It’s not often that you find a K-pop story in the pink pages of the Financial Times. In fact, if you search their site for “BTS” you will simply get a list of articles about the company formerly known as British Telecom. So what brings them to report the ins and outs of Lee Seung-hyun’s, … [Read More]
LKL articles by Philip Gowman (page 28)
In the Absence – a brief Sewol documentary that packs a punch
Some of the best things come in small sizes, and this documentary about the Sewol tragedy is one of them. In the Absence: in the absence of a serious rescue effort, in the absence of decent, serious reporting by the mainstream media, in the absence of many other things. The documentary is only 29 minutes … [Read More]
Y Dance at Resolution 2019 – a video of the full performance
For those who were unable to attend the triple bill at The Place in January as part of Resolution 2019, Y Dance have posted a full length video of their moving and slightly unsettling performance, which you can view below. “넋(NEOK): SOUL” is about suffering the mental anguish caused by society, family and even themselves. … [Read More]
In pictures: Catch Bridging Home, London while you still can
Suh Do-ho’s installation at the east end of London Wall will be taken down soon: its planning permission runs out at the end of the month. So catch it while you can. Here’s a few photos I took this afternoon. Thanks to Hannah Giles and 앤서방, here are some images of the work in mid … [Read More]
Exhibition visit: Lee Jin Woo at LdM Gallery
The current interest in Korean Dansaekhwa seems to have legs, to the extent that there is an emerging wave of second generation artists to complement the established generation of Park Seo-bo and Yun Hyong-keun. Thus recently at White Cube we had Kim Min-jung’s solo show; and now at HdM Gallery there is Lee Jin-woo. Although … [Read More]
Nick Bonner’s Made in North Korea arrives in Seoul
The Korea JoongAng Daily has a nice feature on Nick Bonner’s collection of North Korean everyday graphic design. His collection was on show in London’s House of Illustration last year, and arrived at the Hongik Daehangno Art Center (Hyehwa subway) in December, where it will remain until early April. It is well worth a visit. … [Read More]
March events 2019
After the busiest February I can remember, March too is setting off at a cracking pace, and that’s even before we have sight of the KCC’s film schedule and upcoming exhibition. It’s a big month for music: Hyelim Kim at Club Inegales, two separate Donghoon Shin world premieres, Seong-jin Cho at the Barbican, plus concerts … [Read More]
Bae Chan-hyo’s new book of photography
I always find it strangely rewarding when things going on in London get featured in the Korean press. London-based photographer Bae Chan-hyo’s upcoming exhibition at Purdy Hicks, Jumping Into, gets a feature in yesterday’s Korea JoongAng Daily newspaper. Bae has been active on the London art scene at least since 2006, when he took part … [Read More]
Brief review: Crossroads of Youth
Crossroads of Youth, Korea’s earliest surviving feature-length movie, was a great way to start the season of films from Korea’s colonial period. It is a season that could not have taken place 15 years ago, because these films have only recently come to light in the film archives of Beijing, Moscow and Tokyo. Crossroads of … [Read More]
Movie review: E J-Yong – My Brilliant Life
A feelgood Korean drama which the main character has a fatal and incurable disease, and who is writing an account for the benefit of loved ones when he is gone? Been there, done that. Well, not exactly: when the director is E J-Yong and the movie is an adaptation of a Kim Aeran novel, you … [Read More]
In pictures: Shinuk Suh in Invisible Balance
Shinuk Suh’s first solo show at Daniel Benjamin Gallery is a product of social media: the gallery told me that they discovered Shinuk’s work on Instagram, were captivated by it, and decided to offer him a solo show. It’s amazing that such lucky breaks can happen, but based on the work on show the artist … [Read More]
The Kimjang Project is officially launched
The Kimjang Project launched yesterday in New Malden with congratulatory messages from the Mayor of Kingston Thay Thayalan and the local MP Sir Ed Davey among others. The project celebrates the various aspects of kimjang, for example the communal character of kimchi-making and its health-giving properties. New Malden, sometimes known as New Mal-dong (뉴몰동), as … [Read More]
Byungchan Kim is runner-up in HIX Award 2018
Quite by chance last week I happened to be visiting the offices of one of the sponsors of the HIX Award – though I didn’t know this connection in advance. The HIX Award is open to current art students and graduates of the last two years and is aimed at helping with the transition between … [Read More]
It’s the Korean Music Awards time of year again…
This is the time of year that I realise how behind I am with the music scene in Korea. The Korean Music Awards make me guilty that I’ve missed out on so much great music, but also grateful that they bring it together in one place so that I know what it is that I … [Read More]
RIP Kim Bok-dong
Next Tuesday, 5 February, a vigil will be held in remembrance of Kim Bok-dong who passed away on Monday 28 January, aged 93. She was a victim of Japanese military sexual slavery and a tireless campaigner against violence to women and girls in conflict. Her visit to London in 2015 touched many hearts. The vigil … [Read More]
February events 2019
The big series of events this month is the season of colonial era Korean film at the BFI Southbank and KCC. Also this month is the official launch of the Heritage Lottery Fund supported Kimjang project. Seollal is on 5 February. Art The KCC’s current exhibition, curated jointly with Delfina Foundation, and at both locations, … [Read More]