Kim Sung-dong: Mandala Translated by Ahn Jung-hyo Dongsu Munhaksa, 1990 A novel about the search for truth, and about the nature of corruption in religion. When Pobun takes his priestly vows, he undertakes not to kill, steal, have sex, lie, drink, wear ornaments, sing or dance, sleep in a comfortable bed, possess gold, or eat … [Read More]
Front Page
Five from the archive
Ruby Salon and the digital singles phenomenom
Anna Lindgren meets the people behind Ruby Salon I know I’m not alone in feeling frustration over the digital singles concept; artists releasing music only available through paid downloads – a not too uncommon way for Korean artists to get a few songs out before the next CD. Sure, in this day and age most … [Read More]
Brief Fringe review: Behind the Mirror
The Fringe version of Behind the Mirror, at 1 hour, is half an hour shorter than the full version that has successfully been performed in Korea for many years. In the version presented at the Fringe, the tale of Princess Pyonggang and General Ondal is told very briefly before a parallel story is told in … [Read More]
Those foreigner-friendly cookery books keep on coming…
Time was when you really couldn’t lay your hands on a cookery book focusing on Korean food that was written by someone who understood the UK market. We were all waiting for Judy Joo’s Korean Food Made Simple – which according to Amazon was published on 19 May this year, though it was available on … [Read More]
Exhibition visit: Contemporary Korean Ceramics at the V+A
This year-long exhibition as part of the Korea/UK 2017-18 cultural collaboration brings together a range of approaches and responses to Korean ceramics. From work that is purely functional to work that is purely decorative, via work that seeks to critique contemporary Korean society, the unifying element is the quality of the craftsmanship and execution. Yoon … [Read More]
Recent Posts
K-music Festival 2026: the official press release
Here is the official press release for the 2026 K-music festival, released earlier today. Much to look forward to! Europe’s Largest Korean Music Festival Beyond Genre Boundaries 28 Sep – 23 Nov 2026 From folk traditions and experimental sound art to gaming soundtracks, jazz, hip-hop and indie rock, K-Music Festival returns to showcase the depth, … [Read More]
June events 2026
If K-pop and club music isn’t your thing, June so far seems to be a reasonably quiet month, which after such a busy May is no bad thing. Exhibitions Architect Byoung Soo Cho has a solo exhibition at the Coronet Theatre until 6 June The KCCUK’s current exhibition Icheon and Beyond — The Space Within … [Read More]
Intelligence with Soul: Dr Seunghye Sun on AI, K-Culture, and the Art of Human Connection
Jennifer Paun, who organised and hosted KCCUK Director Seunghye Sun’s valedictory talk at the University Women’s Club, gives her impressions of the evening. On the evening of Tuesday 24 March 2026, it was a great pleasure for me to welcome Dr Seunghye Sun to the University Women’s Club for her lecture, K-Everything with AI: Rethinking … [Read More]
Hangul Celluloid content is now available on LKL
Three months ago Hangul Celluloid‘s Paul Quinn made the shock announcement that he was going to close down his site, taking it offline today, 23 March. He also extended an invitation: So, for those of you who still feel there’s stuff worth grabbing from there, grab it now… ‘coz when it’s gone, it’s gone… And … [Read More]
What do you think about Korean literature in translation?
Long story, but I find that I have managed to get myself committed to giving a talk on how Korean literature in translation is received by English-speaking readers. It’s a bit of a tall order. And while I can of course articulate the ways in which I personally am drawn to Korean literature, why I … [Read More]
Festival of Korean Dance 2026 – programme details announced
Here’s the official press release for the 2026 Festival of Korean dance. This year, festival returns to the Tramway in Glasgow, as well as touring to Bournemouth, Salford and Newcastle. A Festival of Korean Dance tours five venues in its ninth year 2025 Olivier Award nominee Young-doo Jung presents a new work inspired by the … [Read More]
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Recent Event updates
Korean performers and Korea-related acts at the 2026 Edinburgh Festival and Fringe
If you’ve got friends in the area who are happy to accommodate you for a few days, here’s what you can enjoy in Edinburgh this August. Tickets for Haribo Kimchi at the main festival are hard to get, but it will be worth it: the performance in London two years ago was intimate, conversational and … [Read More]
Korean musical: You & It
South Korea’s award-winning musical sensation arrives in London. Following sold-out acclaim across Asia and a triumphant Edinburgh Fringe run, You & It transfers to the King’s Head Theatre, Islington, for a limited season. A grieving widower meets an artificial intelligence built in his late wife’s image — and must confront grief, memory, and what it truly … [External Link]
K-Music 2026: ADG7, Chang Kiha, Lil Cherry & GOLDBUUDA
This year, the festival kicks off at EartH Hackney with a sensational triple-bill lineup, bringing together shamanic folk-pop, legendary indie-rock groove, and avant-garde hip-hop all on one stage. To make this launch night even more unforgettable, the evening will also feature exclusive collaboration moments, blurring the lines between genres for a unique live experience you … [Read More]
K-music 2026: Wind Alone, Sand Alone — Make No Sound
Six musicians from Korea and France explore sound as a collective phenomenon born of encounter and relationship: Wind Alone, Sand Alone – Make No Sound. The breath, vocalisation, friction, and resonance of sound artist Rémi Klemensiewicz, haegeum player Yeji Kim, viola d’amore player Olivier Marin, geomungo player Eunyong Sim of JAMBINAI, medieval vocalist Christian Ploix, and jeongga (traditional Korean vocal … [Read More]
K-music 2026: A Cinematic Orchestral Journey Reimagining Black Desert’s Legendary Soundtrack
Embark on a spectacular orchestral adventure to celebrate a decade of Black Desert and its legendary compositions. The National Gugak Center reimagines iconic Korean game soundtracks, including Black Desert, using traditional instruments and visuals for a cinematic orchestral live experience. The legendary compositions of the hugely popular online role-playing game Black Desert, alongside a selection … [Read More]
K-music 2026: Chudahye Chagis
Hypnotic Shamanic Funk Beyond Genres: driven by a striking voice, Chu Dahye returns with psychedelic shamanic funk, blending traditional muga chants with funk, rock, jazz, and hip-hop to create a hypnotic ritual performance where music transforms into powerful collective energy. Chu Dahye, the magnetic voice behind the electrifying RAVE that turned the Southbank Centre into … [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
Those Who Prepare the Way (The Bird that Drinks Tears vol 2) [forthcoming]
In the breathtaking sequel to Lee Young-do’s acclaimed fantasy series that started with The Heart of the Nhaga, an unlikely leader must bridge the divide between duty and destiny. Available for the first time in English by award-winning translator Anton Hur. In a world teetering on the brink of another devastating war, old hatreds run … [Read More]
The Hyehwa-Dong Grandma’s Lunchbox Kitchen [forthcoming]
Meet Madam Jeong Geum-nam, affectionately known as “Hyehwa-dong Grandma”, a self-proclaimed “cool senior”. Her dosirak are the best in town (much better than from Heja Lunchbox, thank you!) but there is something else that makes her restaurant special: Grandma’s warm notes wrapped in silver foil and hidden under the rice, like fortune cookies. Notes that … [Read More]
The 25:00 Magic Lantern Express [forthcoming]
Passengers aboard the Magic Lantern Express between life and death must retrieve their lost memories or risk losing their legacy in this cosy Korean fantasy adventure for fans of The Dallergut Dream Department Store and Marigold Mind Laundry Keep your memories with you at all times! When Suhan Cha wakes dazed and confused in an unfamiliar train carriage … [Read More]
My Father’s Liberation [forthcoming]
Over the course of a three-day funeral, a woman discovers new sides to her deceased father in this hilarious and heart-tugging masterwork from one of Korea’s most fearless writers. So, Father died. Slammed his head into a telephone pole. A very serious man had seriously come to the end of a seriously lived life by … [Read More]
My Perfect Deserted Island [forthcoming]
A tender and heartwarming novel about the rejuvenating power of island life, for fans of The Healing Season of Pottery and Hakuda Photo Studio. SLOW DOWN. SOMETIMES THE BRAVEST ACT IS STARTING OVER. Jian Cha thought she had her life mapped out – until the weight of endless deadlines and the relentless pace of her … [Read More]
Allergic to Love [forthcoming]
With outstanding beauty and a sharp, no-nonsense personality, she appears perfectly fine on the outside, but in truth she’s someone who avoids relationships, unable to trust either herself or others. Fleeing from a breakup with her boyfriend and family conflict, she escapes abroad to study. While searching for housing due to a dorm issue, Hwihyun … [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.