“What a strange thing,” you may think, “to do a spot of volountary service when you are on holiday.” But that’s exactly what four Korean travellers did this weekend in response to Kim Minho’s Korean online request for volunteers to help with the hospital garden. Kim Moon-sun came to learn English in London ten years … [Read More]
Month: November 2015
Exhibition news: Hyun Jeung — Beauté anonyme, at Mokspace
Hyun Jeung is back at Mokspace for her 4th exhibition. Do pay it a visit. Her prints are really lovely. Beauté anonyme Hyun Jeung solo exhibition Mokspace | 33 Museum Street | London WC1A 1LH | www.mokspace.com 4 – 26 December 2015 For her 4th exhibition at Moksapce, Hyun Jeung’s multi-layered approach to printmaking reveals … [Read More]
Book Review: Ahn Do-hyun — The Salmon Who Dared to Leap Higher
Ahn Do-hyun: The Salmon Who Dared to Leap Higher Panmacmillan 2015, 122pp Translated by Deborah Smith Originally published as 연어, Munhakdongne, 1996. Ahn Do-hyun is a bestselling poet and this is his first novel to be translated into English. The English title for this translation is an interesting one – clearly echoing the English title … [Read More]
Another Korean Chopin expert…
All eyes are currently on Cho Seong-jin, winner of this year’s Chopin competition. But while we wait for the reviews of his debut Deutsche Grammophon release, let’s not forget other Korean pianists with an affinity for Chopin. In this months’s Grammophone one of the Editor’s Choices is a disk of Chopin preludes by Lim Dong-hyek: … [Read More]
Exhibition news: Christine Sun Kim — Rustle Tustle, at Carroll / Fletcher
News of a London exhibition by Christine Sun Kim, born in California to Korean parents and now based in New York and Berlin. Christine Sun Kim: Rustle Tustle CARROLL / FLETCHER 56 – 57 Eastcastle St | London W1W 8EQ | 020 7323 6111 | www.carrollfletcher.com 27 November 2015 – 30 January 2016 Private View: … [Read More]
Book review: Han Kang — The Vegetarian
Han Kang: The Vegetarian Translated by Deborah Smith Portobello Books, 2015, 183pp Originally published as 채식주의자, Seoul 2007 Sometimes, reading translated Korean literature can be a bit of a private affair. You read it, you maybe enjoy it and appreciate it, but you think twice about recommending it to a non Koreaphile; or if you … [Read More]
Event news: EBRD hosts a Korean traditional music concert
A nice way for City folks to round off your day in the office, if you are able to get away from your desks promptly. Registration is required via the EBRD website. Concert of traditional Korean music (EBRD Asian Network) EBRD | One Exchange Square | London EC2A 2JN Tuesday 8 December, 5:15 for 6pm … [Read More]
BBC North Korea service takes a step closer
A couple of years ago a campaign started for a BBC Korea service. At the time my attitude was one of polite and disengaged interest, taking the view that South Koreans probably wouldn’t be particularly interested, and North Koreans wouldn’t be able to tune in, so the impact of a new service would be limited. … [Read More]
Festival Film Review: Lee Kwang-guk focus
If I had seen no other films at the 2015 London Korean Film Festival, the evenings of films by Lee Kwang-guk would have made the whole festival worthwhile. The first evening featured his second film, the short Hard to Say (2013), along with his debut feature Romance Joe (2012), while the second evening followed up … [Read More]
Event news: TV Drama screening and Panel discussion
The last of this year’s TV drama pilot episode screenings also includes a panel discussion: TV Drama screening and Panel After months of preparation, we will finally have our panel talk, at our 10th London Korean Drama Screening. PANEL TALK 18:30-19:30 Moderator: Georgia Brown: SVP Scripted at FremantleMedia. Panelists: Marc Lorber, Intl CoProduction & Formats … [Read More]
Festival Film Review: Chung Chang-wha focus
Each year the LKFF includes a few golden oldies among its line-up of the latest commercial and art house offerings. This year the festival gave us the opportunity to get to know three films by veteran director Chung Chang-wha, made before he was scouted by Shaw Brothers in 1969. The earliest film to be screened … [Read More]
Festival film review: Zhang Lu’s Love And…
Two years ago the revered Korean film critic Tony Rayns asked Moon Sori an awkward question. The question was followed by a sharp intake of breath from the audience who couldn’t believe what they had just heard, and by a few false starts at a response by Ms Moon before she answered fluently. At the final … [Read More]
Event news: Fashion Korea Pop-up Store
Your chance to pick up some Korean fashion at bargain prices. A few familiar names here from the London Fashion Week catwalks. Fashion Korea Pop-Up Store / Showcase Date : 20th Nov – 25th Nov 2015 Location : 22 Calvert Avenue | London E2 7JP | calvert22.org | [Map] Opening hours: 11:00 AM – 17:00 … [Read More]
Event news: Prof Keith Howard lecture and book launch
SOAS’s Professor Keith Howard is launching two books next week at one of the regular free Friday evening seminars. There will be refreshments and the opportunity to buy the books at half the normal price. Sounding Korea Professor Keith Howard (SOAS, University of London) Friday 27 November, 17:15 – 19:00 B102, Brunei Gallery, SOAS, University … [Read More]
Event news: Discover Korea lecture series
Similar to this time last year, the South Korean embassy is sponsoring a series of informative introductory lectors on culture, education, science and economy. While admission is free, booking is required. To reserve your place, email [email protected] with the title of the talk you would like to attend, guest names and numbers. A Korean buffet … [Read More]
Festival Film Review: Socialphobia
Socialphobia, a debut film from Hong Seok-jae, was one of the fifteen sold-out screenings at this year’s LKFF. For an indie film, it had a strong reception at the Korean box office, aided in part by the actor Byun Yo-han who played in the hit TV drama Misaeng, but also because of its contemporary theme: … [Read More]