Squirrel and Hedgehog

Squirrel and Hedgehog is a North Korean animated series made by SEK Studio (조선4.26만화영화촬영소). 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. In 2006, the producers said the show would be in production.

The series is currently being re-aired on Korean Central Television since July 2023 for the show's 46th anniversary.

Flower Hill
The main character's hometown. Squirrels, hedgehogs, ducks, rabbits and small animals live in this village.
 * Geumsaegi (금색이/Gold Squirrel, Code name "Pang-ul-ggot") - The main character of the series. He is agile, brave, and has a great intellect.
 * 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.
 * Pamsaegi (밤색이/Brownie, Brown Squirrel) - 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

 * Captain Weasel (족제비 대장/General Commander)
 * Mulmangcho (물망초/Forget-me-not/Buttercup (in Syenduk's translation)) - He is the main villain of the series. He wears glasses. He is one of the few characters who knows that Geumsaegi is a Flower Hill spy.
 * Oegwipari/One-Eared (외귀팔이) - He is a mouse following Mulmangcho. He lost one ear.
 * 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 wolve's den.
 * Assistant Fox/2nd Lt. Yeou/Lt. Fox Vixen (여우 장교) The Third in command of the wolve's den. She has a manipulative personality.

Other Flower Hill affiliated villages

 * 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)

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.

Controversy
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. 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. 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)."

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.".

Meanwhile, The Chosun Ilbo, a conservative South Korean media outlet, criticized the show for being very violent, brutal, and blatantly allegorical propaganda.

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. There are also several statues in children's parks that are located in Pyongyang.

Manhwa
Alongside the television show, a North Korean manhwa was released. There were several key differences between it and the television series, such as the character "Lt. Fox Vixen" originally being depicted as male. It's 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.

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. 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 by the show's cult following 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.