How North Korean escapees are becoming the stars of a new genre of TV programming in South Korea.
The visit by South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in to North Korea in September was the latest in a series of steps aimed at defusing tensions on the Korean Peninsula. But despite the increasing talk of reunification, South Koreans don’t know as much about their northern neighbours as you might think. Most of what they do know comes from the testimonies of those who have sought asylum in South Korea.
Those testimonies have become the basis for a unique genre of television programming, one that’s being called ‘Defector TV’. The formula takes a reality TV approach – putting asylum seekers on the air, exploring what their lives were like before defecting and even setting them up with romantic partners from the South.
The producers involved say they’re out to improve understanding and pave the way to the reunification of countries divided since the end of World War II, but sceptics aren’t buying that. They say the shows are heavy on misrepresentation, sensationalism and sexist stereotyping.
In December 2011, South Korea’s Channel A launched a programme with defectors from North Korea. It was part talk show, part talent show, part beauty contest – and it was the beginning of a trend.
« There’s never been a programme about North Korea before, » explains Kim A-ra, defector and broadcaster of Channel A. « North Korea was only ever seen through the news, which kept talking about nuclear issues, the North Korean army, how poor North Korea is… that was it.
