London Korean Links

Covering things Korean in London and beyond since 2006

Sunwook Kim plays Beethoven at the Barbican

Pianist Sunwook Kim multi-tasks with the high octane Chamber Orchestra of Europe in a concert featuring Beethoven’s Piano Concertos 3 and 4. C minor turbulence doesn’t just colour Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No 3. It also informs his Pathétique Sonata – the inspiration behind Anna Clyne’s Stride which shadows it with breezy tongue-in-cheek aplomb before Beethoven … [Read More]

Horsehair weaving in Korean contemporary art

Discover the craftsmanship of horsehair weaving with award-winning artist Dahye Jeong in an engaging talk, followed by a live demonstration and hands-on session. Jeong, winner of the Loewe Foundation Craft Prize, reimagines traditional Korean horsehair craftsmanship through contemporary art. Inspired by finely woven horsehair hats worn in the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897), her work preserves historic techniques … [Read More]

[Edinburgh] AKSE Conference

The University of Edinburgh will host the 32nd biennial Association for Korean Studies in Europe (AKSE) Conference as an in-person event from 19 to 22 June 2025 in Edinburgh, UK. The conference is co-organized by the University of Edinburgh with the AKSE Council. The biennial AKSE conferences provide an opportunity for European scholars of Korean … [Read More]

Balming Tiger play Koko

One of the most vibrant and thrilling names to come out of South Korea, hip-hop collective Balming Tiger are doing things a little differently. Hailed by The Guardian for their ability to “harness the rough edges of heavy metal with a pop sheen and exuberantly rapped verses”, last year they followed acclaimed debut album ‘January … [Read More]

Book talk: Sohn Won-Pyung’s Counterattacks at Thirty

In celebration of the UK publication of ‘Counterattacks at Thirty’ by Sohn Won-Pyung, the KCC is bringing you an online event featuring translator Sean Lin Halbert and Anton Hur, an award-winning translator of Cursed Bunny, Love in the Big City, and author of Toward Eternity.⁠ ⁠ We’ll be diving into:⁠ – The art of translation … [Read More]

Hayoung Choi: Wigmore Hall debut recital

Hayoung Choi, winner of the 2022 Queen Elisabeth Competition for Cello, makes her Wigmore Hall debut alongside pianist Alim Beisembayev with a strikingly rich programme filled with fascinating contrasts and connections, including three profound sonatas and transcendent miniatures by Webern and Tüür. Programme Anton Webern (1883-1945): 3 little pieces Op. 11 Franz Schubert (1797-1828): Arpeggione … [Read More]

Lear Screening + Q&A with Director Jung Young-doo

To celebrate Director Jung Young-Doo‘s Olivier Award nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Opera, a special screening of the National Changgeuk Company‘s Lear will be held. Changgeuk, a traditional form of Korean musical theatre, blends music, dance, and drama to create a captivating experience. Following its successful world premiere at the Barbican Centre in 2024, this screening of the full-length … [Read More]

Korean folk game and craft sessions at the KCCUK

Join The KCC team for a series of craft events exploring traditional Korean folk games, inspired by the global popularity of ‘Squid Game.’ We’ll delve into the history and hands-on experience of these cultural treasures. Featured Sessions: Ddakji & Jegichagi (28th March 2025) Ddakji (딱지): A classic game where players use folded paper tiles to … [Read More]

KCC Seminar Series: Inventing Bloodlines

Join the KCCUK on Thursday, 27 March 2025, at 6:30pm for a special lecture by Professor Nuri Kim, Assistant Professor of Korean Studies at the University of Cambridge. This talk will examine the historical and cultural significance of lineage and ancestry in modern Korea. Inventing Bloodlines: Claiming and Contesting Ancestry in Modern Korea Almost every … [Read More]

2025 Korea Day in Manchester

The KCCUK is pleased to announce our first ‘Korea Day’ in Manchester. The event will feature various performances, foods, and hands-on activities, to introduce Korean culture and enhance the understanding of Korea. Expect tasty Korean food stalls; booths where you can get your fortune told, Korean-style; a hanbok experience; Korean calligraphy; traditional music from the … [Read More]

Andrew Ahn’s The Wedding Banquet – the perfect opening to BFI Flare 2025

BFI Flare launched yesterday with a humdinger of an opening movie: Andrew Ahn’s reimagining of Ang Lee’s 1993 The Wedding Banquet. Ahn’s partner in creating this update, James Schamus, also co-wrote Ang Lee’s version. While the original film features a single gay couple and a marriage of convenience, the reboot has two gay couples, which … [Read More]

Korean artists at Focus Wales

Jacqui and Hypnosis Therapy will be warming up for The Great Escape by appearing at Focus Wales in Wrexham, 8-10 May. Jacqui (재키) Saturday May 10th, 2025 6:30 pm @ The Rockin’ Chair Room 1 Strutting onto the scene armed with a silken voice & a penchant for sass is KPOP’s latest initiate, Jacqui. Her … [Read More]

Say Sue Me Spring tour

Say Sue Me return to the UK for the first time since 2019, with a slew of dates and a new EP in tow. Surf-inspired indie rock band from Busan, South Korea. Members consist of Byungkyu Kim on lead guitar, Sumi Choi on vocals and guitar, Jaeyoung Kim on Bass and Sungwan Lim on Drums. In … [Read More]