“Thank you, Jeon Ji-hyun! And sorry.” Interesting piece on the use of celebrity models in Korea’s cosmetics industry, as Kim Tae-hee replaces Jeon for the Elastine brand http://t.co/3xWVg32V [Read More]
LKL articles by Philip Gowman (page 117)
Backstage with BEAST – a K-pop novice enjoys the United Cube concert
The queue of excited teenagers and twenty-somethings was snaking down the side of the Brixton Academy, patiently waiting to get into the gloomy insides to see Cube Entertainment’s main acts in what was billed as the UK’s first K-pop showcase. It was still 90 minutes before curtain up, and somewhere among the crowd a reporter … [Read More]
Korean megaship develops cracks on maiden voyage
Vale Beijing, a huge ore carrier built by Korea’s STX Offshore & Shipbuilding for Brazilian mining company Vale SA, developed cracks on its first loading on 5 December, and needs repair. Updates: STX Pan Ocean: Damage to Vale Beijing “Reparable” (4 Jan 2012) STX Pan Ocean says Vale Beijing problem is ‘isolated’ (9 Jan 2012) … [Read More]
Modern Korean Cinema features gangsters for a week
Check out Jopok Week on Modern Korean Cinema for reviews of Im Kwon-taek’s classic General’s Son 1 2 and 3, Kim Sung-su’s Beat, Song Neung-han’s No 3, Jang Hyeon-su’s Born to Kill, guest essays by Darcy Paquet and Connor McMorran on gangster comedy, by Rowena Santos Aquino on Masculinity and Beauty, plus box office reports … [Read More]
London protest against DPRK rights abuses
I hear there might be a protest against human rights abuses outside the North Korean Embassy in West London today 9 Dec http://t.co/9KYMBpdR. [Read More]
Has anyone tried Ceena, the new BBQ jip in the City?
Has anyone tried Ceena, the Korean BBQ place near Ludgate Circus in the City? Must try it when I’m in the area next: http://t.co/MWB2p7hw [Read More]
Good to see BBC Radio 4 covering United Cube concert
Good to see the BBC (Radio 4) covering the big K-pop event tonight. Apparently there will be video on the Observer website too, and it will be on the BBC World Tonight sometime in December. [Read More]
Feel-good hit Sunny is now out on DVD
Feel-good hit Sunny is now out on DVD at YesAsia (http://t.co/TSj2zCDN) – but this 3DVD special edition takes up far too much shelf space [Read More]
Exhibition visit: NyLon – the KCCUK’s exchange show with New York
November’s exhibition at the KCCUK was a joint project with the Korean Cultural Service New York. Four artists, two from each city. Representing London were Shin Meekyoung, who had a huge solo show at the Haunch of Venison in March 2011, and Je Baak, who has recently been showing at HADA Contemporary and Asia House. … [Read More]
Exhibition Visit: Delayed Sojourn – London, home away from home
It was good to see the KCC so busy on a Saturday afternoon. The attraction was the Korean Artists Association’s one-week exhibition: Delayed Sojourn – London, home away from home. And while there was plenty to enjoy inside, it was an unusual exhibit in the window that was drawing people in: 48 small glass bowls, … [Read More]
North Korea perceived as 2nd most corrupt state in the world
Look on the bright side. North Korea is not perceived as the most corrupt state in the world. But it is number two on the list http://t.co/QBJuHTg4, put together by Transparency International. [Read More]
December events 2011
Of course, the big event of the month is the United Cube concert, already trailed in places such as the Independent. Here’s the full list as far as I know, but as ever, let me know if I’ve missed something. Exhibitions The KAA’s annual show, Delayed Sojourn – London, home away from home, is at … [Read More]
SHINee in the Indie
The Independent highlights SHINee’s popularity in the UK in its article “K-pop craze: The K Factor”, while the KCC tries to figure out who are all the fans who are coming to United Cube on Monday. [Read More]
I’m six pages in to Seopyeonje, and already I’m crying
By contrast to the glacial pace of T’oji, I’m six pages in to Yi Cheong-jun’s Seopyeonje (http://t.co/Z32AGY0p | US: http://t.co/tjQBtaAD) and already I’m crying. [Read More]
I’m one volume in to T’oji, and nothing’s happened yet
Why Park Kyung-ni’s epic novel “Land” is like the long-running BBC radio soap opera “The Archers”. And why someone should create a Reader’s Digest version. [Read More]
Book review: Richard E Kim — The Martyred
Richard E. Kim: The Martyred First published by George Braziller, 1964 Published in Penguin Classics 2011, with introduction by Heinz Insu Fenzl and Preface by Susan Choi. 199 pp Fourteen North Korean priests are rounded up by the communists just before North Korea invades the South in June 1950. Twelve of the priests are shot, … [Read More]