London Korean Links

Covering things Korean in London and beyond since 2006

[Preston] DPRK exhibition: The echo never stops

While the world enjoys the cultural explosion of K-pop, K-dramas, and the vibrant expression of Korean creativity, North Korea remains a stark contrast—a country left behind with the cloaked society. In North Korea, words can lead to imprisonment, and access to information is a dangerous privilege. Given this, the International Institute of Korean Studies at … [Read More]

Horsehair weaving in Korean contemporary art

Discover the craftsmanship of horsehair weaving with award-winning artist Dahye Jeong in an engaging talk, followed by a live demonstration and hands-on session. Jeong, winner of the Loewe Foundation Craft Prize, reimagines traditional Korean horsehair craftsmanship through contemporary art. Inspired by finely woven horsehair hats worn in the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897), her work preserves historic techniques … [Read More]

Exhibition visit: Bestselling and beloved – Korean Literary Treasures

While primarily envisaged as a home for temporary displays of visuals arts, the KCC exhibition space over the years has hosted a number of exhibitions featuring historical or literary themes. 2024 started, for example, with an exhibition looking at the early relations between the UK and Korea, celebrating 140 years of diplomatic relations, and later … [Read More]

Hyangmok Baik: Home, at Beers London

Because I attach to things both passionately and irrationally, I politely requested (read: asserted my intention) to write the text for Hyangmok Baik’s sophomore exhibition at the gallery, Home. After all, in 2023, I wrote the text for his debut exhibition at the gallery. At that time the work drew allusions to childhood, dreams, and … [Read More]

Book talk: Charlotte Horlyck on The Emergence of the Korean Art Collector and the Korean Art Market

Articulating the shifting interests in Korean art and offering new ways of conceiving the biases that initiated and impacted its collecting, this book traces the rise of the modern Korean art market from its formative period in the 1870s through to its peak and subsequent decline in the 1930s. The discussion centres on the collecting … [Read More]

Korean crafts at Collect 2025

As spring approaches, Collect — the leading international art fair for contemporary craft and design — looks forward to welcoming visitors to the stunning neo-classical rooms of Somerset House in central London, for a five-day celebration of international contemporary craft and design. Presented by Crafts Council, and recognised as being at the forefront of the … [Read More]

Market Root X YUGU – K-Creatives’ Market in London

Join MARKET ROOT at YUGU STORE, a concept store featuring Korean designer brands. Visit on Saturday, 25th January 2025 in London Fields! Enjoy a variety of offerings, including fashion, accessories, desserts, K-beauty cosmetics, and a silver ring workshop by Korean Creatives as we celebrate the Lunar New Year together. Don’t miss it! General Admission: £0 … [Read More]

Lee Youngsil: Ceramic Gardens in Bloom, at Mokspace

Lee Youngsil: Ceramic Gardens in Bloom reimagines the relationship between ceramics, flowers, and nature, blending nostalgia with artistic creativity. Incorporating ceramic elements onto her canvases, Lee portrays simplified forms of flowers and birds, inspired by her childhood memories and the traditional Korean five colours (obang-saek, 오방색). Her works, part of the series Ceramics, Flowers and … [Read More]

Cha Jongrye and Park Ji-Eun in The Quiet Within, at Pontone Gallery

Pontone Gallery’s upcoming exhibition, The Quiet Within, brings together artists from around the world whose works capture a sense of contemplation and inward focus. Cha Jongrye’s meditative, rippling sculptures initiate a dialogue with Park Ji-Eun’s undulating brushstrokes and splashes, revealing detailed impressions of iconic cities upon closer inspection. Chris Rivers’ exploration of liminal, interstellar spaces … [Read More]

Who’s in town: Hyunjin Kim

Who’s in Town is a loose programme series that invites curators, writers, researchers, and arts practitioners passing by London to stop at Asymmetry for a casual conversation with our audience. Designed to foster open sharing among aspiring and seasoned practitioners alike, the format offers a unique opportunity to engage and exchange with exciting professionals of different … [Read More]

Oh Hyun-sook: Wishes from the Past, at Mokspace

This exhibition presents the work of Oh Hyun-Sook, an artist celebrated for her reinterpretation of traditional Korean Minhwa painting. Through vibrant depictions of natural motifs such as the sun, moon, plants, and animals, alongside everyday objects, her work reflects themes of happiness, peace, and longevity. Rooted in the rich heritage of the Joseon Dynasty, these … [Read More]