To break the ice with the athletes during the first days of filming, the crew played the Canadian card. Aside from being able to speak Korean, he often practiced with the Taesongsan team, making suggestions to the coach and players. Many competitors in ice sports like speed skating, figure skating and hockey have the arena on a given day. According to the filmmakers, North Korean teams still abide by the training materials and methodologies passed on from the Soviet Union in the 1950s. Most of the team’s equipment is used and is donated by the International Ice Hockey Federation, which is based in Zurich.

Source: New York Times November 09, 2017 15:00 UTC