London Korean Links

Covering things Korean in London and beyond since 2006

Voices of Freedom: Performances, Escapee Talks, Documentary & Director Q&A

You’re Invited to “Voices of Freedom”: An Evening of Reflection, Tribute, and Unity Join us for a profound journey through the stories of North Korean defectors and the forgotten POWs of the Korean War, hosted by the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council. This unique event weaves together inspiring lectures, a compelling documentary screening, and heartfelt performances … [Read More]

Exploring Kew’s Economic Botany Collection through a Korean lens

Curator Erin Messenger will speak at Kew Gardens on “Exploring Kew’s Economic Botany Collection through a Korean lens” Erin’s role as Collections Manager for the Economic Botany Collection involves the general day-to-day care and management of around 120,000 useful plant-based objects. Whether that’s pest management, accessioning of new objects, handling loan and sampling requests or … [Read More]

Black Girl from Pyongyang: paperback launch event

Come along to Richmond Library on 16 January for the launch of the paperback release of Black Girl from Pyongyang by author Monica Macias and co-writer, Becky Branford. This remarkable memoir details the extraordinary true story of a West African girl’s upbringing in North Korea under the guardianship of President Kim Il Sung. Join Monica and her … [Read More]

SOAS online seminar: Translating the Korean War and the national division: reconstruction of narratives in division fiction in Korea

The Korean War and the national division are important events when discussing Korea’s politics, society and culture. These events continue to affect every aspect of Koreans’ lives in modern Korean society from deep in their consciousness. Division fiction in Korea has been written to testify and remember the dark history of the Korean War and … [Read More]

Lunar New Year with Connect: North Korea

Connect: North Korea is hosting a Lunar New Year event with classical musician and North Korean escapee Emily Yeyoung to celebrate this very special holiday. Join us for drinks, canapés, Emily’s fantastic performance, and a Q&A about her journey from North Korea to the UK. There are only 25 tickets available for this event! Don’t … [Read More]

SOAS seminar: An Atomic Age Unleashed

This presentation explores the common culture of Cold War scientism and atomic developmentalism in early North and South Korea. While tens of thousands of Koreans were subject to the atomic attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, early peninsular analysis of the bombings rarely grappled with the existence of these individuals. The general exclusion of colonial subjects … [Read More]

Seminar: AI and Humanity

The KCC is pleased to announce an in-person talk about the AI and Humanity with Shinseungback Kimyounghun. The seminar will feature the media artist group, Shin Seung-baek and Kim Yong-hoon, who have been exploring and examining the direct impact of technology on human life and the essence of it. The artists will showcase their works … [Read More]

From Porcelain to Palaces – A Journey Through the Cultural Heritage of the Joseon Dynasty

This session explores the cultural heritage of the Joseon Dynasty – a time that witnessed the flourishing of the arts. The dynasty was built on Confucian teaching and this led to new iconographical traditions and aesthetic preferences. The royal family’s patronage of art gave rise to great cultural achievements, artistic innovation and technological advancement. This … [Read More]

Exploring Korea’s Sartorial Heritage Through Hanbok

In celebration of the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom, this lecture highlights pivotal moments of cultural convergence, underlining the transformation of hanbok into an iconic emblem of Korean heritage since 1883. Hanbok, which used to be everyday wear for Koreans, has evolved significantly over time. Notably, the … [Read More]

Seminar: Drawing Action Heroes in the Digital Age

Wooh Nayoung is an illustrator known for painting western characters wearing hanbok, Korea’s traditional clothing and taking old Korean genre paintings and reinterpreting them with a modern twist. Due to popular demand, following Wooh Nayoung’s recent Q&A at Foyles, we will be presenting a whole K-Seminar with the illustrator at the Korean Cultural Centre UK. … [Read More]