''Squirrel and Hedgehog'' () is a North Korean animated series made by

SEK Studio Korean April 26 Animation Studio () is a state-owned North Korea, North Korean animation studio, based in Othan-dong, Central District (Pyongyang), Central District, Pyongyang. History The studio started operations in September 1957, as 4.26 C ...

(). ''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. The first episode of the show, produced in 1977, is based on a short novel published in a North Korean children's magazine in the 1970s. The short film was so popular with the public that the crew decided to turn the show into a series. In 2006, the producers said the show would be in production until episode 52, but was discontinued in 2012 for unknown reasons.

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 agile, brave, and has a great intellect. * Juldarami (줄다람이/Striped Squirrel) - He is a scout from Flower Hill and a partner of Geumsaegi. He trusts and loves Geumsaegi and is willing to give everything for him. He shows strong loyalty and friendship towards Geumsaegi to the point of saying "I will give my life for him". Their relationship turned into 'twin brothers' in the international dub. * Pamsaegi (밤색이/Brownie, Brown Squirrel) - Younger brother of Geumsaegi. A new character of the second series. He used to be Dr. Mole's assistant, but becomes a scout following his brother. * Scout Kosŭmdochi (고슴도치 정찰병/Scout Hedgehog) * Scout Mulangae (물안개) * Undochi (은도치) - Younger brother of Goseumdochi. A new character of the second series. He wants to be a great scout following Geumsaegi and his older brother. * Gomajeossi (곰 아저씨/Uncle Bear) – A blustering friend of the village who promises but fails to protect it.

Weasel Empire

* Captain Weasel (족제비 대장/General Commander) * Mulmangcho (물망초/Forget-me-not/Buttercup (in Sienduk's translation)) - He is the main villain of the series. he wears glasses. He is one of the few characters who knows that Geumsaegi is a flower hill spy. * One-Eared (외귀팔이) - He is a mouse following Mulmangcho. He lost one ear. * 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) - He is the captain of the wolf army. He has blue glowing eyes. * Assistant Weasel (족제비 보좌관) - A younger brother of Captain Weasel. * Assistant Fox/Lt. Fox Vixen (여우 장교)

Other Flower Hill affiliated villages

* Squirrel Village * Rabbit Village * Fowl Village * Giraffe Village (only referenced) * Deer Village (only referenced) * Elephant Village (only referenced)

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: Lee Eun-Ju (episode 27) → Choe Hyon-Ha * Dr. Mole: Kim Tae-Hong * Captain Weasel: Unknown (episode 1~4) → 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 * Field Mouse No. 2: Won Jong-Suk * Other Actors: Chang Chun-Ha, Choi Soon-Bong, Song Yong-Sook, Kim Jo-Kyung, etc.

Episodes

Controversy

There is speculation among overseas

critic A critic is a person who communicates an assessment and an opinion of various forms of creative works such as art, literature, music, cinema, theater, fashion, architecture, and food. Critics may also take as their subject social or governmen ...

s that the

squirrel Squirrels are members of the family Sciuridae, a family that includes small or medium-size rodents. The squirrel family includes tree squirrels, ground squirrels (including chipmunks and prairie dogs, among others), and flying squirrels. Squ ...

s and hedgehogs are the North Koreans, the

mice A mouse ( : mice) is a small rodent. Characteristically, mice are known to have a pointed snout, small rounded ears, a body-length scaly tail, and a high breeding rate. The best known mouse species is the common house mouse (''Mus musculus' ...

are the South Koreans, the

bear Bears are carnivoran mammals of the family Ursidae. They are classified as caniforms, or doglike carnivorans. Although only eight species of bears are extant, they are widespread, appearing in a wide variety of habitats throughout the Nor ...

as the

Soviets Soviet people ( rus, сове́тский наро́д, r=sovyétsky naród), or citizens of the USSR ( rus, гра́ждане СССР, grázhdanye SSSR), was an umbrella demonym for the population of the Soviet Union. Nationality policy in th ...

, the weasels are the

Japan Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...

ese, and the wolves are the Americans, which are argued to coincide with metaphorical interpretations of the country's geopolitical environment. 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 Patriotism is the feeling of love, devotion, and sense of attachment to one's country. This attachment can be a combination of many different feelings, language relating to one's own homeland, including ethnic, cultural, political or histor ...

to children. However, Choi Sung-guk, a North Korean defector animator who worked at SEK Studio for several years, said that "weasels, mice, and wolves symbolize foreign invaders (

imperialists Imperialism is the state policy, practice, or advocacy of extending power and dominion, especially by direct territorial acquisition or by gaining political and economic control of other areas, often through employing hard power (economic and ...

)." Jajusibo, South Korea's leading far-left and pro-North Korea media outlet, ran a column criticizing Westerners' allegorical interpretations of the show. Citing interviews with SEK staff, they pointed out that such political speculation about the show was "exaggerated by Westerners". One Yanbian Korean-Chinese netizen said, "I have loved this show since I was a child, but I never thought that such an allegorical interpretation exists in the show.". Meanwhile, Chosun Ilbo, a conservative South Korean media outlet, criticized the show for being very violent, brutal, and blatantly allegorical propaganda.

Merchandise

There are no known official records of merchandise, 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 studio 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 ''Clever Raccoon Dog'' is a North Korean animated television series produced by SEK Studio which aired on North Korean state television. The series was produced for a number of years and features both old and new animation styles, depending on the ...

'' (). Unlike ''Squirrel and Hedgehog'', they are focused primarily on road safety education, science, sport, summer volunteer work etc.

Mondo dub

The series was released in English and Spanish by Mondo TV, titled ''Brave Soldier'' and ''Soldados Valientes'' respectively. 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.

References