A text written in preparation for a panel session at the KCCUK on 30 January 2013, the fifth anniversary of the opening of the KCCUK back in 2008. Korean Culture in London – or indeed in the UK more widely – did not start with the opening of the Korean Cultural Centre in 2008. But … [Read More]
LKL articles by Philip Gowman (page 97)
Introducing… The Kimchi Project
When Koreaphiles get together for the first time, the opening conversational gambit is usually: “So, how did you get interested in Korea, then?” The answer is usually that friends, film or music, or a combination of all three, provided the entry into Korean culture. With Antonia Mochan, it’s a slightly different story. “I was on … [Read More]
Some almost affordable Lee Ufan at Christies
Some unusual and almost affordable Lee Ufan pieces are coming up for sale at Christie’s London on 14 February: an untitled charcoal on paper (55.2 x 73cm) work from 1984… and another similarly sized untitled work from 1977, ink and gouache on paper. Click on the links / images to find out more on the … [Read More]
Jeonju Film Fest to focus on Kim Young-ha
This is the kind of news I like. This year the program of the Jeonju International Film Festival will include “short films based on Korean writers’ short stories, thereby creating opportunities for good Korean literature to be introduced overseas. The focus this year will be KIM Young-ha. KIM Young-ha’s novel, I have a right to … [Read More]
Looking back at 2012: Domestic news
In our final round-up of Korea-related stories which caught our eye in 2012, we look at domestic and business news. Modern Life and how to escape it. Korea came 24th out of 34 leading countries in an OECD quality of life index, coming bottom of the class in job security and gender income inequality and … [Read More]
Looking back at 2012: DPRK and regional news
In the third of four round-ups of things that caught our eye in 2012, we look back at some of the stories from the DPRK and Seoul’s external relations. DPRK The leadership transition proceeded smoothly, contrary to many observers’ expectations. Kim Jong-un showed that he had inherited his father’s expensive tastes, with a story that … [Read More]
One of the world’s most dangerous foods?
According to Yahoo news, sannakji (산낙지) is one of the world’s most dangerous foods. As described in the article it doesn’t sound dangerous at all: “Minimal preparation is required as raw baby octopus is simply dismembered, smothered in sesame oil and served. The problem is that each tentacle of an octopus encompasses its own brain, … [Read More]
Looking back at 2012: Hallyu and entertainment news
In the second of four round-ups of links to news which caught our eye in 2012, we focus on hallyu-related stories from around the world, some of the local entertainment industry stories plus a quick look at the film industry. UK. The Guardian put together an entertaining photoshop when London Mayor Boris Johnson claimed he … [Read More]
Exhibition visit: Disruptive Drinking and Creative Curating at the RCA
When you’re invited to a session of disruptive drinking, it’s hard to refuse. And that was what was promised in Sun Ae Kim’s invitation to her stall at the Royal College of Arts Biennial Research Exhibition. Disruptive? Well, there were certainly some surprises. First of all the exquisite ceramic vessels we were offered to drink … [Read More]
Kimsooja to represent Korea at the Venice Biennale 2013
Kimsooja is an artist whose work has grown on me over the years. When I first saw one of her video works I didn’t spend long in front of it. But each time I saw her work I enjoyed it more, until I was completely enthralled by her Needle Woman videos when I saw them … [Read More]
Looking back at 2012: Culture, tourism and branding stories
The first of four articles in which we look back at some of the stories which caught our attention during the course of 2012. In this first article we look at cultural promotion, heritage, tourism and related topics. Heritage and Cultural Promotion Korea’s national folk song, Arirang, was listed as world Intangible Cultural Heritage by … [Read More]
The boom in literature museums
Those of you who saw Eungyo at the London Korean Film Festival 2012 may remember that the older author was talking with city officials about building a literature museum in his honour (and trying to avoid the honour). According to an article in today’s Joongang Ilbo, the building of literature museums has become rather a … [Read More]
January in the KTO 2013 Calendar
Does anyone have the Korean Tourism Organisation’s 2013 Calendar entitled Discovering the Path to Korea? January is particularly fine: Dodamsambong Peaks, Danyang-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do 도담삼봉 단양군 충청북도 [Map]. Photo by Seung-jin Song. Another place to put on the list to visit. [Read More]
Some well-decorated North Korean generals
Too good not to share. From Alexander Choi’s Facebook page, North Korean generals in full regalia. Quips left below the photo include “and you haven’t seen what’s on their backs…” “a testament to North Korean medicine that they are able to bear all that weight” There are of course questions as to whether the image … [Read More]
Exhibition Visit: Purdy Hicks previews new Bae Chan-hyo works; Hanmi focuses on media art – at London Art Fair
At the London Art Fair it was nice to see some new Korean work as well as re-enjoy some pieces which have already been seen in London exhibitions. At Purdy Hicks, Bae Chan-hyo was previewing a new chapter in his Existing in Costume series. His past work has him exploring male / female and east … [Read More]
Korean navy buys British helicopters
The Korean navy is to buy KRW 589 billion worth of anti-submarine helicopters from AugustaWestland of the UK in preference to a US machine. The contract size is about the same as the Royal Navy’s order of Korean fuel tankers from Daewoo, announced last year. Links: Press release from AugustaWestland [Read More]