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Last year, I travelled to North Korea to write and photograph a feature for GQ Magazine in Australia.
It was the most fascinating and depressing week of my life. These photos are a glimpse of the carefully choreographed tour that visitors are allowed to go on. It's a facade, for sure, but there are little moments of humanity that peek through.
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#1
Final score:
58points
RELATED:
#2
Final score:
49points
Adam Baidawi (Submission author) 8 years ago
Here's more context around the photos: http://www.gq.com.au/entertainment/film+tv/that+time+we+went+to+north+korea,44899
#4
Final score:
37points
#8
Final score:
32points
#9
Final score:
30points
#10
Final score:
29points
#11
Final score:
24points
Koko Sempai 8 years ago
I love the sound of these instruments! I went to see a Japanese performance before, and it was so good!
#12
Final score:
21points
Mirriam Banda 8 years ago
I wonder if they will ever manage to fully finish and open that hotel (Ryugyong Hotel).
#14
Final score:
19points
#15
Final score:
19points
#16
Final score:
19points
#17
Final score:
17points
Dylan Barsby 8 years ago
I've always loathed all the litter and obvious pollution around me - in the streets etc. and have always enjoyed a 'clean' environment... but this is practically sterile. I'm surprised to find that I dislike it.
#18
Final score:
16points
#20
Final score:
15points
Notchimine Mette 8 years ago
International marathon that no one outside N Korea has ever heard of...
#22
Final score:
14points
#23
Final score:
13points
#24
Final score:
13points
#25
Final score:
12points
#26
Final score:
12points
#27
Final score:
11points
#28
Final score:
11points
Kira Leseman 8 years ago
What is the middle statue depicting? A bayonet with a flag around it maybe?
#29
Final score:
11points
Diana Burolo 8 years ago
wow! that's a picture you won't see in croatia schools anytime soon... :/
#31
Final score:
11points
Jumailiana Iwan 8 years ago
i got this pic from the south side....... that big building with horn like roof is where the south house north koreans defectors , where the south will screen and check whether the defectors are real or spies trying to inflitrate
#32
Final score:
10points
Claire Von Hirdler 8 years ago
looks like some of these pics were taken through glass...there's the slight reflection. maybe a car tour?
#33
Final score:
10points
#34
Final score:
10points
#35
Final score:
9points
#36
Final score:
9points
#37
Final score:
8points
Emmanuel Christian 8 years ago
the backdrop on the right ... it's 70% discount on ballistic missiles
#39
Final score:
5points
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Violaine LB 8 years ago
Yes! I remember a few weeks/months ago, somebody else posted pictures from North Korea trying to show that it was not as bad as what people say, and I thought it was revolting to deny there was any problem in North Korea. I like the fact that the author acknowledges that there are issues but also humanity, that's a more balanced approach. And these pictures are more beautiful too, I love the light on these. Really great.
Sweep the Leg 8 years ago
I remember that post from a few months ago. It really was ridiculous how they insisted it was a much better life than we all believed. I was thinking the same thing as you when I began reading this post. Glad to see the author has a much more realistic view on the topic, and great pictures! Well done!
Load More Replies...
Talia Johnson 8 years ago
It is fascinating to see these photos - thank you for sharing them. It would be great to have a bit of context also for some of the places and events, if possible.
Adam Baidawi (Post author) 8 years ago
Thanks Talia! My article here goes into more depth: http://gq.com.au/entertainment/film+tv/that+time+we+went+to+north+korea,44899
Load More Replies...
TheReader19 8 years ago
Hi Adam, the pictures were really interesting, however; at the top you really should have put some description of where they were taken. The blue empty seats really leaves me wondering if that was an airport that most North Koreans will never get to go to
John L 8 years ago
After having lived in South Korea for a year, the difference is like night and day. Where life in the North is so choreographed, the South is equally spontaneous, and so natural. Perhaps the world needs at least one North Korea, just to highlight the failure of Collectivism.
Daria B 8 years ago
I surely enjoy my life here in S. Korea, but I only partially agree with you. It all depends. I've been amongst wonderful spontaneous people, but also amongst stiff conformists. Also collectivism is still pretty much ever-present in the South too. Which is both good and bad, depends how you apply it.
Load More Replies...
Diana Burolo 8 years ago
beautiful photos! reading the comments here i can imagine people who trust too much mainstream media and don't know much about communism and communist art and urban architecture.
Grace Barclay 8 years ago
Adam your photographs are beautiful. My one real observation is quietness from these photographs. Thank you for sharing them.
Mark Flower 8 years ago
Great photos! At least the children appear to have that last glimpse of humanity left.
Milena Matic 8 years ago
I love your photos, and I don't care about the people who always need to make political statements about countries they have never seen and will never see but they KNOW all about them from the news.... Well done!
Davorka Banović 8 years ago
The photos are beautiful but this has to be shared in context. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufhKWfPSQOw
Davorka Banović 8 years ago
A speech from a girl who escaped N. Korea *I apologize there is no description above I thought there would be an automatic link
Load More Replies...
Patrick McKenna 8 years ago
a handful of pleasant pictures..so why is kim jong un angry about? why the firing off a nuke every other week and knocking off siblings and uncles. what's his problem?
Milena Matic 8 years ago
tiny penis could be the issue ... but he keeps executing his doctors, so we'll never know ;-)
Load More Replies...
Pocho Basura 8 years ago
adam, I have to ask, was this a guided tour? OR do you work part time for north korea?
Adam Baidawi (Post author) 8 years ago
It was a guided tour – I work for myself. This work was for GQ Magazine in Australia.
Load More Replies...
Julio Phillips 8 years ago
Free Gift Cards Here #FreeGiftCardMember Claim Now:( https://goo.gl/BrVU2j ) How to claim the video tutorial >>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jma78U9_As
Joel Ediger 8 years ago
I'm very shure that you had guides that showed you just the things Korea want's to be seen. Next time show the real face of this suppressed and poor country please.
jacluckycat 8 years ago
Next time read the description. The author was well aware his exposure was politically manufactured.
Load More Replies...
Stijn V. 8 years ago
I just don't seem to get why the poverty you see in N. Korea is considered so much worse than poverty in the US or in any other country for that matter.
Wendy 8 years ago
It's no to just poverty. It's extreme poverty - approx 80% of the country. Life expectancy is about 65. You have people literally eating grass here. On top of which it's a state of fear wherein infractions- perceived or real- can send you to a labor camp.
Load More Replies...
Violaine LB 8 years ago
Yes! I remember a few weeks/months ago, somebody else posted pictures from North Korea trying to show that it was not as bad as what people say, and I thought it was revolting to deny there was any problem in North Korea. I like the fact that the author acknowledges that there are issues but also humanity, that's a more balanced approach. And these pictures are more beautiful too, I love the light on these. Really great.
Sweep the Leg 8 years ago
I remember that post from a few months ago. It really was ridiculous how they insisted it was a much better life than we all believed. I was thinking the same thing as you when I began reading this post. Glad to see the author has a much more realistic view on the topic, and great pictures! Well done!
Load More Replies... Talia Johnson 8 years ago
It is fascinating to see these photos - thank you for sharing them. It would be great to have a bit of context also for some of the places and events, if possible.
Adam Baidawi (Post author) 8 years ago
Thanks Talia! My article here goes into more depth: http://gq.com.au/entertainment/film+tv/that+time+we+went+to+north+korea,44899
Load More Replies... TheReader19 8 years ago
Hi Adam, the pictures were really interesting, however; at the top you really should have put some description of where they were taken. The blue empty seats really leaves me wondering if that was an airport that most North Koreans will never get to go to
John L 8 years ago
After having lived in South Korea for a year, the difference is like night and day. Where life in the North is so choreographed, the South is equally spontaneous, and so natural. Perhaps the world needs at least one North Korea, just to highlight the failure of Collectivism.
Daria B 8 years ago
I surely enjoy my life here in S. Korea, but I only partially agree with you. It all depends. I've been amongst wonderful spontaneous people, but also amongst stiff conformists. Also collectivism is still pretty much ever-present in the South too. Which is both good and bad, depends how you apply it.
Load More Replies... Diana Burolo 8 years ago
beautiful photos! reading the comments here i can imagine people who trust too much mainstream media and don't know much about communism and communist art and urban architecture.
Grace Barclay 8 years ago
Adam your photographs are beautiful. My one real observation is quietness from these photographs. Thank you for sharing them.
Mark Flower 8 years ago
Great photos! At least the children appear to have that last glimpse of humanity left.
Milena Matic 8 years ago
I love your photos, and I don't care about the people who always need to make political statements about countries they have never seen and will never see but they KNOW all about them from the news.... Well done!
Davorka Banović 8 years ago
The photos are beautiful but this has to be shared in context. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufhKWfPSQOw
Davorka Banović 8 years ago
A speech from a girl who escaped N. Korea *I apologize there is no description above I thought there would be an automatic link
Load More Replies... Patrick McKenna 8 years ago
a handful of pleasant pictures..so why is kim jong un angry about? why the firing off a nuke every other week and knocking off siblings and uncles. what's his problem?
Milena Matic 8 years ago
tiny penis could be the issue ... but he keeps executing his doctors, so we'll never know ;-)
Load More Replies... Pocho Basura 8 years ago
adam, I have to ask, was this a guided tour? OR do you work part time for north korea?
Adam Baidawi (Post author) 8 years ago
It was a guided tour – I work for myself. This work was for GQ Magazine in Australia.
Load More Replies... Julio Phillips 8 years ago
Free Gift Cards Here #FreeGiftCardMember Claim Now:( https://goo.gl/BrVU2j ) How to claim the video tutorial >>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jma78U9_As
Joel Ediger 8 years ago
I'm very shure that you had guides that showed you just the things Korea want's to be seen. Next time show the real face of this suppressed and poor country please.
jacluckycat 8 years ago
Next time read the description. The author was well aware his exposure was politically manufactured.
Load More Replies... Stijn V. 8 years ago
I just don't seem to get why the poverty you see in N. Korea is considered so much worse than poverty in the US or in any other country for that matter.
Wendy 8 years ago
It's no to just poverty. It's extreme poverty - approx 80% of the country. Life expectancy is about 65. You have people literally eating grass here. On top of which it's a state of fear wherein infractions- perceived or real- can send you to a labor camp.
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