The Travel Diary: Documenting daily life in North Korea

The Travel Diary: Documenting daily life in North Korea
The people of the regime — Documentary photographer Gianluca Pardelli heads to North Korea to capture the human faces of this mysterious and repressive regime.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, also known as North Korea, remains one of the most mysterious and nation states in the world. While understandably western headlines are dominated by stories of nuclear-weapon testing and gulags, photographer Gianluca Pardelli wanted to document the human side of this East Asian country.

A young singer walking past the red curtain of a theatre inside the Children's Palace, Pyongyang.

A young singer walking past the red curtain of a theatre inside the Children’s Palace, Pyongyang.

These images, shot in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea during an 8-day trip, belong to a wider series called Hermit Moments, in which Pardelli attempts to show different facets of little known countries.

A Subway officer in Pyongyang.

A Subway officer in Pyongyang.

The photographs represent both the stereotypical, but indeed very real, Orwellian aspects of North Korea alongside the much more human and authentic daily life.

A North Korean boy in Pyongyang’s central square.

A North Korean boy in Pyongyang’s central square.

A local visitor peeps out of the entrance of the Juche Tower.

A local visitor peeps out of the entrance of the Juche Tower.

Office worker, Pyongyang.

Office worker, Pyongyang.

At the library, Pyongyang.

At the library, Pyongyang.

North Korean citizens attending the Arirang Mass Games in Pyongyang.

North Korean citizens attending the Arirang Mass Games in Pyongyang.

Card stunt depicting the former DPRK leaders Kim-il-Sung and Kim-Jong- il.

Card stunt depicting the former DPRK leaders Kim-il-Sung and Kim-Jong- il.

Empty Pyongyang roads.

Empty Pyongyang roads.

North Korean woman in Pyongyang.

North Korean woman in Pyongyang.

Propaganda billboard in Wonson.

Propaganda billboard in Wonson.

Restaurant musicians in Wonson.

Restaurant musicians in Wonson.

A DPRK officer illustrating a map of the DMZ in Kaesong.

A DPRK officer illustrating a map of the DMZ in Kaesong.

Local fisherman, Wonson, North Korea.

Local fisherman, Wonson, North Korea.

Check out more of Gianluca Pardelli’s work.

Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

Latest on Huck

The party starters fighting to revive Stonehenge’s Solstice Free Festival
Huck Presents

The party starters fighting to revive Stonehenge’s Solstice Free Festival

Free the Stones! delves into the vibrant community that reignites Stonehenge’s Solstice Free Festival, a celebration suppressed for nearly four decades. 

Written by: Laura Witucka

Hypnotic Scenes of 90s London Nightlife
Photography

Hypnotic Scenes of 90s London Nightlife

Legendary photographer Eddie Otchere looks back at this epic chapter of the capital’s story in new photobook ‘Metalheadz, Blue Note London 1994–1996’

Written by: Miss Rosen

The White Pube: “Artists are skint, knackered and sharing the same 20 quid”
Culture

The White Pube: “Artists are skint, knackered and sharing the same 20 quid”

We caught up with the two art rebels to chat about their journey, playing the game that they hate, and why anarchism might be the solution to all of art’s (and the wider world’s) problems.

Written by: Isaac Muk

The Chinese youth movement ditching big cities for the coast
Photography

The Chinese youth movement ditching big cities for the coast

In ’Fissure of a Sweetdream’ photographer Jialin Yan documents the growing number of Chinese young people turning their backs on careerist grind in favour of a slower pace of life on Hainan Island.

Written by: Isaac Muk

The LGBT Travellers fundraising for survival
Activism

The LGBT Travellers fundraising for survival

This Christmas, Traveller Pride are raising money to continue supporting LGBT Travellers (used inclusively) across the country through the festive season and on into next year, here’s how you can support them.

Written by: Percy Henderson

The fight to save Bristol’s radical heart
Activism

The fight to save Bristol’s radical heart

As the city’s Turbo Island comes under threat activists and community members are rallying round to try and stop the tide of gentrification.

Written by: Ruby Conway

Sign up to our newsletter

Issue 81: The more than a game issue

Buy it now