The plan for an evening of performance and visual arts at the KCC came quite suddenly, and when I met Park Sunnee for a quick chat about it six weeks ago the plans all seemed rather vague. I have in the past been sceptical about Korean organisational abilities, and the mountain to climb in such … [Read More]
Year: 2009 (page 8)
Tweeting the KAA October performance
19 Oct 2009: Photos from the Korean Artists at the KCC event (16 October) are up on Flickr http://bit.ly/1qhGtz. Thanks to Mr Lee Hyung-wook of The East # 17 Oct 2009: Totally relieved that the KAA event at the KCC is over. I think it was a massive success. Well done all. # 16 Oct … [Read More]
London Korean Film Festival 2009
The schedule is up on the Barbican website, and it’s a great range of the latest hits together with a retrospective of one of the classic directors. Text from the Barbican website, where you can also buy tickets: Thursday 5 Nov, 7pm: Park Chan-wook: Thirst, with introduction by the director. I think this is the … [Read More]
Teaming Up With ‘Flower Boy’ On Climate Change
"Boys over Flowers" star Kim Beom is coming to the UK to make a documentary about climate change. As part of the campaign, Mr Kim will visit London in two weeks to film a documentary about what the UK is doing to encourage low carbon lifestyles. I hope that Koreans will learn lessons about what … [Read More]
Daehun Kwon at Frieze 2009
Sorry I missed the Frieze Art Fair. Daehun Kwon was showing, for Rachmaninoff’s. Probably other Korean artists were there as well. 15 – 18 October. # [Read More]
Troubles with the Petal
12 Sep: The only way I’m going to be able write anything on There a Petal is to leave it to the last minute and rely on the deadline pressure for inspiration. Having now read it three times I have no angle on it at all. 10 Oct: Really struggling to write 2,000 words on … [Read More]
Exhibition Visit: Earth Alert – Environmental protest goes mainstream
Over the past few years, environmentalists have been protesting about the massive land reclamation project at Saemangeum on the west coast of Korea. As well as being an environmental tragedy, it has also been a minor irritation in UK-ROK relations: prominent among the campaigners have been British naturalists protesting about the scheme’s impact on the … [Read More]
Sales Pitch – the Anglo Korean Society Annual Dinner
Even over the phone, you can feel your arm being twisted. So when Sylvia Park rang me a couple of weeks ago to cajole me in to rounding up some guests for the Anglo Korean Society Dinner at the House of Commons I knew I couldn’t say no. My chosen guests were Korean Artists Association … [Read More]
Magnum photo essay: Escape from North Korea
Magnum photo essay: Escape From North Korea. Photos by Chien-Chi Chang in a 6 minute slide show, with a subtitled voiceover from an escapee. Well worth a quick look. http://bit.ly/2B8Ka4 # [Read More]
Koreans sparkle at the Goldsmiths Fair
The Goldsmith’s Fair is an annual show of some of the best designers and craftspeople in the jewellery and metalwork business, in the livery hall of the City of London’s oldest established guild. Every year, with around 80 stalls to choose from, there is a stunning range of items to view, many of which are … [Read More]
Thanks to VANK, KTO and Samsung: LKL’s blogging prize arrives
LKL yesterday received its prize in the Blog Korea Visit Korea competition, generously sponsored by Samsung and organised by VANK and the Korean Tourism Organisation. There were 100 winners – 5 first prize winners including New York based Maangchi (awarded an LG X12 Netbook), 15 second prize winners including LKL, and 80 third prize winners … [Read More]
Earth Alert: Photographic Responses to Climate Change
Last year the KCC ran a stimulating exhibition Blight and Hope – Poverty through the Lens, featuring the response of international photographers to a particular issue. A follow-up exhibition opens on 13 October 2009: Venue: Korean Cultural Centre UK, Ground Floor, Grand Buildings, 1-3 Strand, London WC2N 5BW Exhibition Dates : 13 October 2009 – … [Read More]
Saharial reviews Thirst
Being a big fan of Park Chan-wook’s Vengeance Trilogy, I was definitely excited and keen to see Thirst (박쥐; Bakjwi) his newest release that won the Jury prize at Cannes this year. The story is of Sang-hyun (Song Kang-ho), a priest who willingly undergoes a medical experiment to help find a cure for a virus. … [Read More]
Park Chan-wook in town for Thirst
Just had my photo taken with Park Chan-wook, while he’s in town for the premiere of Thirst. All's right with the world. # And appropriately enough, he cast a blood-red shadow as he answered questions after the screening of that vampire movie: # [Read More]
Jeon Do-yeon given French culture award
Jeon Do-yeon (http://bit.ly/2s5bE8) joins Nah Youn Sun (http://bit.ly/l0uf3) in French Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres award. The award was established in 1957 by France’s Minister of Culture to recognize noteworthy contributors to the arts and literature. # [Read More]
Park Chan-wook: uncut (almost)
Following a screening of Thirst, director Park Chan-wook discussed the film’s decade-long genesis, its dark humour, Catholic imagery and fascination with moral transformation. Insightful and often hilarious, the Q&A offers a glimpse into the personal ideas and influences behind one of his most complex works. [Read More]