The Yellow Sea is a fast-paced, violent and bloody rollercoaster ride which details its numerous narrative threads in such a heart-pounding manner that it virtually guarantees audiences will be left exhilarated and perhaps even breathless… [Read More]
Month: May 2011 (page 4)
Book review: Chris Springer — North Korea Caught in Time
Chris Springer: North Korea Caught in Time – Images of War and Reconstruction with introductory essay by Balázs Szalontai. Garnet Publishing, 2010 (148pp) In the English-speaking world, the story of the Korean war and its aftermath, if told at all, is told first from the perspective of the US and UN combatants that came to … [Read More]
On becoming a goodwill ambassador
Sancheong-gun, Wednesday 4 May 2011. If I sometimes go on about the unique attractions of Sancheong County, at the foot of Jirisan in Gyeongsangnam-do, my sentiments are genuinely meant. The history, scenery, culture and special geomantic energy of the place all deserve frequent mention. But there’s an additional reason why I might mention Sancheong. For … [Read More]
2011 Travel Diary day 5: Sanshinje by the sacred stones
Sancheong-gun, Wednesday 4 May 2011. Today is the day when I am to be officially appointed Sancheong County’s latest goodwill ambassador, at the opening ceremony of the Sancheong Herbal Medicine Festival that evening. But first, a ritual that I had been wanting to attend since I heard about it the previous year: a sanshinje – … [Read More]
Female stars of the East Asian screen
Four films from East Asia will be screened at Cambridge’s Department of East Asian Studies during May: Holding up more than half of Heaven: Female stars of the East Asian screen We will be screening four films from East Asia – Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea — during the lead up to the exam … [Read More]
2011 Travel Diary day 4: the private side of Sancheong
Busan, Tuesday 3 May 2011. My head is still feeling slightly foggy from Sunday night, and my appetite has not yet returned, but at least I’m feeling well enough to tackle the Busan subway system for the first time. It’s a breeze, and soon I’m on my way to the Nopodong area of North Busan, … [Read More]
Concert notes: Scattered Rhythms
I’m not quite sure what I was expecting from the Jazz / Gugak collaboration involving Australian jazz drummer Simon Barker on 11 April 2011, but I certainly wasn’t expecting a long drum solo. Companions was probably the virtuoso highlight of the evening, a drum solo in which Simon Barker managed to convey the sounds of … [Read More]
A demonstration by master potter Park Kyoung Soon
A special event to mark the launch of the Contemporary Korean Ceramics exhibition at the V&A: a demonstration by ceramic artist Park Kyoung Soon. Park Kyoung Soon, Tradition Transformed: Contemporary Korean Ceramics Watch expert ceramicist Park Kyoung Soon demonstrate a range of forming and surface decoration techniques in this event celebrating the V&A display Tradition … [Read More]
2011 Travel Diary day 3: the hangover in Busan
Myeongdong, Monday 2 May 2011. I wake up, fully clothed, sprawled on my hotel bed at 6am, not knowing how I got there. The previous evening had ended in a bit of a blur, as my evenings with Yi Chul-jin tend to. It had all started off in a civilised enough manner over dinner, but … [Read More]
Tradition Transformed: Contemporary Korean Ceramics at the V&A
An interesting exhibition coming up at the Victoria and Albert Museum this summer, starting on 20 May. The Victoria and Albert Museum is pleased to announce Tradition Transformed: Contemporary Korean Ceramics, a compelling exhibition that brings the finest of contemporary Korean ceramics to London, will be on view in Ceramics Gallery 146 from May 20 … [Read More]
2011 Travel Diary day 2 (cont): Korean Rhapsody
Seoul, Sunday 1 May 2011. The Leeum Gallery founded by the Samsung family is always a reliable place to visit in Seoul. Even if there is not an interesting special exhibition on they have a fantastic permanent collection containing some wonderful celadon and buncheong ceramics, as well as Joseon dynasty paintings, calligraphy and Buddhist art. … [Read More]
May events 2011
Here are the events I know of for May. It’s a good month. Books, Books, Books Shin Kyung-sook appears at the Hay Literary Festival on 28 May (sold out) Agnita Tennant introduces her translation of Part 1 of The Land (T’oji) by Park Kyung-ni, with Margaret Drabble and Park Sowon, on 23 May at the … [Read More]
2011 Travel Diary day 2: the Changdeokgung and Biwon
Seoul, Sunday 1 May 2011. In previous years I had been foiled in my attempts to get to see the famous Secret Garden behind the UNESCO-listed Changdeok Palace. Either there were building works going on, or access was only via guided tour and I had missed my slot, or some other obstacle was put in … [Read More]