I don’t think we’ve had an essay contest since 2017. It’s good to see it return, organised by UCLan for LTI Korea. The contest is open to readers in the UK. 2020 UCLan IKSU Book Essay Contest The International Institute of Korean Studies (IKSU) at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is hosting the “2020 … [Read More]
Year: 2020 (page 8)
V+A Korean programme receives boost from MCST
Great news for the V&A’s programme of Korean activities and gallery: V&A announces landmark partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism 17 June 2020: The V&A has today announced a new five-year partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in Korea. This major grant will enable the redevelopment of the museum’s … [Read More]
Book review: Jeong You-jeong – Seven Years of Darkness
Jeong You-jeong: Seven Years of Darkness Translated by Kim Chi-young Penguin / Little, Brown 2020 Originally published as 7년의 밤, EunHaeng NaMu Publishing Co, Seoul 2011 It felt like a long wait. We’d seen the movie adaptation a few years ago (Choo Chang-min’s Seven Years of Night, which screened at the London Korean Film Festival … [Read More]
The generosity of art in the fight against the pandemic: six UK-based Korean artists join charity art auction
In these times of unprecedented global health crisis, art can be a source of relief and precious help to go through such a hard time. This is true even more so when over a hundred artists and art professionals from all over the world come together to join forces and help those in need. Among … [Read More]
Cereal Magazine: special Korean edition
Cereal is a biannual travel and style magazine based in the UK. Each issue focuses on a select number of destinations, alongside interviews and stories on design, art, and fashion. The current edition (#19) for the summer of 2020 focuses on Korea. The volume covers the architecture of Itami Jun, the photography of Koo Bohnchang, … [Read More]
Hyunjin Kim on the work of siren eun young jung
Afterall, a contemporary art journal published by University of the Arts London, has a feature on siren eun young jung in its latest issue. To celebrate the occasion, a special launch event later this month will focus on her work. As we didn’t make it to Venice last year this is definitely one we’ll be … [Read More]
Bang Bang Con: The Live
What is likely to be the biggest global livestreamed event of the Covid lockdown kicks off at 10am BST on Sunday 14 June. Runtime is expected to be 90 minutes. The concert will be streaming on Weverse. The event will provide some consolation for BTS’s UK fans who were looking forward to their appearance at … [Read More]
Joung Young-ju debut at Pontone Gallery
A welcome piece of good news. Pontone Gallery is reopening on 15 June, and their first post lockdown exhibition features a debut for artist Joung Young-ju. Note that with the health and safety of visitors and staff in mind, the gallery will be allowing a maximum of 10 visitors at any one time. To guarantee … [Read More]
The mysteries of the Abies Koreana
Around 17 years ago, on a trip to Ashwood Nurseries in the West Midlands with the in-laws, I sneaked an unauthorised plant onto the trolley, much as a child might sneak a bag of sweets into the shopping cart on a trip to the supermarket. On my stroll around the nursery grounds, I had seen … [Read More]
Résonances livestream: Memories
Daegum player Hyelim Kim will again be appearing in an improvisational multi-disciplinary performance, livestreamed courtesy of The Vortex. Résonances: Memories 12 noon UK time Sunday 7 June 2020 Venue: Vortex Facebook Page | Résonances Facebook Page Résonances is back with a third live-streamed event! It may be our last performance online before we come back … [Read More]
Rendered Reality: an interview with Joonhong Min and Shinuk Suh
New contributor Federica Ionta meets the artists behind Rendered Reality, the exhibition currently in suspended animation at the KCCUK. Thinking of Korean art, one might recall, for instance, pottery of exquisite quality, such as the iconic moon jars, or beautiful ink paintings. However, not all Korean artists stick to traditional shapes, materials and techniques. Artists … [Read More]
June 2020 online activities
Here are some of the new things to enjoy online in June. Many of the items from my May and April posts still remain relevant. Let me know what I’ve missed. Online performance The KCC’s Home Theatre series moves from piano music to chamber music. On 4 June the Sejong Soloists play Mendelssohn’s Octet. Screenings … [Read More]
June literature night: DMZ Colony by Don Mee Choi
The KCC’s literature nights resume in virtual form after a lockdown break. June’s book is selected for its relevance to the 70th anniversary of the start of the Korean War. DMZ Colony by Don Mee Choi Thursday 25 June 2020, 7pm on Zoom Participation Free – Booking Essential Apply to [email protected] or call 020 7004 … [Read More]
Online event: a conversation with Zadie Xa
With apologies for late notice, there’s an online talk with Zadie Xa later today hosted by the David Roberts Art Foundation. Xa has had a few performances in London over the past couple of years, most recently at Art Night 2019. I’ll certainly be registering for this one. DRAF Broadcasts: Live with artist Zadie Xa … [Read More]
Sky Castle: would you believe, the first K-drama I’ve ever watched. And what fun it is!
People might find it strange that, despite the fact that I’ve been following Korean culture for 20 years now, I’ve never watched a complete TV Drama series. There have been several reasons for this, but basically it boils down to lack of time, and the prohibitive cost of the DVD boxed sets. I made the … [Read More]
Gwangju, 40 years on
Brother Anthony is using the time of social distancing to good effect, updating his website with many valuable materials. In readiness for the 40th anniversary of the Gwangju uprising, he has “translated some poems about the victims in Gwangju, written by a poet whose work nobody dares publish” any more. You can find these on … [Read More]