Set during a stalled Vogue photo shoot, Actresses observes six Korean stars across generations as boredom gives way to rivalry, confession and self-exposure. Described by director E J-yong as “a combination of reality show and fake documentary”, Actresses surely contains some truth hidden alongside the scripted scenes. [Read More]
Month: July 2012
Black Eagles showcase the T-50 for Korea Aerospace Industries at the Savoy
Eleven handsome pilots in aviator sunglasses swagger down the runway in slow-motion choreographed formation. Behind them is parked a sleek black and gold aircraft pointing menacingly towards you. A booming Hollywood soundtrack could be announcing the start of a Top Gun sequel. But it’s the start of the promotional video for Korea’s Black Eagles aerobatic … [Read More]
Concert Notes: All Eyes on Baramgot at the Purcell Room
I had expected the five-piece ensemble Baramgot (바람곶) to provide a solid evening of traditionally folk-inspired Korean music. Having attended a number of traditional Korean music performances before, I had a fairly clear idea of what I was in for, and I was looking forward to it. The 75 minute programme consisted of seven items, … [Read More]
Korean performers at the 2012 Edinburgh Fringe
Yes, it’s the Olympics and yes, we’ve been having a feast of Korean culture over the past few weeks in London. But let’s not forget that London is not the centre of the universe: August is upon us, which means it’s the Edinburgh Festival and Fringe. Which means lots of Korean performers, particularly physical theatre, … [Read More]
KCNA’s typography guidelines are a geek’s nightmare
The KCNA’s typography guidelines for displaying the names of the three Kims, at least on their kcna.kp domain, are keeping their typesetters unnecessarily busy. Whenever Kim Jong Un’s name is displayed it has to be in a bigger font size than the surrounding text, and it is not permitted to be broken by a carriage … [Read More]
Lee Hyeon-seung interview: feminism, symbolism and genre experimentation in Korean cinema
Lee Hyeon-seung discusses subconscious symbolism in Il Mare, feminism and female-centred narratives, sexuality and gender politics, and the expressive use of colour. He reflects on genre experimentation, global consciousness, industry constraints, and his return to directing with Hindsight as a blend of romance, action, and generational dialogue. [Read More]
LKL interviewed by Yonhap
I had an interview with a Yonhap journalist on a hot sweaty Tuesday evening this week at the KCC. Here’s the write-up. It generated a fair bit of traffic, which is how I knew it had been published. Hope I didn’t say anything stupid. [Read More]
Yi Seung-jun interview: different ways of feeling the world
Director Yi Seung-jun discusses Planet of Snail, his documentary on a deaf-blind man and his wife, focusing on alternative forms of communication, shared loneliness, love, and everyday life. He also addresses filmmaking beyond pity, differences between TV and cinema documentaries, and his ongoing work with unseen minorities. [Read More]
Korea’s male gymnast team loses out, but three solo efforts make it to the finals
Settling down to the 2012 Men’s gymnastics qualifier, I decided to do a little coverage for LKL. I’m a big fan of gymnastics, probably because of the inability to do even a cartwheel these days, and it has always been the highlight of the Olympics for me. Whilst I’m not the most technical person when … [Read More]
Kayageum and lion dance at Kingston Summer Breeze
Kayageum and Guitar duo Kaya, featuring Jung Ji-eun (kayageum) and Jeon Sung-min (guitar) will be performing at the Summer Breeze event in Kingston’s Cranbury Gardens (KT2 5AU) near the Bandstand, on Saturday 4 August. There will also be a Korean lion dance from the Bongsan Mask Dance Group. The event runs 12:00 – 6:00 pm. … [Read More]
Witty Specsavers ad irritates academics
The quick-thinking Specsavers ad capitalising on the Olympic flag gaffe seems to have ruffled a feather in academic circles for being written in bad Korean. So what if “Specsavers” should be at the beginning of the sentence? Putting it there would have completely baffled the non-Korean speaking audience it’s aimed at. [Read More]
Daytime Drinking – the perfect hangover cure
Daytime Drinking is a gentle comedy which is the perfect antidote the view that Korean cinema has lost its way. And it’s a film which makes you feel connected to Korea much more than many of the horror and action films which come our way. From the soulless self-catering guesthouse (or “pension”) in the mountains … [Read More]
Crossroads of Youth: Korea’s oldest surviving silent film, at the Barbican
While the South Bank is getting much of the attention this weekend Korean culture-wise, don’t forget a repeat performance of Korea’s oldest surviving silent film. It was a big hit at the Thames Festival last year, and it returns to the Barbican on Thursday 2 August. Crossroads of Youth The Oldest Surviving Korean Silent Film … [Read More]
Wenlock & Mandeville in Seoul
Official London 2012 mascots Wenlock & Mandeville braved sizzling heat to visit King Sejong in Gwanghwamun earlier this week. Excitement at fever pitch with Games starting soon! Via @UKinKorea [Read More]
59th anniversary of armistice day
Good to see General Paik Sun-yup looking well at the Panmunjom ceremony today, commemorating the signing of the Korean War armistice on 27 July 1953 Links: Remembering the Forgotten War: LKL interviews Gen Paik Sun-yup, 21 July 2009 [Read More]
Traditional Korean medicine and hand acupuncture in Team Korea House
Team Korea House will be located at the Royal Thames Yacht Club, 60 Knightsbridge, during the 2012 London Olympics, from the 27th of July to the 12th of August. In addition to the interviews with the medal winners each morning (9am), a variety of interesting activities and events will take place, including: a drop-in workshop … [Read More]