I wonder how much KIA had to pay for all those advertising billboards at the Australian Open men's final? Whatever, they’re getting plenty of quality airtime. # [Read More]
LKL articles by Philip Gowman (page 165)
Jang Dong-gun & Ko So-young wedding plans
I never understand the Korean celebrity system: Jang Dong-gun reveals when it is that he will reveal his wedding plans with Ko So-young. How about spilling the beans now? http://bit.ly/9JCqtB # [Read More]
Pleasure Squad defector tells all
Dear Leader’s Pleasure Squad defector tells all: “His favourite delicacy contains the reproductive organ of sharks.” Interesting article from Sunny Lee in The National. Pleasure Squad candidates over 165cm tall are excluded because Kim Jong Il is short, says the defector [Read More]
Showbiz agent to focus on indie music
“There’s no other place in the world as lacking in musical diversity as Korea” – says Jeon Do-yeon’s former agent Park Sung-hye, who plans to focus on indie music in the future: Source Chosun Ilbo [Read More]
LKL’s top 10 K-films of the noughties
Mark Russell led the way with his fascinating list of films of the decade – in which the biggest shock was that there was no Park Chan-wook. GI Korea also has a list, which redresses the balance somewhat. So here is mine. Over the years I’ve been reasonably diligent in giving marks out of 10 … [Read More]
Warming up for the first Korean Grand Prix
Warming up for the first Korean Grand Prix to be held in Jeollanamdo this Autumn: http://bit.ly/55QBp5. From JoongAng Ilbo [Read More]
Kim Jeong-ho’s Daedong Yeojido online
An amazingly detailed 1861 pictorial map of the Korean peninsula is now available online. Well worth a look. # The Daedong yeojido was produced by the great Korean geographer Kim Jeong-ho. The map is at a scale of about 1:162,000 and is a wood block print that includes two inset maps of Seoul, texts and … [Read More]
The rough and tumble of Korean politics
A physical altercation leaves Democratic Party National Assemblyman Jeong Gi-yeong needing hospital treatment. Rep. Jeong, who is visually impaired, apparently fell over and hit his head. Source: Korea Beat [Read More]
Park Chan-wook’s most embarrassing DVD
This week’s Time Out has a brief interview with Park Chan-wook, to celebrate the UK DVD release of Thirst. The subject? His 2,000-strong DVD collection. For an obscure recommendation from his shelves, Park tips Sanjay Gupta’s Zinda, the Bollywood film that seems to be based on Oldboy. “A man, taken and locked up for 14 … [Read More]
A Bollywood take on Oldboy
Park Chan-wook: one of the obscurest DVDs in his collection is Zinda, the Indian movie that appears to be based on Oldboy (source: interview in today’s Time Out magazine). # [Read More]
The Ministry of Love
South Korean Ministry of Health sends workers home to make babies: one way to increase the birth rate. From today’s Evening Standard http://bit.ly/5iFV1e. Also reported by John Sudworth on the BBC #. [Read More]
Another girl gugak band
Are there any male Gugak players? Sorea, Sookmyung Kayageum Orchestra, now Miji, the latest gugak girl band. The eight-member all-female ensemble hopes to become known as “the Girls’ Generation of traditional Korean music.” Their debut album, The Challenge, hits the stores this month. Source: JoongAng Daily. # [Read More]
The April 3rd Massacre Tree
An alternative, historical, tourist destination in Jeju – the April 3rd Massacre Tree. Great article in Jeju Weekly highlighting the incident whose wounds are still felt today. http://bit.ly/4Lwr07. # [Read More]
Bae Doo-na named Best Actress
Bae Doo-na has been named Best Actress twice over in Japan for her role in Air Doll, which showed at the London Film Festival last year. Bae will pick up her trophy at the 23rd Takasaki Film Festival on March 28, after claiming her honor at the 33rd Japan Academy Awards on March 5. Source: … [Read More]
Book Review: From Wonso Pond
It’s the 1930s. In colonial Korea, economic development brings factories and work to Incheon, Seoul and other centres of population, while in the countryside the semi-feudal lifestyle continues. The local yangban plots which local lass to deflower next, and keeps the local rent-farmers as much in debt to him as he can. We are introduced … [Read More]
On glamorous advertising
Could you imagine hot Hollywood stars modeling for an air conditioner? Han Ye-seul & Song Seung-heon earn their fees – from an article in the Korea JoongAng Daily (article no longer on their website). 11:35 PM Jan 9th from bit.ly JamesTurnbull: @lklinks See what Londoner Bruce Haines says to understand why (is head of Korea’s … [Read More]