Tongyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do, Tuesday 27 March 2012. Having experienced the sea, islands and much of Yi Sun Shin the day before, today was the day to try Tongyeong’s highest peak, Mireuksan, which shares its name with the island of Mireukdo. There is a cable car which takes you to within a few minutes’ walk of the summit. … [Read More]
Month: May 2012
Colour Identity – a fashion exhibition at Mokspace
News of the latest exhibition at Mokspace, 33 Museum Street, London WC1A 1LH – near the British Museum: COLOUR IDENTITY Private View : Thursday, 31 May 2012, 6 – 8 pm Exhibition Dates : 1 June – 17 June 2012 Opening Hours : 11am – 6pm, Every day Mokspace is delighted to present the first … [Read More]
2012 Travel Diary 9: Yun Isang — Victim of the Cold War
Tongyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do, Monday 26 March 2012. For most big Korean cultural events there’s a glossy brochure with a welcome message from various officials and dignitaries. And for the most important events you might expect a welcome message from the Minister of Culture. It is a measure of the sensitivity of the Tongyeong International Music Festival’s … [Read More]
K-pop Academy – The Curtain Falls…A New Era Begins?
26th of May marked the closing of the 1st K-Pop Academy, a 12-week course run by the Korean Cultural Centre for thirty K-pop fans who applied to learn more about the country and its culture. Witnessing the course unfold over the last 12 weeks, the enthusiasm of the students themselves, combined with the dedication of … [Read More]
A Kim Whanki beats its sale estimate
A rare Kim Whanki for sale at Christie’s Hong Kong: estimated to sell in the range of USD 71,000 to USD 97,000, actually sold for nearly 40% more – USD134,000 – at the 20th Century Asian Art sale on 26 May 2012. [Read More]
2012 Travel Diary 8: Yun Isang, Sancheong and Tongyeong
Tongyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do, Monday 26 March 2012. The day has been devoted mainly to exploring some of the Joseon dynasty naval history in which Tongyeong played its part. But we’re also in Tongyeong to attend the Tongyeong International Music Festival, focusing on concerts which have music by Tongyeong’s most famous musical son, composer Yun Isang. In … [Read More]
Lim Woo-seong interview: adapting Han Kang’s inner worlds for the screen
Director Lim Woo-seong discusses adapting Han Kang’s writing for Vegetarian and Scars, exploring trauma, patriarchal violence, desire, religion, and inner conflict. He explains visual strategies, working with actors, sexuality on screen, and portraying psychological wounds that shape identity and relationships. [Read More]
Hwang Jihae: two Chelsea gold medals and now the RHS President’s Award
HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Hwang Jihae for winning the RHS President’s Award – an award which in the past has always been given to a display in the main pavilion. The attention to detail and the meticulous planting caught the eye of President Elizabeth Banks, who in her time has herself won five Chelsea Gold Medals. … [Read More]
Can you tell what it is yet? Choi Jeong-hwa installation takes shape on the South Bank
If it’s plastic baskets, it’s got to be a Choi Jeong-hwa installation. The outside of the Korean Pavilion at Venice, a chandelier in the centre of the Asia House staircase, or even a crazy space helmet for the band members (which included his son) playing at the first anniversary party of the opening of London’s … [Read More]
Korean authors by an English painter
British artist Billy Childish exhibits portraits of two celebrated Korean authors (Yi Kwang-su and Yi Sang) in his Seoul show entitled Strange Bravery at Gallery Hyundai in Jongno, Seoul, till 3 June. http://bit.ly/JdjPZR [Read More]
Some celebrity holiday companions for some lucky winners
Fancy going on holiday with Miss A or 2PM? You had a one in 310 chance courtesy of the KTO, if you’d managed to spot the opportunity in time. Not bad odds. Surely would have been worth a try? http://bit.ly/JUKKO3 [Read More]
Mother is a Whore (엄마는 창녀다, 2009) review: a bleak reversal of family and moral appearances
With its intelligently written and deftly executed narrative, Mother is a Whore (written and directed by, and starring Lee Sang-woo) serves not only as a searing, bleak and unsettling tale but also as an in-depth critique of the concept of family. [Read More]
2012 Travel Diary 7: Yi Sun-shin — military genius, hero, poet
Tongyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do, Monday 26 March 2012. The brief ferry ride from Tongyeong to Hansando traverses the sheltered sound where Admiral Yi Sun-shin won a famous victory over the Japanese navy on 14 August 1592. On the day I crossed, it was difficult to imagine the tumult of a battle in which 47 Japanese ships were … [Read More]
Quiet Time: DMZ Forbidden Garden — an appreciation of the Chelsea gold medal-winner
It was the first decent day of the month. Although it had started grey and cold, the forecasters promised sun and heat, and they were spot on. Quite a good day then, after all the hard preparation by Hwang Jihae’s team, to be awarded a coveted Chelsea gold medal, for the second year runnning. Was … [Read More]
It’s another Gold Medal – congratulations to Hwang Jihae’s team!
Yes, it’s another gold medal. More coverage soon once I’ve had a chance to see the finished garden myself. Links: LKL’s complete coverage of Hwang Jihae’s gardens at Chelsea 2012 and 2011 Quiet Time: DMZ Forbidden Garden on Facebook. Please donate using the Paypal sign. [Read More]
Kook Dongwan to be Glenfiddich Artist in Residence
43 Inverness Street has begun a collaboration with the Artist in Residency programme at Glenfiddich Distillery in Dufftown, Moray, Scotland in selecting artists from Korea. This is the first year that the programme has chosen an artist from Korea, Kook Dongwan, and 43 Inverness will continue to help the programme in introducing Korean artists. [Read More]