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North Korea Unveils Netflix-Like Streaming Service Called 'Manbang' (bbc.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the manbang-and-chill dept.

North Korea has unveiled a set-top box that offers video-on demand services similar to Netflix. The service is called Manbang, which translates to "everywhere" in Korean, and allows consumers to stream documentaries about Kim Jong Un and other "educational" programs, as well as five live TV channels. "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," according to NK News. It reportedly works by plugging the set-top box into an internet modem, then connecting an HDMI cable from the cable box to the TV. A very small number of North Koreans will actually be able to use the device as "only a few thousand [...] have access to the state-sanctioned internet, in a nation of 25 million people," reports New York Daily News.

12 of 162 comments (clear)

  1. The name says it all... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Enough said.

    1. Re:The name says it all... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      Different AC here. Yeah, but you knew it was cumming.

    2. Re:The name says it all... by Dahamma · · Score: 5, Funny

      I would have given you that if it was an isolated incident. But... Taepodong? For a missile? Kim Jong-un knows Western culture, I think he's punking us.

      Manbang and chill, dude.

    3. Re:The name says it all... by Opportunist · · Score: 3, Funny

      Well, it depends on the size of the Taepodong you use.

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  2. manbanging by iggymanz · · Score: 5, Funny

    So in a manbanging film would kim jung un be a bear, or a fat twink or what?

    1. Re:manbanging by wickerprints · · Score: 5, Funny

      Too old (and fat) to be a twink, too smooth (I presume, judging from lack of facial hair) to be a bear.

      In gay male social circles, the most fitting animal subculture would be "manatee," but that's a horrible thing to say about actual manatees.

  3. Manbang? by riverat1 · · Score: 4, Funny

    NAMBLA. wants to be on Manbang.

  4. best name ever by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    manbang and chill

  5. Re:Uh, what? by Stormwatch · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm hesitant to search for 'korean manbang' on Google.

    --
    Circumcision is child abuse.
  6. Classic NK marketing! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    With Manbang, one can watch as North Korean Taepodongs deploy their payloads prematurely shortly after takeoff.

  7. Re:Uh, what? by AK+Marc · · Score: 5, Funny

    There are many times when translating a word, then translating it back, won't result in the same word returned, but it would still be the "correct" middle translation. "in each and all places" sounds close enough to "everwhere" I can't see how that's an incorrect translation, even if a bit awkward. Though "universal" sounds a bit more like a "to everyone in all places", but universal would be a stupid name for a media company.

    --
    Learn to love Alaska
  8. Manbang - shebang by LynnwoodRooster · · Score: 1, Funny

    William Hung is the new national star.

    --
    Browsing at +1 - no ACs, I ignore their posts. So refreshing!