London Korean Links

Covering things Korean in London and beyond since 2006

Korean wave: growing or receding?

It was the last seminar of the winter term. With the title of Contemporary Korean popular culture, Kim Shin Dong’s talk was sure to be well-attended. The SOAS Korean Society had mobilised in force for the occasion, and were selling kimbap outside the lecture room. It was a pity, then, that the lecture itself on … [Read More]

K-film double bill at the British Museum

A Korean film double bill Saturday 6 December, 13.00 BP Lecture Theatre £5, concessions £3 Marathon Director: Chung Yoon-chul Starring: Cho Seung-woo South Korea, 2004, 117 minutes The publicity says: “A touching tale of a mother who encourages her autistic son to pursue his passion for running.” LKL says: “A cut above your average feel-good … [Read More]

Lecture – Korean Crafts: Ancient & Modern

To coincide with the current exhibition at the KCC, Korean Painting and Craft Art: Creations from Tradition, there’s a special lecture on 2 December. We are delighted to invite you our special lecture, “Korean Crafts: Ancient & Modern”, on 2nd of December 2008. The lecturer, Professor Pak Youngsook received PhD from Heidelberg University and taught … [Read More]

Capitalism in old Kaesong

As the North threatens to take steps to shut down its capitalist venture with the South in the Kaesong industrial complex, there’s a timely historical seminar at SOAS this Friday, 28 November. Oxford’s Dr James B Lewis looks at evidence of pre-modern capitalism in old Kaesong. The official title of the seminar: “Korean merchant double-entry … [Read More]

Barking Dogs screens at the KCC

The Korean Cultural Centre completes its retrospective of Bong Joon-ho’s works this month with his first feature, the entertaining Barking Dogs Never Bite (플란다스의 개) (2000), starring Lee Seong-jae and Bae Doo-na. As with Bong’s subsequent films, there’s plenty of humour amid the drama, and this one is well worth checking out, particularly for the … [Read More]

Landslide at I-MYU

Notice of I-MYU’s upcoming group show: Landslide Gordon Cheung | Masakatsu Kondo | Sea Hyun Lee 19 November – 20 December I-MYU PROJECTS is pleased to present LANDSLIDE, a group show that brings together the work of artists, Gordon Cheung, Masakatsu Kondo and Sea Hyun Lee, who working internationally each have strong links to Eastern … [Read More]

Learn to cook Japche with Kie-jo Sarsfield

There’s another opportunity to learn how to cook Korean food this coming Saturday, courtesy of Kei-jo Sarsfield. I had an enjoyable morning earlier this year learning the basics of making kimchi and belly-of-pork bulgogi, acting as willing guinea pig for Mrs Sarsfield’s planned cookery lessons. She’s done a couple of classes since then, and the … [Read More]

Yi Chul Jin at Durham and SOAS

Dr Yi Chul Jin (이철진) has been in London for 6 months as part of a residency at SOAS. Dr Yi is head of the Korean Dance Art Academy, and is one of the likely candidates to be the next holder of the national intangible cultural property number 27, the Seung mu. There are two … [Read More]

Two Friday seminars: Human cloning and Korean security

Two opportunities for free seminars this Friday: lunchtime at Chatham House with Ambassador Chun, and early evening at SOAS. First, details of the Chatham House talk: Chatham House Korea Discussion Group Friday 14 November, 12.30-14.00 Lunch: 12.00 (£10 charge) Korea: Update on the Security and Economic Situation SPEAKER: Ambassador Chun Yung-woo, Embassy of the Republic … [Read More]

Live Music Versus Audio Tourism

Keith Howard gives his inaugural lecture as Professor of Music at SOAS on Tuesday: Live Music Versus Audio Tourism: world music and the changing music industry Inaugural Lecture by Professor Keith Howard (SOAS) 11 November 2008, 5.30pm,Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre, SOAS Chair: Professor Jonathan Stock, University of Sheffield Professor Paul Webley, Director and Principal of … [Read More]