The previous presidency continued, in more ambitious scale, the green contruction initiatives that Lee Myung-bak promoted while mayor of Seoul. The Four Rivers project received much criticism before, during and after its construction. What of the even bigger project, Songdo? An afternoon seminar at SOAS considers the new city that will be the home of … [Read More]
Year: 2013 (page 22)
Engage Korea conference – a welcome perspective on North Korea
When is a good time to hold a conference on engaging with North Korea? When the organisers set the date for the 4 May conference they couldn’t possibly have known the heightened level of tension that the peninsula was going to go through in the early months of 2013. Mainstream press coverage has veered from … [Read More]
Miscellaneous Writings by Autumn Lamplight – John Frankl on Yi Sang at SOAS
On his way through London after the Alternative Modernisms conference at Cardiff, John Frankl tackles Yi Sang at SOAS: This Land Is Your Land, This Land Is My Land: Negotiating between Physical Geography and Political State in Yi Sang’s “Miscellaneous Writings by Autumn Lamplight” John Frankl (Associate Professor of Korean and Comparative Literature, Yonsei University) … [Read More]
March For The Beloved – in memory of Gwangju
On the anniversary of the 18 May 1980 uprising in Gwangju, here is song which became its unofficial anthem. It was written in 1982 by Kim Jong-ryul for his friends, a couple who were murdered in the uprising. The title is 임을 위한 행진곡 or “March for the beloved”, sometimes translated as “March for the … [Read More]
The Duke of Cumberland is legless
OK, that’s a bit of an exaggeration. He is now missing one foot, exposing the metal armature which has been keeping the soapy statue in one piece. And the left foreleg of his horse looks like it is not long for this world. On the way to see Krys Lee in the global literary salon … [Read More]
K-music focus forum at the KCC
To warm you up for the festival of Korean music coming up during June, a panel of speakers will talk about Korean music at the KCC on 21 March at 7pm. It’s particularly nice to see Songlines on the panel. John Lusk from that magazine did a great article on Kim Duk-soo and other Korean … [Read More]
K-Music: The National Orchestra of Korea at the Barbican, 14 June
The 2013 festival of Korean music starts with a prestigious appearance of the National Orchestra Orchestra of Korea. The orchestra was formed in 1995 and plays modified Korean traditional instruments, performing concerts which combine Korean and Western music in both new and traditional compositions. K-Music: The National Orchestra of Korea Friday 14 June, 8:00PM Barbican, … [Read More]
K-Music: Uhuhboo Project + Pere Ubu at Scala, 16 June
K-film followers may know Uhuhboo Project (어어부 프로젝트) from the soundtrack of Park Chan-wook’s short film Night Fishing and his earlier feature Sympathy for Mr Vengeance, and the Project’s Baik Hyunjhin was in town last year for a performance at his solo art show at 43 Inverness Street. Uhuhboo was founded by Baik together with … [Read More]
K-Music: Geomungo Factory at the Cadogan Hall, 19 June
The K-music festival continues with a fusion Geomungo quartet at the Cadogan Hall, who have had rave reviews from Songlines magazine: K-Music: Geomungo Factory Wednesday 19 June, 7:30PM Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace, London, SW1X 9DQ The first-ever British concert by Korean cult band Geomungo Factory, who have taken the geomungo – an ancient form … [Read More]
K-music: Yi Sung Yol and Jang Kiha & the Faces at Scala, 20 June
LKL has long been a fan of Yi Sung Yol – his was one of our albums of the year in 2007. Jang Ki-ha & the Faces is a more recent arrival on the scene, and manages to be slightly retro yet at the same time refreshing. I’m not sure I would describe either artist … [Read More]
K-music: Pansori night with Ahn Sook-sun at the Cadogan Hall, 21 June
Earlier this year at the KCC’s 5th birthday celebrations we had forty minutes of pansori which left the audience wanting more. So here’s some more, for the final concert of the K-music festival. K-Music: Pansori Night – Ahn Sook-Sun Friday 21 June, 7:30PM Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace, London, SW1X 9DQ Pansori is Korean musical … [Read More]
Memories through Line and Colour: Anna Jung Seo at Vyner Street Gallery
News of an upcoming exhibition at Vyner Street Gallery. Keep your eyes peeled for notice of Hada Contempoary’s June show, and maybe you can do two openings at the same time. Memories through Line and Colour Anna Jung Seo 4th – 9th June 2013 Private View : Thursday 6th June 18.00-21.00 Vyner Street Gallery | … [Read More]
Biennale news: Kimsooja | To Breathe: Bottari, at Venice 2013
The official notice of the exhibition in the Korean Pavilion as part of Venice 2013: Kimsooja | To Breathe: Bottari Korean Pavilion, Venice, 1 June – 24 November 2013. “Traditionally, la Biennale di Venezia exhibits artists hosted by their countries of origin in national pavilions. Rather like in World Expos, I wanted the Korean Pavilion itself … [Read More]
Lee Hyori is a retro Miss Korea
I just can’t resist this new release from Lee Hyori, Miss Korea – a very different, retro, style from her previous outings. Lyrics and music are by Ms Lee herself – perhaps sensible after the trouble she’s had with her songwriters in previous albums. The single is from her upcoming album, Monochrome. According to her … [Read More]
A look at the 2013 Terracotta Far East Film Festival line-up
Three Korean films including the hit thriller The Berlin File are included in the line-up for this year’s Terracotta Festival. Saharial reviews the schedule. It’s that fantastic time of the year again when the Terracotta Film Festival hits London, and the line up announced last week is really exciting, especially when tied in with the … [Read More]
Years of Radical Change: Korean Screen Culture – a 2-day conference at SOAS, 31 May-1 June
Those who attended the free one-day Korean film seminar in SOAS’s Vernon Square building May last year won’t need persuasion. This year, it has expanded to two days, and is in the main Russell Square building. Free, but advance registration is required. Years of Radical Change: Korean Screen Culture Date: Friday 31 May & Saturday … [Read More]