Nation and Destiny () 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.
Nation and Destiny is 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. According to defectors' testimony, North Korean audiences were engrossed by its depiction of First World affluence.
Synopsis Parts 1–4 were based on the life of Choe Deok-sin Parts 5–8 were based on the life of Isang Yun Parts 9–13 were based on the life of Choi Hong Hi Parts 14–16 were based on the life of Ri In-mo Parts 17–19 were based on the life of Ho Jong-suk Parts 20–25 were based on the life of naturalized Japanese women, including Rim Un-jong (Izumi Kiyoshi) Parts 26–36 were based on the life of workers Parts 46–51 were based on the life of Choe Hyon Parts 52–60 were based on the life of people past, present and future across generations Parts 61–62 were based on the life of peasants
Part list 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. +EpisodeSubjectMain ScriptwriterMain DirectorPhotographyMusicMain ActorsMain Studio1Choe Deok SinChoe Sang GunChoe Sang GunJong Ik HanRi Jong OChoe Chang Su, Jon Jae Yon, Kim Ok HuiKorean Film Studio2Choe Deok SinChoe Sang GunChoe Sang GunUi Yun SongRi Jong OChoe Chang Su, Kim Ok Hui, Pak Ku JuKorean Film Studio3Choe Deok SinChoe Sang GunChoe Sang GunUi Yun SongRi Jong OChoe Chang Su, Kim Jun Sik, Kim Ryong RinKorean Film Studio4Choe Deok SinChoe Sang GunChoe Sang GunUi Yun SongRi Jong OChoe Chang Su, Kim Jun Sik, Kim Ryong RinKorean Film Studio5Isang YunChoe Sang GunChoe Sang GunJong Ik HanRi Jong OSo Kyong Sop, So Jin Hyang, Pak Yong MiKorean Film Studio6Isang YunChoe Sang GunChoe Sang GunJong Ik HanRi Jong OSo Kyong Sop, So Jin Hyang, Pak Hyo SinKorean Film Studio7Isang YunChoe Sang GunChoe Sang GunJong Ik HanRi Jong OSo Kyong Sop, So Jin Hyang, Pak Hyo SinKorean Film Studio8Isang YunChoe Sang GunChoe Sang GunJong Ik HanRi Jong OSo Kyong Sop, So Jin Hyang, Pak Hyo SinKorean Film Studio9Choi Hong HiChoe Sang GunChoe Sang GunJong Ik HanRi Jong OPak Ki Ju, Kim Jong Hwa, O Mi-ranKorean Film Studio10Choi Hong HiChoe Sang GunChoe Sang GunJong Ik HanRi Jong OPak Ki Ju, Kim Jong Hwa, O Mi-ranKorean Film Studio11Hong Yong JaChoe Sang GunChoe Sang GunJong Ik HanRi Jong OPak Ki Ju, O Mi-ran, Kim Jong HwaKorean Film Studio12Hong Yong JaChoe Sang GunChoe Sang GunJong Ik HanRi Jong OO Mi-ran, Kim Jong Un, Ri Sol HuiKorean Film Studio13Hong Yong JaChoe Sang GunChoe Sang GunChoe Byong RyolRi Jong OO Mi-ran, Pak Ki Ju, Kim Jong HwaKorean Film Studio14Ri In MoChoe Sang GunChoe Sang GunPak Se UngRi Jong OJong Un Mo, Jong Chun Ran, Kim In KonKorean 2.8 Film Studio15Ri In MoChoe Sang GunChoe Sang GunPak Se UngRi Jong OJong Un Mo, Jong Chun Ran, Kim In KonKorean 2.8 Film Studio16Ri In MoChoe Sang GunChoe Sang GunPak Se UngRi Jong OJong Un Mo, Jong Chun Ran, Hong Kyong RanKorean 2.8 Film Studio17Ho Jong SukRi Chun-guRi Jae JunChoe Byong RyolRi Jong OKim Yong Suk, Choe Chang Su, Kim Ok HuiKorean Film Studio18Ho Jong SukRi Chun-guRi Jae JunChoe Byong RyolRi Jong OKim Yong Suk, Choe Chang Su, Kim Ok HuiKorean Film Studio19Ho Jong SukRi Chun-guRi Jae JunChoe Byong RyolRi Jong OKim Yong Suk, Kim Kwang Mun, Hong Hwal ChoKorean Film Studio20212223242526WorkersRi Chun-guKim Yong HoUi Yong SongRi Jong OYu Won Jun, Ri Ji Yong, Ryu Kyong AeKorean Film Studio27WorkersRi Chun-guKim Yong HoUi Yun SongRi Jong OYu Won Jun, Ri Ji Yong, Ryu Kyong AeKorean Film Studio28WorkersRi Chun-guKim Yong HoUi Yun SongRi Jong OYu Won Jun, Ri Ji Yong, Ryu Kyong AeKorean Film Studio29WorkersRi Chun-guKim Yong HoUi Yun SongRi Jong OYu Won Jun, Kwak Myong So, Mun Jong AeKorean Film Studio30WorkersRi Chun-guKim Yong HoUi Yun SongRi Jong OYu Won Jun, Ri Ji Yong, Ryu Kyong AeKorean Film Studio31WorkersRi Chun-guKim Kil InHan Ryong SuRi Jong OYu Won Jun, Ryu Kyong Ae, Ri Ji YongKorean Film Studio32WorkersRi Chun-guKim Kil InHan Ryong SuRi Jong OYu Won Jun, Ryu Kyong Ae, Ri Ji YongKorean Film Studio33WorkersRi Chun-guKim Kil InHan Ryong SuHwang Jin YongYu Won Jun, Ri Kyong Hui, Ko Sung RyongKorean Film Studio34WorkersRi Chun-guKim Hyon CholHan Ryong SuRi Bong RyongYu Won Jun, Ryu Kyong Ae, Ri Ji YongKorean Film Studio35WorkersRi Chun-guKim Hyon CholHan Ryong SuRi Bong RyongYu Won Jun, Ryu Kyong Ae, Ri Ji YongKorean Film Studio36WorkersRi Chun-guKim Hyon CholHan Ryong SuRi Jong OYu Won Jun, Ryu Kyong Ae, Choe Kwang SongKorean Film Studio37383940414243444546Choe HyonRi Chun-guJo Kyong SunO Thae YongSo Jong KonChoe Bong Sik, Ri Won Bok, O Mi-ranKorean 4.25 Film Studio47Choe HyonRi Chun-guJo Kyong SunO Thae YongPak Sang SuChoe Bong Sik, Ri Won Bok, O Mi-ranKorean 4.25 Film Studio48Choe HyonRi Chun-guJo Kyong SunO Thae YongPak Sang SuChoe Bong Sik, Ri Won Bok, O Mi-ranKorean 4.25 Film Studio49Choe HyonRi Chun-guChoe Bu KilO Thae YongPae Yong SamChoe Bong Sik, Ri Won Bok, O Mi-ranKorean 4.25 Film Studio50Choe HyonRi Chun-guChoe Bu KilO Thae YongPae Yong SamChoe Bong Sik, Ri Won Bok, O Mi-ranKorean 4.25 Film Studio51Choe HyonRi Chun-guChoe Bu KilO Thae YongPae Yong SamChoe Bong Sik, O Mi-ran, Ri Won BokKorean 4.25 Film Studio52People of the past, present and futureRi Chun-guPak Jong JuHan Ryong SuKo Su YongKim Jong Hwa, Kim Chol, Ri Kum SukKorean Film Studio53People of the past, present and futureRi Chun-guPak Jong JuHan Ryong SuKo Su YongKim Ryong Rin, Ri Kum Suk, Kim Myong MunKorean Film Studio54People of the past, present and futureRi Chun-guPak Jong JuHan Ryong SuKo Su YongKim Ryong Rin, Ri Kum Suk, So Sin HyangKorean Film Studio55People of the past, present and futureRi Chun-guPak Jong JuHan Ryong SuKo Su YongKim Chol, Kim Son Ok, Kim Myong MunKorean Film Studio56People of the past, present and futureRi Chun-guPak Jong JuHan Ryong SuKo Su YongKim Ryong Rin, Kim Jong Hwa, Ri Kum SukKorean Film Studio57People of the past, present and futurePak Jong JuPak Jong JuHan Ryong SuKo Su YongKim Jong Hwa, Kim Ryong Rin, Choe Kwang SongKorean Film Studio58People of the past, present and futurePak Jong JuPak Jong JuHan Ryong SuKo Su YongKim Jong Hwa, Kim Ryong Rin, Ri Kum SukKorean Film Studio59People of the past, present and futurePak Jong JuPak Jong JuHan Ryong SuKo Su YongKim Jong Hwa, Kim Ryong Rin, Hyon Chang KolKorean Film Studio60People of the past, present and futureSol Ju YongPak Jong JuHan Ryong SuKo Su YongKim Jong Hwa, Kim Ryong Rin, Kim CholKorean Film Studio61PeasantsRi Tok YunJong Kon JoJong Hong SokSong Tong HwanKim Yong Suk, Choe Tae Hyon, Kim Kyong AeKorean Film Studio62PeasantsRi Tok YunJong Kon JoJong Hong SokSong Tong HwanChoe Tae Hyon, Kim Yong Suk, Ri Yong HoKorean Film Studio
Music 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.
Some of the music used throughout the series include (but not limited to),
Nakhwa Yusu / Falling Blossom () - 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 () - Episode 12 Sen'yū - Episode 13 Geuttae Geusalam / The One I Remember () - Episode 13 Mamma Mia - ABBA - Episode 15
References
Works cited
External links
"Nation and Destiny": the North Korean serial drama with the secret to unification by Tatiana Gabroussenko at NK News