We all have our private thoughts on that question. The Chatham House talk this week (29 March) by Choe Tae Bok, Speaker of the North Korean Supreme People’s Assembly, was off the record, so I have not reported anything specific from the event. But given the timing of the visit, coinciding with the implementation of … [Read More]
Month: March 2011
Regular screenings of films shot in Jeju-do at the KCC
If you’ve been to an event at the KCC over the past couple of weeks, you’re bound to have come away with a little brochure publicising the undoubted merits of Jeju-do and its strong claims to being one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. I popped in to the KCC yesterday afternoon on … [Read More]
The BKVA Annual Report 2010-11
Here is the text of the BKVA’s annual report, presented to the Anglo-Korean Society’s AGM yesterday. CHAIRMANS REPORT TO THE AGM OF THE ANGLO-KOREAN SOCIETY HELD AT THE KOREAN CULTURAL CENTRE ON TUESDAY 29 MARCH 2011 INTRODUCTION 1. I am pleased that I am able to attend this AGM to present the BKVA report for … [Read More]
Photo of the week: the Cheonan dead remembered, one year on
A mother of one of the 46 sailors killed when the Cheonan was sunk on March 26, 2010, cries in front of a relief sculpture of her son that is part of a monument unveiled on Baengnyeong Island, closest to where the ship sank. (photo: Joongang Ilbo / NEWSIS) [Read More]
Korean movie blogathon highlights level of interest in Korean film
We’ve just had the Korean film blogathon – a global event lasting a week which elicited around 150 articles from bloggers around the world. Ten years ago, the only English language website covering Korean film was Darcy Paquet’s koreanfilm.org (or if there was more than one, it was the only one that most people visited). … [Read More]
71 Into the Fire (포화 속으로, 2010) review: courage, sacrifice and the cost of war
Based on a true story, ’71 – Into The Fire’ tells its tale with gusto throughout, using breathtaking visuals within epic battle scenes to show the chaos and carnage of war and the ultimate price it demands, albeit in a slightly predictable manner in places. [Read More]
It’s not all grim up North
Darren Southcott discovers that North Korean refugees in the UK find life tough, particularly with looming spending cuts Food shortages and societal collapse have brought record numbers of refugees fleeing the grip of the North Korean regime, yet for many the short crossing of the Tumen River into China brings more the life of the … [Read More]
Paradise does not exist: the tough experience of north Koreans in the South – By Mihyun Jang
Thousands of North Korean refugees fleeing face a cold reality in South Korean society. Many are seeking refuge in 3rd countries, although strict asylum rules mean many eventually are forced to settle in the South without benefits or resettlement payments. By Mihyun Jang North Korean refugees in China According to the Unification Ministry of South … [Read More]
Jeon Ji-hyun’s comeback
Jeon Ji-hyun to feature in July issue of US Vogue to mark the release of her film Snow Flower and the Secret Fan – nice to see her back in the news after so long. http://bit.ly/ia2ohe # [Read More]
Five Korean winners at Asian Film Awards
Lee Chang-dong among five Korean winners at Asian Film Awards http://bit.ly/i54Noc. The complete Korean list: Best Director, Screenplay (Poetry) Editing (I Saw the Devil) Actor (Yellow Sea) Supporting Actress (Housemaid). # [Read More]
Yeondoo Jung shortlisted for the Pictet Prize
Congratulations to Yeondoo Jung – shortlisted for the Pictet Prize for his Evergreen Tower http://bit.ly/fQjSVB # [Read More]
Arirang TV on healthy legs. Ugh.
Ghastly, cheap, trashy Arirang TV piece on "healthy" legs (http://bit.ly/ektinf) (for which of course read "fat") causing lively debate at Korean Studies portal http://bit.ly/ebT4F4 # [Read More]
Scattering Rhythms: Korean Traditional Music and Jazz at the KCC
Keith Howard has returned to SOAS from Sydney and brings with him a fusion of jazz with sanjo. Sounds interesting: Scattering Rhythms: Korean Traditional Music and Jazz at the Korean Cultural Centre UK Monday 11 April 2011 at 19:00 ‘Scattering Rhythms: Korean traditional music and Jazz’ is the creative collaboration of Korean traditional music by … [Read More]
The Fashion of the Korean Street
If I was in Seoul this weekend I’d be heading off to the show of street photography by Michael Hurt of FeetManSeoul and Scribblings of the Metropolitician: The Fashion of the Korean Street Time: 27 April at 12:00 – 29 April at 21:00 Location: Cafe Bene in Chungmuro (Chungmuro Station, Exit #5) Opening Reception from … [Read More]
Korea in the mid-fifties – historic slides
Two upcoming opportunities to see historic photographs of the Korean peninsula in the 1950s. First, courtesy of the Anglo Korean Society, photos of South Korea at the KCC. Details below. Watch this space for photos of North Korea at SOAS in May. KOREA IN THE MID-FIFTIES – HISTORIC SLIDES A talk and slide show by … [Read More]
I Love You – South Korea’s sleeper movie of 2011
South Korea's Sleeper Movie: 'I Love You', a drama about elderly romance starring actors in their 60s and 70s. http://on.wsj.com/euKwpx # [Read More]