London Korean Links

Covering things Korean in London and beyond since 2006

Korean-focused galleries at Art 15

The third iteration of Art Fairs London is upon us, and while there are fewer of the big name galleries from Seoul coming this year there are still plenty of Korean artists who are new to London. A quick look at the art fair’s website indicates the following artists and galleries, and I’m sure there … [Read More]

Beer-bottle VC donates medal to Korea

Two articles this week report how Bill Speakman VC, who was on a veterans’ trip to Korea, has decided to donate his Victoria Cross to South Korea. He also wants his ashes to be scattered in the DMZ when he dies. Sadly, the medal being donated is a replica: “he sold the original to a … [Read More]

Royal Ballet dancer featured in Chosun Ilbo

There’s a nice feature on Choe Yu-hui, a soloist with the Royal Ballet, in the Chosun Ilbo. Born in Fukuoka, Japan, to a Korean family, Choe grew up in a pro-North Korean environment. Only 12 years ago did she change her nationality from North to South Korea. (Via Adam Cathcart) Links: From Korean Outsider in … [Read More]

I rather think I agree

Have a read of Charles Montgomery’s post What a Terrible Idea! ㅡ Merging the Publication Industry Promotion Agency of Korea and the Literature Translation Institute of Korea, and a similar article by Korea Herald editorial writer Kim Hooran Market principle, culture don’t mix. Links: LTI Korea | KPIPA [Read More]

A Korean Cultural Festival at Durham’s Oriental Museum

Advance notice of a two-week festival of events for all ages, based around Buddha’s birthday. Note that the programme is currently provisional, and will be confirmed on the museum’s website shortly. Korean Cultural Festival Oriental Museum | Elvet Hill | Durham DH1 3TH | www.dur.ac.uk/oriental.museum The Korean festival will run from 18th – 31st May … [Read More]

Alcohol advert ban for young celebrities?

The BBC picked up on a story in the Chosun Ilbo that celebs under 25 could be banned from leading teenagers astray by advertising booze. A bill proposing the clamp-down was passed by the National Assembly’s committee on health and welfare on 23 April. Reportedly prompted by Kim Yu-na’s Hite advertisements in 2012 (when she … [Read More]

May’s K-drama pilot screenings

Here are the two pilots that will be screening on 7 May at 7pm in the KCC, in a collaboration with the London Korean Drama Club. As usual, registration is required via [email protected] Piocchio (피노키오) First Broadcast: SBS (20U – 2015), 20 episodes Produced By: iHQ Cast: Jong-suk Lee, Shin-hye Park, Young-kwang Kim, Yu-bi Lee … [Read More]

I think I just don’t get Park Kyung-ni

Having failed to make much headway with Park Kyung-ni’s T’oji / Land, I thought I might give her Curse of Kim’s Daughters a try, in preparation for a re-watch of Yu Hyun-mok’s film adaptation of the novel. I didn’t particularly enjoy the movie the first time I saw it. But then, so far I haven’t … [Read More]

Bedrooms of the Remembered

Photographer Kim Hong-Ji has put together a moving portfolio of pictures in memory of the Sewol victims. He has been in touch with relatives of some of the students, visiting their homes and taking pictures of the bedrooms of those who died in the disaster. Available on the BBC and Reuters websites. [Read More]

A timely arrival for the 2015 London Book Fair

Last year there were a couple of translations of Korean novels whose publication was timed to coincide with the London Book Fair. This year, despite Korea no longer being the focus country, the habit seems to be continuing. Bae Suah’s Nowhere to be Found, translated by Sora Kim-Russell, arrived on my doormat today, day 2 … [Read More]

A Conversation with Hwang Sok-yong, at Asia House

This year the Asia House Bagri Foundation Literature Festival gives us a Korean heavyweight. Hwang Sok-yong will be coming to talk about his recently translated novel, Princess Bari. Read LKL’s interview with the book’s translator, Sora Kim-Russell, here. UPDATE: Asia House has kindly offered LKL readers a discount of £2 off the ticket price. Simply enter the … [Read More]

Korean ceramic artists at Ceramic Art London 2015

The Craft Potters Association is holding Ceramic Arts London 2015 at the Royal College of Art from Friday 17 – Sunday 19 April 2015. Ceramic Art London 2015 provides a unique showcase for contemporary studio ceramics featuring work from leading national and international makers. There are six Korean ceramists exhibiting their work, and there will … [Read More]