Drawing on interviews and Q&As, this piece reflects on Im Kwon-taek’s vast career, from early genre films to Seopyeonje and beyond, examining tradition, literature, Buddhism, and his lifelong pursuit of cinematic perfection. [Read More]
LKL articles by Philip Gowman (page 72)
In pictures: Lee Seung-taek at Mot International
Lee Seung-taek’s solo show at Mot International continues until 23 August. Lee was born in 1932 and the works on show at the exhibition come from the years 1957 – 1971. His work has been collected by the Tate: a 1958 version of the 1957 Godret Stone (고드랫돌) that is on show here. Lee is still … [Read More]
August events 2014
It’s the month for festivals, though it’s looking like the annual Kingston Korean festival may not be happening this year. If anyone knows any different, please let me know. In compsensation, the Korean Artists Association’s annual residence at the KCC is longer this year, starting 12 August. Edinburgh The Edinburgh Fringe is under way, with … [Read More]
The experience of North Koreans in New Malden
A panel session about the experiences of North Korean defectors in New Malden is at first sight a strange event to promote as part of an arts festival. But the 7th New Malden Arts Festival overlaps with Malden Fortnight, a celebration of New Malden’s varied community, of which Koreans are of course a significant part. … [Read More]
Edinburgh Fringe Preview: Brush – a charming piece of theatre for children
Last year at the Fringe we had Climb a Willow to the Sea God’s Palace, a lovely 45-minute performance from Kkumdongi Puppet Theatre telling a Korean fable using puppetry and painting geared towards a younger audience. This year for the younger festival-goers we will have Theatre Haddangse performing Brush. The company gave a special preview … [Read More]
Shin Meekyoung’s Plinth Project, two years on
Almost exactly two years ago – on 23 July 2012 – Shin Meekyoung’s equestrian statue of the Duke of Cumberland was hoisted into position in Cavendish Square. I happened to be in the area on 24 July 2014 so I paid a visit. The soap from which the statue is made has shown itself to … [Read More]
In pictures: the Doctor Who roadshow comes to Seoul
In connection with a publicity screening of episode 1 of series 8 in Seoul on 9 August, the Beeb is running a little promotional campaign involving the Tardis. Here’s a sample of the photos from the hashtag #tardisinseoul. You can also try the hashtag #타디스인서울 or #닥터후. Download your own tardis here to cut out … [Read More]
Gangnam’s Sherlock-themed cafe
Check out Giacomo Lee’s post about a Sherlock-themed coffee shop in Gangnam called 221B. You can even order an Eggs Benedict to go with your Sherlock Coffee. Great attention to detail. Link: Gangnam’s Sherlock Themed Cafe, Medium.com, 4 July [Read More]
Exhibition visit: Jeehee Park — Elephant in the Room, at Hanmi Gallery
If you haven’t been to Hanmi Gallery to see Jeehee Park’s Elephant in the Room, it could well be that you are too late. Although the exhibition is due to close on 3 August, the nature of the work is not ideally suited to the hottest days of the year. The main installation in the … [Read More]
The Kimchi Slap (in case you haven’t seen it elsewhere)
Here’s the full clip from the MBC TV Drama Everybody, Kimchi. The incident in question is at 1’30”: If you’re happy with .gifs, here’s the cut-down version. I wonder how many shirts were ruined rehearsing this scene… [Read More]
Exhibition visit: MFA Degree show at Goldsmiths
It’s not always easy to get to the degree shows of the various art colleges, but I managed to sneak away from work one lunchtime and pop down to New Cross Gate to take a few installation shots at the Goldsmiths MFA 2014 degree show. Four Korean artists were showing, and I was lucky enough … [Read More]
Dance videos, tasteless films and hair promotions – different ways to annoy the DPRK authorities
It’s not just the Americans and the Brits who annoy the North Korean establishment with their irreverant lèse-majesté. Now the Chinese are doing it too. So far the video has been left online: And a reminder of the two other things that recently got the DPRK establishment annoyed: an upcoming American comedy film, and a … [Read More]
Latest UNESCO listings break the stereotypes
A famine-ridden state that spends all its money on its army and its nukes; and a country that builds a green city and restores its rivers… Those are the stereotypes. Yet it’s the North that has just had a biosphere reserve registered at UNESCO, while the South’s latest registration is an impressive piece of military … [Read More]
2012 Travel Diary #23: Mun Ik-jeom: dutiful son and smuggler of cotton seeds
Sancheong County, Gyeongsangnam-do, Sunday 1 April 2012. Mun Ik jeom (문익점, 文益漸) was a rare individual who was honoured by the kings of two royal dynasties, first by King U of Goryeo and second by the great Joseon King Sejong. The honour received from Sejong was posthumous, and was in recognition of what started, in … [Read More]
British Council signs MOU with DPRK Cultural Committee
As trailed at the launch of the current photographic exhibition at the British Council, a memorandum of understanding has now been signed between the Council and the DPRK’s Cultural Committee. Not quite the ministerial level MOU that is in place between the UK and the ROK, but still a significant step. British Council forges new … [Read More]
Exhibition visit: Kwon Soonhak at UNION Gallery
This is an exhibition whose accompanying essay says it all. So often the blurb which goes with an exhibition is incomprehensible. Union has done it exactly right with this particular essay. The altarpiece which is the subject of the work Ecce Homo is from All Souls Langham Place, where the artist sings in the choir. … [Read More]