Is this Dead Buttons’ third UK trip? Whatever, it’s nice to see them back, at a good venue. K-Rock Showcase Wednesday 25 May 7.30pm The Forge | 3-7 Delancey Street | Camden | London NW1 7NL Tickets: ￡10 | Book tickets: http://www.forgevenue.org From Korea: Dead Buttons | DTSQ | We Are The Night From UK: … [Read More]
Month: April 2016
A way to make sure you never have enough time in Korea
I’ve just discovered a great way to help plan a trip to a particular part of Korea to make sure you get maximum value from your time in the area. Go to the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) website, go to Explore Heritage and then Heritage Search. In the search form, select the Location (province or … [Read More]
Event news: Joo Yeon Sir’s concert diary for May includes a Karl Jenkins premier
Joo Yeon Sir makes her Royal Festival Hall debut with the Palladio Orchestra of London at the invitation of Sir Karl Jenkins, performing his work Lament for the Valley on Friday 6 May 7.30PM. Sir Karl has also kindly composed a new work called Chatterbox! for the Young Artist Residency at St. Johns Smith Square, … [Read More]
Wanted: actors for short film on North Korean refugee in Britain
Having enjoyed In-Sook Chappell’s two stage plays, I’m delighted to hear that she has a short film planned. She is looking for actors, with or without experience or training, to cast. Here’s the brief. Do please volunteer, because I want to see this film! KOCHEBI: A short film written and directed by In-Sook Chappell. It’s … [Read More]
Event news: Jane Portal on art and archaeology in North Korea
News of a lunchtime lecture at the British Museum this coming Friday: Tradition and socialism: art and archaeology in North Korea Jane Portal Friday 29 April 2016, 13.30–14.30 BP Lecture Theatre Free, booking essential | Book Online In this lecture, Jane Portal, British Museum, will discuss the dual influence of Korean tradition and the socialist … [Read More]
Exhibition news: Sacred Art – an international group exhibition at Aberglasney House, Carmarthen
A reason to explore Carmarthenshire over the Mayday bank holiday weekend: curated by May Kim (whom many may remember from her time as curator at Mokspace) and co-curated by Nick Taylor, this exhibition features a number of Korean artists and performers: Bupjeon Sunim | Chae Hee Jung | Chang Sook Lee | Jeon Je-woo | … [Read More]
Event news: B.A.P tour comes to London
Fans will have booked their tickets and pre-ordered their merchandise weeks ago, but for the record: B.A.P Live On Earth 2016 World Tour — London Awake!! Date: 13th May (FRI) 8:00 PM Venue: The Coronet Theatre | 28 New Kent Road | London SE1 6TJ | coronettheatre.co.uk Tickets: www.ticketmaster.co.uk Ticket prices: £69 / 99 / … [Read More]
Event news: The Wind is Blowing + Jeju’s Aching Heart, at Deptford Cinema
Two Jeju-related films coming up at the Deptford Cinema: Gureombi: The Wind is Blowing + Jeju’s Aching Heart Deptford Cinema | 39 Deptford Broadway | London SE8 4PQ | deptfordcinema.org Sunday, April 30, 2016, 4:00pm Two documentary films covering the remarkable peace movement on Jeju Island, South Korea. Villagers and activists have fought daily for … [Read More]
Event news: an evening with Korean authors Han Yujoo and Cheon Myeong-kwan
Cheon Myeong-Kwan and Han Yujoo are being made to work hard during their visit to London in support of the special Korea issue of the Asia Literary Review. Asia House on 10 May (with Deborah Smith), SOAS on 12 May (again with Deborah Smith), and KCC on 13 May (with Kelly Falconer): Korean Literature Night: … [Read More]
Shine Artists open in Chelsea
Shine Artists, who have hitherto been based in Albemarle Gallery off Piccadilly, have just opened up in the Sloane Square area. Their first exhibition features many of their house artists. From Korea: Hwang Seontae | Im Changwook | Jeong Woojae | Kim Chansong | Lee Jeonglok | Lee Jungwoong | Mari Kim | Lee Jaehyo … [Read More]
Younee releases second solo album
Those of you looking for interesting piano music should seek out Younee’s second solo release. She came to London back in 2009 with the launch of the album True to You (reviewed here) which showcased her talents as a singer-songwriter, and she entertained live and radio audiences with the many different facets of her musical … [Read More]
Lee Joon-ik’s The Throne: a familiar tale made a believable tragedy
The first of the KCCUK’s “Teaser Screenings” for the London Korean Film Festival 2016 took place on Monday in the presence of Director Lee Joon-ik and the recently-arrived Korean ambassador. The chosen film was The Throne (사도) – a movie which was #5 in the 2015 Korean box office and deals with an incident in … [Read More]
Last Thursday’s screening at the KCC – Sunny – was an unexpected delight
Unexpectedly, I really enjoyed Kang Hyeong-cheol’s Sunny at the KCC this week. I shan’t bore you with the details – Paul Quinn has articulated it on Hangul Celluloid much better than I could. Based on the trailers I had been kind of expecting a bit of an offbeat teen comedy. When it featured in the … [Read More]
Event news: “Cruel State” documentary screening and 2nd anniversary Sewol Silent Protest
As we reach the second anniversary of the Sewol sinking, two special events are planned in London. First, the monthly Sewol Stay Put silent protest will be in Trafalgar Square on 16 April in front of the National Gallery, 2pm – 4pm. Later that afternoon will be a free screening of Cruel State (나쁜나라) at … [Read More]
Event news: Sunny and Barking Dogs are April’s KCC screenings
The KCCUK’s series of screenings featuring different aspects of Korean humour continues this month with Sunny and probably my favourite Bong Joon-ho movie. Will we come face to face with the mysterious Boiler Kim? The screening on 14 April will include an introductory talk by Jinhee Choi, starting at 7pm. Note also the additional screenings … [Read More]
Tony’s Reading List plugs Bae Suah
There’s a great article in support of Bae Suah’s Nowhere to be Found (tr Sora Kim-Russell) on Three Percent, by Tony of Tony’s Reading List fame. A year ago he did a review of Nowhere to be Found along with Highway with Green Apples. And in his Three Percent article he passes on this bit of … [Read More]