In this evening’s UK popular music chart listings, PSY finally made it to the top slot, having reached number three last week. Not bad going for a track released in mid July the other side of the Eurasian landmass. It’s been interesting watching the Gangnam wave as it has spread from Seoul to the rest … [Read More]
Month: September 2012
Jeon Kyu-hwan interview: marginal lives, independent filmmaking, creative survival
Director Jeon Kyu-hwan discusses realism and graphic content, his focus on marginalised lives, and the making of low-budget films outside Korea’s commercial system. He reflects on creative independence, financial precarity, narrative experimentation, the Town trilogy, and his belief that cinema must embrace diversity beyond standardised genres. [Read More]
2012 Travel Diary #18: The hike to Beopgyesa
Sancheong, Gyeongsangnam-do, Thursday 29 March 2012. The road through Jungsan-ri stops in a car park beyond which are the Jirisan National Park office and a barrier across the road. Jungsan-ri is the start of the shortest (but not necessarily the gentlest) trail to Cheonwanbong, Jirisan’s highest peak. We are permitted to proceed through the barrier, shaving … [Read More]
Lies (거짓말, 1999) review: exploring the boundaries of consent and control
An affair between an 18-year-old girl and a married older man escalates into increasingly extreme sexual territory. Uncomfortably explicit, Lies mixes voyeuristic techniques and discomforting narrative with moments of confrontational humour and fragments of meta-cinema to produce a film that is both difficult to watch and hard to turn away from. [Read More]
Man of Vendetta (파괴된 사나이, 2010) review: respectable thriller, shame about the title
While “race against time” thrillers are two-a-penny in almost any culture, not least South Korean cinema, Man of Vendetta nonetheless manages to supplant expectations on several occasions and, thankfully, steers clear of any forced upbeat moments and saccharine segments to allow for some genuine unpredictability and gravitas to be displayed. [Read More]
Sarah Chang plays Barber at the Cadogan Hall
I’m always grumbling that Sarah Chang never plays anything apart from Bruch which she comes to London. And when she plays something more interesting, there’s often a clash with another compelling Korean cultural event. Earlier this year I couldn’t go to her Shostakovich because E J-yong needed to be interviewed. So I wonder what will … [Read More]
Book review: Michael Gibb — A Slow Walk through Jeong-dong
Michael Gibb: A Slow Walk through Jeong-dong Illustrations by Ah-young Jung Hollym, 2011, 144pp How can one write a whole book about a stroll down a street tucked in behind the Deoksu Palace? How can one spend a whole day there? Well, in part, the clue is in the title – the walk is slow. … [Read More]
Korean Films at the 56th BFI London Film Festival
After a pretty dry couple of years for Korean film at the BFI London Film Festival, this year there’s a feast. Book your tickets now. Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time (범죄와의 전쟁: 나쁜놈들 전성시대, 2012) Director-Screenwriter: Yoon Jongbin Producer: Park Shinkyu, Han Jaeduk With: Choi Minsik, Ha Jeongwoo, Jo Jinwoong 133 mins Yoon Jongbin’s … [Read More]
Aidan Foster-Carter on the Demise of Kim Jong-il
Can’t be bothered to keep up with all the differing speculations as to whether Kim Jong-un is a reformer or not? Fortunately, you can take a short cut by listening to Aidan Foster-Carter at the LSE. As you will know, he is always an engaging and informative speaker – and not afraid to express his … [Read More]
And for Christmas I’d like…
If there are any chaebol bosses out there with 500 million won to spare, there’s an opportunity to buy me a nice Lee Ufan which would look very good above my fireplace at home. The auction is 12 October at Christie’s in London. Thank you. [Read More]
Speed Date with Korean Artists
An interesting upcoming event at Chelsea College of Art & Design. Given LKL’s talk on this subject back in 2009, this is an event we wholeheartedly support. Speed Date with Korean Artists in the context of THE SHOW MUST GO ON 27 September 2012, 5pm – 7pm Venue: Lecture Theater | Chelsea College of Art … [Read More]
A Moment (모멘트, 2010) review: a haunting exploration of karma, perception and retribution
A Moment is easily as topical today as it was when it was made in 2010, and considering recent news stories from China, perhaps even more so. A dark and twisted tale which resolutely shows that an action taken in a single moment can ultimately change the lives of all concerned, irrevocably. [Read More]
Han Yeo-reum interview: Samaria, The Bow, and working with Kim Ki-duk
Actress Han Yeo-reum discusses her path into acting, roles in Kim Ki-duk’s Samaria and The Bow, performing without dialogue, female sexuality on screen, and working across film and television. She also explains her approach to controversial projects, international recognition, and selecting roles based on story, character, and collaborators. [Read More]
Based on the design talent at Goldsmiths, the future of Korea at 100% Design London is in safe hands
One of the regular features in the London calendar is the London Design Festival, which this year ran from 14-23 September. Two big exhibitions form the cornerstones of the festival, at opposite ends of the Circle Line: 100% Design London at Earl’s Court, and Tent London at the Truman Brewery in Brick Lane. And given … [Read More]
CNBLUE at the indigO2 – Saharial reports from last Saturday’s gig
It was 3pm on a sunny but cool afternoon when I began to queue for the CNBLUE concert, though many had been there since early morning coming from as far afield as Finland, France, Switzerland, Italy and Poland – a wide mix of nationalities and ethnicity that seemed almost equal. As with all concerts there … [Read More]
Hyunjhin Baik – Solo Exhibition at 43 Inverness Street
The first UK solo exhibition of the South Korean artist, Hyunjhin Baik. This will showcase the prominent Korean visual artist and musician Baik whose voice has been used for three of Pina Bauchs late works and whose music has been used in the soundtracks of films directed by Chan-Wook Park. This will be his first … [Read More]