Kim Jong-il has decided that promoting one of his favorite breweries is more important than Communist principles and has authorized North Korea's first beer advertisement for the Taedonggang Beer Factory. Kim's love of fine alcohol has long been documented—particularly his fondness for Hennessy, on which he apparently spends between $650,000 and $720,000 annually (the average Korean earns about $900 a year, so clearly their leader is reacting to Hennessy's "Flaunt your taste" message). The ad calls the beer the "Pride of Pyongyang" and claims that it will help ease stress. The two-and-a-half minute (!) spot also promises: "It represents the new look of Pyongyang...It will be a familiar part of our lives." You've gotta love the zany background music and the way the text flies onto the screen like a PowerPoint presentation on crack. Maybe this move will spur public demand for consumer products. Or for some decent graphic designers.

—Posted by Rebecca Cullers