Overall, Svaha is an often nicely creepy horror/thriller which successfully raises intelligent, thought-provoking questions about religion as a whole. However, the hugely expositional nature of so much of the narrative doesn’t particularly do the film any favours even if it doesn’t prevent it from being enjoyable and entertaining as a whole… [Read More]
Year: 2019 (page 20)
Brief review: Samuel Hawley — The Imjin War
Samuel Hawley: The Imjin War – Japan’s Sixteenth-Century Invasion of Korea and Attempt to Conquer China 2nd Edition, Conquistador Press 2014 Originally published by Royal Asiatic Society Korea Branch, Seoul, 2005 How is it that a 664 page book only merits a brief review? Well, because as an historical book a proper review should only … [Read More]
Hyelim Kim in Oxford Taegŭm Recital
Ethnomusicologist and performer Hyelim Kim will perform a taegŭm (Korean flute) recital, accompanied by Cholong Sung on the kayagŭm (Korean zither). The taegŭm is a Korean traditional bamboo flute, which has been played in Korean court and folk cultures as well as a wide range of contemporary setting. Kim will show the tradition and modernity … [Read More]
Default (국가부도의날, 2018) review: humanising the IMF crisis
Based on Korea’s economic near-implosion in the late 90s during the East Asian financial crisis, Default deftly uses specific character perspectives to make what is in essence a tale of national finance feel wholly personal and utterly gripping in a human sense as well as historically interesting, as a result. [Read More]
Book review: Kim Young-ha – Diary of a Murderer
Kim Young-ha: Diary of a Murderer and other stories Translated by Krys Lee Mariner Books, 2019, 200pp Originally published as 살인자의 기억법, Munhakdongne, 2013 Somewhat rashly, I approach Kim Young-ha’s novels with a keen sense of anticipation, particularly when translated by Krys Lee. Rashly, because with high expectations you usually set yourself up for a … [Read More]
2019 Travel Diary #4: Seosan – Haemi Eupseong and Gaesimsa
Sunday 5 May 2019. My leisurely weekend in Taean was coming to an end, but Chris and Eunok are always generous enough to take me the scenic route to Cheonan Asan station before I catch the KTX down south. We had a relatively early start to the day: we wanted plenty of time to get … [Read More]
2019 Travel Diary #3: Anmyeondo
Having enjoyed the peace of Mallipo and Chollipo beaches and the rich rewards of Chollipo arboretum on previous visits to Taean-gun, for LKL’s third visit to the county it was time to explore the coastline elsewhere. This time, we were to venture into Anmyeondo, Korea’s 6th-largest island, where the attractions include a recreational forest and … [Read More]
Jambinai play The Garage, Highbury Corner
After their 2018 Meltdown performance, Jambinai return to London this summer headlining The Garage on 6 June. Jambinai Thursday 6 June 2019, from 7pm – 10pm The Garage | 20-22 Highbury Corner | London N5 1RD | thegarage.london Tickets £17 + fees | Buy tickets Creating some of the most innovative sounds in East Asia’s … [Read More]
2019 Travel Diary #2: The Taean Tulip Festival
Every county has its hallmark festival. Taean’s is the Tulip Festival, located in Korea Flower Park just at the back of Ggotji beach on Anmyeondo. It has been an annual event since 2012, and as I write this in April 2020 I’m glad to see that it has survived the Covid-19 lockdown. What more is … [Read More]
K-dance 2019: Triple Bill: Choi X Kang Project / Goblin Party / Noname Sosu
The final evening in the 2019 Festival of Korean Dance brings a chance to see three performances from three diverse and innovative companies. Triple Bill: Choi X Kang Project / Goblin Party / Noname Sosu Friday 7 June 2019, 7:30pm | Buy tickets The Place | 17 Duke’s Road | London WC1H 9PY Age Recommendation: 15yrs+ Please note: This … [Read More]
2019 Travel Diary #1: Seoul
This year I decided to ease myself into the Korea trip gently: an evening plus a half-day in Seoul before heading off to visit friends elsewhere on the peninsula. I didn’t know how much energy I’d have when I landed, but had made tentative arrangements to meet up with London-based artist Bongsu Park, possibly with … [Read More]
2018 travel diary 4 – Gayasa and the tomb of Namyeon-gun
Yesan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, 11 November 2018. In the first half of the 19th century, although the Yi family was on the throne, much of the power in the land was actually wielded by the Andong Kim family who had intermarried with the royal family. One member of the royal family, Yi Ha-eung, resorted to rather unusual … [Read More]
The 2019 LKL Korea trip – an introduction
Over the years, the reasons for my annual trips to Korea have changed. Originally I managed to tack a visit onto the back end of a business trip to Hong Kong and so the timing of my trips were determined by my job (which, as it happens, has nothing to do with Korea). But at … [Read More]
K-dance 2019: Double Bill – Art Project BORA
The second performance in the 2019 Festival of Korean Dance: Double Bill: Art Project BORA – Somoo / A Long Talk To Oneself Tuesday 4 June 2019, 7:30pm | Buy tickets The Place | 17 Duke’s Road | London WC1H 9PY A dynamic double bill from interdisciplinary contemporary dance company Art Project BORA. Somoo Named … [Read More]
Book launch: Korea’s Premier Collection of Classical Literature
A book launch to mark the publication of the first English-language study of Korea’s most important literary collection: Korea’s Premier Collection of Classical Literature: Selections from Sŏ Kŏjŏng’s Tongmunsŏn translated, annotated, and with an introduction by Dr. Xin Wei and Dr. James B. Lewis Where: Haldane Room, Wolfson College, Linton Road, Oxford (tel: +44 (0) 1865 274 … [Read More]
Screening: Daily Bread + 50 Years of Silence
Two films on the subject of a Dutch “Comfort Woman”. Daily Bread + 50 Years of Silence Arapina | 8 Little Thames Walk | London SE8 3FB 6pm, Wednesday 1 May 2019 Daily Bread Director: Ruby Challenger (Australia 2018, 15 mins, Dutch & Japanese with English subtitles. Historical drama) 50 Years of Silence Director: Ned … [Read More]