In Korean mytholoogy there is a legendary grandmother figure, a giant goddess who created islands and arranged the mountains and the oceans in their proper positions. In Jeju Island, she is known as Seolmundae Halmang – Grandmother Seolmundae; elsewhere in Korea she is known as Mago. The stories about her are sometimes comic, sometimes tragic. … [Read More]
LKL articles by Philip Gowman (page 125)
Edinburgh Festival and Fringe 2011: review round-up
I didn’t make it to all the Korea-related events at the Edinburgh International Festival and Fringe, and for one of the events I did get to I didn’t feel like writing a review. So here are some links to the reviews that are out there. For completeness, I include links to my own reviews. If … [Read More]
Frustrating experiences at the new Yongsan Art Hall, Seoul
The tragic tale of why I walked out of a show before it even started… http://bit.ly/q1ERFt. Could only happen in Korea (#). Via @Ajosshi [Read More]
A Japanese take on a Girls Generation video
This has been doing the rounds for a while, but still worth a look: Japanese middle aged men take off SNSD’s Gee MV, led by a member of J-pop boyband SNAP. http://bit.ly/qiCLxB (#) An alternative version is available here: http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMjk2MDIxNDY4.html. Many versions have been removed from YouTube following a complaint from the Japanese TV company … [Read More]
Hangawi – NYC Koreatown’s celebrity restaurant
Where does Gwyneth Paltrow eat Korean food? HanGawi in Manhattan’s 32nd Street K-town http://bit.ly/p67lTU (#). Nicole Kidman goes there too. Via @CoolstuffKorea [Read More]
Usain Bolt in Daegu
Usain Bolt marks the start of the Daegu World Athletic Championships by posing with some Korean dancers – WSJ http://on.wsj.com/qQX2vI (27 Aug) [Read More]
The forgotten story of Sohn Kee-chung, Korea’s 1936 Olympic hero
The forgotten story of Sohn Kee-chung, Korea’s 1936 Olympic hero and Marathon winner http://t.co/aNMnK13 via @guardian # [Read More]
New book on Korean artefacts in Oxford
Oxford’s Bodleian Library announces the publication of a new book on historic Korean artefacts in the University’s collections. It accompanies an exhibition which runs 26 August to 26 September 2011 in the Proscholium at the Bodleian Library: Korean Treasures: Rare Books, Manuscripts and Artefacts in the Bodleian Libraries and Museums of Oxford University by Minh … [Read More]
Hong Sang-soo’s film “The Day He Arrives” – same as all the others?
Is director Hong Sang-soo making the same film over and over again? With latest film, “The Day He Arrives,” Hong Sang-soo makes a return to the familiar. http://bit.ly/qDuiAd [Read More]
Is the gas pipeline a good idea?
The gas pipeline: why would the ROK, when Kumgang resort has just been confiscated, want to give DPRK another hostage? http://t.co/3ax8I5K # [Read More]
Concert notes: Sooeun Kwak with La-on G at the KCC
For the third event in the KCC’s concert series this year we were presented with Sooeun Kwak’s gayageum ensemble, “La-on G”. The ensemble’s name is a combination of the Korean word for “pleasant”, and “G” standing for any and all of Gayageum, Green, Global and Generation. The music performed by the ensemble is all composed … [Read More]
English tea and scones in Seoul
Mmm – English-style scones with Jeju-do tangerine marmalade looks rather good, with a nice pot of darjeeling. http://bit.ly/o5SBB4 (#) [Read More]
A top North Korean traditional medicine practitioner in Seoul
Interesting Yonhap article on ex-North Korean traditional medicine practitioner giving treatments to S Korean stars http://bit.ly/pMutUr (#) [Read More]
Haeinsa temple to market its own brand organic condiments
Haeinsa temple is marketing its own-brand organic gochujang, doenjang and soy sauce. I’d certainly buy some. http://bit.ly/pPQy2h (#) [Read More]
British TV Show Top Gear comes to Korea
South Korea’s version of the hit UK TV series Top Gear debuted at the weekend, complete with The Stig: WSJ http://on.wsj.com/n4AUHM (#). Videos can be found on YouTube here. [Read More]
Festival visit: Pop-Up! The Amazing Adventures of Moo Dong
Confession time: I didn’t actually make it to this show. It is showing in the morning, and that’s when my train is on its way up from London. But based on the reviews linked below, it’s well worth a visit. The show aims to bring great art works to life for a young audience, and … [Read More]