Devoted followers of Korean popular culture will remember the Rain v Colbert battle in Time magazine last year. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5c7fj_stephen-colbert-vs-rain-dance-off_fun The much smaller population of devoted LKL readers will remember that I did a straw poll of my US co-workers last year: how many out of an unrepresentative sample of US bank regulatory specialists had heard … [Read More]
LKL articles by Philip Gowman (page 193)
Pyongyang – the view from Europe
Glyn Ford (with Kwon Soyoung): North Korea on the Brink (Pluto Press, 2008) Books on North Korea tend to blur in to one another. There are seemingly countless volumes either describing life under the Kims or analysing the history of diplomatic and undiplomatic engagement between the DPRK and the rest of the world, particularly the … [Read More]
The Namdaemun Gate tragedy
There are some current events which are so unexpected and shocking that the first moment of becoming aware of them is indelibly printed on the memory. It is said that anyone who was adult at the time can remember where they were when they first heard of the death of JFK. I certainly will always … [Read More]
Toy Stories at the Korea Society
Having looked in on the New York Korean Cultural Center last time I paid a visit to visit my co-workers at Head Office, I though that this time I’d use my lunch break to visit the competition: the Korea Society. I’ve always been a little bit puzzled as to why there should be two competing … [Read More]
Where to buy books about Korea in Manhattan
In my expensive quest for more acquisitions for my collection of Korea-related books I am always on the look-out for stores with decent stock. I have in the past been constantly disappointed by the bookshops in Manhattan. The main Korean bookshop in 32nd Street, Koryo Books, caters to Korean speakers rather than English speakers. The … [Read More]
A visit to Manhattan’s Korean CD shop: How did I do?
At a recent trip to visit my co-workers in Manhattan I of course made sure I looked in at AM Records in 32nd Street to see what Jay Kim could fix me up with this time. I went in without any fixed idea of what I wanted: an ideal scenario for an astute salesman such … [Read More]
February events 2008
Exhibitions The Korean Cultural Centre UK is now open. Pay it a visit. Join the library. Watch that TV drama you were always interested in but didn’t want to pay to buy. Browse round the opening exhibition, Good Morning Mr Nam June Paik. Other exhibitions with Korean interest are Sacred at Novas Gallery till 16 … [Read More]
Good Morning, Mr Choi – a report from the opening night of the KCCUK’s first exhibition
Congratulations to Choi Kyuhak and all at the Korean Cultural Centre UK on the opening of their very splendid new premises off Trafalgar Square. The formal opening ceremony took place on 30 January – a report is coming soon from Jennifer – and there was another party last night to launch their first cultural event, … [Read More]
We Love Kim Soo Hee (he said)
Two of your regular LKL writers were so taken with Kim Soo Hee’s concert on 26 January that we both felt moved to write about it. Here’s Philip‘s take. “They turned up this afternoon and asked us where our sound system and lighting was,” confided the House Manager at St John’s Smith Square as I … [Read More]
The War Veterans’ Annual Report 2007
One of the things I want to do this year is to start to provide a little coverage of the activities and stories of the veterans from the Korean War. Where better to start than a report of the activities of the British Korean Veterans Association over the past year, presented last week to the … [Read More]
Harvard Online: The Two Koreas
Beginning January 31, students living anywhere in the world can examine key historical forces that have created and shaped the two Koreas before, during, and after the actual partition of the country in 1945 in a new Harvard Extension School online course, HIST E-1814 The Two Koreas. Harvard’s Carter J. Eckert, PhD, Yoon Se Young … [Read More]
Anglo-Korean Society postgraduate bursary
ANGLO-KOREAN SOCIETY BRITISH ASSOCIATION FOR KOREAN STUDIES The AKS and BAKS are pleased to announce the Anglo-Korean Society Post-Graduate Bursary Programme. A single £500 bursary is being offered on a competitive basis to taught and research post-graduate students. The submission date for all applications will be 1 April, 2008. The programme will be administered by … [Read More]
YouTube Korea – Fighting
Congrats to the Metropolitician and Bum Lee on their YouTube Korea welcome video: [Read More]
Woyzeck: synopsis
For the benefit of those who don’t have time to read the programme notes of Sadari Movement Laboratory’s interpretation of Woyzeck before the show — maybe because of the rather laid-back style of service in the QEH foyer bar — here is the synopsis: 1 Woyzeck & the Captain: The Captain bullies Woyzeck, and taunts … [Read More]
The LKL P&L
As one or two readers will know, in my work like I started, like Daeguowl and Jenny, as an accountant. So here is an entirely non-IFRS-compliant statement of LKL’s activities for 2007. 1 Revenues As many readers may appreciate, the object of this website is not to make money. And because I prefer to have … [Read More]
Long-awaited London Korean Cultural Centre nearly ready
When I walked past the new Korean Cultural Centre the day before yesterday the windows were still covered up, and, through the gaps in the covers, you could see the builders inside racing to finish before the grand opening day. The Centre officially opens at the end of the month, at a ceremony to be … [Read More]