Song Il-gon’s debut feature Flower Island. I didn’t have much of a clue what it was about. But it was beautiful, magical, and a little bit weird. Great performances from all concerned. Links: Full-length reviews at Otherwhere | Koreanfilm.org | Love HK Film [Read More]
Month: April 2012 (page 4)
Affordable art at Mokspace
Running Boy’s cartoon-like embroidery and Kyungho Park’s colourful street art at Mokspace (near the British Museum) are bright, fun and very affordable. Pay the exhibition a visit http://bit.ly/HVqQ4P [Read More]
Situated Senses 02: 30cm of Obscurity at the Old Police Station
News of an interesting group exhibition at an equally interesting venue: Deptford’s Old Police Station, which was the venue for one of Union Gallery’s shows a couple of years back. Situated Senses 02: 30cm of Obscurity Artists : Minae Kim | Sangjin Kim | Jaeyeon Chung Curator : Jay Jungin Hwang Venue : The Old … [Read More]
Arirang (아리랑, 2011) review: Kim Ki-duk in isolation, anger and self-reckoning
Arirang is a deeply personal search for catharsis from a director frozen by how he feels he’s been treated by the film industry and stands as an utterly unmissable example of his talent. To my mind, at its time of making Arirang was quite simply Kim Ki-duk’s best film to date. [Read More]
Running Boy and Kyungho Park at Mokspace
News of a two-week double show at Mokspace (33 Museum Street, London WC1A 1LH), starting today: Wall Illustration Collection Kyungho Park An exhibition at MOKSPACE, London / 5 – 19 April 2012 Mokspace is delighted to present the first exhibition of the work of Korean wall illustrator, Kyungho Park. Based in Seoul, he has worked … [Read More]
ID Please: a Korean group show in Peckham
News of an upcoming group exhibition by young Korean artists, in a Peckham gallery: ID, please. New Gallery London (92 Peckham Road, London, SE15 5PY) 9 – 14 April 2012 (Monday to Saturday) Private view: 6 – 9pm, Monday, 9 April 2012 Curated by Dani Daeun Kim & Yovi Jisun Song Organised by Alpha Art … [Read More]
Korean Contemporary Art at Moorhouse
I popped into this exhibition on the way home from work earlier this week. It’s good to see art in an environment that is slightly less artificial than a gallery space. Lee Jae-hyo’s tables (pictured) looked particularly good in the reception area of this office building, just next to Moorgate tube. Also looking natural on … [Read More]
JYP branches out into the restaurant business
K-pop supremo Park Jin Young branches out from the Kpop business to open a posh Korean restaurant in Manhattan called Kristalbelli (8 West 36th Street). Must try it next time I’m in NYC. http://bit.ly/HpeMtH [Read More]
A big thank you to all those who made my recent Korea trip so special
I’ve just come back from an action-packed 10 days in Korea: contemporary art and Joseon dynasty architecture in Seoul; contemporary music, Joseon dynasty naval prowess and great scenery in Tongyeong; mountain hiking, fine Korean tea-bowls, Koryo dynasty cotton cultivation, Kaya kingdom tombs, one of highest temples in South Korea and much more in Sancheong County. … [Read More]
Song Il-gon month kicks off with Flower Island
This month’s going to be good. Don’t miss the four screenings of Song Il-gon’s movies this month. Visit Otherwhere for a quick run-down of why. Director: Song Il-gon Title: Flower Island (꽃섬, 2001) Running Time: 126 min Screening Date: 7:00pm, April 05, 2012 Theatre: Multi-Purpose Hall, KCCUK Synopsis: On a winter day, three women with … [Read More]
April Events 2012
Sorry for the late posting – just returned from 10 days in Korea with no computer or time available for blogging. I’ll update this post with links and anything I’ve missed as I get more time. If you spot any obvious omissions (this list was prepared in great haste) do let me know. Music and … [Read More]
Harmony (하모니, 2010) review: a discordant blend of humour and pathos
Prison melodrama about an abused woman separated from her newborn and the inmate choir she forms for redemption. Attempting to be a poignant melodrama containing both humorous and uplifting elements, Harmony largely fails due to the disparity of its constituent parts – each detracting from the others’ effectiveness, with none truly mixing harmoniously. [Read More]
Fribourg Fest honours two K-films
Lee Chang-dong’s “Poetry” and Kim Tae-yong’s “Late Autumn” Lee Man-hee remake win awards at Fribourg Int’l Film Fest http://bit.ly/hHIAXU # “Poetry” won the top award, the Regard d’Or, while “Late Autumn” won the Special Mention of the Jury of the International Federation of Film Societies, and the Ex-Change Award, which is a prize selected by … [Read More]