Congratulations to LKL’s favourite ballad singer Lee Soo-young on the birth of her baby boy http://bit.ly/nIld6t # [Read More]
Month: July 2011
The Gangjin Celadon Festival
If I was in Korea right now I’d be heading for Jeollanam-do and the Gangjin Celadon Festival http://bit.ly/otRFzY #. (Photo: Chosun Ilbo) [Read More]
Extreme weather and flooding in Seoul
The Wall Street Journal Korea blog has some dramatic photos of the landslides in Seoul: http://on.wsj.com/oGb1E2 #, as does the Chosun Ilbo, including the above of the Umyeonsan landslide. An amateur video of the same landslide is below. [Read More]
Contemporary Hanbok by Kim Nam-hee of Dolsinai
Confession time. I really don’t find some traditional hanbok designs appealing. But these modern designs by Kim Nam-hee of Dolsinai look good: http://bit.ly/qqJ6iX # [Read More]
Korean performers at the 2011 Edinburgh Fringe
Korean performers are continuing their tradition of bringing entertaining shows to the Edinburgh Fringe. Alongside the significant Korean productions as part of the main festival this year, you will find physical theatre, puppetry, traditional and indie music, and much more: Gaksi, Mago http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/theatre/gaksi-mago Category: Theatre Genres: drama Group: Kkachidong Venue: theSpaces @ Surgeons Hall Event … [Read More]
Top Korean artists at the 2011 Edinburgh International Festival
Every year we get a range of Korean performers at the Edinburgh Fringe. But the focus of the festival in 2011 is the vibrant and diverse cultures of Asia. Consequently this year we’ve got three top-notch groups who have been invited as part of the main festival itself. So for the first time this year … [Read More]
Artists and Fashion designers collaborate in Seoul show
Looks like an interesting show at Plateau in Seoul – a collaboration of top artists and fashion designers Korea Times and JoongAng Ilbo. # [Read More]
Jeju-do’s youngest Haenyeo
Jeju-do’s youngest Haenyo is poised to continue family tradition – nice to know there is at least one diver under 50 http://bit.ly/ocg3F2 #. Kim Yeon-ji (24) was born on Marado, south of Jeju-do, where there is little apart from a lighthouse and a few houses. (Image of Kim Yeon-ji sourced from Yonhap) Marado (마라도). (Source: … [Read More]
SC First Bank workers demonstrate in London
Someone just told me the Korea Standard Chartered Unions were protesting outside FSA. Popped out to talk to them, but within only five minutes they had already dispersed. Apparently there were only four of them – easy for the Canary Wharf security staff to deal with. #. Last month, when they started their strike, the … [Read More]
Designers: Dream Whisperers at Mokspace
News of the first exhibition from the new gallery, Mokspace: Designers: Dream Whisperers On the 28th July 2011, Epha3 and Mokspace are pleased to present to you Design Exhibition, What we lose in our ordinary life is dreams. The advance of technology has brought us loads of convenience, but at the same time it has … [Read More]
Gig Review: Dok2 at the Coronet Theatre
Saharial reports from Sunday’s live Kpop concert It’s not often that London is graced with the presence of Korean Hip-hop, but the Kpop Team announced proudly a month or so ago that they had arranged for Dok2 to have a concert in London, not just to showcase a talented act, but to hopefully pave the … [Read More]
Where does “Poetry” rank among Lee Chang-dong’s films?
With Lee Chang-dong’s Poetry getting its UK theatrical release on Friday1, it’s worth taking a moment to think about where it ranks among his filmography. His first film, Green Fish (1997), is also probably his least-known, and tackles Korea’s urbanisation. By contrast, Peppermint Candy (2000), which addresses Korea’s troubled modern history, ranks highly among many … [Read More]
Event news: Twilight Gangsters screens at the KCC
The 75th Korean Film Night at the KCC the Thursday continues the theme of the more mature female star: Twilight Gangster (육혈포 강도단, 2010) 7pm, Thursday 28th July Director: Kang Hyo-jin Cast: Kim Do-yeon, Kim Su-mi, Im Chang-jung Genre:Action Comedy Certificate: 12 (South Korea) Running Time: 107 mins Venue: The Korean Cultural Centre UK Ground … [Read More]
Ill-Fated Relationship: get your manhwa in English, on the iPhone
When I was in Korea last May I met up with Kim Jin-sung, the man behind online CD merchant Mr Kwang. He told me about his project to bring manhwa, Korean graphic novels, to an English speaking audience. I was expecting something web-based. But with the advent of the iPhone, an app is as good … [Read More]
2011: the year K-pop goes global?
I’m now losing track of the number of flashmobs, talent contests and auditions organised by fans, the Ministry of Culture or Korean TV stations, all with the aim of getting K-pop out of Korea and into … well just about anywhere overseas. K-pop has of course been big in Asia for a while, has tried … [Read More]
Na Hong-jin’s Yellow Sea a worthy follow-up to the Chaser
Mind-numbing action. A compelling plot. What sets Na Hong-jin’s Yellow Sea (2010) apart from its peers: http://t.co/cQhdsY5. Inspired by the true story of a Joseonjok hired to murder another man in South Korea for $5,000. One of the highlights of July’s NYAFF 2011. [Read More]