The North Korean state-run TV channel leaked the scene of a topless actress in a Chinese art film on Oct. 20, attracting attention from audiences, the Yonhap News Agency reported Friday.
The art film, Hero Zheng Chenggong(1626-1662), was aired for 90 minutes from 8:50 p.m., when prime evening hours started, by (North) Korean Central Television.
Zheng Chenggong is an epic figure who campaigned to revive collapsed Ming Dynasty in mid-1600s, when China was reigned by Qing Dynasty (1636-1912). He has been highly praised as one of Chinese heroes as he expelled Holland’s invaders on the Island of Taiwan.
North Korea intended to inspire its residents to gain confidence against “American imperial forces” in a psychological battle, by flaring up the Chinese hero who defeated the imperialists in the history.
The most striking was the scene of a woman bathing in the middle of the film.
the woman was bathing topless with flowers floating on the water in a wooded bath tube in a scene of 39 seconds, which is very rare in North Korean TV channels.
It is a unprecedented topless scene given North Korea’s social atmosphere. North Korea is far more closed and feudal society about exposure of women’s body to the public on TV than any other country in the world.
The Central TV also provided Chinese and English subtitled, with the film dubbed in Korean to help its residents enjoying the film in a comfortable manner.
North Korea has allowed Chinese dramas in TVs often, since four Chinese dramas were aired over the five months in tune to the visit of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il to China in April, 2004.