Great profile of folk singer Jang Sa-ik in the Korea Times. A world tour is planned for 2011. Hope it includes the UK. “He began his singing career at the age of 46 after jumping from one job to the next, working as an electronics salesman, car shop manager, insurance clerk and furniture store manager.” … [Read More]
LKL articles by Philip Gowman (page 161)
S.E.S reunites for wedding photos
S.E.S Reunites For Shoo’s Wedding Photoshoot. Shoo will be marrying a basketball player next month. http://bit.ly/8XvZUV #. Via @soompi [Read More]
Korean fashion students get recognition in London
Korean fashion students at London colleges have been getting recognition: Jackie Lee of Central St Martins was one of the winners of the Harrods Design Award, while Rok Hwang won the L’Oréal Professional award for his “literally star-studded collection of maxi tube dresses in brown and blue.” At London College of Fashion, Lee Young-li’s MA … [Read More]
DPRK Finance chief executed
Who’d want to be a top official in the DPRK? Finance chief gets executed following the botched currency reforms. Sources: New York Times | JoongAng Daily #. Pak Nam-gi “was executed at a firing range in Pyongyang on the trumped-up charges of being an antirevolutionary element as public sentiments worsened over the failure of the … [Read More]
A meeting with Nah Youn Sun
It’s always nice when a singer you’ve been following for ages gets some well-deserved recognition. It’s even better, if you get the chance to interview her, when you find out that as well has having oodles of talent she’s a really nice person as well. Nah Youn Sun comes across as self-effacing on stage – … [Read More]
Concert Review: Nah Youn Sun, Ulf Wakenius with Dan Berglund’s Tonbrucket, at the QEH
Forty years ago, fellow Swede Bo Hansson released his album of music inspired by Lord of the Rings, and it was that style of composition that was brought to mind by the performance by Dan Berglund’s Tonbrucket at the QEH on Monday, though Berglund’s music has broader horizons and a more sombre colour palette. With … [Read More]
Korean marries his pillow
From the Metro: Lee Jin-gyu fell for his ‘dakimakura’ – a kind of large, huggable pillow from Japan, which has a picture of his favourite anime character, Fate Testarossa, on it. And married it. http://bit.ly/98lDK6 # “He is completely obsessed with this pillow and takes it everywhere,” said one friend. “They go out to the … [Read More]
HSBC boss cooks doenjang jjigae
HSBC Korea boss Matthew Deakin makes a mean doenjang jjigae, says the JoongAng Daily http://bit.ly/boNfCn # “I play golf most weekends, and before tee off, I usually prefer having a Korean breakfast – rice with soup. It is very filling,” he said. “And among the various types of soup here, doenjang jjigae is my favorite. … [Read More]
Nah Youn Sun wins new supporters in London
Nah Youn Sun was such a pleasure to interview – and the gig was rather good as well #. Deservedly, she gets rave review in the Financial Times http://bit.ly/aJYQoD #. LKL’s first review for LondonJazz is now posted. We’re now branching out into Swedish jazz (Dan Berglund’s Tonbruket), thanks to Nah Youn Sun, who opened … [Read More]
Yang Ik-june’s Breathless gets R2 DVD release
“ONE OF THE YEAR’S BOLDEST AND MOST THRILLING DEBUT FEATURES.” – EYE WEEKLY.COM Following its critically acclaimed UK theatrical release in January, Yang Ik-june’s award winning Breathless comes to DVD on 22nd March 2010 as a two-disc Special Collector’s Edition featuring a host of exclusive extras including interviews with the director and cast members, specially … [Read More]
Exhibition visit: 53 young Korean artists at the Bargehouse
Fifty three young Korean artists in one place, 2010’s 4482 exhibition is its third and biggest ever incarnation. The initiative’s name is drawn from the UK’s and South Korea’s international dialling codes (+44 and +82 respectively) and focuses on young Korean artistic talent based in the London area. In many cases the artists are students, … [Read More]
On-the-spot guidance in Boston Globe’s big picture
Ample fodder for caption competitions as Kim Jong-il gives On the Spot Guidance in The Big Picture, the Boston Globe (Boston.com) – with a collection of 31 photos culled from the KCNA http://bit.ly/bPXyrd # [Read More]
The Korean War in colour at the Smithsonian
Colour photos of the Korean War: John Rich, a US journalist took some personal photos: Smithsonian.com. Well worth a look. Sample below. http://bit.ly/b5tDMS # [Read More]
Can South Koreans survive without the latest technology?
Can South Koreans survive without the web? The BBC’s John Sudworth deprives families of their internet access for a week, in a fascinating experiment. http://bit.ly/9yZiBa #. And on a related note, in my unscientific sample (of 5 Korean musicians visiting the UK), 60% of Koreans have iPhones. Fast adopters. # [Read More]
Pojagi wrapping cloths take off in America
Pojagi wrapping cloths get a new lease of life in America with the Bobo Wrapping Scarf, created by Korean-American Patricia Lee. # Described as “eco-luxe reusable wraps,” the bobos are now available in luxurious Asian-inspired brocades, trendy animal prints, quirky stripes and floral patterns. Source: Korea Times [Read More]
A meeting with Biuret
Biuret discuss their first UK performances, roots in Hongdae’s indie rock scene, and plans for an internationally focused third album. The band reflect on influences from Korean rock and 90s Western grunge, their Sutasi win, collaboration with overseas songwriters, and ambitions to expand beyond Korea while retaining their core sound. [Read More]