North Korea Has Launched Its Own Netflix Despite North Koreans Not Having Internet

Despite the fact that only a very small percentage of North Koreans actually have access to the internet, the DPRK has rolled out with its own version of Netflix called “Manbang.”

The service streams only state-controlled content of course, but users who are lucky enough to have access can use Manbang, “to search for and replay documentaries and watch five TV channels,” according to the BBC. In a nation where all personal computers are registered with North Korean authorities, you can imagine how difficult it may be to use the product, however. The Atlantic stipulated that, “No more than a few thousand North Korean researchers and high officials have access to the Internet.” While “a few thousand,” may sound substantial, consider that the Hermit Kingdom’s population is 25 million.

Kim Jong Min, a technology spokesman, said to NK News, “If a viewer wants to watch, for instance, an animal movie and sends a request to the equipment, it will show the relevant video to the viewer… this is two-way communications.”

Here’s an instructional video of sorts of the new Manbang service for those of you savvy enough in Korean:

The new product was first announced on Korea Central Television (KCTV) and it will reportedly include features for viewers to take lessons in English and Russian, as well as the latest goings-on with Kim Jong-un‘s life and hair styles of course.

Manbang and chill, anyone?

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