Squirrel and Hedgehog (Korean: 다람이와 고슴도치) is a North Koreananimated series made by SEK Studio (조선4.26만화영화촬영소).[1]Squirrel and Hedgehog is one of the most popular animated series in North Korea. The show was supposedly discontinued in 2012, 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.[2] In 2006, the producers said the show would be in production.[3]
The series is currently being re-aired on Korean Central Television since July 2023 for the show's 46th anniversary.[4]
Characters and Locations
Flower Hill
The main character's hometown. Squirrels, hedgehogs, ducks, rabbits and small animals live in this village.
Geumsaegi (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) - A close friend of Geumsaegi and Juldarami. Brother of Undochi.
Scout Mulangae (물안개) - A briefly seen spy of Flower Hill.
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.
Mulori (물오리 선장/Wild Duck Captain) - The Captain of Flower Hill's Naval Forces. A close friend of Geumsaegi.
Dalamjwi-Salyeong (다람쥐 사령관/Squirrel Commander) - The Commander of the Covert forces of Flower Hill.
Goseumdochi Salyeong-gwan (고슴도치 사령관/Hedgehog Commander) - The Commander of the Military Forces of Flower Hill.
Pamnamu (팜나무/Palm Tree) - A briefly seen spy for Flower Hill.
Weasel Empire
Captain Weasel (족제비 대장/General Commander)
Mulmangcho (물망초/Forget-me-not/Buttercup (in Syenduk'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.
Oegwipari/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) - Commander of the Covert Forces of the Weasel Empire.
Dr. White Weasel (흰 족제비 박사) - Head Staff of the Sturgeon Base until its destruction. Head Staff of the Iron Crow Unit of Toggaebi Island.
Mangko-Jogjebi (망코 족제비/Mangko) - Chief-of-Staff of the Weasel Empire's Secret Police turned temporary De-Facto Leader through a Coup Against the General Commander.
Field Mouse No. 2 (필드 마우스 2번) - a Scout for the Weasel Empire.
Search Commander (수색사령관/Susaegsalyeong-gwan) - The Envoy and Commander to Mt. Rock
Wolves' Den
Captain Wolf/Keoteo (승냥이 대장) - He is the captain of the wolf army. He has blue glowing eyes.
Assistant Weasel/1st Lt. Choi (족제비 보좌관) - A younger brother of Captain Weasel and second in command of the wolve's den.
Assistant Fox/2nd Lt. Yeou/Lt. Fox Vixen (여우 장교) The Third in command of the wolve's den. She has a manipulative personality.
Other Flower Hill affiliated villages
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2023)
Assistant Weasel/1st Lt. Choi: Kim Tae-Hong (episode 27) → Song Yong-Chol (episode 31~)
Assistant Fox/Lt. Fox Vixen/2nd Lt. Yeau: 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
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 the squirrels and hedgehogs are the North Koreans, the mice are the South Koreans, the bear is the Soviets, the weasels are the Japanese, the wolves are the Americans and the foxes are United States working class and minorities, which are argued to coincide with metaphorical interpretations of the country's geopolitical environment.[5] 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.[6] However, Choi Sung-guk, a North Korean defector who worked at SEK Studio as an animator for several years, said that "weasels, mice, and wolves symbolize foreign invaders (imperialists)."[7]
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 YanbianKorean-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.".[8][9]
Meanwhile, The Chosun Ilbo, a conservative South Korean media outlet, criticized the show for being very violent, brutal, and blatantly allegorical propaganda.[10]
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.[citation needed]
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.[citation needed]
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 (령리한 너구리). 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.[11][12] 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.
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