If you’re in the Bethnal Green area, check out Hurwundeki (허운데기), an interesting combination of hairdresser, boutique and cafe right next door to Cambridge Heath Station (298-299 Cambridge Heath Road, E2 9HA). Korean owned, the cafe is a pleasant, casual eaterie which does good coffee and a fine bibimbap among other things. Convenient for when … [Read More]
LKL articles by Philip Gowman (page 96)
A victory for common sense? Asiana air hostesses can now wear red nail varnish
Before a recent ruling by the National Human Rights Commission of Korea, the Asiana dress code detailed, among other things, “the size and substance of earrings, length of skirts, color of hair and type of eye makeup the female [cabin crew] can wear. Their dress code is more than 10 pages long, while their male … [Read More]
Concert notes: Bach and the Battle of the Red Cliffs — the KCC’s 5th birthday concert at the Cadogan Hall
It is difficult to know what to make of a programme which was so obviously in two parts, and potentially likely to appeal to two completely different audiences. There will have been many who, in advance of the KCCUK’s fifth birthday concert, would have thought: “maybe I’ll just turn up for the second half”, or … [Read More]
Lee Young-ae returns in NYT ad
Yes, it’s nice to see Lee Young-ae back. But why do the people who put full page Dokdo ads in the American press feel the need also to promote Korean food in similar fashion? Aren’t Michelle Obama and Gwyneth Paltrow doing that for free? Still, I can’t think of a better spokesmodel for hansik than … [Read More]
Teen Top ends European tour with earsplitting record
So glad I didn’t make it to Teen Top’s Paris gig last week. “The organizers said that the group’s show generated the loudest decibel and vibrations at the venue to date,” according to the Joongang Daily. “The crowd’s singing and dancing were thought to be the cause.” [Read More]
FLOTUS makes her own simple kimchi
You can hardly get a higher profile endorser of kimchi than Michelle Obama, who has tweeted a recipe made from napa cabbage in the White House garden. Last week, we picked Napa cabbage in the garden. Now, we're using it to make kimchi in the kitchen. Make it at home: pic.twitter.com/Y0L7dASZ — First Lady- Archived … [Read More]
Why does Lee Byung-hun need two heads?
Last year, Kara. This year Lee Byung-hun is releasing a doll of himself. But why does he need two heads? The doll comes with an extra attachable head among other add-ons, and according to the agency, will hit stores in Korea next year. The Joongang Daily doesn’t really explain why. [Read More]
Sanderson reveal models for new clothing range
In any other industry, you could sue your boss if he forced you to bleach your hair and wear a suit made of upholstery fabric… [Read More]
The Korean Peninsula Tensions and the Role of Other Powers
New of an upcoming seminar at the Daiwa Foundation: The Korean Peninsula Tensions and the Role of Other Powers 26 February 2013 6:00 – 7:45pm, followed by a drinks reception to 8:45pm 13/14 Cornwall Terrace, London, NW1 4QP Organised by The Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation Book Here After the “successful” launch on 12 December 2012 of … [Read More]
South Korea “Second most innovative country” – Bloomberg
Does it surprise you that South Korea ranks 2nd only to the USA in Bloomberg’s Global Innovation Index? Here is how the country ranked in the determining factors: R&D intensity: 5th | Productivity: 32nd | High-tech density: 3rd | Researcher concentration: 8th | Manufacturing capability: 3rd | Tertiary efficiency: 4th | Patent activity: 1st Definitions … [Read More]
Follow South Korea v Croatia live on LKL’s Twitter feed!
Ash is back! Aashish Ghadvi, LKL’s sports correspondent, is back on duty for South Korea’s friendly with Croatia at Craven Cottage tomorrow (Wed 6 Feb, kick-off 2pm GMT). Internet access in Fulham permitting, he’ll be tweeting live from the match on LKL’s Twitter feed (@lklinks), and there’ll be a full write up with interviews on … [Read More]
The ROK Air Force parodies Les Mis
For those who, like me, find musicals a bit of a chore, here’s a 13-minute parody of one of my least favourites. It almost makes me want to try the real thing all over again. Almost, but not quite. Well done the ROK Air Force’s 22nd Fighter Wing. Les Miserables ROKAF (Republic of Korea Air … [Read More]
BBC World Service to broadcast in Korean?
A proposal to launch an additional language for the BBC World Service, to broadcast across the entire Korean peninsula. Go like their Facebook page, launched a couple of days ago. The British Broadcasting Corporation is currently considering whether to implement a Korean language radio service to be broadcast across the Korean peninsula. At present, the … [Read More]
Royal Ancestors makes it onto Amazon.com
I was taken a bit by surprise when I was introduced at the KCCUK’s fifth birthday dinner as “Author of Royal Ancestors and Ancient Remedies.” I had almost forgotten. But coincidentally, a correspondent has just told me that it’s now available on Amazon.com. Some enterprising organisation has picked up a free copy or two from … [Read More]
February events 2013
Here are the February events we know of thus far. Exhibitions The KCC’s exhibition of young Korean artists, Now X Here, finishes on 2 February Soon Yul Kang’s Spiritual Journey continues at MokSpace until 18 February. High Resolutions, featuring photos of the Mass Games, continues at Atlas Gallery until 16 February. HADA Contemporary has a … [Read More]
The KCCUK’s fifth birthday celebrations
It really should be us thanking the KCCUK, not the other way round. But on the occasion of its fifth birthday the KCCUK has been characteristically generous in its expressions of gratitude to its supporters. Last Saturday at Cadogan Hall saw a free concert with Pansori Master Song Soon-seop, plus Pansori singer Lee Jaram, pianist … [Read More]