Nice idea for the National Museum of Korea to showcase these treasures to the G20 visitors at a reception. http://bit.ly/cgWHF3 # “In celebration of the G-20 Summit, the National Museum of Korea recently designated 20 masterpieces (dubbed the “M20”) among its vast collection of cultural and historical artifacts. Fourteen of them will be displayed in … [Read More]
Year: 2010 (page 7)
Dr Yeon’s introduction to Korean
Not only am I lucky enough to be studying Korean for free at the Korean Cultural Centre in London, but I managed to obtain a ticket to a special lecture (again free) on the Korean Language by Dr Jaehoon Yeon, Senior Reader in Korean Language and Literature, SOAS, on Wednesday, 27th October 2010. The Centre … [Read More]
Kim Ji-woon interview: the utter emptiness of revenge
Kim Ji-woon discusses I Saw the Devil, the controversy over its extreme violence, his approach to revenge and human darkness, casting Lee Byung-hun and Choi Min-sik, and his upcoming Hollywood project. He also reflects on scripting, genre, and how psychological and emotional truths shape his films. [Read More]
The Secret Garden in Autumn
Kim Sung-jin's photolog of the Changdeokgung Palace and Secret Garden in full autumn colours. Beautiful. (via @rjkoehler) http://bit.ly/8Zenxe # A sample is posted above, but there are many more. [Read More]
Kim Ji-woon’s I Saw the Devil: more than just gore?
Aashish Gadhvi speaks on behalf of three LKL reviewers: Kim Ji-woon’s latest is a disappointment. Hype can be a film’s best friend or its worst enemy. In the case of some films it has worked (The Blair Witch Project) and in the case of others it has backfired spectacularly (Star Wars Prequels), but the fact … [Read More]
The LKFF 2010 is off to a sizzling start
The London Korean Film Festival is now more than 10 years old, and this is the 5th year of its existence under the organisation of the Cultural Centre. It seems to get bigger every year. From its early home in the Prince Charles Cinema, it moved to the more prestigious venue of the Barbican for … [Read More]
The instant six-pack
I heard that in Korea you can get 6-pack implants like you get breast enhancement. Can anyone confirm? Won Bin's was impressive in Ajosshi – but I’m sure his was natural. [Read More]
The Natural Cheese Contest
I know one or two Koreans who like cheese but thought it was generally unpopular. But here's a Korean-made cheese contest. http://bit.ly/d0Vbjl #. The Natural Cheese Contest, organized by the Rural Development Administration. (Photo: Yonhap) [Read More]
10 (itta and Marqido) perform in London
For the adventurous music lover there’s a rare opportunity to catch the experimental electronic music duo 10 in London this month. Seoul-based 10 (so named because the duo formed on October 10 five years ago) comprise Korean itta on vocal, keytar and toys, and Japanese Marqido on bass synth and laptop. Both musicians have their … [Read More]
Proving that technology can entertain…
Here’s a great video of toy robots dancing to “Nobody” by the Wonder Girls. Someone went to a lot of trouble to program this. It’s perfection. http://bit.ly/d3FmZw # [Read More]
Ki Sung-Yueng the target of racist abuse
Fury after footy fans ‘woof’ at Celtic’s South Korean star Ki Sung-Yueng: (The Sun via The Marmot’s Hole). St Johnstone fans also chanted “Who ate all the dogs?” and made monkey noises. Not funny. [Read More]
Book Review: Yin Yang Tattoo
Ron McMillan: Yin Yang Tattoo Sandstone Press, 2010 “If you’ll excuse us, we have stereotypes to explore,” says our hero, Alec Brodie, to a visiting investment banker as he heads off to a private room arm-in-arm with a Korean girl. Yes, there’s irony in the quip, but the stereotypes don’t stop with the expense-account prostitute. … [Read More]
2010 Ra Jong-Yil lecture: Finding the Legacy and a Vision for Modern Politics in the Korean Peninsula
Ms Choo Mi-Ae, a leading South Korean opposition politician, will deliver this year’s annual Ra Jong-Yil lecture as part of the Department of East Asian studies’ Asian Studies Center seminar series. Her lecture will, in part, set out a series of bold proposals for promoting peace on the Korean peninsula and for resolving the international … [Read More]
Stylish trailer for Yin Yang Tattoo
Here’s a stylish artwork on this promotional Video for Ron McMillan’s Yin Yang Tattoo. Via ROK Drop. http://bit.ly/cghkDx # LKL’s review of the book can be found here. [Read More]
Korean Homesick Blues: the finest indie sounds from Korea
Bored with K-pop? Want to find something a bit more adventurous? Of course, you’ll already be an avid reader of Anna Lindgren’s excellent Indieful RoK. And now, if you want to listen to some of the most interesting alternative, indie and underground music around, you’ll be tuning in to Korean Homesick Blues, a regular podcast … [Read More]
Korea at the Crossroads: Art, Archaeology and History
I just received information about this Korean art seminar on 13 November. So, we get two weeks’ notice for a morning of Korean art which clashes directly with a full day of Asian art at Asia House which has been heavily trailed for months. Shame there wasn’t more coordination. The Tiger in Asian Art at … [Read More]