Nation and Destiny

Nation and Destiny
Title screen
Produced by	Kim Jong Il
Running time	1,070 minutes (parts 1-13)
Country	North Korea
Language	Korean

Nation and Destiny (Korean: 민족과 운명; RR: Minjokgwa ummyeong; MR: Minjokkua unmyŏng) is a 62-part North Korean film series released between 1992 and 2002. It aims to show that the Korean people "can live a glorious life only in the bosom of the Great Leader and socialist fatherland". Kim Jong Il personally chose the title and was extensively involved in the early episodes. Conceived as the largest film series ever produced in any country, it was the largest investment ever made in the history of North Korean cinema. Initially, the most senior writers, directors and actors were involved in the project and it was heavily promoted by the North Korean media. The series was projected to reach 100 episodes, but none have been released since 2002.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Notable for its scenes set in the West and South Korea, some of which even filmed on location in western countries not officially at war with North Korea, such as France. It is also noteworthy for its portrayal of the "anti-system figure" Han Sorya, who was purged in the 1960s by Kim Il Sung, in a positive role. This was the first time that an "anti-system figure" has been portrayed heroically on the North Korean screen.^[6] According to defectors' testimony, North Korean audiences were engrossed by its depiction of First World affluence.^[7][8]

• Parts 1–4 were based on the life of Choe Deok-sin^[9]
• Parts 5–8 were based on the life of Isang Yun^[10]
• Parts 9–13 were based on the life of Choi Hong Hi^[11]
• Parts 14–16 were based on the life of Ri In-mo^[12]
• Parts 17–19 were based on the life of Ho Jong-suk^[13]
• Parts 20–25 were based on the life of naturalized Japanese women, including Rim Un-jong (Izumi Kiyoshi)^[14]
• Parts 26–36 were based on the life of workers^[15]
• Parts 46–51 were based on the life of Choe Hyon^[16]
• Parts 52–60 were based on the life of people past, present and future across generations^[17]
• Parts 61–62 were based on the life of peasants^[18]

Some parts are said to be censored, as they were not aired on television during chronological airings of the series. Days where a censored part was to be aired featured a regular film until a non-censored part was scheduled to air. As they are censored, information on their creative staff is also unknown. Other films including the series Unsung Heroes have been censored during the transition of power from Kim Jong Il to Kim Jong Un.

The use of South Korean popular songs was part of a "mosquito-net strategy", whereby it was hoped the North Korean public would be immunised to the culture of the outside world by gradual exposure.^[19]

Some of the music used throughout the series include (but not limited to),

• Nakhwa Yusu / Falling Blossom (낙화유수) - Episode 1 & 10
• Hey, Jude - The Beatles - Episode 2
• Rock Me - ABBA - Episode 2 & 5
• Colonel Bogey March - Episode 5 & 9
• Paris au mois d'août - Charles Aznavour - Episode 12
• Hongdoya Uji Mala / Hongdo, Don't Cry (홍도야 우지 마라) - Episode 12
• Sen'yū - Episode 13
• Geuttae Geusalam / The One I Remember (그때 그사람) - Episode 13
• Mamma Mia - ABBA - Episode 15

• Ri, Ok Gyong (15 September 2012). Hong Chan Su; Ri Un Gyong (eds.). Korean film: Feature Film, TV Drama, Documentary, Science Film, Children's Film / 조선 영화: 예술, 텔레비죤극, 기록, 과학, 아동 (in English and Korean). Translated by Ro Yong Chol, Jang Hyang Gi and Yang Sung Mi. Pyongyang: Korea Film Export & Import Corporation. OCLC 857899124.

• Nation and Destiny: Parts 1-4 at IMDb
• Nation and Destiny: Parts 5-8 at IMDb
• Nation and Destiny: Parts 9-10 at IMDb
• Nation and Destiny: Parts 11-13 at IMDb
• "Nation and Destiny": the North Korean serial drama with the secret to unification by Tatiana Gabroussenko at NK News

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