dive deep into the surrounding stories like Will has. You can even tell that he's struggling to sum it up quickly. It goes so deep!

We're so back

@PhIcicle

2 ай бұрын

to the future

@dessydessy3625

2 ай бұрын

Splatoon

@GetOwnedInc

2 ай бұрын

The fact that he didn't like this comment means see ya next year.

@laandormer

2 ай бұрын

551 (and counting) farmers watch paper will.... Who'd a thunk it.

What a fantastic "little" documentary here. Thank you so much for your dedication.

I never comment on stuff but I just had to for this. This is, no joke, one of the most interesting and engaging videos I've ever had the pleasure of watching. I can't imagine just how much work this took, but thank you for doing it. Can't wait to see the next one :))

5 PLUS HOURS PAPER WILL ??!?!! 🔥🔥🗣🗣💯we are pulling an ALL NIGHTER WITH THIS ONE BOYYSS

@imskyskyhigh

3 ай бұрын

your pfp :skull:

Funky's really living out the plot of School of Rock in real life 😩 no joke it seems you accidentally stumbled upon one of the greatest moments in rock history. The fact that rock music prevails, even in the face of one of the most oppressive regimes in the world, is powerful to say the least. It speaks volumes for the genre and for music as a whole.

@lingus1382

2 ай бұрын

Facts, nothing really brings people together like rock music does. I hope someday things change for the people of North Korea and then they’ll take over the entire worlds entertainment industry with their insane skills lmao

@HeatBoi

Ай бұрын

Bro I got to this part of the video and saw this comment, crazy coincidence

SOOO glad this is officially in the million view club 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 gonna be super helpful for people trying to begin grappling with this topic and it's international implications, great work ONE HUNDRED percent worth the wait!

Liked subbed and commenting for the algorithm, with love. Great stuff.

One through line that is so strong in all DPRK media is that the second you give a person freedom to create, they begin questioning the reality of the world they live in. And the harsher that world, the quicker and stronger the question (marks) come.

It is 7 hours later, and I'm posting a second comment for engagement, cos I've no words to convey how enjoyable and informative this video it. Congratulations to ya, Will, for getting through the herculean task researching and making this video. Also, cheers for the unapologetically empathetic presentation of ordinary North Korean people. It's easy to understand on an intellectual level that the people trapped within the borders of the hermit kingdom are no different than you and I, but this video manages to make that feeling at points heartbreakingly visceral. Just god-tier storytelling.

I was supposed to get stuff done today, but I unknowingly got sidetracked watching this crazy long video. It turns out it had been playing for 5 hours and 18 minutes and then I started to get funny about a groundhog day effect or something, and before I knew it, the whole day had disappeared. A big thank you, loco.

Popped me at the Collision in Korea mention, great vid! Subscribed!

This is genuinely insane timing considering that one of the trending audios on tiktok right now is a North Korean banger of a propaganda song

@Maggie_mccann

3 ай бұрын

what song?

@katiemorison7969

3 ай бұрын

Yeah I am now also curious. The National Anthem is a banger as is

@elenak4992

3 ай бұрын

Might be Chollima On The Wing? It's on Spotify and I unironically listen to it.

@leuk2389

2 ай бұрын

@@Maggie_mccann I think its called "Friendly father"

@liamannegarner8083

2 ай бұрын

I put Chollima On The Wing and Potato Pride on for motivation while cleaning the house. ^^ (In general, songs from any totalitarian regime are good at making you go "ooh, I'm so tired but I have to work, song please let me absorb motivation from you." But the Korean bands are on a whole other level of that. Also, I went to high school in a Korean neighborhood, so it just sounds like the soap opera themes in the restaurants I did my calc homework in while eating dolsot bibimbap in the snowstorm. Good times.)

I'm very ashamed to say I forgot you and what you were doing. I almost never do anything with any video over 30 minutes, but this one has made me dedicate my entire evening to this

This was incredible, the time and effort you put in absolutely shines through. Had me hooked the entire 5 hours. You should feel comfortable taking all the time you need on projects if they're going to come out this well made. Your channel is such a gem.

4:22:10 The basketball cult reality invasion skit is a god damn masterpiece and you shouldn't feel bad about it

IT CAME OUT!!!

@GaybrohamStinkton

3 ай бұрын

So did he. RIP

@AIA2637

3 ай бұрын

@@GaybrohamStinktonhe did? That’s cool I guess

@SewerRat3000

3 ай бұрын

ITS COMING OUT

@aaronmelgar7116

3 ай бұрын

HEY! PHRASING!

@Momo-kun88

3 ай бұрын

Finally! Right!?😊

The fact that I've fallen back into a hyperfixation of the DPRK in the last few days, this video is a godsend and major coincidence. You've gone above and beyond with this piece of work, and earned a new subscriber. Now to go back and watch your other videos!

Jeez. 5 hours!? Thanks for the content overload Will ❤

I binged this in one day and oh my god this was amazing. Truly respect all the effort you put in this!

PLEASE let this get to at least 1 million views, Paper Will deserves it

@paracelsus407

3 ай бұрын

I've watched it twice and shared it with everyone I know! Real talk: Let it stay monetized so our boy paper will gets paid.

@PaperWill

Ай бұрын

Good news🎉🎉🎉🎉

Man, that is some phenomenal work! The research, subtle visual jokes based entirely on Korean footages, the deliberate choice of context to highlight. This clearly transcends every bar set by the platform and the medium. You have accomplished academia-worthy colossal classification and probably paved the road for hundreds of researchers to come. That is something to be remembered for. Legend.

thank you. this has been my background video for the past few days while i pack up. really interesting stuff !! entertaining and educational

This was so worth the wait. I've learnt so much and was thoroughly entertained throughout. Top work!

I watch an embarrassing amount of KZread and I can confidently say this might be one of the top 10 original KZread videos ever uploaded, I’ve never seen or learned from a more watchable 5 and a half hour video

@clementpoon120

2 ай бұрын

this should be required viewing for north koreanology

@stevengill1736

Ай бұрын

Good grief, it IS 51/2 hours! Nice job man, cheers...the Koreans are amazing people, both north and south..

This is stupidly good. I can't believe you managed to keep a 5 and a half hour video so consistently engaging, informational, and funny. I know this was an insane amount of time and effort and I hope you're as proud of it as you should be. Thank you!

@elkowasaki

Ай бұрын

fr fr. I even enjoyed the sponsorship piece of the video lmao

Wow, this was one of the best KZread videos I've seen in a while. Great work!

Dude why the hell have I not found you till now? I've been binge watching all your stuff the last 2 days I'm on the cult vid rn. You sir were able to hold my attention for 5 solid hours on North freaking Korea movies and television. That sais something. Keep it up man

Whats wild to me is how your videos sound like one long conversation, without any cuts. That keeps me engaged for hours

I couldn't sleep at all last night, and ended up at the gym at 6am. Then the computer lab at 7:30am. Now my dorm, with laundry running and nothing to keep me awake- or so I thought! Time to watch this to help keep me awake for the day! Thank you! Edit: I'd like everyone to know my goals for today are to watch all of Paper Will's videos, do all my laundry, re-match my socks, and drink 96 oz water. Wish me luck soldiers.

@connorb2112

2 ай бұрын

Good luck with your goals.

Finished it today. What a great video, thanks for everything will!

About 20 minutes in I thought to myself "huh this isn't bad, wonder how long it is?..." I almost had a heart attack when I saw the runtime. I'm so glad I decided to get comfy and stick it out. Thank you so so so so so much for all your work on this!!

Love that you're back and digging the short vids. My attention span can only handle so much

Sorry I can't do larger superchats, but the surprise release caught me off guard. It's been an honor helping you through your content creation journey, and I'm so excited to see the culmination of it all.

@PsRohrbaugh

3 ай бұрын

For those who don't know, I bought Paper-Will a new laptop when his died during the creation of "dark side of kid's TV". I've supported him in other ways since then. I'm not trying to take any of the credit - I just want to support talented people when I can. You should do the same if you're able. Will's on Patreon and KZread memberships.

@ToreyBurksSr

3 ай бұрын

@@PsRohrbaugh that's awesome of you, supporting in a VERY impactful way. I certainly appreciate it as a long time fan.

@dildonius

3 ай бұрын

​@@PsRohrbaughHow dare you try to take credit for Paper William's hard work! >:(

@algepaca

3 ай бұрын

Oh yes I remember that!! Thank you for supporting Paper Will!

@resident-one1533

3 ай бұрын

Yet I don't see any answer to your superchat...?

this was truly amazing! worth every second of watch time and every moment of research. i had sent it to my group chat before i even finished because it was so stunning! this was the first video i'd seen by you and i'm sold! incredible work, hope you DO write that book

Thank you so much for your hard work! This video is excellent and, as others have stated, I would love to watch (or to listen) to the complete 9-hour video someday. Your research and editing make the entire 5 hours and half enjoyable and the added historical context is essential in understading a lot of the media you show throughout the video. Excellent work and I'm looking forward to your next uploads!

I LOVE ACCORDIONS!!!! The 120 buttons are for chords 20 columns of 6 rows First row is the major third Second row is the root note Third is the major triad of the root Fourth is minor triad Fifth is the 7th dominant Sixth is the 7th diminished

@FoolishTobias

2 ай бұрын

Thanks man. I’ve been neglecting my accordion and I don’t think anyone ever taught me the information about the button categorization. That’s going to make relearning it way easier.

@williamwolffgang

2 ай бұрын

I'm here to join your accordion fan club o7

@sadietaylorsversion13

2 ай бұрын

my great aunt could play the accordion! shes so good at it too, i haven’t seen her in forever i wonder if she still plays

@AuFishh

2 ай бұрын

Big fan of accordion. Goes hard in zydeco/cajun music

I can't believe that after the sweat and tears of YMS proving that Kimba and Simba are two totally unrelated properties I'm still hearing about it in KZread videos

@mariaantoniaportodevasconc4012

2 ай бұрын

I hope that's not what you're taking of this 5 hour amazing video...

@PaperWill

2 ай бұрын

…oops

@jewels3846

2 ай бұрын

Better than not taking anything from it I guess? 😅​@@mariaantoniaportodevasconc4012

@foggy_nights

2 ай бұрын

@@PaperWill GODDAMMIT WILL

@valeriearmegedon9040

2 ай бұрын

I know it shouldn't matter in the end since it's a video about entertainment from North Korea and not a video about the controversy, and not to mention the controversy kinda thrives on it being taken at face value, but still, it's been almost four years since YMS released that video. I thought we were past this. Also, that video got me to watch ALL of Kimba. It was certainly...an experience.

This was absolutely amazing. It took me three days to watch but I was so excited to come back everyday to keep watching. You e gained a new subscriber!!