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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) 7 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
#8
Final score:
32points
#10
Final score:
29points
#11
Final score:
24points
Koko Sempai 7 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 7 years ago
I wonder if they will ever manage to fully finish and open that hotel (Ryugyong Hotel).
#16
Final score:
19points
#17
Final score:
17points
Dylan Barsby 7 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 7 years ago
International marathon that no one outside N Korea has ever heard of...
#25
Final score:
12points
#27
Final score:
11points
#28
Final score:
11points
Kira Leseman 7 years ago
What is the middle statue depicting? A bayonet with a flag around it maybe?
#29
Final score:
11points
Diana Burolo 7 years ago
wow! that's a picture you won't see in croatia schools anytime soon... :/
#31
Final score:
11points
Jumailiana Iwan 7 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 7 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
#39
Final score:
5points
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Violaine LB 7 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.
Talia Johnson 7 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.
TheReader19 7 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 7 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.
Diana Burolo 7 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 7 years ago
Adam your photographs are beautiful. My one real observation is quietness from these photographs. Thank you for sharing them.
Mark Flower 7 years ago
Great photos! At least the children appear to have that last glimpse of humanity left.
Milena Matic 7 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 7 years ago
The photos are beautiful but this has to be shared in context. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufhKWfPSQOw
Patrick McKenna 7 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?
Pocho Basura 7 years ago
adam, I have to ask, was this a guided tour? OR do you work part time for north korea?
Julio Phillips 7 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 7 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.
Violaine LB 7 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.
Talia Johnson 7 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.
TheReader19 7 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 7 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.
Diana Burolo 7 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 7 years ago
Adam your photographs are beautiful. My one real observation is quietness from these photographs. Thank you for sharing them.
Mark Flower 7 years ago
Great photos! At least the children appear to have that last glimpse of humanity left.
Milena Matic 7 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 7 years ago
The photos are beautiful but this has to be shared in context. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufhKWfPSQOw
Patrick McKenna 7 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?
Pocho Basura 7 years ago
adam, I have to ask, was this a guided tour? OR do you work part time for north korea?
Julio Phillips 7 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 7 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.
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