Squirrel and Hedgehog

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.

Squirrel and Hedgehog
DVD cover
Created byKim Jun-Ok
Directed byKim 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 ofWon Jong-Suk Kim Thae-Ryon
Theme music composerKim Myong-Hui Pyongyang Ryulgok Secondary School
Opening theme"철벽의 동산 꾸려나가자" (Let us fortify our Hill)
Country of originNorth Korea
Original language(s)Korean
Production
Running time18~27
Production company(s)
  • SEK Studio (Animation)
  • Film and Radio Music Troupe (DPRK's Music and Audio Studio)
Release
Original networkKorean Central Television
Original release1977 (1977) –
2012 (Unconfirmed, Likely on Hiatus) (2012 (Unconfirmed, Likely on Hiatus))
Korean title
Chosŏn'gŭl
다람이와 고슴도치
Revised RomanizationDalam-iwa Goseumdochi
McCune–ReischauerTaramiwa Kosŭmdoch'i

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 TitleEnglish Title (formal DVD title)Directed byStoryMusicOriginal air date
1다람이가 찾은 교훈The Lesson for SquirrelKim Jun-OkKim Jun-OkKim Jun-Ok, Kim Myong-Hui1977
2족제비네 소굴에서In the Den of WeaselsKim Jun-OkKim Jun-OkKim Myong-Hui1978-1979
3다람이의 복수전The revenge battle of the SquirrelKim Jun-OkKim Jun-OkKim Myong-Hui1980-1981
4정찰병 금색다람이The Scout, Gold SquirrelKim Jun-OkKim Jun-OkKim Myong-Hui1982-1983
5끝나지 않은 싸움The Continued BattleKim Kwang-SongKim Hwa-Song, Ri Yong-ChunPaek In-SongFebruary 8, 1997
6금색이가 날린 전파A Message sent by Gold SquirrelKim Yong-CholKim Hwa-Song, Ri Yong-ChunKim Myong-Hui, Han Sang-CholSeptember 29, 1997
7독거미굴의 비밀The Secret of the Wolf Spider CaveKim Yong-CholKim Hwa-Song, Ri Yeong-ChunKim Myong-Hui, Ham CholDecember 13, 1997
8돌산으로 날아간 특사Envoy to Mt.RockKim Yong-CholKim Hwa-Song, Ri Yong-ChunKim Myong-Hui, Ham CholMarch 21, 1998
9고슴도치의 위훈The Great Service of HedgehogKim Yong-CholKim Hwa-Song, Ri Yong-ChunKim Myong-Hui, Ham CholJune 12, 1998
10돌산에서의 결전A Battle at Mt.RockKim Yong-CholKim Hwa-Song, Ri Yong-ChunKim Myong-Hui, Ham CholSeptember 1, 1998
11검은 열쇠Black KeyKim Yong-CholKim Hwa-Song, Ri Yong-ChunKim Myong-Hui, Ham CholOctober 30, 1998
12위험한 적수A Dangerous EnemyKim Yong-CholKim Hwa-Song, Ri Yong-ChunKim Myong-Hui, Ham CholDecember 23, 1998
13비밀문건Secret DocumentKim Yong-CholKim Hwa-Song, Ri Yong-ChunKim Myong-Hui, Ham CholFebruary 2, 1999
14적후에서의 한순간A Moment in the Enemy RearKim Kwang-SongKim Hwa-Song, Ri Yong-ChunKim Myong-Hui, Ham CholJune 9, 1999
15흰눈작전White Snow OperationKim Kwang-Song, Do CholKim Hwa-Song, Ri Yong-ChunKim Myong-Hui, Ham CholJuly 3, 1999
16흰눈작전은 계속 된다White Snow Operation ContinuesKim Yong-CholKim Hwa-Song, Ri Yong-ChunKim Myong-Hui, Ham CholSeptember 18, 1999
17<방울꽃>은 보고한다"Pangulggot" ReportsDo Chol, Kim Yong-CholKim Hwa-Song, Ri Yong-ChunKim Myong-Hui, Ham CholSeptember 20, 2000
18파도를 헤치고Through the WavesO Sin-HyokKim Hwa-SongKim Myong-Hui, Ham CholNovember 30, 2000
19무서운 음모A Hideous PlotKim Yong-Chol, Yun Yong-GilRi Yong-ChunKim Myong-Hee, Ham CholApril 1, 2001
20밤하늘에 울린 폭음An Explosion At NightKim Yong-Chol, Ri Sok-HunKim Hwa-Song, Ri Yong-ChunKim Myong-Hui, Ham CholNovember 25, 2001
21원수는 살아있다The Enemies are AliveO Sin-HyokKim Hwa-Song, Ri Yong-ChunKim Myong-Hui, Ham CholJune 25, 2002
22보석목걸이를 찾아서Searching For the Jewel NecklaceYun Yong-GilKim Hwa-Song, Ri Yong-ChunKim Myong-Hui, Ham CholDecember 24, 2002
23철갑상어 기지에서At the "Sturgeon" BaseYun Yong-GilKim Hwa-Song, Ri Yong-ChunKim Myong-Hui, Ham CholMay 5, 2003
24위험을 맞받아Against The DangerO Sin-Hyok, Gye HunKim Hwa-Song, Ri Yong-ChunKim Myong-Hui, Ham CholJuly 10, 2003
25벼락작전"Thunder" OperationYun Yong-GilKim Hwa-Song, Ri Yong-ChunKim Myong-Hui, Ham CholNovember 28, 2004
26불길속의 방울꽃"Pangulggot" in the FlamesO Sin-HyokKim Hwa-Song, Ri Yong-ChunKim Myong-Hui, Ham CholJanuary 2, 2005
27<올가미> 작전"Noose" OperationO Sin-HyokChoe In-SongKim Myong-Hui, Ham CholDecember 27, 2006
28두더지 박사의 비밀문건The Secret Document of Dr. MoleO Sin-HyokKim Hwa-SongKim Myong-Hui, Ham CholJanuary 1, 2008
29흰 족제비 소굴에서In the Den of White WeaselOh Sin-HyokKim Hwa-SongKim Myong-Hui, Ham CholAugust 25, 2008
30원수를 맞받아Against the EnemiesRi CholChoe In-SongKim Myong-Hui, Ham CholOctober 17, 2010
31승냥이 소굴에로To the Den of the Wolf UnitRi CholChoe In-SongKim Myong-Hui, Ham CholFebruary 17, 2011
32원수는 간악하다Enemies are viciousRi CholChoe In-SongKim Myong-Hui, Jong Pyong-CholJune 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: > anything> being mocked by some group or other for arbitrary reasons> human nature
gollark: ¹½⅓¼⅛²²⅔⅜³¾⁴⅝6⅞89ⁿ∅#₱‰—_–±★†‡„“”‚‘’‹›;:¡¿
gollark: qwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmQWERTYUIOPASDFGHJKLZXCVBNM12ēêëè3ë456ūüùû7úìïīî8íõōøœòöôó90æãåā@àáâä#ß$%&-+()*"'ç:;!ñ?ĒÊËÈÉŪÜÙÛÚÌÏĪÎÍÕŌØŒÒÖÔÓÆÃÅĀÀÁÂÄSS~`|♣♠♪♥♦•√Ππ÷ק¶∆€¥←↑↓→^°′″∞≠≈={}\\©®™℅[],‹≤«›≥»….
gollark: ¿`?`?
gollark: ?™

See also

References
  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.
    This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.