One of my favourite contemporary Korean artists, Koh Sang-woo, has a great interview up on the Korea Artist Project website. Koh is represented by James Freeman Gallery in the UK. Links: www.kohsangwoo.com www.koreanartistproject.com www.jamesfreemangallery.com [Read More]
Year: 2013 (page 7)
You’ve seen the film, now read the book
The Korean Film Council recently publicised on its website the new “Book to Film” initiative aimed at bringing together the film and the publishing industries. Of course, the practice adapting a book for the big screen is almost as old as the movie industry itself, and some of South Korea’s most successful movies have been … [Read More]
Inside Kim’s Kingdom: John Everard talks to the Anglo-Korean Society
John Everard will be introducing his book Only Beautiful Please to the Anglo-Korean Society on 16 October: Inside Kim’s Kingdom A talk by John Everard Former British Ambassador to North Korea Wednesday 16th October 2013 6.45pm for 7.00pm Korean Cultural Centre Grand Buildings, 1-3 The Strand, London WC2N 5BW (nearest underground stations–Charing Cross & Embankment) … [Read More]
Snowpiercer (설국열차, 2013) review: class revolt, power and survival at the end of the world
Based on the French graphic novel ‘Le Transperceneige’, ‘Snowpiercer’ can equally be viewed as an analogy to and critique of real world oppression; a hero’s journey in classic Monomyth style; or simply a gripping and exciting rollercoaster ride of entertainment. Snowpiercer will leave you both exhilarated and breathless. [Read More]
2013 Korea Brand & Entertainment Expo celebrates the best of contemporary Korea
I’m struggling to keep up with the things which are being packed in to the three-day extravaganza at Old Billingsgate in the City, which accompanies the State Visit of President Park Geun-hye. KOTRA and KOCCA, with support from KIDP and ARKO, are working around the clock to bring a kaleidoscopic expo featuring some of the … [Read More]
Crystallize: New Media Art Lab Korea & UK
Sharing space with the Korea Brand & Entertainment Expo is an interesting media art show featuring British and Korean artists: Crystallize: New Media Art Lab Korea & UK Crystallize is a 3 day laboratory and exposition of international artists situated in the 1,000m² vault space that lies beneath the trade floor of the Korea Brand … [Read More]
Jo Jin-gyu’s Shaman Gangster / Man on the Edge is great entertainment
I know I’ve been somewhat grouchy about a lot of K-film recently, so let me make amends. What could be better than a hilarious but tearjerking shaman gangster almost-semi-gay rom-com. Man on the Edge (aka Shaman Gangster, 박수건달, Dir Jo Jin-gyu, 2013, starring a brilliant Park Sin-yang as a gangster who discovers he is in … [Read More]
Dok Hi Kim: Reflections, at Mokspace
Melbourne-based Dok Hi Kim exhibited some of her oils in New Malden five years ago, and now returns for a solo show at Mokspace. Dok Hi Kim: Reflections 22nd October – 12th November 2013 Opening night: 22nd October 18:00 – 20:00pm MOKSPACE | 33 MUSEUM STREET | LONDON | WC1A 1LH | www.mokspace.com | +44 … [Read More]
DVD Bang launches in London
I’m wondering why no-one has done this before. DVD-Bang The UK’s first South Korean 24hr film rental shop and cinema rooms. From the basements of Seoul’s 24hr neon streets, DVD-Bang presents a new cinema experience to rise out of the London smog of pop-ups and movie theatres in a buzz of electricity. Put together by … [Read More]
The Unforgiven: a fleetingly interesting but ultimately dull debut for Yoon Jong-bin
The Unforgiven represents two hours of my life that I shall never get back. Two hours, but it felt like more. After an hour I was looking at my watch, wondering where the film was headed. And then, like Achilles and the tortoise, the remaining period of the film was divided in two, and at … [Read More]
Gi: some linguistic trivia
Sancheong, 13 September 2013. Browsing the Donguijeon at the Sancheong international Traditional Medicine Fair & Festival, I learned some mildly interesting linguistic trivia about the word gi. First, some words which use the word gi as a component: 기(氣)분 좋다 Feel good 공기(氣)가 좋다 Get fresh air 기(氣)가 산다 Feel energetic 온기(氣)가 있다 Be warm … [Read More]
K-Lit in the Korean wave: a forum at the KCC
In the run-up to the London Book Fair in 2014, at which Korea is the focus country, we can expect more literature-themed events. Earlier this year, we had Krys Lee at Asia House; there are rumours that the London Korean Film Festival this year will have a literature-themed strand; and maybe in preparation for that … [Read More]
The Gangjeong campaign continues: the mayor speaks at SOAS
Following on from the informative documentary screening and thoughtful discussion at SOAS last Friday, the campaign against the Jeju naval base is lucky to secure a visit from the mayor of Gangjeong, to talk about the struggle. If the event has nearly as much impact as last Friday, this will be well worth going to. … [Read More]
John Stark’s shamanistic “Field Work” on show in Milan
John Stark, a British artist based in South Korea, currently has an exhibition in Milan. His paintings are based on his experiences travelling around many of the remote areas of South Korea and exploring the folk culture and landscape – particularly in Yeongyang County, Gyeongsangbuk-do, the site of Ilwol san (“The Haunted Mountain”), which is … [Read More]
Moon Jin-wook in Bearspace group show: Come Dine with Me
Recent Goldsmiths MFA graduate Moon Jin-wook is participating in a group show at BEARSAPCE in Deptford: Come Dine with Me Raf Zawistowski, Daisy Hogan, Jin Wook Moon and Mr. & Mrs. Philip Cath BEARSPACE | 152 Deptford High Street | London SE8 3PQ | www.bearspace.co.uk Opening Hours: Wednesday – Saturday, 10am – 6pm 27 September … [Read More]
Korean jewellers at the 2013 Goldsmiths Fair
The annual Goldsmiths Fair of jewellery and silverware usually has a few young Korean jewellers displaying their latest designs. This year they seemed to be outnumbered by the Japanese, but it was good to see Misun Won return for now her fourth appearance at this prestigious show. Despite the depressing economic times, the livery hall … [Read More]