Ever wondered what North Korea is really like? We discuss and discover undiscovered aspects of North Korea from people who have been there multiple times. Discover unreported North Korea with Zoe from Zoe Discovers, and guests from a variety of backgrounds, countries, and political opinions..!
Instagram/Facebook/Twitter/Patreon: @zoediscovers
Instagram/TikTok: @zoediscoversnk
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Ever wondered what North Korea is really like? We discuss and discover undiscovered aspects of North Korea from people who have been there multiple times. Discover unreported North Korea with Zoe from Zoe Discovers, and guests from a variety of backgrounds, countries, and political opinions..!
Instagram/Facebook/Twitter/Patreon: @zoediscovers
Instagram/TikTok: @zoediscoversnk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
With special Fragkiska Megaloudi, author of 'In The Land of Kim'.
I am joined by Fragkiska Megaloudi who spent two years living in North Korea under the UN, an organisation with a surprising amount of freedom to roam around the country. Or, so it used to be. Fragkiska is a fascinating individual with an incredible background. We couldn't help but chat for 2 hours, so this episode will be in two parts.
More from Fragkiska -
The Book (In the Land of Kim: Two years in North korea) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F98D8KJ8 (paperback & kindle)
Ebook: https://books.apple.com/us/book/in-the-land-of-kim/id6746357349
Website: https://fragkiskamegaloudi.com/
Substack account (in English): https://substack.com/@fragkiskamegaloudi
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Thanks as always to my Patrons!
Support me over at Patreon, it's free to join and you can choose your tiers for ad-free access!
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I am joined by Fragkiska Megaloudi who spent two years living in North Korea under the UN, an organisation with a surprising amount of freedom to roam around the country. Or, so it used to be. Fragkiska is a fascinating individual with an incredible background. We couldn't help but chat for 2 hours, so this episode will be in two parts.
More from Fragkiska -
The Book (In the Land of Kim: Two years in North korea) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F98D8KJ8 (paperback & kindle)
Ebook: https://books.apple.com/us/book/in-the-land-of-kim/id6746357349
Website: https://fragkiskamegaloudi.com/
Substack account (in English): https://substack.com/@fragkiskamegaloudi
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Thanks as always to my Patrons!
Support me over at Patreon, it's free to join and you can choose your tiers for ad-free access!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
I chat to North Korea film expert Nick Bonner, who's attended every PIFF since 2002, for some insider knowledge on everything from how to process works to cute anecdotes like how acting can lead to getting yourself a husband.
Koryo Tours will be attending PIFF 2026 and will be posting on their Instagram and YouTube accounts. Make sure to follow along!
North Korean Films produced with Nick Bonner
Koryo Tours & Studio on Vimeo - Aim High in Creation / Game of Their Lives (Vimeo) / Centre Forward ("North Korea’s best football film ever made” - Simon Cockerell)
Comrade Kim Goes Flying Film Review (by me! Youtube).
Comrade Kim Goes Flying (Vimeo)
Anecdotes
Pyongyang International Film Festival Info
Koryo Tours North Korea Film Productions
North Korean Film Star Photography
Yanggakdo International Cinema
PIFF 2026 entries - email nick@koryogroup.com
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Just me on the show today as I get a bit passionate about a topic close to home; content creation on North Korea. As much as I have my qualms with some of the content that has come out from Rason and the Pyongyang Marathon - I don't believe it was 'influencers that closed North Korea'.
One big argument I forget to mention here is....
North Korea closed after just *one* group of tourists went in. About 20-30 of them - and not even half of those influencers.
Most of the content produced came out *after* it already announced it closed.
Anyway,
Enjoy!
And leave a comment below!
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Anna and I talk about some of the interesting content that has come out online since the marathon and what it's like to produce 'normal' or 'mundane' nuanced content on North Korea, away from the sensationalist headlines.
Follow Anna Pelova's work -
TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@visiteverycountry/
https://www.instagram.com/annapelova/
Contact me: zoediscovers@gmail.com / @zoediscovers /@zoediscoversnk
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I get together with Greg at the Beijing office for an impromptu meet-up and discuss all things behind the scenes at the Pyongyang Marathon.
Links mentioned:
Eastern Bhutan 2026 (with Greg)
https://koryogroup.com/tours/offbeat-eastern-bhutan
Bangladesh & Bhutan Combo (December 2025, with Greg & Zoe!)
https://koryogroup.com/tours/koryo-bhutan-and-bangladesh-adventure
International tours -
Koryo Tours may not be able to do DPRK tours at the moment but they have a great list of international tours!
https://koryogroup.com/international-tours
Kangwon Greehouse -
https://koryogroup.com/blog/new-north-korea-tour-itineraries
Info on Munsu Waterpark -
https://www.dailynk.com/english/n-korea-cracks-down-on-water-park-corruption/
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A here there and everywhere episode as I take you into Pyongyang and for a bit of the behind the scenes of the Pyongyang Marathon.
Pyongyang Marathon 2026 Updates
PYM 2026 Early Bird (closes 1st Sept 2025)
Contact me: zoediscovers@gmail.com / @zoediscovers /@zoediscoversnk
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On this episode of Discover North Korea, I take you on a much-awaited AIR KORYO flight back to Pyongyang for the Pyongyang Marathon. We start in Beijing Airport and finish with some conversations with North Korean colleagues at Pyongyang Airport. The next couple of episodes will be covering my time in Pyongyang & the Pyongyang Marathon!
The Pyongyang Marathon 2026 has not yet been announced. Watch this space for more info!
Follow me on:
@zoediscovers / @zoediscoversnk
Koryo Tours -
@koryotours / koryogroup.com
Sign up to the newsletter for updates on the Pyongyang Marathon and North Korea tours
Koryo Documentaries -
https://koryogroup.com/engagement/category/film
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The final episode of our Rason trip! We enjoy our last few sights on the tour as well as have a little interview with our young guide Miss Kim.
Tune in next time when I TAKE YOU TO PYONGYANG.
Thank you to my Patrons and to the Koryo Tours gang for your constant support.
NOTE: North Korea borders are once again CLOSED indefinitely. Rason tours are now suspended. I will be posting updates on my Instagram & all other platforms. (@zoediscovers / @zoediscoversnk).
🔗 North Korea Tours - https://koryogroup.com/tours/dprk-north-korea/group
🔗 Read about my first trip here - https://koryogroup.com/blog/back-in-north-korea-the-return-to-rason
🔗 Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/zoediscovers
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In the second of this 3-part episode, I take you on a tour around Rason in North Korea.
Thank you to my Patrons and to the Koryo Tours gang for your constant support.
NOTE: North Korea borders are once again CLOSED indefinitely. Rason tours are now suspended. I will be posting updates on my Instagram & all other platforms. (@zoediscovers / @zoediscoversnk).
🔗 North Korea Tours - https://koryogroup.com/tours/dprk-north-korea/group
🔗 Read about my first trip here - https://koryogroup.com/blog/back-in-north-korea-the-return-to-rason
🔗 Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/zoediscovers
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I am so excited to finally be able to take you on a trip to North Korea. In this 3-part episode, I take you on a tour to North Korea so you can experience yourselves what a North Korea tour is like - plus some extra insights from me throughout, too!
Thank you to my Patrons and to the Koryo Tours gang for your constant support.
NOTE: North Korea borders are once again CLOSED indefinitely. Rason tours are now suspended. I will be posting updates on my Instagram & all other platforms. (@zoediscovers / @zoediscoversnk).
🔗 North Korea Tours - https://koryogroup.com/tours/dprk-north-korea/group
🔗 Read about my first trip here - https://koryogroup.com/blog/back-in-north-korea-the-return-to-rason
🔗 Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/zoediscovers
🔗 Listen on YouTube - https://youtu.be/4NPtU7ORW0M
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On this episode of Discover North Korea I catch up with you all on what on earth has been going on, as well as giving you a bit of an inside scoop on life working in North Korea tourism. Hint: it’s been a bit crazy.
Tours to Rason -
https://koryogroup.com/tours/dprk-north-korea/group
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North Korea has been closed for 5+ years. And we all waited for it to open. Finally, now the day has come. Well, is coming. Rason will open on the 20th Feb and maybe Pyongyang soon after, let's hope.
For now, I chat to special guest, friend, and colleague Greg who just got back from Rason in North Korea after being invited there on a special delegation.
Tours start on the 20th Febuary, tours open for booking that I'm leading in March are as follows;
March 1-8 (from Beijing)
https://koryogroup.com/tours/koryo-rason-north-korea-budget-tour-beijing
March 19-25 (from Yanji)
https://koryogroup.com/tours/koryo-rason-north-korea-tour-yanji-long
Want to support Greg or see more of him? Check out his Unseen Hungary Tour, a special tour to Hungary designed especially by the man himself.
https://koryogroup.com/tours/unseen-hungary
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I chat with Veronika who was one of the Russians to visit North Korea recently and who posted her trip on social media. She tells us all about her trip to North Korea!
NOTE: The North Korean borders are NOT yet open. Some limited Russian tourist groups are currently permitted to go in only. Sign up to this newsletter or WhatsApp group for border opening updates.
My biggest thanks to Veronika for spending her time for this episode, and forever jealous of your visit!
Check out Veronika's page on the links below. I love the aesthetic!
@nikakochetkova / https://www.instagram.com/nikakochetkova
Check out my North Korea borderlands vlogs on YouTube, full series out now! ->
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8I7OHw5_cDNUZjngE6c3NNFgt5i8eF-t&si=xqc3Dyon-V6Uc5nW
Can't wait any longer to see North Korea for yourself? Check out the North Korea From a Near Distance tour and get $150 USD discount with code ZoeDMZ!
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The podcast is back after a non-deliberate break! A little update from me and about the podcast in the future.
Next full episode coming out next week.
North Korean borders are not yet open to tourism. Sign up to this newsletter or WhatsApp group for border opening updates.
Can't wait any longer? Check out the North Korea From a Near Distance tour and get $150 USD discount with code ZoeDMZ!
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The last in this series* and we go out with a bang! I chat with Greg, Lesley, and Peter about a very unique trip to South Korea - one truly like no other. That you can be part of this year, too!
*Don't worry, I'm just taking a break and will be back in mid-September time :). I'll be back after a trip and also with another podcast in the making... watch this space!
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Follow me on;
- Instagram @zoediscoversnk for pictures, videos, and live sessions (when it's possible) from inside North Korea
- TikTok @zoediscovers for long and short-form videos inside North Korea
- YouTube @zoediscovers for vlogs inside North Korea
Visit North Korea: www.koryogroup.com / @koryotours
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Thanks to my Patrons!!!
Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/zoediscovers
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Links from the show;
https://koryogroup.com/tours/greg-vaczi-s-dmz-adventure
Leslie Instagram/Flickr @foliopix
#northkorea #dprk #southkorea
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The second part in the 2-part episode "Inside the North Korean Countryside". In this episode, we head to a few key spots in the North Korean countryside known for their beauty or indeed because they're hardly known at all and worth a mention...
More details of each of these in the Travel Guides section on koryogroup.com (links below).
Places we cover;
Pakyon Falls
Ryongmun Caves
Ulim Waterfall
Samil Lagoon
Sinphyong
Lake Sijung
Sijung Beach
Pujon Highlands
Pujon Stone River
Chongsokjong
DMZ
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Follow me on;
- Instagram @zoediscoversnk for pictures, videos, and live sessions (when it's possible) from inside North Korea
- TikTok @zoediscovers for long and short-form videos inside North Korea
- YouTube @zoediscovers for vlogs inside North Korea
Visit North Korea: www.koryogroup.com / @koryotours
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Thanks to my Patrons!!!
Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/zoediscovers
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Links from the show;
https://koryogroup.com/travel-guides/north-korea-dprk
#northkorea #dprk #discovernorthkorea
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In this 2-part episode, I delve into the North Korean countryside to give an overview on what the North Korean countryside has to offer. This first episode is all about mountains; North Korea's most famous mountain ranges. Indeed, of the 6 famous mountains on the Korean Peninsula - 5 of them lie in the northern half. So, there's a lot to cover!
A lot of this information was taken from Koryo Tours' North Korea Travel Guides section, a comprehensive online travel guide into North Korea.
Contact me with your questions & guest recommendations on zoediscovers@gmail.com.
Follow me on;
-> Instagram @zoediscoversnk for pictures, videos, and live sessions (when it's possible) from inside North Korea
-> TikTok @zoediscovers for long and short-form videos inside North Korea
-> YouTube @zoediscovers for vlogs inside North Korea
Visit North Korea: www.koryogroup.com / @koryotours
Thanks to my Patrons!!!
Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/zoediscovers
Links from the show;
Aim High in Creation Watch & Competition - https://koryostudio.com/films/aim-high-in-creation/ / https://koryostudio.com/blog/Aim-High-In-Creation-Competition
Paektusan - https://koryogroup.com/travel-guide/mt-paektu-north-korea-north-korea-travel-guide
Chilbosan - https://koryogroup.com/travel-guide/mt-chilbo-north-korea-north-korea-travel-guide
Kuwolsan - https://koryogroup.com/travel-guide/mt-kuwol-kuwolsan-north-korea-travel-guide
Myohyangsan - https://koryogroup.com/travel-guide/mt-myohyang-north-korea-north-korea-travel-guide
Kumgangsan - https://koryogroup.com/travel-guide/mt-kumgang-north-korea-north-korea-travel-guide
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I chat with Nick Bonner, Koryo Studio director and producer/director of several movies & documentaries inside North Korea. He's the go-to man for facilitating these kinds of projects (and much more) in North Korea, and a film he co-directed also won an award a the Pyongyang International Film Festival. He's also the associate producer of Aim High in Creation, a film by an Australian movie producer Anna Broinowski. The film is newly available on Vimeo and there is also a competition running where you get the opportunity to rent/download it online! Listen until the end for how to enter... (or just skip to the link at the bottom!).
Massive thanks to Nick for the incredibly interesting chat!!!! Show him some love over at Koryostudio.com or email info@koryostudio.com for more info on art purchases and other projects in North Korea.
Contact me with your questions & guest recommendations on zoediscovers@gmail.com.
Follow me on;
-> Instagram @zoediscoversnk for pictures, videos, and live sessions (when it's possible) from inside North Korea
-> TikTok @zoediscovers for long and short-form videos inside North Korea
-> YouTube @zoediscovers for vlogs inside North Korea
Visit North Korea: www.koryogroup.com / @koryotours
Thanks to my Patrons!!!
Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/zoediscovers
Links from the show -
MOVIES/DOCUMENTARIES
Aim High in Creation / Comrade Kim Goes Flying / Crossing the Line / A State of Mind / Michael Palin in North Korea / Game of Their Lives; https://koryostudio.com/films/
Vimeo; https://vimeo.com/comradekimgoesflying
NORTH KOREAN ART
Map of Pyongyang (Gareth Fuller); https://koryostudio.com/purchase/original/tourist-map-of-pyongyang/
"Wash Your Hands"; https://koryostudio.com/purchase/original/lets-wash-our-hands/
Silence; https://koryostudio.com/sale/original/silence/
COMPETITION
Win Aim High in Creation; https://koryostudio.com/blog/Aim-High-In-Creation-Competition
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What makes the North East so special? I chat with my colleague and friend Pete who works as a freelance tour guide for Koryo Tours (pre-pandemic..!) and visited the DPRK 6 times alone in 2019. He first visited North Korea on a simple trip to Pyongyang but decided that he needed to go back to explore more.
Pete also gave a really interesting insight into an SEZ that came up as a topic in the Rason episode.
He's also an avid podcast listener, so thanks for the constant support Pete and was lovely having you on the show! Until next time!
Contact me with your questions & guest recommendations on zoediscovers@gmail.com.
Follow me on;
-> Instagram @zoediscoversnk for pictures, videos, and live sessions (when it's possible) from inside North Korea
-> TikTok @zoediscovers for long and short-form videos inside North Korea
-> YouTube @zoediscovers for vlogs inside North Korea
Visit North Korea: www.koryogroup.com / @koryotours
Thanks to my Patrons!!!
Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/zoediscovers
Links from the show;
Pierre Depont's Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/pierredepont/
The Real North Korea (Andrei Lankov); https://www.amazon.com/Real-North-Korea-Politics-Stalinist/dp/0199390037
More info on the KFA: https://korea-dpr.com/
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