In 2017, the co-founders of the Teach North Korean Refugees Global Education Center (TNKR) were guests on the cable TV show "On My Way to Meet You" featuring North Korean refugees. Many North Korean refugees learned about TNKR from that show and many students have since joined the program so they can study English. April 2017 "On My Way to Meet You," (13 minute clip with English subtitles here or our segment from the 57 minute mark here). I occasionally ask North Korean refugees what they think about the various TV shows featuring North Korean refugees. Below are some of their thoughts.
Han, female, escaped from North Korea in 1998, arrived in 2001
I arrived in South Korea when there were few North Korean refugees here. I wish those kind of shows would have been in the media then. So many South Koreans assumed we were criminals or losers, or accused us of abandoning our families. The shows aren't perfect, but one good benefit is that they have introduced many South Koreans to everyday North Korean refugees. A second good benefit is that it has an influence on North Korean refugees who have escaped to China. Many of them there watch TV shows from South Korea, so they have a better idea of what life is like here. In that way, the TV shows are better than the Hanawon re-education center at introducing refugees to South Korea.
Jihyang, female, escaped from North Korea in 2011, arrived in South Korea in 2016
I hear some criticism of the shows, but I see more good than bad from them. After I graduate from college, I hope to be on one of those shows. It is amazing to me that I could share my thoughts with others through those shows or even on YouTube. When I was in North Korea, I would never have a chance to be on TV saying what I think. It is almost impossible to be on TV in North Korea unless you have demonstrated your loyalty to the regime. But here, I can get on TV, it doesn't matter if I praise or criticize the president or other leaders, there is the opportunity here in South Korea for my voice to be heard.
Hyang-mi, female, escaped from North Korea in 2009, arrived in South Korea in 2010
I can't trust the panelists on those shows. I know one of the ladies on one of the shows. We are from the same hometown. I can really see when she exaggerates about things from our hometown. Then she will present those exaggerations as being true of all of North Korea. I can understand when the panelists criticize the leaders in North Korea, but I can't understand why they criticize everyday North Koreans. The people still there are victims of the leaders. We should be more understanding about their situations. My neighbors and friends were great; I can even see them in my dreams.
Eungyeong, female, escaped from North Korea in 2013, arrived in South Korea in 2015
Overall, I have a really negative view of those shows. I can't believe how often they exaggerate and lie about North Korea. I have to turn the shows off because I get so upset sometimes. But I also can see that there is some good that comes from them. If not for them, then South Koreans would know almost nothing about life in North Korea. If there could be a better way to check facts on the show and to prevent the panelists from exaggerating, then the show would be even better.
Sungkyung, female, escaped from North Korea in 2003, arrived in South Korea in 2007
I do watch the North Korean defector talk shows sometimes, but I'm not a fan. I get bothered when I feel like they are exaggerating. On the other hand, I think it is good that South Korean media thinks it is important to hear things from the North Korean viewpoint. I hope they can make enough money to rescue their relatives or to have good lives here. It can be difficult for us here.
Yang-Hyuk, male, escaped from North Korea in 2018, arrived in South Korea in 2019
I haven't seen any of the shows yet, I am too busy getting training and studying English, so I have no time to spare for chit-chatting. Before watching, I am already a bit skeptical. North Korea is a country with a lot of variety; those individuals can't know everything about it. North Koreans are so isolated within North Korea. It can be difficult to even know what is going on in nearby towns. I hope the panelists are presented as telling their own stories rather than speaking for all North Korean refugees or all people in North Korea. That can be valuable to hear what they have to say as individuals from North Korea with their own individual stories.
Kyoung-Sook, escaped from North Korea in 2011, arrived in South Korea in 2017
I don't like the shows. I rarely watch them these days. I really support attacking the North Korean leaders. So often when I'm watching, it seems the panelists are presenting out-of-date information. At other times, they will present things as being true of all of North Korea, even if it is only their region. Anyone who wants to study or talk about North Korea needs to have a broader perspective. It can cause more divisions between North and South Korea when incorrect or incomplete information is presented.
Minsu, male, escaped from North Korea in 2009, arrived in South Korea in 2010
I am amazed that people complain about those TV shows so much. They are just TV shows, not something that presents every truth about everything about North Korea. It can give us a taste of what life is like in North Korea and about the experiences of people who have escaped. After watching those discussions, people should study on their own, rather than debating every sentence, statement and word of what people say on a TV show. I have met some of the refugees on the TV shows, they are good people, they have many interesting and informative things to say, and it can be really entertaining. I have been asked to be on the shows, but so far I have said no. It can be messy getting into that media world. I respect and admire those who are willing to be identified as being from North Korea and are willing to speak out. They would never have a chance to present their stories when they were in North Korea. In North Korea, the government would have tried to destroy them. Here, it is netizens and researchers who are trying to destroy them.
Sangshin, male, escaped from North Korea in 2015, arrived in South Korea in 2015
The shows are fun and entertaining. They were on TV even before I arrived here and they continue to be popular, so they must be doing something right. We can learn many things, such as I saw you and Eunkoo on the show, so I learned about TNKR. I called the show to ask about TNKR. I had a chance to meet one of the writers and she told me more about this program and many other things in Korea. I learned that some incredible refugees like Yeonmi Park and Eunhee Park studied here, so it motivated me to learn English. I don't worry about little problems from the shows, nothing is perfect. I just try to learn about new things that can help me with my life here.
Danbi, female, escaped from North Korea in 2014, arrived in South Korea in 2015
After I escaped to China, I wasn't sure what to do next. Then I began watching a refugee TV show when I was there. I already had begun to learn that the North Korean government had tried to brainwash us about so many things. It was incredible seeing North Korean refugees speaking so strongly against the North Korean government and leaders. In North Korea, they would have been killed immediately and their families destroyed if they said anything negative like that. The ladies seemed to be so smart and brave. I remember thinking that I wish I could be like them. I was so scared in China, not sure what would happen to me, so seeing them really inspired me about what could be possible in South Korea. My life had not been bad in North Korea, but I wanted more for me and for my children.
Eunjoo, female, escaped from North Korea in 2013, arrived in 2013
Sometimes the TV shows are too much. They want to entertain, not try to educate. So, for people who know a lot about North Korea or have experienced it themselves by growing up there, I'm sure there are some complaints. I would still recommend it for people who don't know anything about North Korea. Even if some things are exaggerated, they are still based on some reality and facts. Viewers should not be lazy enough to think a TV show will teach them everything. After they have learned something from the shows, they should then look up details and do more reading on their own, by reading newspapers or books that can give more balanced and deeper information.
Casey Lartigue Jr., co-founder of the Teach North Korean Refugees Global Education Center, was the 2017 winner of the "Social Contribution" Prize from the Hansarang Rural Cultural Foundation and was recently named the 2019 winner of a "Challenge Maker" Award from Challenge Korea. TNKR co-founder Eunkoo Lee translated the remarks of the refugees from Korean to English.
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I arrived in South Korea when there were few North Korean refugees here. I wish those kind of shows would have been in the media then. So many South Koreans assumed we were criminals or losers, or accused us of abandoning our families. The shows aren't perfect, but one good benefit is that they have introduced many South Koreans to everyday North Korean refugees. A second good benefit is that it has an influence on North Korean refugees who have escaped to China. Many of them there watch TV shows from South Korea, so they have a better idea of what life is like here. In that way, the TV shows are better than the Hanawon re-education center at introducing refugees to South Korea.
Jihyang, female, escaped from North Korea in 2011, arrived in South Korea in 2016
I hear some criticism of the shows, but I see more good than bad from them. After I graduate from college, I hope to be on one of those shows. It is amazing to me that I could share my thoughts with others through those shows or even on YouTube. When I was in North Korea, I would never have a chance to be on TV saying what I think. It is almost impossible to be on TV in North Korea unless you have demonstrated your loyalty to the regime. But here, I can get on TV, it doesn't matter if I praise or criticize the president or other leaders, there is the opportunity here in South Korea for my voice to be heard.
Hyang-mi, female, escaped from North Korea in 2009, arrived in South Korea in 2010
I can't trust the panelists on those shows. I know one of the ladies on one of the shows. We are from the same hometown. I can really see when she exaggerates about things from our hometown. Then she will present those exaggerations as being true of all of North Korea. I can understand when the panelists criticize the leaders in North Korea, but I can't understand why they criticize everyday North Koreans. The people still there are victims of the leaders. We should be more understanding about their situations. My neighbors and friends were great; I can even see them in my dreams.
Eungyeong, female, escaped from North Korea in 2013, arrived in South Korea in 2015
Overall, I have a really negative view of those shows. I can't believe how often they exaggerate and lie about North Korea. I have to turn the shows off because I get so upset sometimes. But I also can see that there is some good that comes from them. If not for them, then South Koreans would know almost nothing about life in North Korea. If there could be a better way to check facts on the show and to prevent the panelists from exaggerating, then the show would be even better.
Sungkyung, female, escaped from North Korea in 2003, arrived in South Korea in 2007
I do watch the North Korean defector talk shows sometimes, but I'm not a fan. I get bothered when I feel like they are exaggerating. On the other hand, I think it is good that South Korean media thinks it is important to hear things from the North Korean viewpoint. I hope they can make enough money to rescue their relatives or to have good lives here. It can be difficult for us here.
Yang-Hyuk, male, escaped from North Korea in 2018, arrived in South Korea in 2019
I haven't seen any of the shows yet, I am too busy getting training and studying English, so I have no time to spare for chit-chatting. Before watching, I am already a bit skeptical. North Korea is a country with a lot of variety; those individuals can't know everything about it. North Koreans are so isolated within North Korea. It can be difficult to even know what is going on in nearby towns. I hope the panelists are presented as telling their own stories rather than speaking for all North Korean refugees or all people in North Korea. That can be valuable to hear what they have to say as individuals from North Korea with their own individual stories.
Kyoung-Sook, escaped from North Korea in 2011, arrived in South Korea in 2017
I don't like the shows. I rarely watch them these days. I really support attacking the North Korean leaders. So often when I'm watching, it seems the panelists are presenting out-of-date information. At other times, they will present things as being true of all of North Korea, even if it is only their region. Anyone who wants to study or talk about North Korea needs to have a broader perspective. It can cause more divisions between North and South Korea when incorrect or incomplete information is presented.
Minsu, male, escaped from North Korea in 2009, arrived in South Korea in 2010
I am amazed that people complain about those TV shows so much. They are just TV shows, not something that presents every truth about everything about North Korea. It can give us a taste of what life is like in North Korea and about the experiences of people who have escaped. After watching those discussions, people should study on their own, rather than debating every sentence, statement and word of what people say on a TV show. I have met some of the refugees on the TV shows, they are good people, they have many interesting and informative things to say, and it can be really entertaining. I have been asked to be on the shows, but so far I have said no. It can be messy getting into that media world. I respect and admire those who are willing to be identified as being from North Korea and are willing to speak out. They would never have a chance to present their stories when they were in North Korea. In North Korea, the government would have tried to destroy them. Here, it is netizens and researchers who are trying to destroy them.
Sangshin, male, escaped from North Korea in 2015, arrived in South Korea in 2015
The shows are fun and entertaining. They were on TV even before I arrived here and they continue to be popular, so they must be doing something right. We can learn many things, such as I saw you and Eunkoo on the show, so I learned about TNKR. I called the show to ask about TNKR. I had a chance to meet one of the writers and she told me more about this program and many other things in Korea. I learned that some incredible refugees like Yeonmi Park and Eunhee Park studied here, so it motivated me to learn English. I don't worry about little problems from the shows, nothing is perfect. I just try to learn about new things that can help me with my life here.
Danbi, female, escaped from North Korea in 2014, arrived in South Korea in 2015
After I escaped to China, I wasn't sure what to do next. Then I began watching a refugee TV show when I was there. I already had begun to learn that the North Korean government had tried to brainwash us about so many things. It was incredible seeing North Korean refugees speaking so strongly against the North Korean government and leaders. In North Korea, they would have been killed immediately and their families destroyed if they said anything negative like that. The ladies seemed to be so smart and brave. I remember thinking that I wish I could be like them. I was so scared in China, not sure what would happen to me, so seeing them really inspired me about what could be possible in South Korea. My life had not been bad in North Korea, but I wanted more for me and for my children.
Eunjoo, female, escaped from North Korea in 2013, arrived in 2013
Sometimes the TV shows are too much. They want to entertain, not try to educate. So, for people who know a lot about North Korea or have experienced it themselves by growing up there, I'm sure there are some complaints. I would still recommend it for people who don't know anything about North Korea. Even if some things are exaggerated, they are still based on some reality and facts. Viewers should not be lazy enough to think a TV show will teach them everything. After they have learned something from the shows, they should then look up details and do more reading on their own, by reading newspapers or books that can give more balanced and deeper information.
Casey Lartigue Jr., co-founder of the Teach North Korean Refugees Global Education Center, was the 2017 winner of the "Social Contribution" Prize from the Hansarang Rural Cultural Foundation and was recently named the 2019 winner of a "Challenge Maker" Award from Challenge Korea. TNKR co-founder Eunkoo Lee translated the remarks of the refugees from Korean to English.
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