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 production year of each episode. The series focuses on three main characters (a raccoon dog, a male bear, and a female cat), who are often involved in minor adventures or incidents. Each episode has a scholastic element or a particular message, focusing on matters as scientific information, road safety, sportsmanship, among others. The first 9 episodes (episode 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 22, 23) are co-produced with the French animation studio Col.Ima.Son and P.M.M.P.[citation needed]
| Clever Raccoon Dog | |
|---|---|
 Opening title card variant for episodes 47-63 | |
| Also known as | The Little Bear |
| Korean | 령리한 너구리 |
| Genre | Comedy, Science |
| Screenplay by | Kim Gwangsong |
| Directed by | Chang Joil |
| Theme music composer | Pyongyang Ryulgok Women's Secondary school |
| Composer | Kim Myonghui |
| Country of origin | North Korea |
| Original language | Korean |
| No. of episodes | 82 |
| Production | |
| Cinematography | Kang Taeyong |
| Production company | Korea April 26 Animation Studio |
| Original release | |
| Network | Korean Central Television |
| Release | 1987 – present |
Characters
editMain characters
edit- Neoguri (너구리, Raccoon Dog): A brown raccoon dog. He is smart and kind.
- Gom (곰, Bear): A brown bear. He is strong and greedy.
- Yaung-i (야웅이, Cat): A blue cat. She is naughty and tomboyish. Her gender is unclear, and even SEK's staff are confused. Although listed as female in international dubs and some DVDs and merchandise, she is considered a "boy" in some episodes. There is no clear answer from the producers about this.
Minor characters
edit- Kkolkkol-i (꼴꼴이, Piglet): He is a mischievous baby pig. He first appeared in episode 65 and is younger than Neoguri, Gom, and Yaungi.
- Mem-me (멤메, Baby Goat): He is Neoguri's classmate.
- Ppiyong-i (삐용이, Chick): He is a baby chick and appeared in episode 47.
- Jangsugom (장수곰/곰삼촌, Uncle Bear): He is Gom's uncle and first appeared in episode 71. He has a job manufacturing canned fish and is attacked and knocked down by hungry wolf thieves.
- Kkangchong-i Annaewon (깡총이 안내원, Guide Rabbit): She is the village guide and reporter, and wears a fancy pink dress. She first appeared in episode 67.
- Yang Ajumeoni (양아주머니, Mrs. Sheep): She is a sheep wearing a light pink dress. She first appeared in episode 70.
- Yeomso Hal-abeoji (염소 할아버지, Mr. Goat)
- Yeou Doduk (여우도둑, Thief Fox): She is a thief who tries to steal a Neoguri's robot crab.
- Keungoyang-i (큰고양이, Captain Lynx): He is a lynx wearing an eyepatch. He tries to steal Neoguri's robot crab with a fox, but ultimately fails.
Voice Cast
edit- Neoguri : Song Young-Suk (Episode 47–54) → Rim Bok-Hui (Episode 55) → Song Young-Suk (Episode 56–59) → Rim Bok-Hui (Episode 60–65) → Han Ok-Won (Episode 66-)
- Gom : Won Jong-Suk (Episode 47–62) → Rim Un-Yong (Episode 63) → Rim Bok-Hui (Episode 64-)
- Yaungi : Kwon Nyong-Ju (Episode 47–55) → Rim Un-Yong (Episode 55–62) → Lee Eun-Ju (Episode 63-)
- Thief Fox : Rim Bok-Hui
- Captain Lynx : Mok Geum-Sung
- Thief Mouse : Dong Yun-Mi
- Pilot Weasel : Park Sung-Il
Media
edit63 episodes (1-63) have been released on DVD by Mokran Video.[citation needed]
The series resumed in 2021, with episode 64 being aired on 19 December.[1] These newly produced episodes featured new actresses.[2]
On February 4, 2023, The Pyongyang Times announced the production of episodes 70, 71 and 72. These episodes are respectively titled "Orange Necklace", "Waterproof Cloth" and "Plastic Magnet".[1]
Episodes
edit- English title list is almost written according to formal DVD translation, and asterisk marks mean personal translation, which is because their English names do not exist in it.
| No. | Original Title | English Title | Script | Direction and Conductor | Chief Art Direction | Photograph | Music |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 스키경기 | Skiing Match (The Slips) | Kim Gwangsong | Kim Gwangsong | Kim Yongchan | Kang Taeyong | Kim Myonghui |
| 2 | 높이재기 | Measurement of Height | Kim Yongkwon | Rim Hong-un, Chang Joil | In Yonguk | Lee Yongho | Kim Myonghui |
| 3 | 바람개비 | Pinwheel | Kim Gwangsong | Kim Gwangsong, Chang Joil | Chang Yonghwan | Kang Taeyong | Kim Myonghui |
| 4 | 후보선수 | Substitute Player | Chong Songhui | Son Jonggwon, Chang Joil | Kim Yongchol | Ko Byonghwa | Kim Myonghui |
| 5 | 불을 일으킨 얼음 | With the help of ice | Kim Gwanson | Kim Gwanson, Chang Joil | Kim Gwanson | Lee Yongho | Paek Inson |
| 6 | 장애물경기 | An obstacle race | Kim Gwangsong | Kim Gwangsong, Chang Joil | Chong Jonghui | Lee Yonghun | Kim Myonghui |
| 7 | 순회우승금컵 | The circular championship gold cup | Kim Yonggwon | Kim Yongchan, Chang Joil | Kim Taekjon | Han Bonggi | Kim Myonghui |
| 8 | 지름길 | A short cut | Kim Yu-gyong | Kim Gwangsong, Chang Joil | Chong Jonghui | Kim Gilnam | Kim Myonghui |
| 9 | 축구경기하는 날 | The day of football game | Pak Taesul | Kim Yongchan, Chang Joil | Kim Taekjon | Kang Taeyong | Kim Myonghui |
| 10 | 쫓겨간 호랑이 | The tiger takes to flight | Kim Taehong | Kim Gwanson, Hong Sunghak | Kim Gwanson | Lee Yongho | Paek Inson |
| 11 | 너구리가 준 시계 | Raccoon Dog gives a watch* | Lee Gwang-yong | Kim Yongchan, Chang Joil | O Sunnam | Kim Gilnam | Kim Myonghui |
| 12 | 잘못 안 시간 | Mistaken Time | Cha Jeok | Kim Gwanson, Chang Joil | O Gwangsong | Kang Taeyong | Kim Myonghui |
| 13 | 부정선수 | Foul player | Hwang Sok-hwan | Kim Sunhui, Chang Joil | O Sunnam | Lee Yongho | Kim Myonghui |
| 14 | 응당한 봉변 | The deserved humiliation* | Kim Gwanson | Kim Yongchan, Chang Joil | O Gwangsong | Kim Gilnam | Kim Myonghui |
| 15 | 결승전 | The Finals | Kim Yongchan | Kim Yongchan, Chang Joil | Lee Juil | Kang Taeyong | Kim Myonghui |
| 16 | 야구경기 | A baseball game* | Lee In | Lee In, Chang Joil | O Gwangsong | Lee Yongho | Kim Myonghui |
| 17 | 휘거경기 | Figure-skating game | Kim Gwangsong | Kim Gwangsong, Chang Joil | Chong Jonghui | Kim Gilnam | Kim Myonghui |
| 18 | 랭동차안에서 | In a refrigerator car | Kim Gwangsong | Kim Gwangsong, Chang Joil | Kim Inson | Kang Taeyong | Kim Myonghui |
| 19 | 너구리와 거부기 | Raccoon Dog and Turtle | Kim Yonggwon | Kim Gwangsong, Chang Joil | O Gwangsong | Han Yongchol | Kim Myonghui |
| 20 | 새집들이 하는 날 | The day moving into a new house | Kim Yonggwon | Kang Yonghwan, Chang Joil | Kim Inson | Lee Yongho | Kim Myonghui |
| 21 | 마라손선수 | Marathoner | Kim Jun-ok | Kim Jun-ok, Chang Joil | Kim Jun-ok | Kim Gilnam | Kim Myonghui |
| 22 | 위험한 장난 | Dangerous game | Kim Gwanson | Kim Gwanson, Chang Joil | Ro Min | Kang Taeyong | Kim Myonghui |
| 23 | 바다에서 일어난 소동 | Fuss on the sea | Kim Gwanson | Kim Gwanson, Chang Joil | O Gwangsong | Cho Gwangchol | Kim Myonghui |
| 24 | 야웅이 생일선물 | Birthday gift of Cat | Kim Taehong | Kim Yongchan, Hong Sunghak | O Sunnam, Nam Won | Lee Yongho | Kim Myong Hui |
| 25 | 무차별급 권투경기 | Boxing bout (in class without weight distinction) | Kim Taemo | Kim Yongchan, Hong Sunghak | O Sunnam, Lee Juil | Kim Gilnam | Kim Myonghui |
| 26 | 불을 끈 너구리 | Raccoon Dog puts out a fire | Choi Taehyong | Chang Cholsu, Hong Sunghak | Lee Yongil | Han Bonggi | Kim Myonghui |
| 27 | 유희장에서 | At an amusement park* | Chang Cholsu, Pang Sun-yong | Chang Cholsu, Park Mison | Kim Yusong, Kim Gyongho | Lee Yeongho | Kim Myonghui |
| 28 | 우주려행길에서 | At a way of journeying universe* | Kim Gwanson | Kim Gwanson, Park Mison | Kim Yusong, Kim Gyongho | Lee Yongho | Kim Myonghui |
| 29 | 다시 찾은 황금컵 | A gold cup discovered again* | Kim Jun-ok | Kim Jun-ok, Park Mison | Kim Changyu, Chang Yongchol | Kim Gilnam | Kim Myonghui |
| 30 | 너구리의 빈 화분 | Raccoon Dog's empty flowerpot* | Kim Jun-ok | Kim Jun-ok, Park Mison | Paek Hak, Lee Yongil | Kang Taeyong | Kim Myonghui |
| 31 | 하늘에서의 봉변 | A humiliation at the sky* | Ro Sunhui | Chang Cholsu, Park Mison | Kim Sangik, Kim Ryonghyok | Lee Yonghun | Kim Myonghui |
| 32 | 노없는 배로 | With a boat but no paddles* | Lee Jongsun | Son Jonggwon, Park Mison | Chang Yongchol, Mun Song | Han Bonggi | Kim Myonghui |
| 33 | 그림자탓일가? | Is shadow to blame for it? | Kim Gwanson | Kim Gwanson, Park Mison | Kim Yusong, Chong Hyonchol | Lee Yongho | Kim Myonghui |
| 34 | 물놀이장에서 | At a wading pool | Rim Changgyu | Chang Cholsu, Chang Joil | Choi Ilchan, Paek Yonhui | Kim Jehung | Paek Inson |
| 35 | 열대림에서 있은일 | An event happened in a tropical forest | Kwon Myongson | Kim Gwanson, Chang Joil | Chong Hyonchol, Kim Yusong | Kang Taeyong | Paek Inson |
| 36 | 위험표식 | Danger Indicator | Chang Cholsu | Chang Cholsu, Chang Joil | Kim Inson, Choi Ilchan | Lee Yongho | Paek Inson |
| 37 | 곰의 그림숙제 | Bear's Picture Homework | Kim Jun-ok | Kim Jun-ok, Kim Chol-ui | Lee Yongil, Chang Yongchol | Kim Gilnam | Paek Inson |
| 38 | 욕심많은 곰 | Greedy Bear | O su-nam | Chang Cholsu, Kim Chol-ui | Kim Gwanghyok | Lee Yonghun | Paek Inson |
| 39 | 남극에서 온 펭긴선수 | Penguin, an ice-skating player from the Antarctic | Kim Jusin | Kim Yongchan, Kim Chol-ui | O sunnam, Son Yongsam | Han Bonggi | Paek Inson |
| 40 | 누구의 발자국일가? | Whose footprint is it? | Chang Cholsu | Chang Cholsu, Pak Mison | Kim Gwanghyok, Kim Dok-yong | Kim Jehung | Paek Inson |
| 41 | 너구리의 과일농사 | Racoon Dog grows fruit | Kim Jun-ok | Kim Gwanghyok, Chang Myongil | Yun Jusong, Paek Hak | Kang Taeyong | Paek Inson |
| 42 | 힘을 겨루는 경기 | Strength Contest | Kim Jun-ok | Ro Min | An Chundong, O Songnam | Lee Yongho | Paek Inson |
| 43 | 없어진 어항의 물 | A fish globe drained | Kim Gwanson | Kim Gwanson, Pak Mison | O Gwangsong | Lee Yonghun | Paek Inson |
| 44 | 물스키경기 하는 날 | The day of water ski game* | Chang Myonghui | Kim Gwanson, Hong Sunghak | Hong Jongchol, Son Chol-o | Kim Gilnam | Kim Yongsong |
| 45 | 너구리가 감춘 남비 | Raccoon Dog hides a pot* | Yun Hyonhui | Chang Cholsu, Chang Myongil | Chang Yongchol, Ryu Sejong | Kim Solnam | Paek Inson |
| 46 | 언사과 | Ice cold apples* | Kim Jun-ok, Sin Cholgyun | Kim Jun-ok, Kim Sandong | Paek Hak, Cho Gwangchol | Han Bonggi | Yun Jongho |
| 47 | 렬차안에서 | In the subway* | Lee Jonghwa | Kim Gwangsong, Lee Sokhun, Chong Il-yong | Lee Dongchol, Kim Gwanghyop | Lee Yonghun | Paek Inson |
| 48 | 꿀단지에 비낀 두 모습 | Two images reflected in a honey jar* | Pang Sun-yong | Kim Jun-ok, Son Chol-o, Chong Il-yong | O Songchol, Kim Chol-ung | Kim Sunho | Paek Inson |
| 49 | 바다가에서 있은 일 | An event happened in the sea* | Kim Suhwa | Kim Jun-ok, Pak Gwanghyon, Chong Il-yong | Mun Changil, Kim Ungho | Kim Gilnam | Paek Inson |
| 50 | 야웅이가 받은 꽃다발 | Cat receives a bouquet* | Kim Jun-ok, Kim Suhwa | Pak Gyongsu, Chong Il-yong | Ryu Sejong, Lee Yongil | Nam Gyongsu | Paek Inson |
| 51 | 열대섬동산에서 있은 일 | An event happened on the hillock of a tropical island* | Choi Insong | Kim Yongchan, Ro Min, Chong Il-yong | Ryu Sejong, Mun Changil | Kim Jehung | Paek Inson |
| 52 | 너구리가 만든 잠망경 | Raccoon Dog makes a periscope* | Kim Jun-ok, Om Sunhui | O Sinhyok, Ham Chun-il, Chong Il-yong | Kim Inchol, Han Chol | Kim Sunho | Chong Byongchol |
| 53 | 힘겨루기 날에 있은 일 | On the Day of Tug-of-War Game | Kim Yongchan | Yun Yonggil, Kim Sandong | Hong Yongnam, Pak Sunggu | Kim Myonghui | |
| 54 | 다시 날린 전파 | A re-transmitted radio wave* | Kim Hyonchol | O Sinhyok, Yun Yonggil, Lee Jongdu | Hong Yongnam, Chang Nampa | Paek Inson | |
| 55 | 너구리가 가져온 물 | Raccoon Dog brings a water* | Hwang Duman | O Sinhyok, Ho Sanghyok | Hong Yongnam, Han Chol | Paek Inson | |
| 56 | 너구리가 올린 돛 | Raccoon Dog hoists a sail* | Choi Insong | Kye Hun, Ryo Myonggi | Lee Songjin, Choi Yuil, Cho Jongchol | Paek Inson | |
| 57 | 새 려객선에서 | On the new passenger ship* | Son Gangho | Kim Yongchan, Lee Chol, Ryo Myonggi | Kim Wonil, Cho Jongchol | Paek Inson | |
| 58 | 흰눈동산에서 | On the hillock covered with white snow* | Ho Ungyong | Kim Hyokchol, Chang Myongil | Kim Songjun | Kim Myonghui | |
| 59 | 수림산에서 있은 일 | An event happened on Mt.Surim* | Lee Yongchun | Kye Hun, Ryo Myonggi | Hong Yongnam | Kim Myonghui | |
| 60 | 은빛행성에서 | In a silver planet* | Yun Choljin | Kim Hyokchol, Ryo Myonggi | Kim Myonghui | ||
| 61 | 너구리가 만든 안경 | Raccoon Dog makes a glasses* | Kim Hwasong | O Sinhyok, Lee Byong-ui | Kim Myonghui | ||
| 62 | 누구의 작간일가 | Whose trick is it?* | Choi Taehyong | O Sinhyok, Ryo Myonggi | Kim Myonghui | ||
| 63 | 못가에서 있은 일 | An event happened around a pool* | Song Chun-ok | Kim Songjun, Chang Myongil | Kim Myonghui | ||
| 64 | 만능저울[1] | General-purpose Balance[2] | Ri Yong-chun | Kim Chin-hyok | Kim Won-il | Kim Myonghui, Kim Un-hui | |
| 65 | 새둥지[3] | Bird's nest* | Kim Hwa-song | Kim Chol-hyon | Ho Chon-hyok | Kim Myonghui, Kim Song-hui | |
| 66 | 라침판[4] | Compass[2] | Ho Chong-yon, Kim Ju-won | Son Un-nam | Kim Won-il | Kim Myong-hui, In Yu-chol | |
| 67 | 요술옷[5] | Ri Pong-hwa | Kim Chin-hyok | Ho Chon-hyok | Kim Myong-hui, Kim Un-hui |
Reception
editThe series was aired in South Korea in the early 2000s by South Korean public broadcasters SBS and EBS under the original name, as well as on KBS under the title "Raccoon and Forest Friends" (너구리와 숲속 친구들) due to the Sunshine Policy which eased restrictions on North Korean media and promoted inter-Korean cooperation notably fields of culture and art.[6] Due to the show's little to no propaganda, it is one of the few North Korean programmes that do not violate the National Security Act.
In the late 2000s, it was dubbed into English by Mondo TV as The Little Bear which is not to be confused with the Little Bear series of books. [citation needed]
Philately
editOn June 21, 1989, the DPRK issued three postage stamps, dedicated to Measurement of Height, an episode of the series.[7][2]
Notes
edit- ^ a b "령리한 너구리 (64)". Uriminzokkiri. Archived from the original on 2021-12-20. Retrieved 2021-12-21.
- ^ a b c d "Scenes from the cartoon "A Badger's Height Measurement"". Colnect. Retrieved 2020-09-07.
- ^ "령리한 너구리 (65)". Uriminzokkiri. Archived from the original on 2022-02-06. Retrieved 2022-02-06.
- ^ "령리한 너구리 (66)". Uriminzokkiri. Archived from the original on 2022-02-06. Retrieved 2022-02-06.
- ^ "령리한 너구리 (67)". Uriminzokkiri. Archived from the original on 2022-02-06. Retrieved 2022-02-06.
- ^ "[볼 만한 TV프로]북한애니 '령리한 너구리'방영". Retrieved 15 August 2023.
- ^ Korean Stamp Catalogue (1946-1998). Pyongyang: Korea Stamp Corporation. 1998. p. 198.