Nation and Destiny


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
  • 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 Studio
1Choe Deok SinChoe Sang GunChoe Sang GunJong Ik HanRi Jong OChoe Chang Su, Jon Jae Yon, Kim Ok HuiKorean Film Studio
2Choe Deok SinChoe Sang GunChoe Sang GunUi Yun SongRi Jong OChoe Chang Su, Kim Ok Hui, Pak Ku JuKorean Film Studio
3Choe Deok SinChoe Sang GunChoe Sang GunUi Yun SongRi Jong OChoe Chang Su, Kim Jun Sik, Kim Ryong RinKorean Film Studio
4Choe Deok SinChoe Sang GunChoe Sang GunUi Yun SongRi Jong OChoe Chang Su, Kim Jun Sik, Kim Ryong RinKorean Film Studio
5Isang YunChoe Sang GunChoe Sang GunJong Ik HanRi Jong OSo Kyong Sop, So Jin Hyang, Pak Yong MiKorean Film Studio
6Isang YunChoe Sang GunChoe Sang GunJong Ik HanRi Jong OSo Kyong Sop, So Jin Hyang, Pak Hyo SinKorean Film Studio
7Isang YunChoe Sang GunChoe Sang GunJong Ik HanRi Jong OSo Kyong Sop, So Jin Hyang, Pak Hyo SinKorean Film Studio
8Isang YunChoe Sang GunChoe Sang GunJong Ik HanRi Jong OSo Kyong Sop, So Jin Hyang, Pak Hyo SinKorean Film Studio
9Choi Hong HiChoe Sang GunChoe Sang GunJong Ik HanRi Jong OPak Ki Ju, Kim Jong Hwa, O Mi-ranKorean Film Studio
10Choi Hong HiChoe Sang GunChoe Sang GunJong Ik HanRi Jong OPak Ki Ju, Kim Jong Hwa, O Mi-ranKorean Film Studio
11Hong Yong JaChoe Sang GunChoe Sang GunJong Ik HanRi Jong OPak Ki Ju, O Mi-ran, Kim Jong HwaKorean Film Studio
12Hong Yong JaChoe Sang GunChoe Sang GunJong Ik HanRi Jong OO Mi-ran, Kim Jong Un, Ri Sol HuiKorean Film Studio
13Hong Yong JaChoe Sang GunChoe Sang GunChoe Byong RyolRi Jong OO Mi-ran, Pak Ki Ju, Kim Jong HwaKorean Film Studio
14Ri In MoChoe Sang GunChoe Sang GunPak Se UngRi Jong OJong Un Mo, Jong Chun Ran, Kim In KonKorean 2.8 Film Studio
15Ri In MoChoe Sang GunChoe Sang GunPak Se UngRi Jong OJong Un Mo, Jong Chun Ran, Kim In KonKorean 2.8 Film Studio
16Ri In MoChoe Sang GunChoe Sang GunPak Se UngRi Jong OJong Un Mo, Jong Chun Ran, Hong Kyong RanKorean 2.8 Film Studio
17Ho Jong SukRi Chun-guRi Jae JunChoe Byong RyolRi Jong OKim Yong Suk, Choe Chang Su, Kim Ok HuiKorean Film Studio
18Ho Jong SukRi Chun-guRi Jae JunChoe Byong RyolRi Jong OKim Yong Suk, Choe Chang Su, Kim Ok HuiKorean Film Studio
19Ho Jong SukRi Chun-guRi Jae JunChoe Byong RyolRi Jong OKim Yong Suk, Kim Kwang Mun, Hong Hwal ChoKorean Film Studio
20
21
22
23
24
25
26WorkersRi Chun-guKim Yong HoUi Yong SongRi Jong OYu Won Jun, Ri Ji Yong, Ryu Kyong AeKorean Film Studio
27WorkersRi Chun-guKim Yong HoUi Yun SongRi Jong OYu Won Jun, Ri Ji Yong, Ryu Kyong AeKorean Film Studio
28WorkersRi Chun-guKim Yong HoUi Yun SongRi Jong OYu Won Jun, Ri Ji Yong, Ryu Kyong AeKorean Film Studio
29WorkersRi Chun-guKim Yong HoUi Yun SongRi Jong OYu Won Jun, Kwak Myong So, Mun Jong AeKorean Film Studio
30WorkersRi Chun-guKim Yong HoUi Yun SongRi Jong OYu Won Jun, Ri Ji Yong, Ryu Kyong AeKorean Film Studio
31WorkersRi Chun-guKim Kil InHan Ryong SuRi Jong OYu Won Jun, Ryu Kyong Ae, Ri Ji YongKorean Film Studio
32WorkersRi Chun-guKim Kil InHan Ryong SuRi Jong OYu Won Jun, Ryu Kyong Ae, Ri Ji YongKorean Film Studio
33WorkersRi Chun-guKim Kil InHan Ryong SuHwang Jin YongYu Won Jun, Ri Kyong Hui, Ko Sung RyongKorean Film Studio
34WorkersRi Chun-guKim Hyon CholHan Ryong SuRi Bong RyongYu Won Jun, Ryu Kyong Ae, Ri Ji YongKorean Film Studio
35WorkersRi Chun-guKim Hyon CholHan Ryong SuRi Bong RyongYu Won Jun, Ryu Kyong Ae, Ri Ji YongKorean Film Studio
36WorkersRi Chun-guKim Hyon CholHan Ryong SuRi Jong OYu Won Jun, Ryu Kyong Ae, Choe Kwang SongKorean Film Studio
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46Choe HyonRi Chun-guJo Kyong SunO Thae YongSo Jong KonChoe Bong Sik, Ri Won Bok, O Mi-ranKorean 4.25 Film Studio
47Choe HyonRi Chun-guJo Kyong SunO Thae YongPak Sang SuChoe Bong Sik, Ri Won Bok, O Mi-ranKorean 4.25 Film Studio
48Choe HyonRi Chun-guJo Kyong SunO Thae YongPak Sang SuChoe Bong Sik, Ri Won Bok, O Mi-ranKorean 4.25 Film Studio
49Choe HyonRi Chun-guChoe Bu KilO Thae YongPae Yong SamChoe Bong Sik, Ri Won Bok, O Mi-ranKorean 4.25 Film Studio
50Choe HyonRi Chun-guChoe Bu KilO Thae YongPae Yong SamChoe Bong Sik, Ri Won Bok, O Mi-ranKorean 4.25 Film Studio
51Choe HyonRi Chun-guChoe Bu KilO Thae YongPae Yong SamChoe Bong Sik, O Mi-ran, Ri Won BokKorean 4.25 Film Studio
52People of the past, present and futureRi Chun-guPak Jong JuHan Ryong SuKo Su YongKim Jong Hwa, Kim Chol, Ri Kum SukKorean Film Studio
53People of the past, present and futureRi Chun-guPak Jong JuHan Ryong SuKo Su YongKim Ryong Rin, Ri Kum Suk, Kim Myong MunKorean Film Studio
54People of the past, present and futureRi Chun-guPak Jong JuHan Ryong SuKo Su YongKim Ryong Rin, Ri Kum Suk, So Sin HyangKorean Film Studio
55People of the past, present and futureRi Chun-guPak Jong JuHan Ryong SuKo Su YongKim Chol, Kim Son Ok, Kim Myong MunKorean Film Studio
56People of the past, present and futureRi Chun-guPak Jong JuHan Ryong SuKo Su YongKim Ryong Rin, Kim Jong Hwa, Ri Kum SukKorean Film Studio
57People of the past, present and futurePak Jong JuPak Jong JuHan Ryong SuKo Su YongKim Jong Hwa, Kim Ryong Rin, Choe Kwang SongKorean Film Studio
58People of the past, present and futurePak Jong JuPak Jong JuHan Ryong SuKo Su YongKim Jong Hwa, Kim Ryong Rin, Ri Kum SukKorean Film Studio
59People of the past, present and futurePak Jong JuPak Jong JuHan Ryong SuKo Su YongKim Jong Hwa, Kim Ryong Rin, Hyon Chang KolKorean Film Studio
60People of the past, present and futureSol Ju YongPak Jong JuHan Ryong SuKo Su YongKim Jong Hwa, Kim Ryong Rin, Kim CholKorean Film Studio
61PeasantsRi Tok YunJong Kon JoJong Hong SokSong Tong HwanKim Yong Suk, Choe Tae Hyon, Kim Kyong AeKorean Film Studio
62PeasantsRi 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,