Tuesday 4 May 2010. I had intended to go to see Yi Chuljin’s Seungmu performance this evening, having failed to see it on Sunday, but there are too many conflicting appointments to fit them all in. I’m heading towards Hongdae to meet some new blogging friends – always something I like to do when coming … [Read More]
LKL articles by Philip Gowman (page 155)
The Red Devils’ secret weapon
Maybe if England had a few cheergirls like Korea they might play a bit better: http://bit.ly/cnfKCu # The so-called “Cheer Girl against Greece” was identified as actress Song Si-yeon [Read More]
The Rain and Jeon Ji-hyun rumours
Yes, I know they deny it, but wouldn't it be a good story if Rain and Jeon Ji-hyun really were an item? http://bit.ly/a8UEko # [Read More]
2010 Travel Diary #17: The Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation
Tuesday 4 May 2010. As part of my trip to Korea, I wanted to understand more about the way in which Korea goes about preserving its ancient culture and presents it for modern audiences. Is it possible to market traditional culture to foreigners as a theme for tourism? How is it possible to market traditional … [Read More]
Man tweets suicide note
South Korean man posts suicide note on Twitter http://bit.ly/9ASpux #. Via @TelegraphNews “I’m going to commit suicide. To all of you, even those who shared the slightest friendship with me, I love you,” wrote a former disk jockey before taking his life. [Read More]
2010 Travel Diary #16: A meeting with Hwang Byungki
Tuesday 4 May 2010. Hwang Byungki is probably Korea’s best known performer and composer for the kayageum. When I submitted my proposal to the Korean Culture and Information Service for the stories I wanted to investigate during my visit – of which the main one was the preservation and reinvention of Korean traditional culture – … [Read More]
Double entry, poison and murder: historical sources examined at SOAS
LKL reports from the 21 May conference at SOAS – Historians, clerks and accountants: Methodological issues in the use of sources on Chosŏn History. The one-day seminar at SOAS examined the value and danger of using alternative historical sources. The types of sources discussed ranged from family and guild accounting records, via personal travelogues, ancient … [Read More]
2010 Travel Diary #15: Korean Kites, Kim Ki-chan and Cho Se-hui’s Dwarf
Tuesday 4 May 2010. Although I’m very proud of the organisation I work for – a multinational company with a long heritage – I try to keep my Korean hobby and my day job separate. But I thought that as I was in Seoul I ought to pay a visit to some of my local … [Read More]
Lee Ufan and Paik Nam June in Christies sale
Two Paik Nam June works and a Lee Ufan come up for sale at Christie’s on 1 July at the King Street branch http://bit.ly/9PurZ9 # : Lee Ufan (b. 1936): Correspondence. Oil and mineral pigment on canvas, 63¾ x 51 1/8in. (162 x 130cm.) Painted in 1995 Nam June Paik (1932-2006): Untitled. TV, neon tubing, … [Read More]
2010 Travel Diary #14: Seoul as World Design City
Tuesday 4 May 2010. More interviews today. First, the Seoul Design Foundation. We enter an anonymous office block, and ascend to the ninth floor. Exiting the lifts, the signature colour on the wall is the fashionable lime green which seems to be used in all this year’s kitchen design catalogues. It’s a busy office, with … [Read More]
The Korea Promotional Video competition
Check out 10 Magazine’s Korean Promotional Video competition. Great fun. Winning entry is number 13, by Michael Aronson. http://bit.ly/cuEbiv # [Read More]
Gyeongju rooftile in BBC History of the World
BBC’s History of the World in 100 objects: a humble Silla Dynasty roof tile from Gyeongju is featured at number 49: http://bit.ly/bKaU1d #. From the British Museum’s permanent collection. [Read More]
2010 Travel Diary #13: Jogyesa and Insadong
Monday 3 May 2010. From Gangnam I’m driven back to my hotel near Gwanghwamun. Lunch that day had been difficult to face – particularly the fermented skate: unpleasant enough at the best of times, but distinctly dangerous if you’re feeling badly hung over. Even in the evening I’m still suffering from the previous day’s festivities, … [Read More]
Love the vuvuzela
Precisely how many "official" Red Devils supporters outfits ARE there? http://bit.ly/9Yxdjx #. There seems to be a new one in the papers every day. [Read More]
Girl bands to be used as psychological warfare?
I love the idea: girl band pop videos to be used in psychological warfare against the North? "The revealing outfits worn by the performers and their provocative dances could have significant impact on North Korean Soldiers" the Chosun Ilbo speculates. http://bit.ly/dbiVx4 # [Read More]
Gunwoo Shin marks the end of his year’s free studio space
Hadn't realised that Gunwoo Shin had a Land Securities Studio Award: free studio space for a year. Tonight was his closing show, near Victoria station. Congratulations. # [Read More]