Kim Young-ha’s TED talk on Be an Artist, Right Now!, recorded in July 2010, but only recently uploaded to YouTube. Among other things, Kim speculates on what would have happened if Kafka had shown the first sentence of his Metamorphosis to his father: Had he shown his father, “My boy has finally lost it,” he … [Read More]
Year: 2013 (page 30)
RIP Park Chul-soo
So sad that Park Chul-soo, director of 301, 302 and Green Chair, has died aged 64. His most recent film, B.E.D, premiered at the Busan festival last year. Park, born 20 November 1948, was run over by a drunk driver in the early hours of 19 February as he was walking home from the set … [Read More]
A Company Man (회사원, 2012) review: of hierarchies and hitmen
Superbly choreographed, perfectly realised action/fight sequences ultimately cannot hide A Company Man’s narrative predictability and though director Lim Sang-yoon should indeed for credited for attempting a critique of company hierarchy, work ethics and expected loyalty, this dissection feels somewhat underwhelming. [Read More]
What the British Say… and what they mean
This has been doing the rounds on the internet for a while, but deservedly: a very accurate dissection of the differences between what the British say, what they actually mean and what the non-native-English-speaker, or indeed anyone not British, might understand. Although the table suggests it relates to the British, it’s probably most accurate of … [Read More]
A day to shake off the last few weeks… a visit to Soon Yul Kang’s Spiritual Journey
Today was a day to unwind, to shake off the last few weeks of chaos and work….and be me. To spend time with myself and just be. Stop doing and just be. And so it was that I decided to visit the galleries, first the Tate Modern, then Tate Britain and then finally the British … [Read More]
Happy 150th Birthday, James Scarth Gale
James Scarth Gale – missionary, translator, and one of the founders of the Royal Asiatic Society Korea Branch – was born 150 years ago on 19 February 1863. His birthday has been marked by an upgraded Wikipedia page, a special page with photos on Brother Anthony’s site, and a memorial service at Yeondong Church (which … [Read More]
QPR launches new Twitter account for their Korean fans
Queens Park Rangers has just launched a Korean-language Twitter account targeted at Korean fans, now that it has two high-profile Korean players. Park Ji-sung and Yun Suk-Young gave fans a welcome message on the club’s YouTube channel: The Twitter feed launched on Saturday, and 48 hours later it already has 1,700 followers. “The new @OfficialQPR_KR … [Read More]
Saharial’s Entertainment Weekly: Aegyo perfection from Two X, B.A.P’s bank-busting MV, and more
Two X (투엑스, J. Tune Camp, part of JYP Entertainment), a five-member girl group who made their debut last August, have released their second single “Ring Ma Bell” (http://youtu.be/wKp0EdDEl3k). Produced by Rado, the track is an electronic dance song, and the MV differs from their first release “Double Up” (http://youtu.be/zM3KEOzGw6M) and should contain a warning … [Read More]
A fine bibimbap in Bethnal Green
If you’re in the Bethnal Green area, check out Hurwundeki (허운데기), an interesting combination of hairdresser, boutique and cafe right next door to Cambridge Heath Station (298-299 Cambridge Heath Road, E2 9HA). Korean owned, the cafe is a pleasant, casual eaterie which does good coffee and a fine bibimbap among other things. Convenient for when … [Read More]
A victory for common sense? Asiana air hostesses can now wear red nail varnish
Before a recent ruling by the National Human Rights Commission of Korea, the Asiana dress code detailed, among other things, “the size and substance of earrings, length of skirts, color of hair and type of eye makeup the female [cabin crew] can wear. Their dress code is more than 10 pages long, while their male … [Read More]
Concert notes: Bach and the Battle of the Red Cliffs — the KCC’s 5th birthday concert at the Cadogan Hall
It is difficult to know what to make of a programme which was so obviously in two parts, and potentially likely to appeal to two completely different audiences. There will have been many who, in advance of the KCCUK’s fifth birthday concert, would have thought: “maybe I’ll just turn up for the second half”, or … [Read More]
SOAS Seminar: The body, territory and national identity in “stories about Kubo”
Notice of the SOAS seminar on 22 February 2013: The body, territory and national identity in “stories about Kubo” by Pak T’ae-wǒn, Ch’oe In-hun and Chu In-sǒk Justyna Najbar (Warsaw University) Date: 22 February 2013, 5:15pm Venue: Russell Square Room G50 Abstract The Korean literary tradition of “stories about Kubo” (Kubo-hyǒng sosǒl) started in 1934, … [Read More]
Lee Young-ae returns in NYT ad
Yes, it’s nice to see Lee Young-ae back. But why do the people who put full page Dokdo ads in the American press feel the need also to promote Korean food in similar fashion? Aren’t Michelle Obama and Gwyneth Paltrow doing that for free? Still, I can’t think of a better spokesmodel for hansik than … [Read More]
Art13: New international art fair at Olympia
Art13 at Olympia Grand Hall, 28 February – 3 March, is a new international art fair that debuts in London this year. It will have six commercial galleries from Korea, plus galleries from other countries including the UK who represent Korean artists. 28 Feb is the preview day, and the fair opens to the public … [Read More]
Teen Top ends European tour with earsplitting record
So glad I didn’t make it to Teen Top’s Paris gig last week. “The organizers said that the group’s show generated the loudest decibel and vibrations at the venue to date,” according to the Joongang Daily. “The crowd’s singing and dancing were thought to be the cause.” [Read More]
Inspired by Nature – The Traditional Cosmetics of Korea
An interesting exhibition coming up at the KCC: Inspired by Nature – The Traditional Cosmetics of Korea February 19, 2013 ~ April 6, 2013 The Korean Cultural Centre UK and the Coreana Cosmetics Museum present Inspired by Nature, The Traditional Cosmetics of Korea, a compelling exhibition that brings traditional korean makeup tools and accessories each … [Read More]