I was chatting to my companion during the interval of Another Sun, the big-budget Korean musical, at Sadlers Wells last night. “It’s educational,” she said, “but I don’t think it’s for foreigners.” I pressed her on the educational point. The plot of the musical is said to be based on the Korean foundation myth about … [Read More]
LKL articles by Philip Gowman (page 150)
2010 Travel Diary #37: The Last King of Gaya
Korea is rightly proud of its heritage, and submits the most select elements of its long history to UNESCO for inscribing in the list of important world heritage items. One of the most recent items to have been so listed is the Joseon Dynasty Royal Tombs. They are beautifully peaceful places to visit. Perfectly manicured … [Read More]
Just the right amount of spice … and loads of meat
A lunchtime trip to the Old Justice pub in Bermondsey I think I’d just been given the thumbs-up. I had just introduced some of my co-workers to Korean food for the first time. I wouldn’t say it was representative of your regular Korean food experience, but it was certainly popular with the Canary Wharf workers. … [Read More]
2010 Travel Diary #36: The Jirisan Forest Trail
Jirisan is the highest peak on the South Korean mainland, and the National Park in which it is set is South Korea’s largest. Most of the park is in Gyeongsangnam-do, but in the west it spills in to Jeollanam-do and Jeollabuk-do. For walkers, the park offers a wide variety of experiences. For the hardened hiker, … [Read More]
Your online resource for Korean kite-building
I never thought there would be an English language forum about making traditional Korean fighting kites, but here it is: Fighter Kite Central. http://bit.ly/crTvaZ # [Read More]
Wendy Ide on Mother
“It's overlong and the pacing suffers from the unwieldy run time”. Wendy Ide on Mother (Now screening at Picturehouse and ICA). I'm trying to think of a Korean film she actually likes # [Read More]
2010 Travel Diary #35: Makgeolli, maeuntang and a fashion show
We sit outside in a pavilion overlooking the river as the sun goes down over the hamlet of Saengcho in the north of Sancheong County, picnicking on tiny deep-fried fish with the usual kimchi side dishes, all washed down with makgeolli. We are waiting for the rest of our party to arrive. Morgan and Yoseph … [Read More]
2010 Travel Diary #34: A visit to Sancheong’s finest potter
In 1592, Japan invaded Korea. Their ultimate destination was China, but they never got further than Korea, and they wrought havoc there. During their occupation, which lasted on and off until their second invasion in 1598 was repelled by Admiral Yi Sun-shin’s famous turtle ships, they sent back to Japan in their ships a human … [Read More]
NYT reviews Vienna show of North Korean art
Some typically kitsch North Korean artwork at Vienna museum – coverage in the NY Times. The slideshow is worth a look. http://nyti.ms/bGdDbQ # [Read More]
Photos from the KAA calligraphy workshop
Great pics by Jeff Rollason of KAA’s Invisible bonds exhibition and calligraphy workshop. Here’s the slideshow on his Flickr account: http://bit.ly/c2hI0V # [Read More]
British-raised Korean in Miss Universe hopes
Korean beauty raised in England is in the running for Miss Universe 2010. http://bit.ly/bafwll # Miss Korea Kim Joori (22) is 172.5cm tall. She was born in Seoul, but raised in England studying ballet since she was five. Kim majored in ballet at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Russia, and hence is fluent in both … [Read More]
Strains in a mixed marriage
Did you know resting your chin in your hands is considered rude in Korea? But not quite grounds for divorce. http://bit.ly/d6qHuY. Korean man tries to divorce his Vietnamese wife who stared at him while he ate. # [Read More]
Invisible Bonds opens with varied performance at KCC
The annual performance at the Korean Cultural Centre by the UK Korean Artists Association is becoming something of an institution. This year it is accompanied for the first time by a one-week exhibition of works by some of their visual artists. It has always been a popular event, but this year with both visual and … [Read More]
The Korean Festival 1 – British Summer 1
The Kingston Korean Festival (14 August this year), timed to take place as close as possible to Korea’s Independence Day on 15 August, is always at the mercy of the British summer weather. We all knew that rain was likely at some point during the day, and when there were a few spots during the … [Read More]
Welcome back, Gwanghwamun
Welcome back to Gwanghwamun: unveiled 15 August, liberation day http://bit.ly/9KoMjZ # also in JoongAng Daily [Read More]
Anna interviews Kinzli & the Kilowatts
Great interview with London-based Korean singer Kinzli & the Kilowatts by Anna over at Indieful ROK: http://bit.ly/cSLWUb She first started singing in the Korean orphanages. Below: Kinzli’s Safe Place for Us #. Links: Kinzli & the Kilowatts on MySpace [Read More]