In the first of five articles, we look back over some of the milestones of 2013. Here we list some of the significant anniversaries, marriages and deaths. The Donguibogam was published 400 years ago. The Korean War armistice was signed 60 years ago The Marmot’s Hole started 10 years ago Marriages Footballer Ki Sung-yueng, to … [Read More]
LKL articles by Philip Gowman (page 81)
Shin Kyung-sook’s I’ll be Right There arrives in time for London Book Fair
Please Look After Mother was a huge hit, so people must be hopeful that Shin Kyung-sook’s forthcoming I’ll Be Right There will be equally as successful. Available on 10 April (according to Amazon) from Other Press, I’m sure we can expect a launch event linked to the London Book Fair (8-10 April). And as Shin … [Read More]
For the easy solution to watching K-drama in the UK, here’s your answer
All you folks who have been wondering how to watch Korean TV dramas in the UK without installing some unsightly satellite dish which makes it look as if your house is inhabited either by a spy or a sporting nutcase, here’s your answer: DramaFever is about to launch here, cannily stealing a march on EastAsiaTV, … [Read More]
Miss Saigon to get Korean star
Hot on the heels of a Korean star appearing on the West End stage in Les Mis, Miss Saigon is to get a Korean lead in the shape of Hong Kwang-ho starring as Thuy. He appeared in the first Korean production of Miss Saigon a couple of years ago, according to producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh. … [Read More]
UK literary editors offer perspectives on Korean publishing
As part of the British Council’s engagement with Korea as focus country for the 2014 London Book Fair, six British literary editors went on a trip to Korea in November 2013. The objectives of the trip were to: Increase mutual understanding of publishing and literature sectors in the UK and Korea Create strong and enduring … [Read More]
British Council announces 10 Korean Authors for London Book Fair
This week the British Council announced the ten Korean Authors that it would be bringing over for the London Book Fair. Their aim was to bring a good mix of names that we might already know from existing translations, and names that have yet to make it into English. We have the following to look … [Read More]
Korean authors at the London Book Fair – the official press release
Here is the official press release from the British Council website: Leading Korean writers billed for market focus cultural programme at the London Book Fair 2014 The British Council, in partnership with The Literature Translation Institute of Korea (LTI Korea) is delighted to announce the Korea Market Focus Cultural Programme for The London Book Fair … [Read More]
Lee Jung-myung’s The Investigation to get UK publication
Coming in time for London Book Fair 2014: The Investigation by Lee Jung-myung. Inspired by a true story, the novel is described as “a captivating mystery and an epic lament for lost freedom and humanity in the darkest of times.” According to The List, the story is based on the life of “poet Yun Dong-ju … [Read More]
Kim Suhee’s Ribbon of Error at the RCA
At the various group shows put on at the art colleges you can usually count on encountering more Korean artists than you were expecting, and the interim exhibition at the Royal College of Arts this weekend was no exception. I had gone along to see a performance of Kim Suhee’s work Ribbon of Error, and … [Read More]
Exhibition visit: Attention 1, at Hanmi Gallery
Do pay a visit to Hanmi Gallery for their 30th interim exhibition, Attention: 1 – featuring new work by Chung Yumi. Beautiful drawings, paintings and installations. The hand-stitched screens of vertical blinds, or using simple timber frames, embrace a range of textures and colours and remind one of the traditional craft of jogakbo. On till … [Read More]
Did you know pennies were magnetic?
Did you know pennies were magnetic? I certainly didn’t until yesterday evening, when I visited the opening of the Courtauld’s East Wing Biennial. And apparently 5p pieces are two. So says Yun Sungfeel, who should know. His series of works Looking at The real world from within The real world use hidden magnets to move … [Read More]
Hyundai to support Tate Modern commissions and acquisitions
When you think of Korean arts sponsorship in the UK perhaps you think of Samsung (you can normally bet that a Korean video art show has some Samsung assistance) and Asiana (who support a lot of the KCC’s activities, particularly when it comes to travel). But now, don’t forget Hyundai. They already have a 10-year … [Read More]
An evening at the London Art Fair 2014
London Art Fair can usually be relied upon to show a range of Korean contemporary artists for a number of galleries. This year we’re sure we must have missed some of the artists showing as we didn’t have time to do a trawl of the whole exhibition. Instead we focused on the galleries we knew … [Read More]
Paul Lee’s painstaking, zen-like works
A group show in a Mayfair gallery last week featured the work of Korean artist Paul Lee alongside western artists Hanna ten Doornkaat and Rachel Pearcey. Lee’s work went particularly well with that of Hanna ten Doornkaat, studies in repetition of line and geometry which remind one of the dot-paintings of Kim Whanki. Lee’s work … [Read More]
Things to look forward to in 2014
Here are some of the Korea-related events we can look forward to in London and elsewhere this year. The London Book Fair (8-10 April) has Korea as Focus Country. Expect a lot of K-lit events around that time, and plenty of authors will be in town. Also, expect a number of literature-related film screenings at … [Read More]
Get your translated Korean literature for free on your iPad
Thanks to Charles Montogomery at KTLit.com for spreading the word on this free resource available on iTunes, courtesy of the Literature Translation Institute of Korea. Chae Man-sik, Yi Sang, Yi Kwang-su and others are represented in the 19-story collection, with more to come later this year. It’s a nice-looking app, with added SNS capabilities. Here’s … [Read More]