We all absolutely hate having to stand in line for Space Mountain, or It’s a Small World for hours on end, right? While lines at the Disney Parks are always going to be long and annoying, one park has found a way to make waiting slightly better.

That’s right — the clever Imagineers of Disneyland Hong Kong came up with the genius idea of installing folding seats straight into the handrails of the line. This way, you can rest your tired feet while waiting to get on your favorite ride.

People constantly looking down at their phones isn’t just a social faux pas anymore. Nowadays, it’s very much become a pretty serious safety concern — especially when it happens to coincide with road safety. Luckily, South Koreans have already found a clever solution.

Korean road crossings now come equipped with lights not just up in the street, but down by the sidewalk. This way, pedestrians don’t have to lift their heads up; they just need to look at the colors on the curb.

Don’t you just hate it when you’re at the supermarket, and you just can’t find the aisle with the stuff you’re looking for, no matter how many instructions the disgruntled employees have given you? Looks like France has the solution to this problem!

That’s right — no more having to ask for directions as each shopping cart comes equipped with a handy dandy map of the store. How convenient is that for introverts? What a great way to find what you’re looking for without having to interact with people.

Sure, riding the train through the Swiss countryside is definitely a pastoral experience. But, not as much if you’re traveling with children. In fact, for kids, it can get pretty boring pretty fast. Thankfully, the Swiss have thought of everything.

Their trains feature “family-friendly” cars where not only can the kids make as much noise as they want, but they also have this amazingly cool and fun in-car playground! This sure beats those traditional restaurant cars, doesn’t it?

Believe it or not, this McDonald’s in Australia (or Macca, as the locals down under call it) has a built-in library! This way, not only are you filling your stomach, but you’re also enriching your mind at the very same time.

Honestly, though, this is a great way to keep books and reading accessible to everyone — after all, enjoying a good story should be open to everyone. Just do your best to keep your favorite burger toppings off the pages.

Science fiction has been telling us for decades that robots were eventually going to take over our jobs (for good or bad, you decide). This high-tech nation, however, has definitely already begun to make it a reality.

Just check out this human-less serving cart driving around the streets of Tokyo, Japan, making sure that no one goes without their afternoon tea. So, what do you think — is this leap into the future kind of cute or somewhat creepy?

What better way is there to spend a day with nice weather than out in nature? The beautiful clouds above, the soft grass beneath, and the shade of a towering tree. Wait a minute! That’s not a tree!

It looks like Portugal has found the perfect way to hide their eye-sore cellphone towers in plain sight by camouflaging them as trees. We just hope birds don’t get as bamboozled as we did by this clever disguise.

On the one hand, every country wants to conserve as much of its wildlife and green spaces as possible. On the other hand, nothing can stop human progress and our endless desire to want to get everywhere with a highway.

Luckily, very smart and compassionate people came up with the genius idea of creating wildlife crossings (or bridges) that allow animals to have an undisturbed crossing over large and busy roads. This particular green bridge was built in Canada.

It’s not surprising that so often when it comes to being innovative, countries get their best minds together to make life just a little easier and safer for everyone using the road. In Singapore, that includes accommodating those that need a bit of help when crossing the street.

Elderly and disabled citizens of Singapore can simply swipe their ID cards at the crossroad. This tells the stop light to stay on for a few moments longer. This allows them to move across the street at their own pace while staying safe.

In Turkey, a few dedicated animal lovers started a clever little project — both to keep their cities clean and to feed stray cats and dogs. They’re called Pugedon, and they created a smart vending machine.

All you need to do is throw away your single-use plastic bottles at the top. Thanks to your generous recycling, the machine then pays it forward by dispensing pet food at the bottom, feeding all those hungry strays.

We have to say — we really think that frozen food has a bad reputation. Sure, once upon a time, it was warranted because the way most foods were frozen wasn’t all that healthy. Times have changed, though, and frozen food is pretty darn great nowadays.

That’s probably why France has entire supermarkets dedicated to just frozen foods. It’s not just frozen pizza and ice cream! They have entire gourmet meals just ready to be plucked out of your freezer at a moment’s notice.

Ever wanted to feel like you’re in a video game? Well, look no further than Burnley Tunnel in Melbourne, Australia. This genius tunnel has lights projected on the sides of it. But, that’s obviously not the best part.

Amazingly, the lights move through the tunnel at exactly the speed limit! This way, instead of speeding through, drivers are encouraged to join the fun and do everything in their power to match the lights — thus driving at just the right speed.

Sure, escalators are techy and efficient at getting us between mall floors, but they’re also pretty darn boring to go on. It’s just not all that fun or interesting to be standing on moving stairs as they take you up or down.

This mall in Prague, though, decided to make at least one part of the journey more enticing — while you still have to go up on the escalator, when you want to go back down, you can simply take this loopy slide!

Car seats for kids are nothing new — after all, every safety-minded parent has at least one lying around for when you need to drive anywhere with a baby. But, have you ever considered having a car seat like that on public transportation?

Well, this bus company in Madrid, Spain, certainly did. They made sure to install in some of their buses a built-in car seat for toddlers to use so they can use the public bus safely and in style.

European countries are known for their unfailing manners, but with this little invention, we think that Finland might have won the trophy for being the most courteous country in the world. They’ve decided that everyone should get a little “Thank you” — especially bus drivers.

While most buses only have a “Stop” button, Finish buses have a “Good Job Bus Driver” button! How absolutely adorable is that? Is there no end to how kind these people can be?

We’re often told to stop and smell the flowers. Farmers in the Netherlands, though, decided to make it a whole lot easier to appreciate the beautiful nature around us. Instead of just growing edible crops, farmers there plant flowers at the edge of a field.

These flowers are grown to promote the biodiversity of plants in the area, although they do have the added benefit of attracting pollinators (like bees) and other helpful insects. What’s more, the owners of the fields put up a QR code where you can go to pay for any flowers you decide to pick and take home.

Who said that a library was just for dusty old books? Libraries in the United Kingdom have become hubs of activity by creating a community space that can help people in all sorts of fun and creative ways, and not just by doing a storytime.

This library (and others like it) have a borrowing area for tools — looking for a sturdy drill or a power washer for some DIY home project? They’ve got you covered. The librarians here will also give you a quick tutorial on how to use each tool if you need it.

For quite some time now, people have been saying that because of streaming the cinema-going experience is dead. Well, looks like China has found a way to revive it by making the whole experience so much more luxurious.

Every seat in this Chinese movie theater doubles as a massage chair, so you can enjoy your movie while being in the lap of luxury. As an added bonus, the chair also comes equipped with a phone charger.

A stay at a hospital (no matter how short) can be quite a gloomy experience — which really doesn’t help us feel any better when we think about it. Thankfully, this clever hospital in England has found a way to add a little sunshine to that cloudy feeling.

Instead of having another plain, boring light in the ceiling, this hospital’s rooms were designed with a built-in “skylight.” This fake window allows the patients to feel like they’re just a little bit closer to the healing power of nature.

To be honest — we can no longer remember what life was like before we had endless technological power at our fingertips in the form of our beloved phones. But, that also comes with the endless race against the battery.

The clever people of Tel Aviv, Israel haven’t only found a handy solution for us to charge our phones in the middle of the street, but they’ve also done so by harnessing the power of the strong Mediterranean sun by making this public charger solar.

Traveling in a new country can often be daunting, especially when you suddenly can’t rely on your phone to help you out with GPS or tourist information. This hotel in Hong Kong has gone above and beyond to solve that issue for its guests.

Each guest receives a courtesy smartphone that they can use while traveling around the high-tech city. Not only is it completely free for guests to use on its own, but they can also use it as a hotspot to keep using their private devices.

How great is it getting to Target, grabbing a delicious caramel frap from Starbucks, and going about your shopping in style? Alas, there’s no comfortable place to put your drink, so you have to hold it as you make your way up and down the aisles.

Obviously, Australia found the perfect solution long ago — putting a cup holder on your shopping cart. Thankfully, some Targets around the US have now begun to add this amazing feature, but the Aussies definitely get the credit for this one.

Having a Wake-Up service at hotels is nothing new, mostly stemming from the days before people were traveling everywhere with their pocket alarm clocks (aka their smartphones). Iceland, however, has found a unique use for this feature.

That’s right — if you stay in Iceland, with just a push of this button, you can have your hotel wake you up in case the northern lights decide to make an appearance. Now, we kind of want to see every country have a button like that for their own natural wonder.

Obviously, public drinking fountains are nothing new, as just about every park has at least one. After all, access to water while being outside is a basic necessity. But, Italy has taken that need to a whole new level.

Sure, they’ve got basic drinking water out on the street. But, for those with a more discerning palette, some Italian villages also have a tap for chilled water or water with gas — and it’s all free to use!

We have to say, this simple little invention is probably the coolest, smartest, and most futuristic thing on this list (seriously, this is genius). You see, those extremely clever laundry experts in Spain saw a need and found a way to fill it.

After looking at the local cuisine, this incredible washing machine was created with a setting for the most common stains in Spain — plump tomato, rich olive oil, and some aromatic vino (doesn’t that sound like an excellent meal?). Anyway, where can we get this?!

How annoying is it when you’ve opened a drink bottle, placed the cap somewhere, then immediately forgot where, and now there’s no way to close the bottle? Okay, that’s probably not the biggest issue in the world.

But, it’s still bothersome enough that Greece has decided to manufacture bottles where the cap stays connected to the bottle, even after it’s open. No more flat sodas or lost caps for the Greeks.

When it comes to the comfort of their pets, the people of Copenhagen, Denmark don’t mess around. These little doggy boxes that you can rent are placed outside supermarkets around the capital city so you can shop in peace while your pet gets to chill.

Yes, actually chill, because not only are these dens comfy and lit, but they also have a built-in air conditioning unit so your beloved pup won’t get too hot or too cold. This is just so much better than having to tie them outside the store!

Love seeing the world but hate having to deal with flights, layovers, and hours at endless airports? While we’ve yet to create a way to teleport from one point to another, the airport in Beijing, China might have the next best thing.

It might not look like it, but these futuristic compartments are actually rentable sleeping pods right in Beijing Airport. Whether you have an hour or a day to spend waiting for your flight, you can spend it by taking a nice, relaxing nap in one of these.

It looks like quite a few countries have found ways to make grocery shopping not only more enjoyable but also efficient. Thanks to this cool invention, we think Toronto, Canada might have taken the lead for the coolest shopping cart.

This cart actually scans your groceries as you shop so that as soon as you’ve picked up the last thing on your list, you can just pay and leave the store right away! No more waiting in an endless line for the cashier.

When it comes to futuristic toilets, we all know that Japan takes the gold medal. But, it looks like Sweden might be trying to give the Land of the Rising Sun a run for its money with this awesome public washroom.

These high-tech facilities have found a clever way to avoid the whole embarrassing knocking on the stall door to see if it’s free by having lights that show if a stall is in use or not. Incredibly efficient and aesthetically pleasing, those Swedes know what they’re doing.

This might not be much of an issue for city dwellers, but for those who live in more rural areas getting to see a brand-new film at the movie theater isn’t always available. Scotland came up with a genius solution.

You’re not seeing things — it really is a collapsible moving cinema on the flatbed of a truck! According to people who’ve actually been to one of these, it’s just as comfy as your local movie theater.

France is known for not always being the most accommodating language-wise toward tourists who have to try communicating in rudimentary, broken French. This Parisian hotel, however, decided to help their international guests out.

This list showcases exactly what languages each person who works the front desk of the hotel speaks. This is sure to make asking for instructions to the Louvre a whole lot easier for anyone traveling from abroad.

Denmark is known for its robust cycling culture — practically everyone owns a bike and uses it on a daily basis to get anywhere and everywhere. So, it won’t come as much of a surprise that Copenhagen has quite a few cool inventions for cyclists.

This handy rail is installed near red lights so that while cyclists wait for the light to change, they can give themselves a bit of a rest by leaning their bike on the rail. There’s also a comfy little ledge to put your foot on.

Incheon Airport in South Korea has found an amazingly adorable way to help out struggling fliers — by getting these cutie patooties to render their assistance. These doe-eyed robots can tell you whatever information you need about your flight.

But, the futuristic tech doesn’t stop there! If you need to get somewhere in the airport and ask for help, the sweet robot will lead you to your destination. Plus, if you stand next to it to take a selfie, it’ll smile at you!

Feeling like single-use plastic has put a strain on your attempts to become more eco-friendly? Thankfully, Prague, Czech has a pretty cool solution for you — refillable stations for detergent at the supermarket.

You still need to get a container (at least the first time). But, when you want to get more, you just bring the same bottle and fill it up at this handy station. How smart is that?

One of the best things about traveling somewhere by train is looking out the window at the unique view rushing past. Japanese train designers, of course, found a way to fully utilize this unique and calming experience.

They’ve created train seats that can be angled to face the large windows — allowing passengers to look at the view. Some trains also have seats that are so modular that with a simple move, you can change which way your seat is facing.

Let’s face it, the best part about going to McDonald’s is getting one of their delicious desserts. After all, nothing beats a cool McFlurry on a hot day.

But, alas, that stupid machine is always broken at our local branch. But if you go to South America, you’re in for a treat — they have a spot just for McDonald’s desserts, where we bet the machine always works!

Today’s kids won’t know, but once upon a time, it was super common to greet someone who’s just landed at the airport with a large sign. Traveling business people still get those, so they know who their driver or point of contact is.

But, those banners are a dying art form for us common folk. It looks, however, like the airport in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, is looking to bring it back! They have a machine at the airport that’ll help you print a custom greeting banner just in time to surprise your visiting loved one!

Japan is known for being one of the most technologically-advanced countries in the world (and some of its entries on this list prove this). But, while we might think of giant robotic inventions, the Japanese also take the time to think of the little details.

For example, in some buildings, you might find this strange little light in the elevator. Cleverly, the light turns on every time it rains outside, letting people know to get their umbrellas. Clearly, no rain is going to catch you by surprise in Osaka, Japan!

Outside this door at a post office in Vancouver, Canada, there’s a curious little sign that reads: “Try it on here. Is your online purchase right for you? If not, we can help you return it. Ask the clerk for the key to the fitting room.”

That’s right! Those clever Canadians have a changing room right at the post office so you can check out your clothes order right on the spot. This is sure to make all those online shopping sprees a whole lot easier.

What’s the big deal, you might say as you look at this picture, it’s just a small and impractical bus. But, that’s where you’d be wrong. You see, while public transportation infrastructure is nothing new around the world, this cute thing is.

This little German bus is actually a self-driving minibus. That means that there’s no more need for a seat for the bus driver, leaving a lot more space for passengers that can now zip around the city of Berlin in style!

If there’s one thing Iceland is known for, it’s the cold (after all, it’s right there in the country’s name). That has led to the Icelandic people becoming incredibly proficient at finding new ways to combat the freezing winters there.

In this case, to stop the need to shovel endless amounts of snow in the winter, modern houses in Iceland come built with geothermally heated water pipes under their sidewalks. Beyond being super practical, these pipes also produce some interesting thawing patterns in the snow.

It’s undeniable that the architecture around Europe is absolutely stunning. Unfortunately, with so many buildings being quite old by now, there’s a need to fix them up so that their charm can be enjoyed by us for years to come.

That’s why many countries in Europe utilize a unique method to camouflage buildings that are undergoing repairs — by placing fabric with a printer replica of the building around the scaffolding! This specific building was shot in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

It’s no secret that Mexicans enjoy avocado… a lot of avocados. In fact, not only is Mexico the largest producer and exporter of avocados in the world, but it’s also the biggest consumer of the delicious veg (alongside the US). So, is it any wonder that they’ve found a super smart way to sell avocados, too?

This local supermarket has decided that instead of people having to squeeze each one to see which would be best to eat that day, they’d just separate them to those ready to eat that day and those good for tomorrow. There’s also no price difference, which is pretty cool.

As much as we hate it, every once in a while, we all have to make our way to our bank to take care of all sorts of stuff. But, don’t you just hate that no matter when you go, it’s always super busy?

Looks like China found a solution — this bank displays in a simple diagram the average of how busy it is on average during its working hours. This way, you can make sure to only come when it’s three-people busy!

In the aftermath of WWII, many things were changing. New lines were being drawn, and one of those lines split the Korean peninsula in two. The world would be left with North Korea and South Korea. The relations between the two nations were hostile for over 70 years, but recently some light has shone through the DMZ. However, even if they do reunite, the two cultures will need some time to congeal together, as their ways of life and culture are very different. Check out these 40 images that show just how different the two countries truly are.

In those hot days of summer, there are few things better than hitting a waterpark with your friends and family. Both North and South Koreans have access to water parks for just this reason.

As with most things, the way they head out to the pools is vastly different, though. Typically, North Korea is a little more traditional and conservative, while South Korea looks very Western in the way they suit up for the park.

There are a lot of differences between North and South Korea, even when you look at the skyline of both the country’s capitals. The top is from Pyongyang, and though there is a tall skyscraper-like building, they are nowhere near as modern as the city of Seoul.

On top of that, you can see the pollution very clearly in the North Korean capital, which is odd, as there are fewer cars!

There is only one airline in North Korea, and it is rated as one of the worst airlines in the world. On the flip side, South Korea has a multitude of carriers, plus those of other countries, as well.

Another difference is that there are very few flights into North Korea, whereas South Korea has a wide range of flight options. This is because of its place in the world economy and its efforts to improve tourism.

Both countries make their lifeguards dress in a uniform. The difference comes out in both functionality and formality. The North Korean lifeguard pictured here looks more like a flight attendant than someone who is going to jump in the water and save you.

The South Korean lifeguard is a little more properly dressed for the task at hand. Plus, he is wearing some sort of first aid kit. Both are probably skilled; one just looks more ready, that’s all.

We all know that one of the most iconic things in most Asian countries are its school uniforms. Here, you can see the difference between North and South Korea very easily. The North Korean uniform looks more traditional and is just as cute as the South Korean option.

The South Korean uniform looks more like a Westernized private school design. The other big difference is that the girl in the top image is fresh-faced, while it looks like the one below her is wearing a little makeup.

Once again, we take a look at the differences between students, but this time, we have moved up to college. College is important in both cultures, but as you can see, the dress code and style are just a bit different.

The North Koran student is a little more formal and conservative. The South Korean student seems to be dressed more in a trendy style, as well as a little more casual.

The culture and outlook on history are different, and that means that their ideas of monuments will also differ. In North Korea, it is run by a dictator who wants to commemorate his and his family’s excellence.

In South Korea, it is more about remembering than idolizing. You can see the stark difference between these two examples. The North Korean monument is a place to come and almost worship in reverence, and the South Korean war monument is something to help commemorate a tragic event.

Life in the capitals is different, but there are still a few similarities, we are sure. However, when you get into the more rural parts of the two countries, the difference becomes very evident. Take a look at these two small cities.

The top is clearly a rural city that has old buildings that look as if they need a little work. On the other side of that coin is the South Korean city, which looks like it is outside of the modern city but still a little rural.

Tourism in North Korea is limited, but South Korea is booming. Because of this, as well as the political atmosphere, the tour guides dress differently and are allowed to share different things with those they take around.

In this image, you can see that the South Korean guide is a little more informal and looks like she may use a word or two of slang. The North Korean guide, on the other hand, looks like she may ask you to drop and give her twenty.

North Korea is a communist nation, and along with that comes a need to promote and plaster propaganda all over the place, including on the front of government buildings. This gives the building a unique look and one very different from the South Korean counterpart.

In the south, the government buildings look more modern and often blend in with the rest of the buildings surrounding them, so there is a big difference!

Both countries understand the need for kids to get out into the fresh air and interact with kids their own age. The only difference is in the execution of these summer camps. North Korean summer camps are very structured and exclusive.

The child that goes to a summer camp in South Korea finds a fun-filled and ethnically diverse gathering of kids. They learn and grow but in a slightly less formal manner.

The grocery store is another area where the two countries differ, as well. This is not only in the layout and organization of the stores themselves, but also in how the people dress to go to the store. You can see that both are well organized, but the store in the South seems a little more structured.

Then, when you look at the difference between the attire of the two dads, you can see that the South Korean dad is a little fancier than the one in the North.

Getting from place to place is important to any economy. However, in North Korea, taking a bus from city to city, at least in the rural parts of the country, looks dangerous and vastly different than transportation in South Korea.

In South Korea, there are larger, more modern buses. These buses have safety features and look like they may get you to your destination just a little faster.

Art takes on a new meaning when it is basically state-ran. Even fine art in North Korea is monitored and censored. Many artists have taken to including the “Great Leader” in their paintings.

In South Korea, though, the art scene is vast and ranges from fine art to modern and everything in between. With their freedom of expression, many artists show their love and reverence for their country and life, in general.

In North Korea, cars are expensive things to own, so many people choose to ride bikes. This is great for the environment and less expensive to maintain. Often, you will see large groups like this riding up and down the streets.

With all the modern trappings comes a need to get from place to place fast, and that means more cars and buses. This is a typical street in South Korea. What a difference!

Have you ever met someone and thought they were older than they are? This might happen if you met this college student from North Korea. In comparison to his South Korean counterpart, he definitely looks a lot older.

Whether this is because of the uniform or simply because of their different ways of life is hard to tell, but when looking at these two 20-something students, there is a clear difference. From the haircut to the clothes to the facial expression, you would never guess they were the same age.

Like tour guides on the street, the ones located in the museum of each country have a lot of differences between them. In North Korea, they are told what they can say, and they must dress in a traditional, conservative manner.

The South Korean museum guides can be a little more laid back, and though they have to cover the same things as the others, they can change up how they express it.

Each nation celebrates many different holidays, and each does so with elaborate festivals and events. One of them is just a little more regimented and conservative. The North Korean festivals are occasions for the people to dress up, and there is a marked lack of outside eyes.

In South Korea, however, their festivals are a little more liberal and certainly attract a lot of tourists. Either way, they are beautiful!

There is always construction going on, and that is true in both nations. However, the method of building and the tools available are very different. In North Korea, unless the project is a state-sponsored project, the worker may have to find inventive ways to get stuff done.

In South Korea, though, there is a boom in construction companies, and because of their economy, these corporations tend to have all the latest equipment.

The authorities of each nation share a common job, but that is about where the similarities end. For instance, take these bike cops. North Korean motorcycle cops ride on a moped and don’t have to deal with nearly as much traffic.

Like with many of the differences, it comes down to financing, and in South Korea, they are financed well enough to actually get motorcycles. This is good because they have a lot more to deal with.

Both nations utilize a well-structured subway system. The setup and layout, as well as the attendant’s uniforms, are very different, though. Once again, the North Korean offering is more conservative and utilizes the walls for more state-sponsored art.

The South Korean subway looks like many of the other subways across the globe. Plus, it is very efficient and seems to be clean, too! That is different from a lot of other subways, for sure!

The arts are one of the places where the two countries differ the most. In North Korea, most art is censored, and only approved pieces can be seen. That even includes the theater.

In South Korea, it is more liberal, and different types of theater shows are able to be seen. This includes traditional theater, like the one in the picture, as well as world-class plays and musicals from around the world.

Having open trade with the rest of the world allows South Korea to bank money that they can then spend on the infrastructure of their country. This leads to well-made bridges and good conditions on the roads.

However, in North Korea, they are limited in their trade, and with the way the government is run, that doesn’t leave much of a budget for keeping their roads and bridges in good condition.

Even when you go out to eat, there is a difference in the atmosphere of the restaurant. It can be seen and felt. In North Korea, it seems that a majority of the restaurants are often not filled to capacity and have a little more organization to them.

Whereas, in South Korea, it is more popular to dine out, probably because people can afford it. This means that the environment is a little more hectic.

Once again, transportation shows up as a major difference. This time, it is the transportation used to get Korean children to school. In North Korea, much like getting from city to city, the kids (especially in rural North Korea) are bused to school in what looks to be a dump truck.

South Korean children make their way to their daily education the same way as many others do – in a giant yellow school bus.

This is one area where there isn’t much difference, per se. However, there is just enough for us to mention it in this piece. Both circuses have performers executing fascinating and awe-inspiring feats.

The only major difference is that the North Korean circus is a little more sparse when it comes to the visual aspect. In fact, the North Korean circus seems to harken back to a simpler time.

In the heat of the summer, everyone loves a little time at the beach. This is the same whether the individual is from South or North Korea, but the way they visit those beaches varies. Once again, it has more to do with what is worn and how the space is used.

In North Korea, the people are more conservative, so it is not shocking to see a person in full pants and a polo lounging in the sand. In the south, it is more packed, and the garb is more like what we all expect at the beach…swimsuits and shorts.

Farming is vital in any country, and the jobs may be very similar, but the atmosphere and other aspects definitely are not. The North Korean farmer’s landscapes look a little old school with sticks and hay coverings. Plus, he looks like he needs a few extra layers.

The South Korean farmer looks a little more casual, and his crops are guarded by chain-link and hooked up to electricity.

When you are looking to make a big deal, many businessmen and women head out to the links. This will lead to two different experiences depending on which Korea you are living in.

In North Korea, it is very basic and not as manicured as in South Korea. The golf courses in South Korea are also bigger and offer more amenities than the ones in North Korea, but hey, at least you’re getting your exercise in!

Okay, so street art may be stretching the definition of what can be found on some of the walls in North Korean metro stations. Nonetheless, it is art that is on a wall, so technically, it’s street art.

In most of the world, street art is social commentary or expressions of one’s feelings. In North Korea, it is about making people understand the importance of their leader.

It is a given that the money would be different, right? The currency of both countries both depicts heroes and important figures in the respective country’s history. For North Korea, that means the leaders and generals – all of whom are men!

In South Korea, the variety of faces that grace the currency range from leaders to philosophers and even include a woman! That is amazing and more than some countries are willing to do!

Once again, the difference in this structure is clear. From the layout and the decorations in North Korea, they are more conservative, and the walls are covered in art depicting the greatness of their leader.

In South Korea, the look is more like the rest of the world. On top of that, the sitting structure in the waiting rooms is vastly different, as you can see in the images.

Given the strict rules and guidelines of education in North Korea, you would definitely imagine that anything having to do with school activities is going to be different. This also includes when the children head outside of school to get a little extra education.

Field trips differ in each country not only in the way the children dress, but how they make it from place to place. South Korean kids are a little less militaristic in their lines and their backpack selection.

Squares and public places in each country are used for gatherings and parades, but that is where the similarities end. In North Korea, these festivities are typically state-mandated and require a certain level of formality.

In South Korea, however, they are used not only for festivities but for the people to bring their concerns to the government and others. Take a look at this ex-military man who seems to be protesting North Korea’s nuclear testing.

Newspapers have always been the favorite thing for communist regimes to use to disseminate what they want their people to know. Thus, there is a marked difference when reading a North Korean newspaper and a South Korean newspaper for this reason, among many others.

All media has to be approved by the state in North Korea, and this means that what is put out is skewed and often very nationalistic.

Once again, any form of media, whether it is a newspaper or book, has to go through rigorous protocol in North Korea. Many foreign language books are not translated due to their divisive ideas.

That is not to say that there is not a selection of books allowed, it’s just not as large or versatile as what is permitted in South Korea. This limits the people’s ability to take in other views that might be counterproductive to the North Korean leaders.

Sure, there are some South Korean girls who go with a more traditional look, but in North Korea, they don’t have much of a choice. They have not been exposed to western styles that much. Therefore, they go with what they know.

On the other hand, South Korean ladies have a plethora of options! Of course, this means that there are going to be a lot of differences between wedding ceremonies.

Sure, you go there, and it is surrounded by snow and beautiful slopes. The hotels of the resort offer you all the amenities, too. However, the style of the layout and what those amenities are varies from North Korea to South Korea.

A lot of the ski resorts in South Korea almost mimic a Swiss chalet-like style when it comes to design. Whereas, in North Korea, the architecture seems to be a unique mixture of modern and traditional.

Downtime is key to everyone’s sanity, but the way that time is spent is very different in these two countries. On a weekend in South Korea, you may see families filling up the parks and camping overnight.

In North Korea, like many other things, leisure time is a lot more structured. You may find families filling a public square to hear inspiring words from their Supreme Leader. Whatever makes you happy!

We have already mentioned that personal ownership of cars is limited in North Korea, as cars are quite expensive. This means that the typical parking lot in the middle of the day on a weekend will look very different.

In South Korea, having a car is almost a necessity to get around, and that leads to the parking lots of malls and other establishments getting a little crowded. This makes it hard to find a spot, a problem they don’t have in North Korea, that’s for sure!

Train stations in North Korea may be aesthetically pleasing — with chandeliers and marble walls — but unfortunately, the same can’t necessarily be said for travel. Why, you ask? Well, traveling within the country is even restricted for residents.

This means that the comings and goings of citizens in the country are strictly controlled. On the other hand, though, South Korea’s bullet trains speed from one end of the country to another, allowing its citizens to travel completely freely.

As you can see in the photo of North Korea, the country’s roads are usually empty, with little to no traffic. And while anyone would love to have the luxury of speeding down an empty street rather than sitting for hours in traffic, we have to admit that picture is pretty eery.

There’s a lot of hustle and bustle in South Korea, however. Being that Seoul is one of the largest cities in the world, it’s not surprising to see the streets filled with cars.

Let’s be real here, people — the rural fields of North Korea don’t exactly look enticing. We mean, the land outside of the main cities look pretty barren. Still, it helps to know that the country holds a tree planting day every March in order to bring the land back to life.

If you look at South Korea, though, you’ll notice that the country’s rural landscape is lush and in bloom — with animals all around. According to the photographer that snapped these photos, South Korea has much more green than its counterpart.

Unlike many parts of the world, the youth in North Korea don’t really have much freedom when it comes to self-expression. Still, the country does have places of leisure like the Taedonggang beer shop in Pyongyang.

South Korea, on the contrary, allows its youth and teenagers to fully express themselves. As you can see in the photo, these kids seem to have no care in the world. South Korea even hosted the Winter Olympics back in 2018 in PyeongChang.

Here you can see the residential areas in both North Korea and South Korea. In terms of aesthetics, North Korea definitely has it down to a tee. What’s more, it turns out that citizens in the country don’t have to pay for housing, communal services, or bills.

In fact, apartments are given to them for free after they’ve given their marriage registration. On the other hand, a small apartment in South Korea can cost up to $180,000.

Don’t be mistaken, people. North Koreans do have gadgets. The country has its own factory that produces televisions, laptops, and smartphones (‘Arirang’ runs on Android). These products are manufactured in China and branded in North Korea.

Still, even with this, few people actually have enough money to buy these kinds of goods. Similar to Westernized parts of the world, citizens of South Korea have the freedom to use any and all technology without restrictions — which you can see from the photo here.

While there have been many false myths regarding fashion in North Korea, it turns out that women are allowed to wear pants and sport different types of haircuts.

Fairly fashionable clothes can be bought in international supermarkets or from sellers in China. Still, as you can see, women dress a bit more conservatively compared to those in South Korea. South Korea is considered to be one of the most stylishly dressed countries in the world, and we can obviously see why…

Education in North Korea is based on a year of preparatory school and 10 years of compulsory studying. Western literature and geography are among the many school subjects in order to demonstrate the Western way of life.

After this is all completed, young brainiacs and wealthier individuals enter universities, while the rest of the students start looking for a job. For South Koreans, school lasts for 12 years, and local universities are considered to be some of the most prestigious in the world — so much so that many international kids dream about getting a scholarship to go there.

While there’s no famine in North Korea, there is a clear shortage of fruits and vegetables. This is one of the reasons as to why apples and cabbages are extremely popular. Unfortunately, the lack of protein-rich foods influences the average person’s height in comparison to South Koreans.

To fill this protein gap, people have started hunting frogs and turtles. Food carriages — which you can find in the streets of big cities — offer sausage sticks, ice cream, popcorn, and steamed meat buns. On the contrary, Seoul can offer not only rich national cuisine but also many diverse European dishes.

Here is what the business districts look like in both capitals. While North Korea’s economy is isolated and tightly controlled, South Korea’s economy is one of the world’s most advanced and productive — ranking 12th globally in terms of annual output.

North Korea’s economy, which is difficult to analyze, is generally unable to meet the basic needs of its people. On the other hand, South Korea’s economic growth depends heavily on exports, and the nation leads the world in shipments of semiconductors and memory chips.

These two photos compare a North Korean factory worker in Wŏnsan to her South Korean colleague in Chuncheon. Now, it’s no secret that North Korea is one of the most isolated nations in the world.

Still, what we do know is that North Korean citizens do participate in the workforce, though sometimes they do so against their will. Most North Koreans don’t have a say in their professions, and are assigned a job. On the other hand, South Korea is a thriving nation and offers plenty of job opportunities to its citizens.

As we mentioned previously, North Koreans are often assigned their job. With that being said, citizens can also get a job as a gas station worker.

Although this kind of work may not be ideal for some, residents of South Korea can earn a pretty comfortable income as a gas station worker. In any case, at least people in this country actually have a say in what line of work they go into unlike their North Korean counterparts.

Pictured here are military officers from North and South Korea. These two men are guarding the Korean Demilitarized Zone — a strip of land running across the Korean Peninsula.

It’s established by the provisions of the Korean Armistice Agreement to serve as a buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea. The demilitarized zone divides the Korean Peninsula roughly in half. This area isn’t open to the public. In fact, access is only granted by the North or United Nations Command.

Here we have a North Korean tour guide on top of the Tower of the Juche Idea, located in Pyongyang, and her South Korean counterpart on the view deck of 63 Building (officially called 63 Square).

The 63 Building is actually a skyscraper on Yeouido island overlooking the Han River in Seoul. While tour guides exist in both countries, there are many more strict regulations when it comes to taking a tour around North Korea. Then again, that doesn’t come as much of a surprise…

Here is yet another photo comparison of a North Korean driver of a tourist boat and his South Korean counterpart. The driver in North Korea is located on the Taedong River in Pyongyang while the man in South Korea is on the Han River in Seoul.

Sure — you can take a tour around North Korea but if you’re planning on doing so, just be prepared that the whole tour, however long it may be, will be strictly monitored.

College is important, and we have already looked at the difference in style when it comes to this level of education. However, there are a lot more differences when it comes to education, as well as the overall look of the college campuses.

In North Korea, as you would expect, it is very structured and a lot more formal. When comparing the two, South Korea is very much what most people in the West assume college campuses and classes look like.

The internet is another big difference for two reasons. The first is access to the sites, as well as access in general. North Korea monitors what its citizens can take in, so there are several sites we take for granted that are not available. The internet is also not available to everyone.

In South Korea, as you can imagine, there is a much more liberal outlook on what the internet offers its citizens.

Both countries understand the importance of getting out and having a little fun, and that is why each nation has its amusement parks. The rides are very similar in some ways, with South Korea having a little more modern renditions.

However, the way people dress and show their excitement seems to be very different. In South Korea, people dress like we are all used to. However, it seems some people dress a little more formally in North Korea.

Just like the buses that are available, the bus stops are very different, as well. In North Korea, you will find it functional and sparse when you stand on the sidewalk waiting for the next bus.

In South Korea, they like to make them a little more interesting and artistic. For instance, look at this one that looks like on old-school television. Cool, right? Either way works! After all, having an artistic place to wait for the bus is not necessarily a necessity, but it is nice.

Because a lot of people in North Korea ride bikes as their main form of transportation, you will find that riding the subway is a little different than in South Korea. Often, there is an order and cleanliness to the subway ride in North Korea. Plus, you will have plenty of personal space.

In South Korea, however, the subway is one of the most popular forms of transportation. That means more crowded cars and significantly less personal space.