On the second evening of the London Book Fair there were no author events. No panel sessions, no “conversations with…” And that was because all the Korean authors, along with interpreters, LTI Korea representatives, British Council, Ministry of Culture folks and sundry hangers-on such as myself, were at BAFTA for a reception. It was at … [Read More]
Category: Asides (page 22)
Kim Young-ha rounds off the Korea Market Focus events in London
The final event of the Korea Market Focus of London Book Fair 2014 took place last night at the London Review Bookshop near the British Museum – a fascinating and engaging conversation between Kim Young-ha and young British writer, editor and translator Daniel Hahn. Kim is off to Brasilia this weekend for another book event … [Read More]
“Asian Literature” in Hong Kong
Before we get carried away by the idea of the new Korean Literature Wave, here’s the “Asian Literature” (in English translation) section of a decent Hong Kong bookstore this week (Page One in Times Square). Almost 50% Murakami, some Japanese Asia Extreme, and some Chinese. While this would be a normal state of affairs in … [Read More]
Great Britain featured in Garosugil
Ever since the 2012 Olympic year, the British embassy in Seoul has been running the Great Festival featuring the best of British. And over the weekend they took over one of Gangnam’s most popular streets. The JoongAng Ilbo has the story. [Read More]
UN launches its report on human rights in North Korea
On 17 February the UN Commission of Inquiry on human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea launched the report of its findings. On 17 March the Chair of the Commission, Michael Kirby, formally presented it to the 25th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. The Commission “found systematic, widespread and … [Read More]
Kim Yuna’s Lark of Emergency and other popular classics
Browsing in the Hankyoreh yesterday I came across some charming pictures of Queen Yuna. This particular one, with the famous yellow logo on the CD cover … … got me googling for Deutsche Grammophon compilations of Kim’s backing tracks. And I came across this: Scrolling down to the tracklist I find that the label hasn’t … [Read More]
The Hairy Bikers come to Korea
Coming up this Thursday (20 March) on BBC2 at 8pm, the Hairy Bikers’ Asian Adventure finally brings them to Seoul. It will be on iPlayer thereafter, but I suspect viewers overseas may need one of those browser plugins which fool websites into thinking you’re logged in from a different country. The Bikers’ programmes are always … [Read More]
Here’s what Hamlet sounds like in Korean
In 2012, as part of their Globe to Globe festival, the Globe Theatre invited numerous theatre companies from around the world to perform their Shakespeare adaptations in London – and Yohangza Theatre Company from South Korea brought their Midsummer Night’s Dream [LKL review here]. For phase two of the project, the Globe Theatre is taking … [Read More]
So apparently Korean spiced chicken is Great British Pub Food
A menu spotted outside a Bloomsbury pub recently. With Jubo doing well in the Hoxton area with their Korean spiced chicken wings, it looks like other pubs are trying to get in on the act. [Read More]
Koreans come 1st and 2nd in Hastings Piano comp
Congratulations to 17 year-old Lee Taek-gi on winning the first prize (and £10,000) in this year’s Hastings International Piano Competition with his performance of Rachmaninov’s 3rd piano concerto. Runner-up was Sunwoo Yekwon, winning £2,500. The final of the competition was on 8 March. Source: Hastings International Piano Competition [Read More]
Krys Lee wins literature award
Congratulations to Krys Lee who has won a literature award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. She is one of two winners of a Rome Fellowship in Literature, which involves a one-year residency (2014–2015) at the American Academy in Rome. Source [Read More]
LBF event, 11 Apr 7pm: In conversation with Kim Young-ha
The last of six evening events during London Book Fair week at the London Review bookshop: In conversation with Kim Young-ha April 11, 19.00-20.00 Kim Young-ha will be in conversation about his novels, their translation into other languages and adaptation into film. He’ll also be talking about his literary influences, and how his writing reflects … [Read More]
LBF event (Aberystwyth) 11 Apr: Reading Korea, Translating Wales
The London Book Fair comes to Wales: Reading Korea, Translating Wales Friday 11 April, 18.00-19.00 Lee Seung-U in conversation with Francesca Rhydderch On her return from East Asia, Dr Francesca Rhydderch, author of The Rice Paper Diaries (Seren 2013) interviews Korean writer Lee Seung-U. Lee is a novelist and professor of Korean literature at Chosun … [Read More]
LBF Event, 10 Apr 8pm: Reading and Discussion with Kim Hyesoon
The fifth of six evening events during London Book Fair week, which unfortunately overlaps with a session with Shin Kyung-sook, Krys Lee and Quaisra Shahraz at Asia House. Reading and Discussion with Kim Hyesoon 10 April, 20.00-21.00 Join us for an evening of poetry by one of South Korea’s most important contemporary poets, Kim Hyesoon. … [Read More]
LBF event (Edinburgh) 10 Apr: Edinburgh Reads
The London Book Fair comes to Edinburgh: Edinburgh Reads with Kim Insuk and Han Kang Thursday 10 April, 19.00-20.00 Edinburgh Libraries are delighted to welcome Korean writers Kim Insuk and Han Kang, and Scottish writer Karen Campbell to our Edinburgh Reads programme. Kim Insuk is unique amongst Korean writers as her works often centre on … [Read More]
LBF event, 10 Apr 6:45pm: Separations, at Asia House
The fourth of six evening events during London Book Fair week, which unfortunately overlaps with a session with Kim Hyesoon at the Festival Hall. Separations 10 April, 18.45-20.00 Authors from Korea, Pakistan and Singapore discuss their work and the question: How does the partition of a country and divisions of families affect its society and … [Read More]