"Boys over Flowers" star Kim Beom is coming to the UK to make a documentary about climate change. As part of the campaign, Mr Kim will visit London in two weeks to film a documentary about what the UK is doing to encourage low carbon lifestyles. I hope that Koreans will learn lessons about what … [Read More]
LKL articles by Philip Gowman (page 171)
Daehun Kwon at Frieze 2009
Sorry I missed the Frieze Art Fair. Daehun Kwon was showing, for Rachmaninoff’s. Probably other Korean artists were there as well. 15 – 18 October. # [Read More]
Troubles with the Petal
12 Sep: The only way I’m going to be able write anything on There a Petal is to leave it to the last minute and rely on the deadline pressure for inspiration. Having now read it three times I have no angle on it at all. 10 Oct: Really struggling to write 2,000 words on … [Read More]
Exhibition Visit: Earth Alert – Environmental protest goes mainstream
Over the past few years, environmentalists have been protesting about the massive land reclamation project at Saemangeum on the west coast of Korea. As well as being an environmental tragedy, it has also been a minor irritation in UK-ROK relations: prominent among the campaigners have been British naturalists protesting about the scheme’s impact on the … [Read More]
Sales Pitch – the Anglo Korean Society Annual Dinner
Even over the phone, you can feel your arm being twisted. So when Sylvia Park rang me a couple of weeks ago to cajole me in to rounding up some guests for the Anglo Korean Society Dinner at the House of Commons I knew I couldn’t say no. My chosen guests were Korean Artists Association … [Read More]
Magnum photo essay: Escape from North Korea
Magnum photo essay: Escape From North Korea. Photos by Chien-Chi Chang in a 6 minute slide show, with a subtitled voiceover from an escapee. Well worth a quick look. http://bit.ly/2B8Ka4 # [Read More]
Koreans sparkle at the Goldsmiths Fair
The Goldsmith’s Fair is an annual show of some of the best designers and craftspeople in the jewellery and metalwork business, in the livery hall of the City of London’s oldest established guild. Every year, with around 80 stalls to choose from, there is a stunning range of items to view, many of which are … [Read More]
Thanks to VANK, KTO and Samsung: LKL’s blogging prize arrives
LKL yesterday received its prize in the Blog Korea Visit Korea competition, generously sponsored by Samsung and organised by VANK and the Korean Tourism Organisation. There were 100 winners – 5 first prize winners including New York based Maangchi (awarded an LG X12 Netbook), 15 second prize winners including LKL, and 80 third prize winners … [Read More]
Park Chan-wook in town for Thirst
Just had my photo taken with Park Chan-wook, while he’s in town for the premiere of Thirst. All's right with the world. # And appropriately enough, he cast a blood-red shadow as he answered questions after the screening of that vampire movie: # [Read More]
Jeon Do-yeon given French culture award
Jeon Do-yeon (http://bit.ly/2s5bE8) joins Nah Youn Sun (http://bit.ly/l0uf3) in French Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres award. The award was established in 1957 by France’s Minister of Culture to recognize noteworthy contributors to the arts and literature. # [Read More]
The Indieful ROK MySpace Directory
Anna over at Indieful ROK has done us all a great service. Ever wanted to explore new Korean indie music? Never figured out how lastFM works? MySpace is a good place to sample new music for free. The problem is, where are all the cool Korean musicians? In the course of her blogging on Korean … [Read More]
Goldsmiths Fair, week 2
Goldsmiths Fair week 2: Serena Park has created absolutely the *cutest* pillbox hat from glass, and Misun Won makes lovely jogakpo-inspired silver jewelry # [Read More]
Cute kisses and extreme marriages – different perspectives on Park Chan-wook
After Monday’s focus on Thirst, Tuesday’s Mr Vengeance screening, together with a generous hour of Q&A with Director Park, offered the opportunity to focus on his earlier work. In fact, the first question at the Q&A asked about Park’s very first films (pre JSA). Did Park have any tips or lessons learned for a rookie … [Read More]
Younee on Radio 3 Jazz Line-up
Great pre-gig publicity for Younee, courtesy of the BBC: an interview with the amazing singer Claire Martin on Radio 3 Jazz Line-up, and the chance to perform a couple of numbers live. http://bit.ly/yi96h # From the BBC website: Claire Martin presents as South Korean piano virtuoso Yoonee talks about her current career in jazz and … [Read More]
Lead us not into temptation – Q&A with Park Chan-wook at UK “Thirst” premiere
Appropriately enough, Director Park cast a sombre red shadow on the screen as he walked onto the stage to answer questions following the London premiere of Thirst. The film delivered all the blood you have come to expect from a Park Chan-wook movie, this time with some justification, given the vampire theme. But as always … [Read More]
Park Wan-suh’s Shinga reviewed in FT
The Weekend FT reviews Park Wan-suh's book "Who Ate Up All the Shinga?" "Lyrical … Gripping". The full review can be found here. # [Read More]