The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra orchestra and 90-strong Chorus together with soprano soloist Inhye Kim convened in the Cadogan Hall on 12 April to perform Jeajoon Ryu’s Sinfonia da Requiem (2007). It was composed to honour Hyundai founder Chung Ju-yung, who passed away 10 years ago in 2001, and also dedicated to Korea’s past generations, who … [Read More]
Month: April 2011 (page 3)
Rain is Time’s most influential person again
Korean pop star Rain wins TIME 100 Poll — Again – TIME NewsFeed http://ti.me/gTao9a #. He also won in 2006 and 2007, and came second in 2008. [Read More]
Korea’s premium whisky market
Chivas Regal boss tracks the history of whisky in Korea "Korea is easily the No. 1 premium market in the world." Chivas Regal is part of Pernod Ricard, bitter rivals to Diageo. Source: Joongang Daily, 8 April 2011 #. [Read More]
Censorship and the indie gaming industry
Good to see Kim Jin-sung of Pig-Min, also known as Mr Kwang, quoted in the august pages of the Economist in a feature on the South Korean gaming industry. http://econ.st/eaY0Uq # [Read More]
Hong Sang-soo for beginners
Darcy Paquet: Which Hong Sang-soo film is best to show to a newcomer? My gut feeling is HaHaHa. Will test this on my Korean cinema class in May. lklinks: Fell asleep during HaHaHa. My choice would be Like you know it all. darcypaquet: According to Twitter votes, the best Hong Sang-soo film to show a … [Read More]
Korean film at Cannes 2011
Three Korean Films have been invited to the 2011 Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard section. Nice to see Kim Ki-duk back in action with Arirang. http://bit.ly/i7Q3D3 #. Na Hong-jin’s Yellow Sea plus the latest Hong Sang-soo also going. [Read More]
“In my dreams, I’m Alice in Wonderland”: a day in Unsuk Chin’s fantasy landscapes
On 9 April the Barbican in collaboration with the Guildhall School of Music & Drama staged a whole day of concerts, recitals and talks focusing on the Korean-born composer Unsuk Chin. The day featured at least four UK premieres, two orchestras, a choir, and the largest stage the Barbican has ever had to build – … [Read More]
British celebs in Korean commercials
Samira Ahmed is checking out the British actors taking money for some cheesy ads in Korea. Take a bow, Pierce Brosnan (casinos – Image source) and Jeremy Irons (coffee). I can’t find the coffee ad, but here's Irons advertising a Korean clothing brand on TV: [Read More]
Shilla Hotel in hanbok gaffe
This is unbelievable: Seoul’s Shilla hotel bans hanbok from its restaurant for health & safety reasons. Big mistake. (via Marmot’s Hole) http://bit.ly/dTkkaS #: [Read More]
Two Korean T-shirts
How do you show off your affiliation with Korea through what you wear? For women, a nice silk scarf – though inevitably this restricts you to formal wear and non-summer months. For men, maybe an understated way is through your necktie – but who wears ties nowadays? Plenty of ties and scarves are available in … [Read More]
Sarah Chang plays Bruch at the Festival Hall
Is it my imagination, or whenever you see a programme with a Korean violinist in London, more than half the time it’s the Bruch they’re playing? I sometimes wish we could be given something a bit more out of the ordinary – like the rarely-performed Delius concerto Joo-yeon Sir played last year. Anyway, it’ll be … [Read More]
Rain tops Time poll again
Rain currently tops the 2011 TIME 100 Poll Results. Again. http://ti.me/e5LpEl #. This has surely got to be the last year that he features on the list. [Read More]
Unsuk Chin on BBC Woman’s Hour
You can catch Unsuk Chin’s appearance on Woman’s Hour on BBC iPlayer in an interview with Jane Garvey. 24 mins 45 seconds in. http://bbc.in/idy0Vq # [Read More]
Chelsea flower show news, at peak blossom time in Gyeongsangsam-do
It’s peak cherry blossom time in Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do http://bit.ly/fcp9gv #. And it’s good to hear that there’s going to be a Korean garden at the Chelsea Flower Show this year http://bit.ly/goVzkv #. More coverage soon. [Read More]
Korean directors on the panels at Cannes 2011
BBC News – Bong Joon-ho to head Cannes debut filmmaker panel (Camera d’Or) http://bbc.in/dMrGOw # while Lee Chang-Dong is on the panel for critics’ week [Read More]
Wedding-themed films at the KCC this month: first, My Wedding Campaign
In honour of the Royal Wedding on the 29th, the KCC’s films this month have a wedding theme. First up, My Wedding Campaign on 14 April, with the Moon So-ri film Sakwa on the eve of the big event itself. In between, Bae Chang-ho’s The Trip, which features that favourite of honeymoon destinations and finalist … [Read More]