The official website opens at the end of this month; the year of Korean events in France starts on 18 September, lasting until August 2016; and the year of France in Korea runs from March till December 2016. The celebrations mark 130 years since diplomatic relations were established in 1886. Looks like the Eurostar might … [Read More]
Category: Asides (page 13)
London Korean restaurants – the scores on the doors
When chosing a Korean (or any other) restaurant you might want to consider their food hygiene rating. The score (0-5) can be found by searching www.scoresonthedoors.org.uk. Full reports are not made public but can, if you’re that curious, be obtained through a freedom of information request to the relevant council. The idea of the ratings … [Read More]
Understatement of the year: Joint concert “not quite a success”
There’s a delightful and very detailed account of the grand Independence Day North-South musical collaboration in the Korea Joongang Daily. The headline reads “DMZ concert not quite a success, but not a failure”. Less politely put, the affair sounds like it was a bit of a fiasco: Only “13 musicians … turned up: one violin, … [Read More]
Found in London’s Japan Centre: kimchi lemonade
Kimchi flavoured lemonade is down in price – can’t imagine why. But according to Rocket News, who have also sampled curry, octopus and chili pepper Ramune sodas: “It’s damn good!” [Read More]
Event news: Chuseok family day at the V+A, 13 Sept
The V+A is building up a nice track record of engaging, family-oriented events with a Korean angle. Their next one has a Chuseok theme: Chuseok Festival Family Event Sun 13 September 2015 11:00–17:00 The John Madejski Garden, Victoria and Albert Museum Admission free – just drop in. FAMILY EVENT: Join us to celebrate Chuseok, the … [Read More]
The ultimate hiking refreshment
Seen on instagram: You’ve got to hand it to Korea. 70 years of independence has produced the ultimate innovation — soju packaging designed for hiking: [Read More]
Book news: Han Kang at the Edinburgh Book Festival
Hang Kang will be appearing with Mary Costello at the Edinburgh Book Festival. And you can vote for Han Kang’s The Vegetarian for the First Book Award here. The Quest for Another Life Mary Costello & Han Kang Sun 16 Aug 7:00pm – 8:00pm Baillie Gifford Corner Theatre £7.00, £5.00 Book here ‘Heartbreaking’ and ‘packed … [Read More]
A weekend of women’s sport dominated by Koreans
Koreans seem to have been dominating the world of women’s golf for quite a while (just take a look at the LPGA page showing tournament winners), so it was no surprise that they did well in the British Open (30 July – 2 August). But it was quite an achievement that the top four names … [Read More]
The Massive reports from the Boys Republic concert
It seems the Boys Republic gig in Islington on 4 July went down well with the audience. The Korean Class Massive has a detailed account of the evening on their blog, and loads of photos on their Facebook page. Sounds like a good evening. [Read More]
New Malden Korean Food Festival 2015
It’s the second Saturday in July, so it must be the Korean Food Fest at New Malden’s Fountain pub. 11 July 2015, from shortly before noon, but check with the pub for the exact time. There will be some familiar faces providing musical entertainment during the course of the day. Kayageum / guitar duo Kaya … [Read More]
An easy way to drink poktanju
This somaek tower (and others like it) is probably why my brain isn’t functioning too well today. On the Bab in Covent Garden provide you with these fiendish devices, loaded with ready-mixed poktanju (in unknown proportions), as an easy way to get the booze into you as fast as you like. Great with their sliders … [Read More]
Korea Post honours the Glosters
Lt Col James Power Carne of the Gloucestershire Regiment appears on a new Korean postage stamp, part of a set of ten issued to mark the 65th anniversary of the start of the war. The BBC regional website for Gloucestershire has the full story. [Read More]
Ko Un and Brother Anthony at the Ledbury Poetry Festival
Ko Un will be appearing at the Ledbury Poetry Festival with Brother Anthony this month, before coming to London: Ko Un and Brother Anthony 12 July 2015, 4.15pm–5.15pm Burgage Hall | Church Lane | Ledbury | Herefordshire HR8 1DW Box office 01531 636 232 | £9 Andrew Motion, in his introduction to First Person Sorrowful, … [Read More]
Boys Republic + Choi Soo Min at O2 Academy Islington
These gigs seem to pop up from nowhere – unless you’re plugged into the fan network I guess. As of now, ten days to go before the gig, the venue hasn’t been given much information, and we’re left to google / guess that the support act, Choi Soo Min, is the ex-boxer turned crossover pianist. … [Read More]
July’s K-drama pilot screenings
Here are the two pilots that will be screening on 2 July at 7pm in the KCC, in a collaboration with the London Korean Drama Club. As usual, registration is required via [email protected]. This time, the screenings will be followed by a panel talk. More details over on Daehan Drama. The King’s Face (왕의 얼굴) … [Read More]
Shin Kyung-sook seeks to withdraw short story
Wow – this all happened very quickly. On 17 June author Lee Eung-jun wrote an article in Huffington Post Korea (in Korean) accusing Shin Kyung-sook of plagiarism: Shin is “an author whose works are often accused of plagiarism” and that he decided to risk his career by publishing the article as he wanted the allegations … [Read More]