News of a free lunchtime piano recital this Friday: Free Lunchtime Concert: Yoon Chung Pianists of the World Series Friday 26 June, 1pm – 2pm St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org Programme Haydn – Sonata in C Brahms – Albumblatt Schubert – Drei Klavierstuecke Performer Pianist Yoon Chung has performed throughout Europe, Japan, Korea and the … [Read More]
Category: Asides (page 14)
Kim Sungjoo awarded honorary OBE
The British Embassy in Seoul announced yesterday that Kim Sungjoo, best known in the UK for her MCM fashion brand, has been awarded an honorary OBE. In Korea, her company owns the Marks and Spencer franchise. According to the press release, She has been an energetic and generous supporter of many British institutions and organisations … [Read More]
Photos: Daegu Hyangje Julpungyu Preservation Group at the KCCUK
We didn’t manage to make it to their performance with the Thames Philharmonia on Saturday 13 June, but we just managed to arrive in time for their solo performance at the KCC the day before. Here are some photos of the elegant performance of the Daegu Hyangje Julpungyu Preservation Group. [Read More]
BoA’s 8th – a nicely comforting comeback
I’m rather enjoying BoA’s 8th Korean album (Kiss My Lips, released a couple of days ago). There’s nothing particularly earth-shattering musically, but it’s all kind of comforting. And I hope she doesn’t get into trouble for the 4th track, Shattered, which at 2’52” is very close to the chorus of Daft Punk’s Get Lucky. On … [Read More]
Joo Yeon Sir plays Bach/Mendelssohn, Beethoven and Waxman at the V+A
A late addition to this month’s concert diary: Friday 15th May 2015 6:30PM (Victoria & Albert Museum, London – Norfolk House Music Room), an evening recital by Joo Yeon Sir (violin) with Irina Andrievsky (piano) Bach-Mendelssohn Chaconne from Partita No. 2 in D minor BWV 1004 for Violin and Piano Beethoven Sonata No. 5 in … [Read More]
Seahyun Lee in Ferragamo collaboration
Congratulations to Seahyun Lee, who has regularly exhibited in the UK, on his collaboration with fashion house Salvatore Ferragamo, which was launched today. His trademark Between Red series is appearing on silk squares, scarves and other designer items – also available in colours other than red. But they’re only available in Korea. [Read More]
Paul McCartney in Seoul
Sounds like Paul McCartney’s gig in Seoul went down well: “Fantastic climax to the Asian leg. Korean fans gave us the best welcome ever. We love them!” he posted on his Facebook page along with this picture: “Paul has so much aegyo and said things in Korean as much as he could” commented one Korean … [Read More]
Donguibogam to be upgraded to National Treasure status
To be honest, I’ve always wondered why an item listed in UNESCO’s Memory of the World register was only rated a “Treasure” (no 1085) rather than a “National Treasure”. The three sets of the encyclopaedia’s first edition are currently held by the National Library of Korea, the Kyujanggak Institute For Korean Studies and the Academy … [Read More]
Beer-bottle VC donates medal to Korea
Two articles this week report how Bill Speakman VC, who was on a veterans’ trip to Korea, has decided to donate his Victoria Cross to South Korea. He also wants his ashes to be scattered in the DMZ when he dies. Sadly, the medal being donated is a replica: “he sold the original to a … [Read More]
Royal Ballet dancer featured in Chosun Ilbo
There’s a nice feature on Choe Yu-hui, a soloist with the Royal Ballet, in the Chosun Ilbo. Born in Fukuoka, Japan, to a Korean family, Choe grew up in a pro-North Korean environment. Only 12 years ago did she change her nationality from North to South Korea. (Via Adam Cathcart) Links: From Korean Outsider in … [Read More]
I rather think I agree
Have a read of Charles Montgomery’s post What a Terrible Idea! ㅡ Merging the Publication Industry Promotion Agency of Korea and the Literature Translation Institute of Korea, and a similar article by Korea Herald editorial writer Kim Hooran Market principle, culture don’t mix. Links: LTI Korea | KPIPA [Read More]
Alcohol advert ban for young celebrities?
The BBC picked up on a story in the Chosun Ilbo that celebs under 25 could be banned from leading teenagers astray by advertising booze. A bill proposing the clamp-down was passed by the National Assembly’s committee on health and welfare on 23 April. Reportedly prompted by Kim Yu-na’s Hite advertisements in 2012 (when she … [Read More]
I think I just don’t get Park Kyung-ni
Having failed to make much headway with Park Kyung-ni’s T’oji / Land, I thought I might give her Curse of Kim’s Daughters a try, in preparation for a re-watch of Yu Hyun-mok’s film adaptation of the novel. I didn’t particularly enjoy the movie the first time I saw it. But then, so far I haven’t … [Read More]
Bedrooms of the Remembered
Photographer Kim Hong-Ji has put together a moving portfolio of pictures in memory of the Sewol victims. He has been in touch with relatives of some of the students, visiting their homes and taking pictures of the bedrooms of those who died in the disaster. Available on the BBC and Reuters websites. [Read More]
A timely arrival for the 2015 London Book Fair
Last year there were a couple of translations of Korean novels whose publication was timed to coincide with the London Book Fair. This year, despite Korea no longer being the focus country, the habit seems to be continuing. Bae Suah’s Nowhere to be Found, translated by Sora Kim-Russell, arrived on my doormat today, day 2 … [Read More]
Shin Yoon-seok lunchtime recital at St George-the-Martyr
An upcoming piano recital in Southwark: Free lunchtime recital with Yoon-Seok Shin (piano) Church of St George the Martyr | Borough High Street | London SE1 1JA [Map] Thursday 16th April, 1pm Sonata for Keyboard No 38 in F Hob XVI/23 – (Franz) Joseph Haydn Nocturne No 9 in B Op 32 No 1 – … [Read More]