News of a UK tour by Korean singer-wongwriter and pianist, Younee, in collaboration with British-based musicians: Younee, from Seoul, Korea is ‘beyond category’ as a singer, songwriter and pianist and known as “Key’s Piano” in her native Korea and has 2 albums to her name. Her exquisitely vulnerable voice can also express raw power. An … [Read More]
Year: 2009 (page 12)
The traditional medicine Constitution Type test
Did anyone do the “Constitutional Type” test in the Korean Village at the Thames Festival? It seems that if you don’t have a disease, you’ve got to keep trying till you get one: # [Read More]
Photos from the Thames Festival
It was a perfect day in More London, by Tower Bridge, and the crowds were out in large numbers to enjoy the Thames Festival. The Korean contingent had taken possession of The Scoop for the weekend, and over 70 performers had come over from Korea to entertain the festival-goers. Reflecting the current marketing push to … [Read More]
Rags in the Wind III
Following Francesca Cho’s participation in the Free International Artists group exhibition in Graz two years ago, she again joins group for their exhibition in Mozirje, Slovenia, 12 September – 12 October 2009. Francesca Cho: Rags in the Wind Mozirje Park, Slovenia 12 Sept – 12 Oct 2009 One of the latest works by Francesca Cho … [Read More]
Korean singer-songwriter explores London pub
Fun evening with Younee at the Golden Eagle yesterday #. She entertained the regulars with an impromptu rock ‘n’ roll version of Summertime on the piano. [Read More]
This Charming Girl (여자, 정혜, 2004) review: isolation, memory and the need for connection
This Charming Girl peels away the layers of an ordinary, everyday woman to reveal a character much more interesting and complex than she appears on the surface. An incredible film with astounding realism, This Charming Girl deftly shows that everyone has a story worth telling. [Read More]
Six ways to see South Korea
If you are travelling by Finnair this month, you will see a striking image on the front page of their in-flight magazine, Blue Wings. A shamanistic dancer in a bright yellow costume looks you in the eye, advertising the lead article on the delights of Korea as a travel destination. Finnair flies non-stop to Seoul … [Read More]
Why on earth would UNESCO honour Seoul’s hanok regeneration programme?
Seoul City planners have been honoured by UNESCO for their Bukchon hanok “regeneration” programme. How on earth did that happen, given their not very stellar record? (See kahoidong.com) # [Read More]
Jongmyo skyscraper may irk UNESCO
Seoul’s skyscraper may irk UNESCO, according to the Korea Times. A new 36-storey building could mean Jongmyo Shrine loses world heritage status: http://bit.ly/oiEuJ # [Read More]
Unsuk Chin Cello Concerto on Maestrocam
Unsuk Chin’s cello concerto at the Proms: still available on BBC MaestroCam http://bit.ly/4TKdk #. Well worth your time. [Read More]
Yi T’ae-jun’s Eastern Sentiments published
A new translation of essays by colonial-period writer Yi T’ae-jun: “Eastern Sentiments”, translated by Janet Poole, Columbia UP: http://bit.ly/akMvg #; available at Amazon.co.uk. “Yi laments the passing of tradition with keen sensibility yet, at the same time, celebrates human perseverance in the face of loss and change.” [Read More]
Golden Earrings of Silla
Along with the famous Golden Crown of Hwangnam, the tombs of Silla contained many other, less immediately eye-catching objects of beauty. An example is the golden earrings, one of the literally thousands of accessories such as necklaces, rings, belts and shoes that were buried with the dead kings and queens in Kyongju, capital of the … [Read More]
Visit GoKorea.co.uk and enjoy the Festival
As most readers will know, this weekend’s Thames Festival is a fun event, and more importantly has a lot of Korean performers entertaining the crowds and bringing the best of Korean culture to London. The Korean “Village” is sponsored by Asiana Airlines, Expedia, H.I.S., the Korea Tourism Organisation and the Korean Cultural Centre UK. In … [Read More]
Korean National Taekwondo demonstration team tours England
News of a Korean Taekwondo tour in England: The Korean National University of Sport: Taekwondo Demonstration Team, UK Tour – Bringing the best of Taekwondo to the UK’s Olympic hopefuls Date: September 14th – 20th, 2009-09-04 Location: London and five cities in the UK Presented by: The Ministry of Culture Sports and Tourism Hosted by: … [Read More]
Bungee Jump at the KCC
The first of this month’s film screenings featuring the sadly missed Lee Eun-ju is Bungee Jumping of their own (번지점프를 하다) (Kim Dae-seung, 2001), also starring Lee Byung-hun. Here’s a synopsis, in fluent Konglish, from KMDB. The summer of 1983. SEO In-woo, majoring in Korean language & literature, has not believed in love and fate, … [Read More]
The Host prequel – a preview
A first look at the monster from The Host 2 (prequel): looks like a comedy. Fortunately, nothing to do with Bong Joon-ho http://bit.ly/pnNAf # Image via DAUM. [Read More]