London Korean Links

Covering things Korean in London and beyond since 2006

Virgin Snow screens at the KCC

News of what I believe is the first film screening at the new Korean Cultural Centre in London. In a joint venture with the Japan Society, Han Sang-hee’s Virgin Snow (Hatsuyuki no Koi) will be screened at the KCC on 26 February at 7pm. The director is in London at the time, so I assume he … [Read More]

Pyongyang – the view from Europe

Glyn Ford (with Kwon Soyoung): North Korea on the Brink (Pluto Press, 2008) Books on North Korea tend to blur in to one another. There are seemingly countless volumes either describing life under the Kims or analysing the history of diplomatic and undiplomatic engagement between the DPRK and the rest of the world, particularly the … [Read More]

The Namdaemun Gate tragedy

There are some current events which are so unexpected and shocking that the first moment of becoming aware of them is indelibly printed on the memory. It is said that anyone who was adult at the time can remember where they were when they first heard of the death of JFK. I certainly will always … [Read More]

Park Cheol-hee at Chatham House

The next Korea Discussion Group talk, on 19 February, will be ‘Korean Foreign Policy Initiatives under the New Presidency’ by Dr. Park Cheol Hee. Jim Hoare will be chairing. The meeting is 1-2pm with lunch 12:30-1:00 (£10 charge) Dr. Park is currently associate professor at the Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS) at Seoul National … [Read More]

Hyun-ae Lee recital at the Guidhall School

Tuesday, 26 February 19:00 Location: Lecture Recital Room, Guildhall School Hyun-Ae Lee violin Bojana Dimkovic piano Schubert Sonata for violin and piano in A Saint-Seans/Ysaye Caprice Martinu Sonata for Violin and Piano no.1 Admission Free Links: Da Capo String Quartet blog Hyun-ae Lee biography Guildhall School events page [Read More]

Ji-yeoun You recital at LSE

Ji-Yeoun You (piano) Date: Thursday 14 February 2008 Time: 1.05-2pm Venue: Shaw Library, Old Building Beethoven: – Phantasie Op77 – Piano Sonata Op27 No 2 “Moonlight” – Piano Sonata Op57 “Appassionata” Winner of five major competition prizes, Ji Yeoun has the privilege of studying accompaniment with one of the 20th century’s great singers, Dietrich Fischer … [Read More]

Toy Stories at the Korea Society

Having looked in on the New York Korean Cultural Center last time I paid a visit to visit my co-workers at Head Office, I though that this time I’d use my lunch break to visit the competition: the Korea Society. I’ve always been a little bit puzzled as to why there should be two competing … [Read More]

Where to buy books about Korea in Manhattan

In my expensive quest for more acquisitions for my collection of Korea-related books I am always on the look-out for stores with decent stock. I have in the past been constantly disappointed by the bookshops in Manhattan. The main Korean bookshop in 32nd Street, Koryo Books, caters to Korean speakers rather than English speakers. The … [Read More]

Korean Links in Manchester

Beccy Kennedy, PhD candidate in contemporary Asian art at MIRIAD, and LKL’s visual arts correspondent, writes to remind us that London is not the only place in the UK to get your fix of Korean culture. If you don’t already live here and have ever felt like paying a visit to Britain’s birthplace of the … [Read More]

February events 2008

Exhibitions The Korean Cultural Centre UK is now open. Pay it a visit. Join the library. Watch that TV drama you were always interested in but didn’t want to pay to buy. Browse round the opening exhibition, Good Morning Mr Nam June Paik. Other exhibitions with Korean interest are Sacred at Novas Gallery till 16 … [Read More]

The ribbon is cut; the Centre is open

Jennifer Barclay reports from the official opening ceremony of the new Korean Cultural Centre UK. Korea has been ‘setting the pace of popular culture far beyond its boundaries in the last decade,’ noted Mr Andrew Ramsay (left) of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport in the opening remarks at the launch of the Korean … [Read More]

The Kam Tree – UK tour

…A magical new story for children aged four and over, their families and friends Written by Peter Wynne Willson; Music by Park Young Ju; Design by Olly Shapley The fruit on the Kam Tree is the best in the whole world. The musical magpie who lives high in its branches knows that — everybody does. But … [Read More]

Good Morning, Mr Choi

Congratulations to Choi Kyuhak and all at the Korean Cultural Centre UK on the opening of their very splendid new premises off Trafalgar Square. The formal opening ceremony took place on 30 January – a report is coming soon from Jennifer – and there was another party last night to launch their first cultural event, … [Read More]