Ever wondered what romance is like in North Korea? Oh Youth! offers a rare glimpse into the views on love among middle-class Pyongyang residents in the 1990s.

THE PLOT OF OH YOUTH!

The story of Oh Youth! takes place in Pyongyang, in a family of eight centred around sports.

The Title of Oh Youth!

When you first see the title Oh Youth!, your mind might instantly jump to Lucy Liu’s famous “Oh, youth!” line from Why Women Kill.

But wait a moment – this is a North Korean film! Its title actually comes from Chongchun (Youth) Street, a place directly named by President Kim Il Sung for Pyongyang’s sports village.

Background of the Storyline

Right from the start, the film introduces the family: a couple with one son and five daughters. Apart from the eldest son, Ki Ho, who works as a researcher at a history institute, all five daughters are athletes. Their names – Il Ok, I Ok, Se Ok, Ne Ok, and O Ok – mean Jade No. 1 to No. 5. Each daughter excels in a different sport: football, weightlifting, basketball, rhythmic gymnastics, and synchronised swimming.

The film’s main storyline revolves around finding a wife for Ki Ho. His parents assign his sisters the task of bringing photos of potential brides to each family gathering, hoping he will find someone he likes. The core conflict arises from the father, a sports journalist, who takes great pride in his daughters’ athletic careers and wants a daughter-in-law who is also an athlete. Meanwhile, the mother believes her daughters lack traditional femininity and are too outspoken, so she prefers a non-athlete for her son. Ki Ho himself initially shares his mother’s view and does not want to marry an athlete.

Since the sisters are all athletes, the women they introduce to Ki Ho are also sports professionals. During one family gathering, he quickly loses interest after glancing at a few photos and leaves, missing the one Ne Ok brought.

Turning Point NO. 1

The turning point in the story comes when Ki Ho visits the Grand People’s Study House for his PhD research on Taekwondo history. The book he wants has already been borrowed by a female reader—Un Gyong—who also happens to be a Taekwondo athlete. Struggling to understand some of the classical language in the book, Un Gyong asks the librarian for help, who then suggests she consult Ki Ho. This leads to their first conversation, during which they gradually fall in love.

During their talk, Un Gyong mentions that she will be going to the Pyongyang Embroidery Institution in the afternoon to practise Taekwondo. Ki Ho mistakenly assumes she is an embroiderer and is pleased with what he believes to be her profession.

Meanwhile, a journalist approaches Ki Ho’s father, hoping to film a feature on their athletic family at the newly built Chongchun Street. Seeing this as a perfect opportunity to convince the mother of athletes’ outstanding qualities, the father readily agrees. However, the mother remains unconvinced even after the shoot.

Afterwards, the mother meets Un Gyong and, like Ki Ho, assumes she is an embroiderer. Pleased with this, she takes the initiative to set up a date between Un Gyong and Ki Ho. In the following days, the couple visit some of Pyongyang’s most iconic spots, including Moran Hill, Kaeson Youth Park, and the Taedong River, as their relationship deepens.

Turning Point No. 2

At this point, the second major misunderstanding occurs. A friend of Ki Ho’s mother happens to see the couple on a date and is shocked that she would accept such a daughter-in-law. When the mother hears about this, she is furious, believing that Ki Ho is dating two women at the same time. Meanwhile, the father is delighted, fully supporting his son’s relationship with the Taekwondo athlete. Ki Ho, however, is completely confused and insists that he is only dating an embroiderer.

Later, Ki Ho’s mother meets Un Gyong and tells her that another woman likes Ki Ho, encouraging her to fight for him. She also expresses her strong dislike for an athlete as a daughter-in-law while praising embroiderers. Hearing this, Un Gyong is deeply hurt by the discrimination against her profession. Though she does not reveal that she is an athlete, she decides to stop seeing Ki Ho’s mother.

Resolving the Misunderstanding

That evening, Ne Ok visits Un Gyong to return a photo. At this moment, it is revealed that the photo Ki Ho never saw was actually of Un Gyong. Ne Ok expresses her disappointment that her brother didn’t look at it, while Un Gyong confides in her about her troubles. To their astonishment, they realise that the man in both their stories is none other than Ki Ho!

Ne Ok quickly informs her sisters and father about the situation. They come up with a plan: they arrange for some friends to pose as thugs and harass Ki Ho and Un Gyong during their evening walk, hoping to showcase Un Gyong’s Taekwondo skills. The plan goes smoothly, and Ki Ho is stunned to discover Un Gyong’s true identity. At that moment, he realises his previous misconceptions about athletes.

That night, Ki Ho returns home and tells his mother that he has decided to pursue a relationship with the Taekwondo athlete. His mother is heartbroken.

When Ki Ho and Un Gyong meet again, they discuss his PhD thesis on Goguryeo Taekwondo, and Un Gyong offers some suggestions for improvement. She then states that since the paper is now complete, there is no longer a reason for them to meet. Ki Ho is deeply upset, but Un Gyong insists that she must focus on preparing for the Taekwondo World Championship—after that, they can talk again.

Knowing that her son has made up his mind, Ki Ho’s mother asks Ne Ok to find out more about this mysterious Taekwondo athlete. Wanting to push the marriage forward, Ne Ok tricks her mother into believing that Ki Ho and Un Gyong will meet at the Taekwondo Hall on the day of the World Championship.

Happy Ending

On the big day, Ne Ok takes her mother to the venue, where they witness Un Gyong defeating a series of foreign opponents and winning the championship for her country. Overcome with emotion, the mother finally realises her mistake. In front of international reporters, she proudly praises Un Gyong and, at last, gives her blessing to the marriage.

REVIEW OF OH YOUTH!

Overall, Oh Youth! is a film with strong North Korean characteristics. For example, when Un Gyong gives feedback on Ki Ho’s thesis, she points out that it lacks the nation’s spirit. She suggests that he should connect Taekwondo with the teachings of the Great Leaders, Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, as well as with the country’s revival. Similarly, Ki Ho’s mother only realises her mistake after witnessing Un Gyong achieve victory for the nation.

Although the film includes these elements to inspire admiration for the leadership and patriotism, Oh Youth! still portrays an unusually structured North Korean family—one led by women in a traditionally male-dominated society. The film also highlights Ki Ho’s conflicting views on gender. At one point, he scoffs at the idea of a female embroiderer studying Taekwondo, revealing his sexist mindset. Yet, when faced with the staged thugs, he appears weak and unmasculine.

While Oh Youth! contains some stereotypical portrayals of middle-aged women through Ki Ho’s mother, it is important to consider the film’s historical context. As a North Korean film from the 1990s, it deserves credit for encouraging women’s active participation in society and supporting their involvement in public life.

HIDDEN-SURPRISES IN OH YOUTH!

As a North Korean romantic comedy, Oh Youth! contains several scripted, somewhat dull comedic moments. Even so, the film also presents some unexpected and genuinely intriguing details.

Mercedes-Benz in North Korea?

Ki Ho’s mother, a traditionally minded woman, hopes her daughters will marry early and settle down at first. During a conversation with a friend, the friend suggests a well-off relative as a potential match. The mother then slyly asks, “The one who got a Mercedes-Benz?” with a cunning smile. It’s fascinating to see such an open display of desire for wealth – especially for a Mercedes-Benz – from a non-villain character in a publicly released North Korean film.

Who has the hardest forehead in the world?

The answer, according to Oh Youth!, is – the Koreans! While explaining the history of Taekwondo, Ki Ho references ancient techniques to argue that the martial art highlights the unique trait of Koreans having the world’s hardest foreheads.

Does early marriage being encouraged in North Korea？

After witnessing Un Gyong’s victory for the nation, Ki Ho’s mother realises her mistake and warns her daughters that they should not marry early for personal happiness before making contributions to the country.

Meanwhile, North Korea today faces declining birth rates. In the 2023 National Mothers’ Meeting, Kim Jong Un was seen shedding tears while urging women to have more children. It’s difficult to say whether Ki Ho’s mother’s transformation in Oh Youth! was intended as state messaging in the 1990s, but in today’s context, it certainly reflects current realities.

CONCLUSION

Although Oh Youth! is a fictional film, it captures the marriage and love values of Pyongyang’s middle class in the 1990s while preserving the city’s scenery on film.

YPT’s North Korea tours can take you to the very locations that the characters in Oh Youth! take pride in, such as the Chongchun Street, Taekwondo Hall and the Sosan Hotel. Meanwhile, our Rason tours offer the chance to watch a Taekwondo show – where you can witness the hardest forehead in the world in action!

Additionally, some of our tour groups include a cinema visit in North Korea, where you might even get the chance to watch Oh Youth! in Pyongyang itself on your next trip with us!

About Post Author

.