Theatre for All’s ambitious project, the Korean Information Centre (KIC), has been set up to help the Korean community by increasing access to information and to promote integration. Aim: To build a healthier and happier Korean community by transcending cultural barriers. Objectives: To integrate with the local community To increase access to information To empower … [Read More]
Month: January 2015
Shin Meekyoung and T.O.P receive Prudential Eye awards
London-based South Korean artist Shin Meekyoung won the 2015 Prudential Eye Award in the sculpture category, at a cemerony held in Singapore on 20 January this year. The Prudential Eye Awards were launched in 2014 by the Prudential Eye Programme, a partnership between Parallel Contemporary Art, Saatchi Gallery and Prudential – the collaboration which also … [Read More]
Life in the Dolphin Pool – an illustrated talk on North Korea at SOAS
Last year, the British Council held an exhibition of photographs of North Korea, a body of work that was the output of a long-planned collaboration with the DPRK authorities. LKL reviewed the exhibition here. If you had gone to the exhibition on a Friday lunchtime, you might have had a guided tour of the works … [Read More]
Theatre on video: a screening of Oh Tae-seok’s The Life Cord
Oh Tae-seok’s plays are always worth watching, and coming up this month is a screening of a live performance by the National Drama Company of Korea. The play covers a troubled period of Joseon dynasty history: the struggles for the throne in the years following the death of King Sejong. The story of the deposed … [Read More]
Style Sharing – International Fashion Showcase at the KCC
The KCCUK maintains its recent form of linking up with London Fashion Week (20-24 February 2015). As in previous years, its first new show of the year features Korean fashion designers in London: Style Sharing International Fashion Showcase 16 Feb, 2015 – 4 April, 2015 Preview: 18.30~20.30, 16 Feb, 2015 RSVP: [email protected] The Exhibition explores … [Read More]
The BKS Diners celebrate Seollal
The first 2015 get-together of the British Korean Society diners is on 18 February to celebrate the lunar new year: Celebrating Seollal: The Korean Lunar New Year Wednesday 18 February 2015, 7.00pm Kalbi Korean Restaurant, 36, Rosebery Avenue, London EC1R 5HP (Nearest Underground stations are Chancery Lane & Farringdon; Bus Routes, 19, 38 & 341) … [Read More]
Juvenile Offender (범죄소년, 2012) review: gritty social commentary meets romantic melodrama
‘Juvenile Offender’ is both a depiction of disaffected youth focused on those who for one reason or another find themselves on the very edge of ‘normal’ society; and also an almost archetypal romantic melodrama narrative. As such, it is ultimately as warm, caring, affectionate and affecting as it is gritty, hard-hitting and socially aware. [Read More]
Shin Meekyoung: Painting Series — at HADA Contemporary
Much of Shin Meekyoung’s newest work last year was presented outside of London rather than in the capital. So it’s good that she’s got a solo show at HADA Contemporary in February and March this year, her first for that gallery. Shin Meekyoung: Painting Series 5 February – 15 April 2015 HADA Contemporary | 21 Vyner … [Read More]
Let’s Dance (자, 이제 댄스타임, 2013) review: examining South Korea’s abortion debate
Let’s Dance combines historical information, footage from legal proceeding, real life first-person interviews and acted content to provide an insightful documentary on the ongoing debate relating to the legality of, and attitudes to, abortion in South Korea. The poignant and often traumatic individual stories of the female interviewees will stay with you. [Read More]
Miss Granny (수상한 그녀, 2014) review: youth reclaimed, manners forgotten
While ‘Miss Granny’ is light-hearted entertainment at its core, it nonetheless contains aspects inherent to classic Korean comedies over the years and elements that speak of a number of hugely influential films; all adding up to an intelligently written, genuinely funny film that stands as an example of quality Korean comedy at its very best. [Read More]
Festival film review: Manshin – Ten Thousand Spirits
What is it that makes Park Chan-kyong’s biopic of Korea’s national shaman so compelling on so many levels? Right from the start, the narrative grips you. We meet Kim Geum-hwa, the subject of the movie, praying for the success of the film. She also prays for the health of the film crew, and asks the … [Read More]
Im Kwon Taek’s Festival is the next screening at the KCC
The KCC has announced the next of its free screenings: Festival (축제) Director: Im Kwon Taek (1996) Screening Date: 29 January 2015, 7pm at the KCCUK Running Time: 108 Book via KCCUK website This film is based on the novel of the same title by Lee Cheong-jun. It has an intriguing structure, moving between the … [Read More]
Out of the Ordinary – an exhibition of award winning architectural designs
An interesting exhibition coming up at The CASS. The show’s curator is Hyungmin Pai, who co-curated Korea’s Golden Lion winning national pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale last year. Out of the Ordinary Award-winning Works by Young Korean Architects 6th-28th February 2015 The Cass Bank Gallery | Central House | 59-63 Whitechapel High Street | … [Read More]
LSE lecture: Is the multicultural state a doomed project in South Korea?
The cynics will say that multiculturalism in South Korea consists of teaching foreigners how to make kimchi. The upcoming talk at SOAS will examine the matter in a bit more depth. Constructing the Multicultural States in South Korea & Japan: Chimera or Reality LSESU Korean Society Annual Lecture Series 31 January 2015, 14:00–16:00 Room 7.02, … [Read More]
Korean Chamber Orchestra brings John Malkevitch to the South Bank
A rare visit from the Korean Chamber Orchestra, which is celebrating its half century with an interesting programme at the Queen Elizabeth Hall. Korean Chamber Orchestra – 50th Anniversary Queen Elizabeth Hall, 23 February 2015, 7:30pm £28 £21 £15 £10 Official page on South Bank Centre website Book Tickets Programme Edward Elgar: Introduction and Allegro … [Read More]
Dance Beyond Borders: a seminar to follow the performance at Trinity Laban
Next Wednesday the dance company from the Korea National University of the Arts are performing a triple bill at the Trinity Laban Theatre. Global Korean Wave Symposium: Dance Beyond Borders The performance will be followed by a symposium, Dance Beyond Borders, hosted by KCCUK and chaired by Mirella Bartrip, Director of Dance at Trinity Laban … [Read More]