From the presidential website: My beloved fellow Koreans, overseas compatriots, The hope-filled New Year 2023 has dawned. I wish everyone a Happy New Year. Last year, we faced difficulties at home and abroad amid uncertainty in a complex global economic crisis, but we were able to overcome those challenges thanks to our people’s hard work … [Read More]
LKL articles by Philip Gowman (page 9)
Report on 6th Enlarged Plenary Meeting of 8th WPK Central Committee
Sourced from Rodong Sinmun: Jan. 1, Juche 112 (2023): The vigorous development of the sacred Korean revolution pioneered and advancing with the most just mission and far-reaching ideal is firmly guaranteed by the wise guidance of the Workers’ Party of Korea which sets forth scientific path and clear practical strategy at each period and at … [Read More]
January events 2023
Happy New Year. Seollal is on 22 January, ushering in the year of the water rabbit. Exhibitions The V&A’s Hallyu exhibition and the Whitechapel Gallery’s Zadie Xa solo show are still going strong The KCC’s winter Open Call exhibition runs until 4 February London Art Fair runs from 18 – 22 January. I don’t see … [Read More]
A look back at our 2022 reading diary
It was a busy year outside of my Korean interests, with the result that I didn’t read as much as I would like. And of the titles that I did read, I haven’t had a chance yet formally to write up my thoughts – though there are several half-written reviews which may eventually see the … [Read More]
Season’s Greetings to all our readers
A new President, a new King, three Prime Ministers, war in Europe, the cost of necessities going through the roof… yet somehow this year has felt like a return to more normal times as Covid becomes just another sickness that we can encounter in our daily lives rather than something to be feared. This year … [Read More]
Darcy Paquet on translating Park Chan-wook
As magazines start publishing their Best of 2022 lists, we are reminded of Park Chan-wook’s Decision to Leave – which I think would top many people’s list of top Korean films of the year, and is #3 in the BFI’s list of films from all countries. It’s slightly ironic that BFI support their selection of … [Read More]
A Hallyu Christmas Tree at the V+A
If you’re in town over the Christmas period, be sure to visit the V&A. For a number of years they’ve had the tradition of commissioning a designer to create a new work inspired by a traditional Christmas tree. The work is then installed in their impressive front entrance hall on Cromwell Road during the period … [Read More]
December events 2022
As expected, December is a quiet month. When you’re not preparing for the holiday season, you can catch up with all those TV dramas you’ve been meaning to watch for ages (I’m currently bingeing on 100 Days My Prince). Or you can sample Alexander Armstrong’s Channel 5 Korean Travelogue, or (with a more tenuous Korean … [Read More]
Festival film review: The Apartment with Two Women | Gyeong-ah’s daughter
London audiences have been spoiled with some great films in the recent festivals, from the latest blockbusters to indie debut features. Both LEAFF and LKFF included in their programme a debut feature by a female director, focusing on mother-daughter relationships and headlining actors who have not had much screentime in the mainstream. LEAFF’s selection was … [Read More]
The Rose “Heal Together” tour in London
Get ready for Korean pop rock band The Rose, and their long-anticipated comeback on the ‘HEAL TOGETHER’ world tour. [Read More]
November events 2022
One last busy month before the year-end slow-down. The London Korean Film Festival and the second half of the K-music Festival dominate the calendar, and there are some major K-pop names including BlackPink coming to town. But along with Park Jiha’s meditative music the thing I’m most looking forward to this month is an intimate … [Read More]
Lee Hyemi shortlisted for Sarah Maguire Prize for Poetry in Translation
Congratulations to poet Lee Hyemi, translator Soje and the pioneering Tilted Axis Press for being shortlisted for the 2022 Sarah Maguire Prize for Poetry in Translation with the collection Unexpected Vanilla, published in 2020. Awarded every two years, the prize honours the best book of poetry by a living poet from Africa, Asia, Latin America … [Read More]
Festival film review: Hommage
In her first feature, Passerby #3 (2010), Shin Su-won looked at the life of a woman who left her job to try to become a film director. In her latest, she returns to a similar movie-making theme. Hommage is about a middle-aged movie director, Ji-wan, whose films have never been much of a success. She … [Read More]
Hwang Jihae returns to Chelsea in 2023 with her third garden
Korean garden designer and environmental artist Hwang Jihae will be returning to the Chelsea Flower Show in 2023 with a show garden titled “A Letter from a Million Years Past”. The news was released at a press conference at RHS Linley Hall in central London today. Hwang won Gold Medal and Best Artisan Garden in … [Read More]
London Korean Film Festival 2022 programme announcement
Here’s the main press release announcing the LKFF’s 2022 programme. We’ll be posting the detailed schedule in due course, but tickets are already on sale via the festival website. London Korean Film Festival announces its 2022 programme Special Presentation of Kore-eda Hirokazu’s Award Winning BROKER Critically Acclaimed RETURN TO SEOUL Closing Film: KIM Han-min’s HANSAN: … [Read More]
October events 2022
There’s no let-up in the schedule this month after last month’s hectic pace. This month sees the BFI London Film Festival, the London East Asia Film Festival – both of which have strong Korean showings – and the start of the K-music festival. Music and performance The 2022 K-music Festival opens with: Dal:um & ReMidas … [Read More]