ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Takes Place in North Korea

Internet access in North Korea may be limited to “super-elites,” but that hasn’t stopped the viral ALS Ice Bucket Challenge from penetrating the Hermit Kingdom.

Two-time Grammy-winning rapper Pras Michel completed the challenge along Pyongyang’s Taedong River last week, while many North Koreans, unaware of the challenge, looked on with confusion, surprise and laughter, according to the Associated Press. Michel, a founding member of the hip-hop group Fugees, said he passed on the challenge to four people, including former Fugees bandmate Lauryn Hill and Prince Harry.

Michel, who was in Pyongyang to watch a pro wrestling exhibition, said he’d decided that completing the challenge in North Korea would put a unique spin on his take.

“I thought I’d put a little twist to it,” he told AP. “When we go to places, my crew, we stick out. You can tell instantly these guys aren’t from this neck of the woods. But the people have been good to us.”

Donations from the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge topped $100 million last week.