Squirrel and Hedgehog

	Korean title
Chosŏn'gŭl	다람이와 고슴도치
Revised Romanization	Dalam-iwa Goseumdochi
McCune–Reischauer	Taramiwa Kosŭmdoch'i

Squirrel and Hedgehog
	DVD cover
Created by	Kim Jun-Ok
Directed by	Kim Jun-Ok (Episode 1~4), Kim Yong-Chol, Kim Kwang-Song, Do Chol, O Sin-Hyok, Yun Yong-Gil, Ri Sok-Hun, Ri Chol
Voices of	Won Jong-Suk Kim Thae-Ryon
Theme music composer	Kim Myong-Hui Pyongyang Ryulgok Secondary School
Opening theme	"철벽의 동산 꾸려나가자" (Let us fortify our Hill)
Country of origin	North Korea
Original language(s)	Korean
Production
Running time	18~27
Production company(s)	SEK Studio (Animation); Film and Radio Music Troupe (DPRK's Music and Audio Studio);
Release
Original network	Korean Central Television
Original release	1977 –; 2012 (Unconfirmed, Likely on Hiatus)

Squirrel and Hedgehog (Chosongul: 다람이와 고슴도치) is a North Korean animated series made by SEK Studio (조선4.26만화영화촬영소) from 1977 to the 2010s.[1] Squirrel and Hedgehog is one of the most popular animated series in North Korea. The show was supposedly discontinued in 2013, which was around the time North Korean state television changed its broadcasting schedule, which cut several animated programs along with it.

Characters and Locations

Flower Hill

The main character's hometown. Squirrels, hedgehogs, ducks, rabbits and small animals live in this village.

Kŭmsaegi (금색이/Gold Squirrel, Code name "Pang-ul-ggot") - The main character of the series. He is teenage scout from Flower Hill.
Juldarami (줄다람이/Striped Squirrel) - He is a teenage scout from Flower Hill and a partner of Geumsaegi.
Pamsaegi (밤색이/Brownie, Brown Squirrel) - Younger brother of Geumsaegi. A new character of the second series.
Scout Kosŭmdochi (고슴도치 정찰병/Scout Hedgehog)
Scout Mulangae (물안개)
Undochi (은도치) - Younger brother of Goseumdochi. A new character of the second series.

Weasel Empire

Captain Weasel (족제비 대장/General Commander)
Mulmangcho (물망초)
Oegwipari (외귀팔이)
Black Weasel (검은 족제비)
One-Eyed Weasel (애꾸 특무대장, 돌산 참모장/Scout Commander)
Dr. White Weasel (흰 족제비 박사)

Wolves' Den

Captain Wolf/Keoteo (승냥이 대장)
Assistant Weasel (족제비 보좌관)
Assistant Fox/Lt. Fox Vixen (여우 장교)

Other villages

Rabbit Village

Grey Squirrel Village -

Voice cast

Geumsaegi: Unknown (episode 1, 2~4) → Won Jong-Suk (episode 5~31) → Heo Kyong-Hui (episode 32)
Juldarami: Unknown (episode 4) → Kim Tae-Ryon (episode 10~13, 17) → Won Jong-Suk (episode 14, 15) → Rim Bok-Hui (episode 19~)
Bamsaegi: Rim Un-Yong
Scout Goseumdochi: Unknown (episode 1~4) → Kwon Nyong-Ju
Undochi: Choe Hyon-Ha
Dr. Mole: Kim Tae-Hong
Captain Weasel: Kim Tae-Hong
Mulmangcho: Unknown (episode 7~11) → Kim Thae-Ryon (episode 6, 12~26) → Won Jong-Suk (episode 27) → Rim Bok-Hui (episode 28~)
Oegwipali: Kwon Nyong-Ju (episode 8~26) → Lee Eun-Ju (episode 27)
Dr. White weasel: Kim Tae-Hong
Captain Wolf/Captain Keoteo: Unknown (episode 27, 28) → Kim Yong-Chol (episode 31~)
Assistant Weasel: Kim Tae-Hong (episode 27) → Song Yong-Chol (episode 31~)
Assistant Fox/Lt. Fox Vixen: Rim Un-Yong

Episodes

No.	Original Title	English Title (formal DVD title)	Directed by	Story	Music	Original air date
1	다람이가 찾은 교훈	The Lesson for Squirrel	Kim Jun-Ok	Kim Jun-Ok	Kim Jun-Ok, Kim Myong-Hui	1977
2	족제비네 소굴에서	In the Den of Weasels	Kim Jun-Ok	Kim Jun-Ok	Kim Myong-Hui	1978-1979
3	다람이의 복수전	The revenge battle of the Squirrel	Kim Jun-Ok	Kim Jun-Ok	Kim Myong-Hui	1980-1981
4	정찰병 금색다람이	The Scout, Gold Squirrel	Kim Jun-Ok	Kim Jun-Ok	Kim Myong-Hui	1982-1983
5	끝나지 않은 싸움	The Continued Battle	Kim Kwang-Song	Kim Hwa-Song, Ri Yong-Chun	Paek In-Song	February 8, 1997
6	금색이가 날린 전파	A Message sent by Gold Squirrel	Kim Yong-Chol	Kim Hwa-Song, Ri Yong-Chun	Kim Myong-Hui, Han Sang-Chol	September 29, 1997
7	독거미굴의 비밀	The Secret of the Wolf Spider Cave	Kim Yong-Chol	Kim Hwa-Song, Ri Yeong-Chun	Kim Myong-Hui, Ham Chol	December 13, 1997
8	돌산으로 날아간 특사	Envoy to Mt.Rock	Kim Yong-Chol	Kim Hwa-Song, Ri Yong-Chun	Kim Myong-Hui, Ham Chol	March 21, 1998
9	고슴도치의 위훈	The Great Service of Hedgehog	Kim Yong-Chol	Kim Hwa-Song, Ri Yong-Chun	Kim Myong-Hui, Ham Chol	June 12, 1998
10	돌산에서의 결전	A Battle at Mt.Rock	Kim Yong-Chol	Kim Hwa-Song, Ri Yong-Chun	Kim Myong-Hui, Ham Chol	September 1, 1998
11	검은 열쇠	Black Key	Kim Yong-Chol	Kim Hwa-Song, Ri Yong-Chun	Kim Myong-Hui, Ham Chol	October 30, 1998
12	위험한 적수	A Dangerous Enemy	Kim Yong-Chol	Kim Hwa-Song, Ri Yong-Chun	Kim Myong-Hui, Ham Chol	December 23, 1998
13	비밀문건	Secret Document	Kim Yong-Chol	Kim Hwa-Song, Ri Yong-Chun	Kim Myong-Hui, Ham Chol	February 2, 1999
14	적후에서의 한순간	A Moment in the Enemy Rear	Kim Kwang-Song	Kim Hwa-Song, Ri Yong-Chun	Kim Myong-Hui, Ham Chol	June 9, 1999
15	흰눈작전	White Snow Operation	Kim Kwang-Song, Do Chol	Kim Hwa-Song, Ri Yong-Chun	Kim Myong-Hui, Ham Chol	July 3, 1999
16	흰눈작전은 계속 된다	White Snow Operation Continues	Kim Yong-Chol	Kim Hwa-Song, Ri Yong-Chun	Kim Myong-Hui, Ham Chol	September 18, 1999
17	<방울꽃>은 보고한다	"Pangulggot" Reports	Do Chol, Kim Yong-Chol	Kim Hwa-Song, Ri Yong-Chun	Kim Myong-Hui, Ham Chol	September 20, 2000
18	파도를 헤치고	Through the Waves	O Sin-Hyok	Kim Hwa-Song	Kim Myong-Hui, Ham Chol	November 30, 2000
19	무서운 음모	A Hideous Plot	Kim Yong-Chol, Yun Yong-Gil	Ri Yong-Chun	Kim Myong-Hee, Ham Chol	April 1, 2001
20	밤하늘에 울린 폭음	An Explosion At Night	Kim Yong-Chol, Ri Sok-Hun	Kim Hwa-Song, Ri Yong-Chun	Kim Myong-Hui, Ham Chol	November 25, 2001
21	원수는 살아있다	The Enemies are Alive	O Sin-Hyok	Kim Hwa-Song, Ri Yong-Chun	Kim Myong-Hui, Ham Chol	June 25, 2002
22	보석목걸이를 찾아서	Searching For the Jewel Necklace	Yun Yong-Gil	Kim Hwa-Song, Ri Yong-Chun	Kim Myong-Hui, Ham Chol	December 24, 2002
23	철갑상어 기지에서	At the "Sturgeon" Base	Yun Yong-Gil	Kim Hwa-Song, Ri Yong-Chun	Kim Myong-Hui, Ham Chol	May 5, 2003
24	위험을 맞받아	Against The Danger	O Sin-Hyok, Gye Hun	Kim Hwa-Song, Ri Yong-Chun	Kim Myong-Hui, Ham Chol	July 10, 2003
25	벼락작전	"Thunder" Operation	Yun Yong-Gil	Kim Hwa-Song, Ri Yong-Chun	Kim Myong-Hui, Ham Chol	November 28, 2004
26	불길속의 방울꽃	"Pangulggot" in the Flames	O Sin-Hyok	Kim Hwa-Song, Ri Yong-Chun	Kim Myong-Hui, Ham Chol	January 2, 2005
27	<올가미> 작전	"Noose" Operation	O Sin-Hyok	Choe In-Song	Kim Myong-Hui, Ham Chol	December 27, 2006
28	두더지 박사의 비밀문건	The Secret Document of Dr. Mole	O Sin-Hyok	Kim Hwa-Song	Kim Myong-Hui, Ham Chol	January 1, 2008
29	흰 족제비 소굴에서	In the Den of White Weasel	Oh Sin-Hyok	Kim Hwa-Song	Kim Myong-Hui, Ham Chol	August 25, 2008
30	원수를 맞받아	Against the Enemies	Ri Chol	Choe In-Song	Kim Myong-Hui, Ham Chol	October 17, 2010
31	승냥이 소굴에로	To the Den of the Wolf Unit	Ri Chol	Choe In-Song	Kim Myong-Hui, Ham Chol	February 17, 2011
32	원수는 간악하다	Enemies are vicious	Ri Chol	Choe In-Song	Kim Myong-Hui, Jong Pyong-Chol	June 6, 2012

Controversy

There is speculation among overseas critics that squirrels and hedgehogs are the North Koreans, mice are the South Koreans, weasels are the Japanese, and wolves are the Americans, which are argued to coincide with metaphorical interpretations of the country's geopolitical environment.[2] But, this allegorical interpretation is never revealed in the series, and staff at the SEK Studio claimed that this allegorical interpretation is not true. They repeatedly alleged that this animation was created to teach love, friendship, and patriotism to children.[3] But other SEK's staff said "The weasels, mice and wolves symbolize foreign invaders (imperialists)."[4]

Overseas critics also think the messages the show portrays are violent and don't teach kids good moral behavior, mainly due to the use of weaponry and gore, not to mention the repeated use of vulgar slurs. It however has been praised for its animation as the series progressed, along with its unique military concept of storytelling. The show's violence far outweighs that of Tom and Jerry, in that there is frequent use of guns, and blood and gore.

Merchandise

No official records of merchandise has been known, but brands of toothpaste and backpacks depicting the main characters have been sold in North Korean stores. There are also several statues in children's parks that are located in Pyongyang.

Manhwa

Alongside the television show, a North Korean manhwa was released. There were several key differences between it and the television series, such as the character "Lt. Fox Vixen" originally being depicted as male. It's unknown why this change occurred, but it could be to acknowledge that the United States Armed Forces had allowed women to fight alongside male soldiers.

Reception

The SEK Studio, the North Korean studios that produced this series, has also produced a number of stand-alone short cartoons with funny animal characters. Some of them are part of a large series named the Clever Raccoon Dog (령리한 너구리). Unlike Squirrel and Hedgehog, they're focused primarily on road safety education, science, sport, summer volunteer work etc.

The series was released in English and Spanish by Mondo TV, titled Brave Soldier and Soldados Valientes respectively.[5][6] The series' plot was changed in the dubs, so that subtle references to North Korea or blatant propaganda would end up removed. This translation is often criticized by the show's cult following for having generic voice actors and out of place audio dubbing. The second season was never dubbed due to licensing issues, as Mondo TV only owns the rights to the first selection of episodes.

gollark: I would generally be in favour of not having that sort of thing.

gollark: Grants for startups and such aren't.

gollark: If the vetting people actually knew whether ideas would succeed they would be in venture capital or running their own startups.

gollark: Plausibly, but I mean that they probably aren't a large enough fraction of the economy to affect cost of living significantly.

gollark: I do not think grants are actually big enough to nudge that much.

References

Makinen, Julie (May 4, 2016). "At a North Korean nursery school, tots get an early education in weaponry". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 18, 2017.
"Cartoons in North Korea: The Squirrel and the Hedgehog". Visit North Korea. Retrieved 2019-05-06.
"北서 인기끄는 '다람이와 고슴도치'". tongilnews (in Korean). Retrieved 2018-04-29.
"아동영화 다람이와 고슴도치 -1977년 시작 25부 방영". unityinfo (in Korean). Retrieved 2018-10-28.
"SOLDADOS VALIENTES / BRAVE SOLDIER - ES - YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved 2018-01-14.
"Mondo tv S.P.A - LIBRARY BRAVE SOLDIER". www.mondotv.it. Retrieved 2018-01-14.

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[Makinen_2016-1] Makinen, Julie (May 4, 2016). "At a North Korean nursery school, tots get an early education in weaponry". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 18, 2017.

[2] "Cartoons in North Korea: The Squirrel and the Hedgehog". Visit North Korea. Retrieved 2019-05-06.

[3] "北서 인기끄는 '다람이와 고슴도치'". tongilnews (in Korean). Retrieved 2018-04-29.

[4] "아동영화 다람이와 고슴도치 -1977년 시작 25부 방영". unityinfo (in Korean). Retrieved 2018-10-28.

[5] "SOLDADOS VALIENTES / BRAVE SOLDIER - ES - YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved 2018-01-14.

[6] "Mondo tv S.P.A - LIBRARY BRAVE SOLDIER". www.mondotv.it. Retrieved 2018-01-14.