Interview with North Korean escapee Shin Dong-hyuk in the Evening Standard today. Shame they can’t spell his name right. http://bit.ly/IQgTFA. “When I saw the outside world for the first time, I thought it was paradise.” [Read More]
Month: April 2012
Song Il-gon – interview: from serious cinema to stories everyone can feel
Director Song Il-gon reflects on his journey from philosophical, existential cinema to more audience-focused storytelling. In this group interview, he discusses funding struggles, changing film philosophies, the balance between art and accessibility, and how music, travel, and emotion continue to shape his work. [Read More]
2012 Travel Diary 3: Bugaksan to Daehakro
Seoul, Saturday 24 March 2012. There’s time to kill before our evening appointment in Daehakro, so we go for a stroll in Samcheong-dong, along with most of the rest of Seoul. It’s 5pm on a pleasant Saturday afternoon, and young couples amble with an charming lack of purpose, getting in your way if you want to … [Read More]
Place Not Found: Korean Art Now at Forman’s Smokehouse Gallery
Congratulations to the LKL Art History features writer Eunjung Shin for curating her first show, at an exciting venue overlooking the Olympic Stadium. Plenty of high-profile artists are showing their work. Undoubtedly the exhibition of the month. Place Not Found: Korean Art Now Forman’s Smokehouse Gallery Stour Road | Fish Island | Hackney Wick | … [Read More]
Song Il-gon’s Always: a well-made melodrama and nothing more
If Always had been made by any other director I would not have minded. I would not have gone to see it either. But as it was made by Song Il-gon, I went along, and was sorely disappointed. It’s not that it’s a bad film of its genre. It’s well made and moving. The lead … [Read More]
Lee Jaehyo solo show celebrates HADA Contemporary’s new gallery space
HADA Contemporary has until now been sharing space with the Albemarle Gallery. To celebrate the opening of their new gallery space in Vyner Street (21 Vyner Street, London, E2 9DG) there is a solo show by Lee Jae-hyo. Lee Jaehyo Solo Exhibition : Beautiful Dialogue HADA | VYNER STREET 3 – 30 MAY 2012 “I … [Read More]
A private Korean art exhibition at 16 Stafford Terrace
There is a steady stream of Korean art exhibitions at commercial and public galleries, where the work is hung in a sterile, anonymous fashion so that you can focus on the art itself. Now comes something different: art hung in a very private space, where it is nurtured and cared for in a living environment. … [Read More]
Park Kyung-ni’s tomb in Tongyeong
For peope who like to track down literary landmarks, the tomb of Park Kyung-ni, author of the sweeping epic T’oji (Land) can be found on Mireukdo, Tongyeong, just above a memorial hall dedicated to her life and work. And for those who are short of time (like me), and like to tick off a number … [Read More]
Korean wins award from London Design Museum
Congratulations to Kim Ki-hyun, winner of a “Design Oscar” in the Designs of the Year 2012 award from the Design Museum for his 1.3 Chair made out of balsa wood – exhibited at 100% Design London last year [Read More]
2012 Travel Diary 2: Suh Do-ho “Home within Home” at the Leeum
Seoul, Saturday 24 March 2012. The Leeum Samsung Museum of Art, a short walk from Hangangjin subway station (Line 6), is currently hosting what is claimed to be their first ever solo show there by a living Korean artist. Suh Do-ho has been a prominent international artist for over 10 years – since appearing for … [Read More]
Jeon Kye-soo is May’s movie director at the KCC
The fifth of the twelve directors in the KCCUK’s 2012 film season is Jeon Kye-soo Screenings Midnight Ballad for Ghost Theatre (삼거리 극장, 2006) 10 May 2012 @KCCUK So-dan (Kim Kkobbi) is a girl bored with her tedious life, but she manages to find some distraction in the run-down Three Corners Theater. Initially she goes … [Read More]
KCC’s 100th screening: Song Il-gon at the Apollo Piccadilly
Having now enjoyed three of Song Il-gon’s films this month, we now reach the KCC’s 100th screening, Song Il-gon’s Always, followed by Q & A with the director himself. At the Apollo Piccadilly, this evening at 6:30pm. Song Il-gon: Always (오직 그대만) (2011) Starring: So Ji-sub, Han Hyo-joo Running Time: 105 min. (ENG Subs) Screening … [Read More]
Leeum’s Suh Do-ho solo show in Wall Street Journal
Brief review of Suh Do-ho’s solo show at the Leeum, Home within Home, on the Wall Street Journal. Good collection of pictures too. http://on.wsj.com/I5QhNd. Read LKL’s own review here. [Read More]
Oh Kil-nam, double defector, on the BBC
Interesting interview with Oh Kil-nam on the BBC website. Oh defected from the South to the North with his family (partly at the persuasion of composer Yun Isang), realised his mistake and defected back – on his own. His wife and daughters (now known as the Daughters of Tongyeong) got sent to Yodok. You can … [Read More]
Kimjongilia screens as part of North Korea Freedom Week
This week is North Korea Freedom Week in London, and it’s rather interesting to see the KCCUK getting involved. On Monday there was a screening of Crossing, and on Friday there’s one of Kimjongilia. Other events are screenings down in New Malden, a North Korea Human Rights photo exhibition, and a talk in Parliament. More … [Read More]
Weekend Artshow & Auction helps Heart Radio’s charity
News of a charity art show this weekend: the HeartArt weekend art show is raising money for Heart Radio’s charity ‘Have a Heart’ and includes fun fundraising features including a brilliant prize draw, celeb donated art auction, and the opportunity to purchase art and craft by a selection of extraordinary artists – including Francesca Cho. … [Read More]