London Korean Links

Covering things Korean in London and beyond since 2006

Korean crafts at Collect 2024

Collect, now in its 20th year, offers collectors an opportunity to acquire new, museum-quality handcrafted artworks from some of 21st Century’s finest craft talent. As in previous years, there is a strong Korean representation, with five Korea-specialist galleries exhibiting. You will also find individual Korean artists in galleries without a country focus: Gallery Sklo Booth: … [Read More]

Korean films at BFI Flare 2024

Last year BFI Flare had a Korean focus, giving us four feature films and a short. It’s only natural that this year’s offering won’t quite match up to last year’s feast, but still we have one feature and a short: Heavy Snow (폭설) Dir: Yun Su-ik (2023, 77 mins) Cast: Han So-hee, Han Hae-in Monday … [Read More]

A look back at LEAFF and LKFF 2023

We didn’t get around to writing any detailed reviews of the films that screened at the two big festivals in the autumn of 2023, so it’s time to try to pull some thoughts together before the memories fade entirely, jostled sideways by new ones. There were some sparkly new films which were fun to watch … [Read More]

London Korean Film Festival Announces 2023 Programme

Yesterday the KCC released the final programme for the 2023 London Korean Film Festival. While in general 2023 has not so far been a stand-out year for Korean film, there’s plenty to enjoy here. I’m looking forward to seeing Hur Jin-ho’s latest, as his Christmas in August was one of the first Korean movies I … [Read More]

Korean artists at START Art Fair 2023

StART 2023 at Saatchi Gallery will this year present its signature array of exhibiting artists and galleries from around the globe, highlights include Singapore-based Premium Pages Gallery, sculptor Katya Emelyanova and London-based paper artist Lisa Lloyd. Projects this year include the Korean globetrotter Doowon LEE who has been taking the international art-world by storm with … [Read More]

Korean movies at LEAFF 2023 (updated)

This year, LEAFF presents a special Retrospective strand dedicated to the works of Director Chung Ji-Young (1946-), known to be the Ken Loach of South Korea. The cinema veteran is known for compelling storytelling based on real-life cases. 2023 marks the 40th anniversary since his directorial debut. In order to celebrate, LEAFF brings 8 of … [Read More]

Cobweb screens at BFI London Film Festival

‘Incredible scenes play out in my dreams,’ insists impassioned film director Kim Ki-yeol (manically played by Bong Joon-ho regular Song Kang-ho), resolute in his determination to remake the ending of his latest film. With his cast and crew persuaded to do a two-day re-shoot, delicious chaos ensues as strict censorship regulations, the personal affairs of … [Read More]

K-music 2023: Soojin Suh & Kit Downes

Korean creative force, experimental drummer Soojin Suh brings her Chordless Quartet for a collaboration with acclaimed keyboardist Kit Downes. The concept behind the Soojin Suh Chordless Quartet is to explore freedom from all polyphonic instruments as a metaphor for freedom in society. Recent releases by the quartet include 2018’s critically acclaimed Strange Liberation and its 2021 follow-up, Roots … [Read More]

K-music 2023: JAMBINAI and LEENALCHI

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the K-Music Festival, the Korean music icons JAMBINAI and LEENALCHI are joining forces for an unforgettable double bill as part of the K-Music Festival in partnership with the EFG London Jazz Festival. This highly anticipated event promises to deliver a truly remarkable performance that will be cherished as a … [Read More]

K-music 2023: Leenalchi tours to Nottingham and Leeds

LEENALCHI, the sensation that took the online world by storm with their unique musical creation, “Tiger Is Coming.” This unique blend of danceable groove and musical storytelling, Sugungga has garnered millions of views, captivating audiences worldwide. The bassist and producer of LEENALCHI is a highly acclaimed figure in the contemporary Korean music scene, Jang Young … [Read More]

K-music 2023: Sun-Mi Hong + Hyelim Kim

Drummer Sun Mi Hong, acclaimed for her sensational performance with her quintet at last year’s K-Music Festival, is set to make a highly anticipated return to K-Music 2023. Following her debut with the album Third Page: Resonance under the UK Edition label, she returns with an extraordinary quartet comprising renowned jazz vocalist Song Yi Jeon, esteemed pianist … [Read More]