Visitors to Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square, and anyone with a cursory acquaintance with Korean history, will know of the existence of King Sejong. His statue dominates the broad avenue that leads southwards from Gwanghwamun itself, gazing into the distance towards the other great hero of Joseon history, Admiral Yi Sun-shin. Are the life and achievements of … [Read More]
Month: February 2018
Seung Ae Lee: Becoming, at the KCC
The KCCUK’s second exhibition of the year features Seung Ae Lee. It will be nice to have the time to enjoy her work properly – previous shows of hers at Marlborough Fine Art have never been longer than a week. Seung Ae Lee: Becoming 8 March–7 April 2018 Korean Cultural Centre UK | Grand Buildings … [Read More]
Gyubang: exploring the aesthetic value of Korean handicrafts, at Han Collection
Han Collection’s first exhibition of 2018 looks at the arts and crafts of the boudoir: Gyubang: exploring the aesthetic value of Korean handicrafts 1 March – 5 May 2018 Han Collection | 33 Museum Street | London WC1A 1LH Han Collection invites you to enjoy and explore, this first exhibition to introduce Korean boudoir craft … [Read More]
Luther, Mistresses, Life on Mars get Korean remakes
A small number of BBC TV shows have a keen following in Korea, as can be seen from a Sherlock-themed cafe in Gangnam to the popularity of the Doctor Who world tour in 2014. And it may also be remembered that Luther won Best Mini-Series at Seoul International Drama Awards in 2011. Now Luther is to … [Read More]
March Literature Night: Hwang Sung-won’s Descendants of Cain
March’s literature night at the KCC will feature Hwang Sun-won’s 1954 novel The Descendants of Cain, set in the bitter period between liberation and the start of the Korean War. LKL’s review can be found here. And don’t forget you only have until the end of March to submit your Kim Aeran essay. Korean Literature … [Read More]
BKS late Seollal celebration
Seollal (Korean Lunar New Year) is one of the most celebrated national holidays in Korea. To mark this special occasion, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea is kindly hosting a Seollal celebration for British Korean Society members at the newly refurbished 7th floor of the Embassy. (Note the revised date due to the refurbishment … [Read More]
Neverland: Holland’s ground-breaking K-pop debut in context
Dr Colette Balmain discusses the controversial debut MV from Korea’s “first openly gay” KPOP idol. “Never lose self-esteem and be confident” (Holland, 2018) On 22st January 2018, at exactly midnight KST, Holland released his debut single and MV “Neverland”. Since its release, “Neverland” has racked up over 6 million views on YouTube and Holland has … [Read More]
Japan Society talk: Escaping to North Korea – with Markus Bell
Apologies for the late notice of tomorrow’s talk organised by the Japan Society, which may by now be fully subscribed. The speaker gave a fascinating talk at SOAS on broadly the same subject a few months ago, so I’d have high hopes of this one too. Escaping to North Korea – with Markus Bell 19 … [Read More]
JVNR + Ooberfuse play the Dublin Castle, Camden
JVNR, a Korean electronic pop artist, is playing at the Dublin Castle in Camden on 21 February. Also on the bill are London-based Ooberfuse, who played an Amnesty gig in Seoul last year with the Yoon Band. Those of you who have got hold of a copy of the crowd-funded PyeongChang-themed compilation album Winter Dreams … [Read More]
Korea Through My Queer Eyes: a talk with Heezy Yang
Coming up next week, a very informal talk session with South Korean artist and activist Heezy Yang (a.k.a. Hurricane Kimchi). Korea Through My Queer Eyes 21 February at 19:30–21:00 G3, SOAS The topics will include Seoul Pride, Military Service, Queer Youth, Parents and Family, Night Life, Drag Culture, Art & Entertainment! About Heezy Yang Heezy … [Read More]
Seminar: Yeoju and King Sejong the Great
Late notice of a seminar about the achievements of King Sejong, and about the city of Yeoju. Yeoju has a special association with Sejong – among other things he is buried there. The seminar will be conducted by the vice-mayor of Yeoju at the Korean Cultural Centre UK. Please RSVP under this Facebook post if … [Read More]
Photography exhibition: Gay Men And Pants
Late notice of an exhibition by South Korean artist, performer and LBGT activist Heezy Yang aka Hurricane Kimchi: Gay Men And Pants New Bloomsbury Set | The Basement | 76 Marchmont Street | London WC1N 1AG 15-16 February 2018 Bar opening hours 4pm – 11.30pm “Underwear as medium – taking an intimate look at queer lives in … [Read More]
Juree Kim in Exhibit A, at Anise Gallery
As Juree Kim’s residency at the V+A comes to an end, she shares an exhibition with Kristina Chan at Anise Gallery: Exhibit A: Kristina Chan & Juree Kim Anise Gallery | 13a Shad Thames | London SE1 2PU | www.anisegallery.co.uk 9 March – 7 April | Tuesdays to Saturdays 11am-5pm Opening night Thursday 8 March 6-9pm Anise Gallery … [Read More]
South Korea: Earth’s Hidden Wilderness – BBC2 documentary
To complement their coverage of the winter Olympics, the BBC is screening what looks like an interesting documentary covering things you might not often see in coverage of the peninsula. With plenty of Korean experts advising and behind the camera, this should be well worth a watch. South Korea – Earth’s Hidden Wilderness BBC2, 8:00pm … [Read More]
In memory of Hwang Byung-ki
In memory of the great man, here’s a video interview on Arirang TV uploaded in January 2015: And here he is playing one of his best-known compositions, Chimhyangmoo (침향무 | 沈香舞), performed on the KBS show Gugak Hanmadang. The definitive obituary in English has been written by Jocelyn Clark in the Asia Times. I was … [Read More]
Javier Cha on the uses of digitised historical data
Last night at SOAS there was a choice of two early evening events to start the weekend. I only heard about the appearance of South Korean queer artist and activist Heezy Yang (aka Hurricane Kimchi) two hours before the event, and I had already prepared myself mentally for the Centre of Korean Studies seminar on … [Read More]