London Korean Links

Covering things Korean in London and beyond since 2006

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Selected publications

  • Booklist: Fashion (7 titles)
    • SOAS seminar: Fashioning the National Body through Patchwork

      A mystic curator, ‘manga kewpies’ and fantastical super-pigs are pieced together in this history of Korean patchwork. Commonly known in South Korea as jogakbo, the national histories of the form arise from a period of cultural preservation under government policy. The written record of the textile that is composed of fragments sutured together can be traced … [Read More]

      Exhibition: The Beauty of Hanbok

      Beauty of Hanbok (2025) is Mikey Espinosa’s sixth exhibition, following With Love, Korea, which explored the country’s diverse and breathtaking landscapes. This new body of work shifts focus to Hanbok, Korea’s traditional clothing. The word “Hanbok” translates to “Korean clothing” (Han meaning Korean people, Bok meaning clothing), a term created to distinguish it from Western … [Read More]

      Korea week on the Great British Sewing Bee

      In this latest example of Korean culture reaching further and further into our daily lives, the BBC’s popular TV show The Great British Sewing Bee takes Korea as its theme for the 4th round of its latest series. Unusually, they also have a guest judge for this round to help arbitrate between the various creations: … [Read More]

      Book review: Make, Break, Remix

      Trying to encapsulate a country’s design aesthetic, even when looking back at the past, is a challenge. With Korea, one might start suggesting that the monochrome art movement of the last 50 years or so, the simplicity of hanok architecture and the purity of Joseon dynasty white porcelain points towards an overriding aesthetic of restraint … [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]

      Fiona Bae in conversation with Na Kim

      As part of a month-long festival of events at Foyles in partnership with the Korean Cultural Centre to celebrate Korean Culture Month, Fiona Bae, the author of Make, Break, Remix: The Rise of K-Style, discusses her bold and beautifully-made study of contemporary Korean style with designer Na Kim. Make, Break, Remix explores the extraordinary impact … [Read More]

      Hot Hanbok/Cool Glass: Hallyu comes to Stourbridge

      A collaboration between the Korean Cultural Centre UK and the International Festival of Glass A superb evening of Korean culture, its traditions and contemporary Hallyu (Korean Wave), a collective term that refers to the phenomenal growth of Korean culture internationally, which encompasses everything from music, movies, fashion, drama to online games and Korean cuisine. Featuring … [Read More]

      Hallyu Con 2021

      Hallyu Con returns to London for its second edition. There are opportunities for you to participate and share your passion in several ways. Follow the links below to find out more. Hallyu Con will be streamed from 2pm UK time on 4 September 2021 Watch on the KCCUK’s YouTube Channel or the dedicated Hallyu Con … [Read More]

      Hallyu Con 2020: an online celebration of Korean pop culture

      Hot on the heels of KBCE’s Chuseok-themed online event in September comes KCCUK’s hallyu-focused online festival. Hallyu Con 2020 Sunday 4 October 2020, 3pm Livestreamed on the KCCUK YouTube Channel Free Calling all UK and Europe-based Korean culture enthusiasts! Are you keen to join the ultimate celebration of Korean pop culture? This one-day online event, … [Read More]

      Cereal Magazine: special Korean edition

      Cereal is a biannual travel and style magazine based in the UK. Each issue focuses on a select number of destinations, alongside interviews and stories on design, art, and fashion. The current edition (#19) for the summer of 2020 focuses on Korea. The volume covers the architecture of Itami Jun, the photography of Koo Bohnchang, … [Read More]