Colette Balmain reviews Bong Joon-ho’s latest hit, and finds themes which echo his 2003 success Bong Joon-ho’s Mother, the Korean Film Council’s submission to the 2010 Oscars – 82nd Annual Academy Awards – under the category “Best Foreign Language Film”, has much in common with his 2003 Memories of Murder: a film based upon the … [Read More]
Front Page
Five from the archive
Patti Kim at 70
Congratulations to superstar singer Patti Kim on 49 years in the entertainment industry. Kim debuted in March 1959 before the US Eighth Army and has never looked back since. Using non-Western arithmetic, that makes her upcoming concert in Seoul at the end of April 2008 her 50th anniversary. Whatever the mathematics, I for one will … [Read More]
Exhibition visit: Collect 2022 at Somerset House
After last year’s online-only edition of Collect it was good to get back to a physical show this year. It was also refreshing to see how many artists had taken advantage of the changed circumstances of lockdown to move their work in different directions; and galleries with an established roster of artists also tried to … [Read More]
A meeting with Maangchi in Manhattan
It was LKL’s first transatlantic trip for about two years, and I was keen to see what had changed in Manhattan’s Koreatown. In addition, I was keen to meet up with Maangchi, one of the winners of the first prize in the KTO’s Blog Korea, Visit Korea competition. I had been aware of Maangchi’s work … [Read More]
Moral didactic literature and diversity in 1950s North Korea
(A sketchy write-up of the talk How does the rise of moral didactic literature fit into narratives of North Korean history? given by Andre Schmid (University of Toronto) at SOAS on 16 November 2012) When we think of North Korea, we mostly look at it through a 21st Century lens, and are tempted to think … [Read More]
Recent Posts
“Unfolding the heart”: LKL meets KCCUK Director Seunghye Sun
Reflecting on her KCCUK tenure, Dr Seunghye Sun outlines a strategy of partnership, emotional diplomacy and ‘digital humanism’, positioning Hallyu as an introduction to a deepening understanding of Korean culture. She discusses extending UK–Korea exchange beyond pop culture into literature, heritage, visual arts and technology, and argues that Korean soft power is widening, not peaking. [Read More]
January events 2026
Welcome to 2026! And congratulations to Martin Uden for his OBE in the New Year Honours 2026 Overseas and International List for services to British Veterans of the Korean War, and to UK/Korea relations. As is usually the case, I’m anticipating that January will be quiet – though if you’re a K-pop fan there are … [Read More]
President Lee’s New Year address
President Lee outlines 2026 as a year of Korea’s “great leap forward,” emphasizing people-centered governance, regionally balanced economic growth, safety, cultural leadership, and peace. Building on last year’s recovery, he pledges innovation, support for SMEs and startups, and global engagement, urging national unity and citizen participation to transform Korea’s growth paradigm and ensure shared prosperity. [Read More]
Chairman Kim’s New Year address
Kim Jong Un celebrates North Korea’s 2025 achievements, praising workers, soldiers, and citizens for advancing socialism and national strength. He emphasizes patriotism, collective effort, and self-reliance, framing 2026 as a year of greater struggle and victory. He calls for unity, confidence, and dedication to the Party’s vision, pledging continued loyalty to the people-first principle. [Read More]
Season’s Greetings to all our readers
Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year to all of LKL’s readers, friends and contributors old and new. Have a peaceful and restorative time with those who are important to you over the holiday season. As usual, thanks are due to Jieun Kim aka The Drawing Hand for this illustration. This is now her … [Read More]
Kimchi day in New Malden sees unveiling of new station signage
New Malden celebrated international Kimchi Day (22 November) on Saturday in traditional style – with kimchi making classes in the Methodist Church Hall and with kimchi pancakes in the Malden Centre. In the church hall, participants were given a chance to sample the kimchi made by kimchi master Lee Ha Yeon at the classes held … [Read More]
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Recent Event updates
Media, Control & Creative Resistance in North Korea: Reflections of an Escapee
Dr Callum Morrissey is joined by an unnamed North Korean escapee, sharing a personal account of escape and everyday media use. This event is part of the MCCS Community Lectures series, hosted by the School of Media, Communications and Cultural Studies at Goldsmiths University of London. It is open to all staff, students, and members … [Read More]
Yunmi Kang, Sangyeon Park and the BEJE Trio UK Tour
Up and coming young Korean jazz stars pianist-singer Yunmi Kang and guitarist Sangyeon Park join with the Bristol-based BEJE Trio for a five-stop tour that will showcase some of the tracks from their long-standing collaboration, which has included gigs in Gunsan and the 2025 Chuncheon Arts Festival. Yunmi Kang piano and vocals, Sangyeon Park guitar … [External Link]
Platforms, AI, and Creative Work: Evidence from the Korean Webtoon Industry
Professor Changkeun Lee from KDI School of Public Policy and Management is visiting UCL to continue their conversation on the impact of AI on various Korean industries. This time, the focus is on the Webtoon industry. His presentation introduces the Korean webtoon industry as a platform-based digital comics market and examines how platform power and … [Read More]
BTS Arirang World tour at Tottenham Hotspur stadium
This is a tour genuinely worthy of the over-used kpop term “comeback”… Pop Royalty BTS announce their long-awaited return to the global stage with their world tour spanning 2026-2027, including shows at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Monday 6 July and Tuesday 7 July, 2026. Presale tickets for Army members go on sale on 22 January, … [Read More]
Seongjin Cho plays Chopin at the Barbican
Bask in the Romantic flavours of Borodin’s folk-inspired Second Symphony, Stravinsky’s sublime neo-Classical homage to Tchaikovsky, and dazzling, deeply-felt Chopin. Programme Igor Stravinsky: Divertimento from ‘The Fairy’s Kiss’ (rev 1949) Frédéric Chopin: Piano Concerto No 2 Alexander Borodin: Symphony No 2 Performers London Symphony Orchestra Gianandrea Noseda: conductor Seong-Jin Cho: piano Inspired by a number … [Read More]
Understanding K-Soft Power: From Influence to Empathy
At the start of the BKS’s 70th anniversary, members are invited to a very special evening with Dr Seunghye Sun, Director of the Korean Cultural Centre UK, at which she will deliver a valedictory lecture. Marking the conclusion of her distinguished tenure in London, Dr Sun will share her personal reflections and professional insights on … [Read More]
The above events list includes recent updates to events which might have been uploaded some time ago (eg an update confirming venue or ticket link). A chronological listing of all event notices published, most recent first, can be found here. A list of all upcoming events can be found here.
Recent Book updates
Critical Approaches to Transmedia Storytelling in K-Pop
In Critical Approaches to Transmedia Storytelling in K-Pop, contributors present a variety of compelling case studies to argue that K-pop has evolved beyond a musical genre into a global cultural phenomenon with a growing influence on contemporary media practices, highlighting its transmedia ecosystem in which complex narratives unfold and engage audiences across formats and platforms. … [Read More]
Seoul Food: From Kimbap to Kimchi, Delicious Recipes from the Heart of Korea
Embark on a culinary adventure through the rich and flavoursome world of Korean cuisine as author Haebin Sudo recreates 60 carefully selected dishes for her first cookery book. Seoul Food is full of delicious dishes that showcase authentic Korean meals, both for everyday and for special dinner parties. From traditional family feasts and special occasion banquets … [Read More]
Reactionary Politics in South Korea: Historical Legacies, Far-Right Intellectuals, and Political Mobilization
In December 2024, South Korean president Yoon Seok-yeol stunned the world by declaring martial law. More puzzling was that Yoon’s insurrection unexpectedly gained substantial support from the ruling right-wing party and many citizens. Why do ordinary citizens support authoritarian leaders and martial law in a democratic country? What draws them to extreme actions and ideas? … [Read More]
International Aid and Sustainable Development in North Korea: A Country Left Behind with Cloaked Society
This book examines international aid in North Korea, in particular the ongoing policy of withholding aid, through the lens of the impact on the general population to present an argument for sustainable development. Focusing on the human rights of North Koreans and presenting a case for the use of aid as a provision for social … [Read More]
The Story of Traditional Korean Literature
In this book, renowned Korean studies scholar Peter H. Lee casts light on important works previously undervalued or suppressed in Korean literary history. He illuminates oral-derived texts as Koryo love songs, p’ansori, and shamanist narrative songs which were composed in the mind, retained in the memory, sung to audiences, and heard but not read, as well … [Read More]
Salvaging Buddhism to Save Confucianism in Choson Korea (1392–1910)
Buddhism shaped the development of Korea after its introduction in the fourth century. It influenced culture, politics, and intellectual life, and it was seen as a complement to Confucianism and a support for the state. The result was a close alliance between secular rulers and the Buddhist institution. But with the founding of the Choson … [Read More]
The above booklist includes recent updates to books which might have been uploaded some time ago (eg an update to reflect a release of cover art, or a new review). A chronological listing of all books uploaded, most recent first, can be found here.