I was on the first language course in Pyongyang in 2016 and can highly recommend it. On the other hand there are fathomable historical reasons why North Korea is the way that it is, reasons which differ greatly from the "crazy/evil" line in our own media and public discourse. If it proves to be authentic then I believe it is the sole example of a western 'pop' act on vinyl record from that country. Alek from Tongil Tours provided an incredible trip around Seoul. I hope that Korea may be reunited democratically in the future 1. Having looked at some other tour providers I am really happy that I settled with Tongil Tours – as well as being fun, the trip was also informative and educational. No - Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble recorded (but not in era vinyl) Brother Loui and Labada. The Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble is one of north Korea's most popular music groups. I enjoyed a great experience when I toured the DPRK in 2016 Overall, I would highly recommend Tongil Tours to anyone thinking of visiting North Korea who wants to get that extra something out of their trip! I would consider going again some day. Alek Sigley, our Australian Academic from ANU, (who is an expert in Korean studies) gave a whole new perspective on the country. On the one hand visitors will find the isolated, feudal-Stalinist dystopia they've heard and read about. The few (western — there are many Chinese) tour groups we encountered did not have the luxury of such interpretation, on both the linguistic and cultural/historical levels, that Alek provides with Tongil Tours. Wouldn't travel to the DPRK with anyone else. Some highlights included the Pyongyang Circus, Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, natural sightseeing in rural areas, and visiting local schools. James Enderby – 5 star Of course, we got to see our fair share of communist kitsch, but what left the most lasting impression on me was just having simple conversations with ordinary people who we're led to believe are mindless robots, something which Alek did all he could to facilitate. Our DPPK guide Mrs Hong was excellent and spoke extremely good English as well as some Spanish. Tour operator Alek, a student of Korean language, history and culture, does an outstanding job in helping visitors grapple with the emotional and intellectual challenges of this country. knowledgeable, so many of the myths were broken down, it was eye opening! Bill Sykes, 8 days in the DPRK in July 2016. I felt safe and secure and welcome at all times The Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble can be heard on North Korean radio stations. Watch Queue Queue His language skills made talking to people a lot easier too, although it was surprising how many young people spoke at least rudimentary English. :D, I went on a trip to the 14th Pyongyang International Film Festival organised by Tongil Tours in autumn 2014, and I can. Life in my country is the best. All in all I would rate Tongil Tours 5 stars. also able to develop a sense of what life is like for the average North Korean citizen. Would definitely go again! I read somewhere that students in NK are permitted to watch the movie THE SOUND OF MUSIC to learn english. The Pyongyang Summer Language Program 2019, The North Korea Highlights Tour 2019 + Mass Games, The tour was extremely well-managed and organised. That’s it for Part 1 in this series. A memorable part of my journey was visiting the Demilitarized Zone at the South-North Korean border. The tour guides were extremely amicable and easy to get along with, as were all other members of the tour. Follow on Instagram He himself was a connoisseur of the arts and began his political career helping his father from within the Propaganda and Agitation Department of the Korean Worker’s Party, where he paved the way for a series of innovations to North Korean cultural policy (and such changes may not have been possible unless initiated from the top either). Interested in North Korean music? Life in my country is the best. Mandarin speakers should also note that there are similarities between the two languages and Alek, who knows both of them, can explain the Korean via the Chinese — which makes everything from place names to propaganda slogans infinitely easier to remember.