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Well, the annals of Dictators on Horseback just got a dazzling new entry.
Step aside, Vladimir Putin...
...because winter, and Kim Jong Un, are coming!
The North Korean dictator recently did a (thankfully fully clothed) horseback photo shoot on snowcapped Mount Paektu, and hoo boy, was it a Game of Thronesian fantasy.
They really were something, these pics...
So why all the fuss—and why Mount Paektu?
Well, the mountain, which is an active volcano (a perfect fit for the Glorious Leader) is sacred in Korean culture as it is said to be the birthplace of the Korean kingdom's founder, Dangun, more than 4,000 years ago.
What, you thought Kim Jong Un would just horseback-ride up any old snowcapped hill?
How dare you! He is a god among men! Go to jail immediately!
After all, is that any way to think about the man who North Korean state media describes like this?
"[his eyes] were full of noble glitters of the illustrious commander who clearly indicates the road of advance of a powerful socialist country that is achieving prosperity with its own efforts and by dint of storm of Mt Paektu in the face of all headwinds."
Anyway, a visit to the mountain is said to be auspicious.
The North Korean state news agency spared no words telling us about the glory of their Leader's heroic ride.
As they—very subtly—put it:
"All the officials accompanying him were convinced with overflowing emotion and joy that there will be a great operation to strike the world with wonder again and make a step forward in the Korean revolution."
Translation: Kim Jong Un often visits Mount Paektu before big announcements, leading many to speculate that something big is coming from North Korea in the coming days.
But for most folks, that was all incidental—the real story was the photos themselves—and, of course, the jokes that write themselves.
And for some, a closer look only magnified the hilarity.
And led some to theorize about possible conspiracies afoot in these photos...
That last one is definitely the most plausible.
But conspiracy or not, you have to admit that these pictures speak well beyond a thousand words.
Try as we may, our mere mortal minds will never truly comprehend such resplendence. Such is the magic of Kim Jong Un and his noble steed.
The comedy film The Interview, available here, is a parody that tells the story of Dave Skylark (James Franco) and his producer Aaron Rapaport (Seth Rogen) who run the popular celebrity tabloid TV show 'Skylark Tonight.' When they discover that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is a fan of the show, they land an interview with him in an attempt to legitimize themselves as journalists. As Dave and Aaron prepare to travel to Pyongyang, their plans change when the CIA recruits them, perhaps the most unlikely candidates, to "take out" Kim Jong-un.
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Have you listened to the first season of George Takei's podcast, 'Oh Myyy Pod!'?
In season one we explored the racially charged videos that have taken the internet by storm.
We're hard at work on season two so be sure to subscribe here so you don't miss it when it goes live.
Here's one of our favorite episodes from season one. Enjoy!