I didn’t make it to all the Korea-related events at the Edinburgh International Festival and Fringe, and for one of the events I did get to I didn’t feel like writing a review. So here are some links to the reviews that are out there. For completeness, I include links to my own reviews. If … [Read More]
Category: Festivals (page 44)
Festival visit: Pop-Up! The Amazing Adventures of Moo Dong
Confession time: I didn’t actually make it to this show. It is showing in the morning, and that’s when my train is on its way up from London. But based on the reviews linked below, it’s well worth a visit. The show aims to bring great art works to life for a young audience, and … [Read More]
Festival visit: Perfordian Factory – Babbling Comedy 2
Babbling Comedy continues the fine tradition of non-verbal Korean acts which appeal to audiences of all ages. On paper, the performance contains little that seems innovative; and it would take a courageous producer to take on a comedy show that promises, as this one does, to include some hand-bell ringing. But in the overall context … [Read More]
Festival visit: Mokhwa Repertory Company – The Tempest
At his press conference in London last Monday, Oh Tae-seok spoke about his work with the Mohkwa Repertory Company. One of the priorities of Master Oh, who had spend many years as director of Korea’s National Theatre company, is to nurture the next generation of actors. And one of the pleasures of working with his … [Read More]
Festival visit: Jasmine Gwangju
Gwangju seems an event from the distant past, but in fact was only 31 years ago. This year, the archives which document the history of that brief uprising were listed by UNESCO in their Memory of the World register. With perfect timing, bearing in mind the democratic uprisings in the Arab world this year, the … [Read More]
FT asks for Unsuk Chin
The FT reviews Seoul Philharmonic / Chung Myung-whun playing Debussy and Ravel on DG, a release which coincides with their debut at the Edinburgh Festival http://t.co/Tf9s3on # The playing has precision and delicacy, showcased in the Mother Goose suite, but also the machine-like evenness characteristic of Asian orchestras. La Mer and La Valse are too … [Read More]
Photos from the Kingston Festival
Some snaps from today’s Kingston Korean Festival, on Michael Rank’s Flickr account. Let me know if anyone else has any. http://t.co/YBJYlfJ # [Read More]
A Korean Tempest: Sympathy from Mr Vengeance
Those who are familiar with Korean cinema will not need to be told that vengeance is a familiar topic, and indeed forms the theme for Park Chan-wook’s unplanned trilogy of films of which the best known is Oldboy. And probably many an essay has been written in Film Studies classes as to why Korean directors … [Read More]
Kingston Korean Festival 2011: 13 August
And that’s all I know so far. I’ve spoken to many people in the Korean community who’ve been involved with the festival in prior years, but none of them are involved any longer. There are rumours of a k-pop contest, and also of a piano trio who will play arrangements of Korean folk melodies. And … [Read More]
Three outcomes of the London Riots
Three Korea-related outcomes of the London riots this year: Big Bang will not be coming for the Thames Festival (though the guilty verdict on Dae-sung didn’t help either. # Third Window Films, great supporters of Korean movies, hit as Sony’s main CD and DVD replication centre is burnt down: huge amount of stock destroyed. http://on.fb.me/npACjW … [Read More]
Korean performers at the 2011 Edinburgh Fringe
Korean performers are continuing their tradition of bringing entertaining shows to the Edinburgh Fringe. Alongside the significant Korean productions as part of the main festival this year, you will find physical theatre, puppetry, traditional and indie music, and much more: Gaksi, Mago http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/theatre/gaksi-mago Category: Theatre Genres: drama Group: Kkachidong Venue: theSpaces @ Surgeons Hall Event … [Read More]
Top Korean artists at the 2011 Edinburgh International Festival
Every year we get a range of Korean performers at the Edinburgh Fringe. But the focus of the festival in 2011 is the vibrant and diverse cultures of Asia. Consequently this year we’ve got three top-notch groups who have been invited as part of the main festival itself. So for the first time this year … [Read More]
Where does “Poetry” rank among Lee Chang-dong’s films?
With Lee Chang-dong’s Poetry getting its UK theatrical release on Friday (1), it’s worth taking a moment to think about where it ranks among his filmography. His first film, Green Fish (1997), is also probably his least-known, and tackles Korea’s urbanisation. By contrast, Peppermint Candy (2000), which addresses Korea’s troubled modern history, ranks highly among … [Read More]
Kpop Flashmob, Food Fest with Samulnori, or photo exhibition with children’s event? You decide
This Saturday (9 July) offers several options for Korea enthusiasts. Fortunately it’s the only Saturday this month when Kiejo Sarsfield isn’t running one of her cookery classes, but even so you won’t be able to do it all. And don’t forget the ongoing exhibitions at the KCC and the V&A. 1. Discover Korea at Leytonstone … [Read More]
Film Review: The Man From Nowhere
Colette Balmain reviews the opening film of LKFF 2010 The Man From Nowhere (아저씨- Ajeossi) (Lee Jeong-beom, 2010) Cha Tae-sik (Won Bin), is a man shrouded in mystery, a loner who runs a small pawnshop and who is positioned on the margins of society. His only meaningful relationship is with the young girl, So-mi (Kim … [Read More]
The Love is gone but the Scar will heal: Lee Yong-baek at the Venice Biennale
Korea will be represented at the Venice Biennale by Lee Yong-baek, whose works have been regularly exhibited in London – most recently at the auction in aid of British veterans from the Korean War last year. The Love is gone but the Scar will heal Lee Yong-baek (이용백, b. 1966, Korea), since graduation from the … [Read More]