The North Korean movie “Days and Nights of Confrontation,” which deals with an attempt to assassinate the supreme leader, has been getting a mixed reaction from local audiences since it was shown on state television. While the film has succeeded at emotionally engaging older North Koreans and arousing their anger, younger people are viewing the film as mere entertainment.
“Everybody is talking about the new film ‘Days and Nights of Confrontation.’ But there’s a stark difference in how the older and younger generations are responding to the film,” a source in North Hamgyong province told Daily NK recently.
According to the source, the movie has been disseminated rapidly on DVDs and flash drives in addition to its screening on Korean Central Television. It has reached the point where nearly everybody has seen the film.
For members of the older generation, the film reportedly evokes memories of a devastating explosion at Ryongchon train station in 2004 that inspired the events in the film.
“Older viewers of the film mentioned the Ryongchon train station accident, which was a huge issue at the time, and said they felt a rush of anger and hostility. So many people were killed in the accident that many thought spies must have been behind it—a rumor that’s still widely taken for granted even today,” the source said.
“Older viewers often used vulgar language about Ri Tae-il, the film’s main character. Some said he deserved to die, while others lamented that he killed innocent people for a scheme that had no chance of success.”
Youth focus on entertainment, not ideology
That contrasts with younger viewers, who reportedly view the film through the lens of entertainment. Young people make joking references to the film, quoting lines of dialogue like “Are you a spy by any chance?” “Speak the truth!” and “I’m by your side.”
“The younger generation definitely has a different perspective on this film than the older one. Young people focus on the acting quality or quirky dialogue,” the source said.
North Korea appears to be trying to use the film “Days and Nights of Confrontation” to unify the public and send the message that viewers should always be on guard against threats to the regime. But young viewers are apparently more interested in getting some fun out of the film than divining the political message or ideological lessons embedded therein.
These tendencies have led some to conclude that ideological commitment is fraying among North Korean youth.
“In North Korea, films are produced to serve as regime propaganda. While young people are aware of that, most of them don’t pay much attention to the film’s underlying message. The government wants to reinforce young people’s ideological commitment, but most of them just focus on the entertainment value,” the source said.
“As can be seen from these reactions, films are no longer effective as works of propaganda. What was actually better at touching young people and beefing up their loyalty was Kim Jong Un’s recent appearance at the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League,” the source added.
January 28, 2026 at 07:23AM
by DailyNK(North Korean Media)