IRIS is one of those Korean TV dramas that I’ve secretly been wanting to watch for a while. But as with any TV series, the time available never matches the time required. So to have the series distilled down into a feature-length film is a perfect solution for me. All the stars, presumably most of … [Read More]
Category: TV shows (page 4)
K-Drama Week: Global Korean Wave Seminar, 23 September at SOAS
Here are details of the talk by IRIS director Yang Yun-ho as part of the KCC’s K-Drama week. An opportunity not to be missed. It’s good that the Khalili Lecture Theatre has been booked for this. The normal room for SOAS’s evening seminars was uncomfortably full at the last K-Drama talk (by Winter Sonata director … [Read More]
Korean Drama week: seminars, screenings and more
An exciting few days are coming up focusing on one of Korea’s most popular cultural exports. I’m particularly looking forward to the screening of the film version of IRIS. As for most KCC-sponsored events, pre-registration is required via [email protected] Tuesday 23 September SOAS London University 17:30-19:30 Global Korean Wave Seminar Seminar about Korean Dramas by … [Read More]
Now, what’s that book by Salman Rushdie called?
North Korea’s rant about Channel 4’s planned TV series has now been translated into English on the KCNA Japanese website. Like most of their rants, it’s entertaining in small doses. I’ve often wondered why they invest in a translator that is only semi-competent. Here’s a select quote from the press release: The British authorities should … [Read More]
Channel 4’s new North Korean political thriller
On 21 August 2014, “Channel 4 green lights North Korean political thriller Opposite Number.” On a covert mission in North Korea, the world’s most secretive nation, a British nuclear scientist is taken prisoner, triggering an international crisis which itself must be kept secret. Realizing their man could be forced to help North Korea finally weaponize … [Read More]
In pictures: the Doctor Who roadshow comes to Seoul
In connection with a publicity screening of episode 1 of series 8 in Seoul on 9 August, the Beeb is running a little promotional campaign involving the Tardis. Here’s a sample of the photos from the hashtag #tardisinseoul. You can also try the hashtag #타디스인서울 or #닥터후. Download your own tardis here to cut out … [Read More]
The Kimchi Slap (in case you haven’t seen it elsewhere)
Here’s the full clip from the MBC TV Drama Everybody, Kimchi. The incident in question is at 1’30”: If you’re happy with .gifs, here’s the cut-down version. I wonder how many shirts were ruined rehearsing this scene… [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]
No medals for the BBC’s Sochi closing ceremony coverage
As the Olympic flag was passed from Sochi to the mayor of Pyeongchang, it was time for a brief preview of the 2018 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony. The BBC voiceover was done by sports commentator Hazel Irvine, who had been handed a press briefing but no more. Helpfully, she identified that the bird characters on … [Read More]
Love, Korean Style! Drama and the Korean Wave
An addition to the Spring term series of seminars at SOAS, given by the director of Winter Sonata and other famous TV drama series. Love, Korean Style! Drama and the Korean Wave Director Yun Seokho (Winter Sonata & SOAS Visiting Scholar) Date: 7 March 2014, 5:15 – 7:00 PM Venue: Russell Square, College Buildings Room … [Read More]
For the easy solution to watching K-drama in the UK, here’s your answer
All you folks who have been wondering how to watch Korean TV dramas in the UK without installing some unsightly satellite dish which makes it look as if your house is inhabited either by a spy or a sporting nutcase, here’s your answer: DramaFever is about to launch here, cannily stealing a march on EastAsiaTV, … [Read More]
North Korea – Life Inside the Secret State
To add to the steady stream of documentaries about North Korea, Channel 4’s Dispatches programme has just made one entitled North Korea – Life Inside the Secret State. It will be on the TV soon (though precisely when is not clear from the Channel 4 website), but if you can’t wait there’s a preview screening … [Read More]
Some Quite Interesting Korean folk expressions
The witty comedy quiz show QI is now in its 11th series for the BBC, focusing on Quite Interesting facts connected with things that begin with the letter K. Plenty of scope for things Korean to crop up, then. In the episode that screened on 21 September, a series of Korean folk expressions came up. … [Read More]
How can they be so dumb?
I’m just wondering how a TV station can broadcast anything that is so obviously a wind-up. Needless to say, the YouTube videos of the stupid newscast have been removed, with the TV station claiming breach of copyright. The KTVU announcer was careful to pronounce Mr Fuk so that his name rhymed with “Luke”, rather than … [Read More]
A quick look at South Korean TV shows – coming up on Channel 4
I always used to enjoy Daisy Donovan’s slots on Channel 4’s all-too-short-lived 11 O’Clock Show, so I’m looking forward to seeing her front a programme which takes a look at the weird and wonderful world of South Korean TV. According to United K-pop, one of the shows featured will be Infinite Challenge. But the blurb … [Read More]
Collaboration and adaptation for inspiration – the second SOAS Years of Radical Change conference
SOAS’s second Years of Radical Change conference, held 31 May – 1 June this year, expanded its remit to deal with Korean screen culture in its widest sense. We are used to conferences about South Korean films, but this year TV and video games were among the topics discussed. And on the second day of … [Read More]