The following series of mantages were taken in May of 2015 in North Korea. Going there alone was an eye opening experience. After coming back from North Korea, I was asked whether North Korea was as oppressive and anti-human rights as we understood from the media. To a certain extent the Koreans were wary of us outsiders. They gave us curious stares as we walked around carrying our DSLRs and snapping away. What we saw were snippets of the 'oppressed' people. On a personal note, i felt honored just to have the opportunity to step into this secretive nation. Seeing some of their massive architecture and their obscenely well kept streets made me see a nation of people with a quiet resilience. The sense i got while in North Korea wasn't all too different from the places i've visited while travelling in other Asian Nations. People with a quiet strength about them. Learning to open up to the world in spite of being used shamelessly as an nation of ridicule. I came back thinking to myself. We wouldn't have been much different if we too were growing up in the same environment in North Korea. Why the contempt? At some point i felt they North Koreans were a people misunderstood. We need more connection. Not more divisive gossip.