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Squirrel and Hedgehog
North Korean animated television show From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Squirrel and Hedgehog (Korean: 다람이와 고슴도치) is a North Korean animated series made by SEK Studio.[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 was re-aired on Korean Central Television since July 2023 for the show's 46th anniversary.[4] It is currently being re-aired as of July 2025.
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Characters and locations
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Flower Hill
A loosely defined territory composed of a variety of terrains such forests, tundras, and deserts. The territory is inhabited by a plethora of creatures, most of whom reside in their own individual villages corresponding to their species. These creatures most commonly include squirrels, hedgehogs, and ducks, with minorities of animals such as bears and rabbits being present as well. Flower Hill operates as a democratic, diverse, communitarian, and heavily militarized federation of villages attempting to live and prosper in harmony in spite of the imperialistic aggression from their neighboring territory and archenemy, the Weasel Empire.
In the first episode of the series, "Lesson for the Squirrel" Flower Hill, or at the very least Squirrel Village of which both protagonists Geumsaegi and Juldarami originate from, exists as a humble and rural village within the forests of Flower Hill, operating as a democratic and communitarian society, defended solely by a brown bear known in English as Gom, though most commonly referred to as "Uncle Bear", a large, rugged, well-meaning but slightly narcissistic and arrogant bear who serves as protector of Squirrel Village.
However, when Mice from the neighboring Weasel Empire sway Bear into accepting a package of alcohol (Likely meant to be vodka) from them, he becomes severely drunk and passes out. Once rendered unresponsive, Weasel and Mice soldiers from the Empire would assault the Village and proceed to pillage and burn it with no retaliation from its residents.
Following this brutal and devastating attack on the village, Bear would be deemed unreliable and a liability to the continued existence of the Village, and was likely relieved of his duties subsequently after. Squirrel Village would thus establish its own military with assistance from neighboring Hedgehogs, and would proceed to wage war against the Weasel Empire for the attack on the Village. From this moment forward, Flower Hill would undergo a significant period of militarization, stockpiling an arsenal of firearms, tanks, battleships, artillery, and other such equipment to defend itself from the Weasel Empire.
Symbolism and historical representation
Flower Hill has served as the primary subject of discussion of whether or not Squirrel And Hedgehog serves as a creative work intended to instill and enforce Anti-American, Anti-Japanese, Anti-South Korean, and or general Anti-Western sentiments amongst the youth of North Korea.
Flower Hill has been claimed by viewers and critics of the show on many occasions to serve as an allegory for North Korea and its conflicts both past and present with opposing nations such as The United States, Japan, and South Korea.
Many have cited Flower Hill's passivism and humble, rural environment and lifestyle, in contrast to the brutal and aggressive imperialism, industrialism, and militarism of the Weasel Empire, as being a correlation between pre-divided Korea and the Empire of Japan respectively. This is credited significantly further by the response of Flower Hill to the assault on the squirrel village by the Weasel Empire in the series, that being to significantly militarize itself in order to effectively defend itself from further threats by such imperialistic forces.
These events in the show have been associated by viewers and critics to historical and or real world events and ideas, most prominently, the invasion and annexation of Korea by the Empire of Japan, as well as one of the fundamental policies of North Korea's state ideology and politics, Songun ("Military First"). An idea turned state policy by first Supreme Leader of North Korea, Kim Il Sung, one which dates back as far as the 1930s during his years as a guerrilla fighting against the Empire of Japan. Songun is a policy that prioritizes the Korean People's Army as being a fundamental and intrinsic part of North Korea's innerworkings and politics. This ideology was implemented as a policy in North Korea in 1962, however would be discussed by Kim-Il Sung decades prior in a plethora of his own written works, with him emphasizing a strong, fierce military being essential to the establishment and continued existence of an independent Korea following the decades of brutal colonialism and occupation of the Korean peninsula by the Empire of Japan, emphasized even further following the Korean War between North Korea and the U.S led U.N intervention in support of South Korea.
These historical events have been compared to the events of the first episode of the series, in which the passive, rural territory of Flower Hill, is assaulted by an aggressive, militaristic, Imperial Empire whose brutality includes the pillaging and burning of a village inhabited by vulnerable and passive squirrels. The only virtual difference being, that whereas the Korean peninsula was successful occupied and annexed by the Japanese and decades of brutal imperial rule ensued. Flower Hill would instead successfully defend itself from such suffering such a fate, with this being interpreted as North Korea's way of illustrating "what could've been" if it had the military prowess.
Furthermore, other such correlations made between Flower Hill and North Korea, include how Flower Hill operates. With the territory being depicted as a communitarian utopia, which can be interpreted as being socialist or communist in practice, alongside this, the illustration of Flower Hill as a utopian commune is also correlated to how North Korea prefers its people to view their country through extensive propaganda such as Squirrel And Hedgehog. It also been claimed on numerous occasions that Uncle Bear represents the Soviet Union, not only due to bears famously being associated with Russia, but also due to Uncle Bear's status as protector of the squirrel village. This is further evidenced by how the leadership and inhabitants of the squirrel village relieve Bear of his duties following his failure to protect them from the Weasel Empire's attack. This has been historically connected to North Korea's fierce desire for independence along with their attempts at distancing itself from the Soviet Union politically, economically, and militarily, despite requiring substantial assistance from outside nations to continue thoroughly functioning. Bear's consumption of alcohol reminiscent of vodka, an alcoholic beverage originating from Russia, has also been used as evidence to claim that Bear serves as a representation of the Soviet Union.
SEK Studios, upon being made aware of these claims, would deny them by stating that Flower Hill, along with the antagonists of the series such as the Weasel Empire, do not serve to represent any past or present political entity such as North Korea or Japan. With the studio instead stating that Flower Hill served to inspire patriotism and dedication to North Korea in the same vein amongst the youth of North Korea, rather than to directly symbolize any nation in particular.
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Flower Hill character synopses
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- Geumsaegi (금색이/Golden, Code name "Pang-ul-ggot") - The main protagonist of the series. Formerly served as the de facto leader, or at the very least, held a position of leadership within the squirrel village. He serves in the series as an operative of Flower Hill masquerading as a mouse within the military of the Weasel Empire under the code name "Pangulggot". The series follows him as he ascends within the ranks of the Empire, foils the scemes of the Empire in their conquest of Flower Hill, grows increasingly closer to the General Commander, and sucessfully impede the attempts of antagonists such as Mulmangcho and those who know his identity from exposing him as a spy of Flower Hill. This charade continues onward into season two, however with the Empire having been dissolved by Flower Hill following the conclusion of season one, Geumsaegi now must inflitrate the military complex of the wolves, a faction just as imperialistic and barbaric as the weasels, who have picked up where the Empire had left off in its conquest of Flower Hill, and have even attempted to assimilate remenants of the Empire under their own command.
- 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.
- Bamsaegi (밤색이/Brown) - 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
The primary antagonists of the series from episodes 1-26 (Season 1). They are a barbaric imperialistic regime composed predominantly of weasels, with a significant population of mice and crows as well. In the series, they serve soley to attempt to occupy and or destroy Flower Hill by any means necessary, along with pillaging their villages of all their resources, and likely enslaving all of their inhabitants as well.
The empire is heavily militarized, having significant manpower, advanced technology such as tanks, battleships, and an arsenal of devastating, advanced weaponry, such as a cryogenic cannon that can turn entire islands into uninhabitable frozen tundras and effectively kill all life present on them.
The empire's ground forces is composed of both weasels and mice, with mice comprising majority of the military's personnel, with them only ever serving as foot soldiers for the most part. Weasels also comprise a significant percentage of the empire's military, albeit slightly less prominently, with Weasels serving in positions of command and leadership. Crows serve as the empire's airforce, participating primarily in aerial assaults and reconnaissance.
The empire would be dissolved in the planned series finale "'Pangulggot' in the flames", in which Geumsaegi, along with collaboration from the armed forces of Flower Hill, would lead an assault against a prominent military base of the empire's that had been housing important commanders and generals. Following the infiltration of the base by Geumsaegi using a tank, along with the combined efforts of Flower Hill, the base would be completely destroyed, with both the General Commander and numerous other prominent figures such as Black Weasel perishing in the assault.
Symbolism And Historical Representation
Like in the case of Flower Hill, The Weasel Empire's depiction in Squirrel And Hedgehog is a prominent subject in the long standing discussion in whether or not the series itself serves to propagate and enforce Anti-American, Anti-Western, and most especially in this case Anti-Japanese sentiment amongst the youth of North Korea.
The Weasel Empire has countless times been associated by viewers and critics of the series of intending to symbolize Japan, more specifically the Empire of Japan, attributed to the latter's extensive and brutal occupation and oppression of the Korean peninsula and its people from 1910 to 1945 until its liberation by The Allies in the concluding years of World War II. Something of which North Korea and its government holds a significant grudge against Japan for, with this also being present to a lesser extent in South Korea
The most prominent correlations cited between the Weasel Empire and Imperial Japan is their imperialistic ambitions and militarism, the crimes committed against groups they perceive as inferior, that being the people of Flower Hill in the context of the show. As well as their subjugation and collaboration with native inhabitants of conquered territory, with the Mice symbolizing those collaborationists in the series, more specifically Koreans who collaborated with Imperial Japan during Japanese rule. The symbolism of the Japanese being weasels can also be interpreted as hearkening back to stereotypes of the Japanese in media, with the weasels in the series and the common Anti-Japanese and Anti-Imperialist stereotypes associated with the Japanese such as sharp, slanted, predatory eyes, razor sharp carnivorous teeth, and general cunning and predatory behavior, coinciding with their imperialistic and expansionist rhetoric.
Upon being made aware of these claims, SEK Studios would officially deny there being any real world parallels in the series, claiming that the antagonists of the series only served to represent Imperialistic forces, rather than any political entity from the past or present.
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Weasel Empire character synopses
- General Commander (족제비 대장/General Commander) - Commander-in-chief of the Weasel Empire's armed forces, and heavily implied to be the leader of the Empire itself. He is the old, vitally unstable, but also malevolent and conniving leader of weasels, mice, and crows, as well as the spearhead of the campaign of conquest and destruction of Flower Hill. Being both commander-in-chief and the presumed leader of the Empire, he possesses the authority to execute any and all operations of the Empire's military at his whim, with him in many instances being the one responsible for having orchestrated these schemes, such as to disguise cluster bombs as watermelons and have them deployed and detonated within Flower Hill. Being the spearhead of war against Flower Hill, he vihemently fights for Flower Hill's dissolution, and more often than not, resorts to dirty, and vile tricks to bring about this reality, such as deploying undercover operatives in Flower Hill during a good faith competitive event between both Flower Hill and the Empire as way to improve diplomatic relations. The General Commander perishes in the season finale "Pangulggot In Flames" in which he is propelled into the sky by a jetpack, which subsequently explodes and kills him, thus ending both his rule, and the Empire itself. However his brother serves as a supporting antagonist in season two, serving as one of the adviser to commander of the wolves.
- Mulmangcho (물망초/Forget-me-not/Buttercup (in Syenduk's translation)) - One of the primary antagonist of the series. He is an aggressive, short-tempered, but also maliciously calculating and menacing mouse, who serves in a variety of positions in both the Empire's and wolve's armed forces, going from a basic foot soldier in early season one, to a guard commander in season two. In season one, he serves for a time as an operative within the Empire's military, serving to provide intelligence and information to an armed rebel group formed within the Empire, known simply as the "rebels" or "rebels of Mt. Rock" who seeks to perpetrate a coup d'etat against the General Commander, with the Empire in the series fighting against this armed insurrection, alongside their war with Flower Hill interchangably, something of which is seen far more extensively than their war with Flower Hill. However when the leadership of the rebellion is gradually picked off by the Empire, and is eventually dissolved following the assasination of its last surviving commander. He is determined by all and any means to have Flower Hill destroyed or conquered, and assists a variety of individuals in materializing this drive into reality, and by the fall of the Empire, he and his other companions defect to the wolves, with he himself doing so to bring about the demise of Flower Hill.
- Oegwipari/One-Eared (외귀팔이) - The brother and right hand man of Mulmangcho. He is primarily illustrated as being wholesome and innocent in appearance, whismiscal, clumsy, and very emotional, with him serving as a foil to Mulmangcho's straight man act. However in spite of these "neutral" or less than malicious character traits, he is also portrayed as being cowardly, disloyal (such as when he sold out Mulmangcho upon being elevated to a higher position by Black Weasel) as well as tremendously inconsiderate and selfish, Like Mulmangcho, Oegwipari goes from being a footsoldier in early season one, to a guard commander in late season two, which is largely attributed to his brother.
- 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 wolves den.
- Assistant Fox/2nd Lt. Yeou/Lt. Fox Vixen (여우 장교) The Third in command of the wolves den. She has a manipulative personality.
Other Flower Hill affiliated villages
![[icon]](#/media/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2023) |
- Squirrel Village
- Rabbit Village
- Fowl Village
- Giraffe Village (only referenced)
- Deer Village (only referenced)
- Monkey Village (only referenced)
- Weasel Village (only referenced)
- Bear Village (only referenced)
- Elephant Village (only referenced)
- The Desert Lands (only referenced)
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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/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.
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Episodes
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Controversy
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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 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.".[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]
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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, along with toy guns and figurines. There are also several statues in children's parks that are located in Pyongyang.[11]
A few Squirrel and Hedgehog video games are known to exist such as the 2018 mobile game Brave Scouts (용감한 정찰병), which is described as a 3D shooter starring a squirrel and a hedgehog carrying out missions in the Weasel Den.[12] Two unnamed arcade shooters have also been documented: both games have the player shoot weasels and mice, with at least one of them using a rifle as controller, and the other one featuring the heroes of the television series in the HUD.[13]
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Manhwa
Alongside the television show, a manhwa called Brave Hedgehog (용감한 고슴도치) was released in 1991. The story follows Detective Hedgehog who searches for an infiltrator from Manure Mountain in Flower Hill.[14] There were several key differences between it and the television series, such as the character "Lt. Fox Vixen" originally being depicted as male. It is 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] A second issue of Brave Hedgehog was published the following year of 1992.
Another North Korean children's comic series with funny animals called Fighting Wisdom Hill (싸우는 지혜동산) features characters from Squirrel and Hedgehog like Commander Darami and Goseumdochi, the hedgehog unit and the wolves.[15]
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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.[16][17] 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 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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See also
References
External links
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