This hard-hitting independent drama focusing on poverty, disability and desire is wholly in keeping with director Lee Sang-woo’s previous work. But ‘Dirty Romance’ also has moments of warmth, of understated humour and even of beauty to add layers and further levels to this already accomplished, thought provoking and important film. [Read More]
Year: 2016 (page 20)
LKL at 10 years: a decade in statistics
In the early years of this website, I was rather obsessed with readership statistics. It was gratifying to see the readership grow, and it was informative to see what it was they were visiting the site for. After a while, I found that nothing much was changing. And I realised that if I were to … [Read More]
Event news: Live Statue protest in support of “Comfort Women”
Timed to be close to International Women’s Day, there will be a “live statue” protest outside Tate Modern this Saturday, promoted by Justice for Comfort Women UK. Here is there official press release. Justice for ‘Comfort Women’ UK ‘Live Statue’ event in London Saturday 5 March 2016 12:00 – 16:00 Outside Tate Modern To publicise … [Read More]
Alice in Earnestland (성실한나라의 앨리스, 2015) review: a fractured mind and a failing system
Director Ahn Gook-jin’s debut feature, ‘Alice in Earnestland’, has polarised audiences since its release – you’ll either love it or absolutely hate it – but those who can indulge themselves in Soo-nam’s surreally comic horror story will be rewarded with inventive set pieces bringing thoughts of numerous classic Korean films to mind. [Read More]
Event news: an evening with 3 North Korean exiles
A useful preparation for the all-day conference on the UN Commission of Inquiry’s report on human rights in the DPRK. Booking required via Eventbrite. Exposing North Korea’s Human Rights Abuse: An Evening with 3 Exiles 10 March 2016, 19:00–21:00 Location: MEET 116 | SOAS | Thornhaugh Street | Russell Square | London WC1H 0XG Hosted … [Read More]
March events 2016
Here are the events for March. Let me know what I’ve missed. Exhibitions Two Seeds of Early Spring, by two students at the Royal College of Art, is at the RCA 1 – 5 March. The KCC’s Print Matters fashion exhibition lasts until 11 March. A one-off fashion showcase will be held at the KCC … [Read More]
LKL at 10 years: what has changed?
London Korean Links went online 10 years ago, on 1 March 2006. What has changed over that time, and how might things change over the next 10 years? For a start, there’s more of everything. More people following Korean culture in London, more events to follow. When London Korean Links started, it was a reasonable … [Read More]
Event news: two screenings featuring Lee Mi-sook in March
The KCCUK’s season of films illustrating different aspects of Korean humour continues with two films starring Lee Mi-sook. A nice 10th birthday present. Lee Mi-sook month The Actresses South Korea, 2009 Director: E J-yong Cast: Yoon Yeo-jeong, Lee Mi-sook, Ko Hyun-jeong, Choi Ji-woo, Kim Min-hee 104 mins | Cert. 12 | Eng Subs 17 March, … [Read More]
LKL at 10 years: the frequently asked questions
LKL has been online for 10 years, and during that period I have been asked the same questions a number of times. Here are many of those questions, and the answers. Jeon Sung-min of the Euro Journal asked many of them back in 2008, and the answers haven’t changed much since then, but there are … [Read More]
Event news: A feast of Traditional Korean Dance
Notice of a dance performance coming to the KCCUK in March: Globalisation of Traditional Korea Culture 2016 Feast of Traditional Korean Dance Date/Time: Tuesday 22 March, 7pm Venue: Multi-Purpose Hall, Korean Cultural Centre Performers: Seojung Dance Running Time: 70 mins Free Admission but booking is essential. RSVP to [email protected] or 020 7004 2600 The Korean … [Read More]
Exhibition news: Two Seeds of Early Spring, at the RCA
News of a brief exhibition at the RCA: Two Seeds of Early Spring 1 March – 5 March 1 March at 18:00 to 5 March at 18:00 Royal College of Art | Hockney Gallery (Stevens Building) | Kensington Gore | London SW7 2EU Two Seeds of Early Spring showcases recent productions by artists Jinhee Park … [Read More]
Conference news: The Commission of Inquiry — What Next?
News of a one-day conference organised by European Alliance for Human Rights in North Korea: The Commission of Inquiry: What Next? Venue: Ascham Room, Bloomsbury House, 2 – 3 Bloomsbury Square, London, WC1A 2RL Date: Friday, March 11, 2016 Time: 9am – 5pm Lunch will be provided. Attendance is free. To register, email the address … [Read More]
Event news: ARTTALK — What is Dansaekhwa?
At the moment I’m struggling with Park Seo-Bo’s big solo show at the White Cube, so I’m hoping that this talk might help me approach it with greater understanding. ARTTALK: Contemporary Korean Art Today What is Dansaekhwa? The Korean Monochrome Movement and Park Seo-Bo Thursday 3 March 2016, 6:30pm Korean Cultural Centre UK | Grand … [Read More]
BIFF controversy inching towards resolution? Probably not
With the news that the Busan Mayor Suh Byung-soo has stepped down from the position as figurehead of BIFF, perhaps the controversy over the festival is getting towards some form of resolution. The wonder, as most have pointed out, is how the controversy managed to arise in the first place. Tony Rayns marvels at the … [Read More]
Exhibition visit: Yiyun Kang’s Casting, at the V+A
Yiyun Kang’s Casting installation, in which she projects lighting effects with pinpoint accuracy onto the complex 3-dimensional surfaces of Roman and medieval sculptures, is a slightly eerie and a very special experience. The technique, known called projection-mapping, requires painstaking measurements of the target surface to be taken, to ensure that the projection is not distorted by … [Read More]
Young Koreans feature prominently in this year’s Menuhin Competition
Koreans pianists have featured prominently in recent international music competitions, such as the Leeds, Chopin and Busoni. Now is the chance for the violinists to shine. Dubbed ‘the Olympics of the Violin’, the Menuhin Competition is the world’s leading competition for young violinists, held every two years in a different world city (most recently Austin, … [Read More]