London Korean Links

Covering things Korean in London and beyond since 2006

Call for papers – 2008 BAKS conference

Call for Papers: The 2008 Conference of the British Association of Korean Studies The next conference of the British Association of Korean Studies (BAKS) will take place between the 8th and 10th of September 2008. The venue will be Clare College, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. The theme of the proceedings will be “The Koreas … [Read More]

Jang Yoon Jung – first album

(Sony Music, October 2004) Jang Yoon Jung was the first of the younger generation stars to experiment with Trot. Brought out in late 2004, her first album was a hit with older and younger buyers alike, and encouraged other Trot revivalists to have a go. Those who came after were somehow less successful, let down … [Read More]

Conference news: Social and Cultural Change in late pre-modern Korea

A one-day conference at the British Academy organised in collaboration with the British Association for Korean Studies Convenors: Professor Peter Kornicki, FBA – Professor of East Asian Studies, University of Cambridge Professor James H. Grayson – Professor of Modern Korean Studies, University of Sheffield Friday 7 December 2007 9.30am – 5.00pm The British Academy, 10 … [Read More]

Anglo-Korean Bridge At The House Of Commons

By Jennifer Barclay ‘You getting wet, love?’ asked the policeman outside the Houses of Parliament, where it was drizzling on the evening of 25 October. I was early and getting a little damp, but sure my ticket bearer would show up soon. Instead, the policeman ushered me inside, giving me an opportunity to gaze on … [Read More]

2007 New Malden Arts Festival

I’ve just been sent brief details of the New Malden Arts festival which takes place over the next couple of weeks. Korean interest is in the form of mime artist Ko Jae-kyung (right). Also, Francesca Cho will have some works on display. 12 NOV – 17 NOV 2007 Art Exhibitions Venues: Tudor Williams, Café 32, … [Read More]

SOAS Centre for Korean Studies autumn seminar series

Apologies for the delay in posting this – it arrived while I was on holiday Note the difference in venue for the 5 December talk. Friday 2 November, 5pm, room G52 Akira Utsugi, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Edinburgh “Tone and intonation in Seoul and Gyeongsang Korean” Friday 16 November, 5pm, room G52 Janet Poole, Visiting … [Read More]

Amnesty International spotlights Comfort Women issue

Just received Comfort Women: Still waiting for justice after 62 Years 13 November 2007 at 7pm Amnesty International UK | Human Rights Action Centre | 17-25 New Inn Yard | London EC2A 3EA Entry Free but booking essential at www.amnesty.org.uk/events Please note doors will close at 7pm and no latecomers will be admitted Gil Won … [Read More]

The Minimalist Fringe: Lee Ufan’s Biennale collateral show

Lee Ufan: Resonance Palazzo Palumbo Fossati Collateral Event in the 52nd Venice Biennale, 10 June – 21 November 2007 The Venice Biennale “Collateral Events” programme (Fringe, to you and me) is crammed with free exhibitions funded by generous sponsors. For example, while Tracy Emin flew the flag for Britain in the official British pavilion, there … [Read More]

Pseudo-scientist inventing reality: a visit to Lee Hyung-koo’s work at the Venice Biennale 2007

Lee Hyungkoo: The Homo Species Korean Pavillion, 52nd Venice Biennale, 10 June – 21 November 2007 In a Biennale dominated by the theme of war, AIDS, destruction and desolation, it was comforting to find some of the country pavillions conforming to national stereotypes. The French pavillion dissected a love letter written by a rather callous … [Read More]

Event news: Kayagum and dance at SOAS

As part of the SOAS autumn concert series there’s a kayagum recital, with traditional and contemporary dance, on 19 November at 7pm. Choi Jin (최진) : Evocative Korean Kayagum and Dance Choi Jin is one of the most brilliant kayagum players in the Korean music world. As a well-known performer, she has given many concerts … [Read More]

Hanbok day at the V&A – reader reviews and photos

Because of vacation and some railway engineering work LKL’s usual correspondents were unable to cover yesterday’s V&A Korean culture day. This post is therefore an open invitation to anyone who did manage to go along to please leave your comments or observations below. The Korean Cultural Centre UK, who supported the event, took some photos, … [Read More]

Suzannah Clarke’s musical diplomacy

A while ago I posted about Jason Carter’s trip to Pyongyang to participate in the annual Friendship Festival. While in Pyongyang, Carter met up with Middlesborough opera diva Suzannah Clarke, who has been performing at the Friendship Festival every year since 2003. Clarke’s North Korean connection is through football. She’s had a long association with … [Read More]

Clazziquai #3: Love child of the century

(Fluxus Music, June 2007) Clazziquai’s third album revisits much of the material from their previous efforts, but somehow fails to repeat the freshness. In an attempt to do something new, they have come up with a bigger, poppier sound, with the emphasis on a wall of synthesised support for their previously more transparent style. Take … [Read More]