‘The Berlin File’ is at once a tale of political intrigue and a dissection of North and South Korean attitudes to humanity, morals and freedom all wrapped up in a high-octane thriller. While the ultimate narrative destination can largely be predicted, in this case the journey is equally as important, if not more so. [Read More]
Year: 2013 (page 21)
“Rising Stars” lunchtime classical recitals at the KCC
As part of the K-music festival the KCC is presenting a series of lunchtime recitals by 10 Korean students from the Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music. Nice to see some Korean lyric songs on the programme for Wednesday, along with some Bridge and Novello. And if I had the time … [Read More]
Talk, Tea & Books: KCC launches a new book club
An interesting new initiative from the KCC – a book discussion group. For discussion at its first meeting, Park Wan-suh’s Who Ate Up All the Shinga? in the translation by Yu Young-nan and Stephen Epstein, which many of you will remember as the subject of the KLTI’s second essay contest. The registration deadline for this … [Read More]
Confession of Murder (내가 살인범이다, 2012) review: an action-packed tale of fame and revenge
Brutal at times, humorous at others, Confession of Murder is a thoroughly engaging serial killer tale though it could be said that both its narrative and execution borrow ever so slightly too much from a number of classic, and famously noteworthy, Korean thrillers. [Read More]
Amadéus Leopold at Yoko Ono’s Meltdown
Violinist Yoo Hanbin, whose stage name was once Hahn-Bin and who is now rebranded after Mozart père et fils, will be appearing at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on 14 June as part of Yoko Ono’s Meltdown festival. Expect the unexpected, plus some great music-making. Amadéus Leopold Tuesday 18 June, 7.30 pm at Southbank Centre as … [Read More]
June events 2013
June is music month, but there’s plenty more besides. Let me know what I’ve missed. Music The SOAS Korean Drumming Society performs at SOAS on 3 June Kim Hyelim (daegeum) performs with the Yin Yang Collective at the Royal Asiatic Society on 6 June The National Orchestra of Korea under Won Il will open the … [Read More]
Korean music in June – a preview
This article was written for London Jazz News, where it appeared in a slightly different version on 20 May. Think Korean music in 2013 is all about tubby rappers and manufactured girl bands? Think again. Coming up in June is K-Music – a festival of Korean traditional, fusion and rock music which may appeal to … [Read More]
Jieun Jung plays work for gayageum and orchestra
Jieun Jung will be performing Roh Tae-hwan’s “Far East Calm” Suite for Gayageum and Orchestra with Thames Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Byung-yun Yu. Date: Saturday, 15th June 2013, 7.30pm Venue: Landmark Arts Centre, Ferry Road, Teddington, TW11 9NN Ticket: £12, Concession £8 Box Office: 0208 977 7558 Links: http://landmarkartscentre.org Buy tickets online [Read More]
Moon Jar – Contemporary Translations in Britain
News of the upcoming exhibition at the KCC, whose centrepiece is the Moon Jar that Bernard Leach bought on a visit to Korea in 1935, on loan from the British Museum for the occasion. On a related note, if you happen to be in Seoul in the next couple of months, this exhibition exploring the … [Read More]
Who is Alice? – MMCA’s Biennale Collateral event
The Venice Biennale always has some Korean artists participating in collateral events, but this is the first time I can think of that there has been a major government-sponsored initiative. This special exhibition features works from the permanent collection of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. Exhibition announcement courtesy of the MMCA. Who … [Read More]
Art Basel launches in Hong Kong
The Guardian has been covering Art Basel’s first fair in Hong Kong (23-26 May) in both its print edition (the Sunday Observer) and online. There are around 170 galleries represented, including eleven Korean galleries, and the picture which goes with the Guardian‘s main article is Arario’s stall featuring work by Gwon Osang. London’s Atlas Gallery … [Read More]
The Cool Beat of Korea – a concert by the SOAS Korean Drumming Society
Samulnori, daegeum sanjo and more at an early summer recital at SOAS: The Cool Beat of Korea Date: Monday 3 June 2013, 7:30-8:30 pm. Venue: Lucas Lecture Theatre [formerly G2], SOAS Main Building. Tickets: Free admission. Guests are admitted from 7 pm to be seated for 7.30pm This is an attractive and dynamic drumming concert … [Read More]
Young Gun in the Time (영건 탐정사무소, 2012) review: love, loss, laughter, and lo-fi time travel
Young Gun in the Time uses classic Korean cinema genre merging to be at once science fiction, mystery thriller, action, romance and comedy. Though it is low budget through-and-through, that is in fact one of the many charms of this warm, engaging and gently funny film. [Read More]
Chung Heeseung and Je Baak at HADA Contemporary
New of HADA Contemporary’s exhibition for June and July: Chung Heeseung, Je Baak: Group exhibition 6 JUNE – 28 JULY 2013 HADA Contemporary | 21 Vyner Street | London | E2 9DG Wednesday – Friday: 11am – 6pm | Saturday – Sunday: 11am – 4pm www.hadacontemporary.com HADA Contemporary is please to showcase photographs and video … [Read More]
Artist Terry Ryu Kim wins Catlin Art Prize 2013
A London-based Korean artist – a 2012 Slade MA graduate – has won a prize sponsored by insurance group Catlin: Artist Terry Ryu Kim named winner of the Catlin Art Prize 2013 The winner of the Catlin Art Prize 2013 has been announced as Terry Ryu Kim. Terry was awarded the £5,000 prize for her … [Read More]
Kiejo’s Cambridge feast
Kiejo Sarsfield tells how a housewife from Masan ended up supervising dinner for 60 in a Cambridge college. In March I had e-mail from Dr Michael Shin, Lecturer in Korea Studies and fellow at Robinson College Cambridge, about a Korean food event he was planning to organise in a couple of months. He was asking me whether I would be interested … [Read More]