In Westminster Central Hall this Wednesday (23 October, exact time tbc) there will be a public meeting chaired by the UN Commission investigation human rights abuses in North Korea. The official press release follows: UN Commission on Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to hold public hearings in UK and US GENEVA, 17 October 2013 – … [Read More]
Category: Asides (page 26)
A free introduction to Korean traditional and fusion music
If you’re looking to explore Korean music other than K-pop and K-indie, the Korea Arts Management Service (KAMS) have the answer for you. They used to produce an annual compilation album of 5CDs featuring the best new recordings. But now they’ve made the CDs easier to access, via an iTunes app. The app, for iPhone … [Read More]
Koh Sang-woo interviewed for Korean Artist Project
One of my favourite contemporary Korean artists, Koh Sang-woo, has a great interview up on the Korea Artist Project website. Koh is represented by James Freeman Gallery in the UK. Links: www.kohsangwoo.com www.koreanartistproject.com www.jamesfreemangallery.com [Read More]
Jo Jin-gyu’s Shaman Gangster / Man on the Edge is great entertainment
I know I’ve been somewhat grouchy about a lot of K-film recently, so let me make amends. What could be better than a hilarious but tearjerking shaman gangster almost-semi-gay rom-com. Man on the Edge (aka Shaman Gangster, 박수건달, Dir Jo Jin-gyu, 2013, starring a brilliant Park Sin-yang as a gangster who discovers he is in … [Read More]
Event news: Super Junior’s Super Show 5
It seems that following Big Bang’s performances in Wembley Arena last year the K-pop promoters have gained confidence that there is a market in London for the big groups. So here comes one of the most established ones, on 9 November. Super Junior – Super Show 5 World Tour 9 November, Wembley Arena, 8pm £56 … [Read More]
Here’s where you can wash your hands with a Meekyoung Shin soap sculpture
Meekyoung Shin is re-running her Toilet Project at selected venues across the UK. This iteration is a UK-wide public art programme that sees works displayed in the toilets of 16 galleries and museums in 15 cities across the United Kingdom between July and October 2013. As visitors use them to wash their hands the details … [Read More]
Hongdae hosts rap v pansori battle
An interesting stunt pitting rappers against pansori performers was held in Hongdae last Friday. When I was waiting for Love X Stereo to come on stage at Freebird, I really should have been down at V-Hall, where the RapPansori battle was held. And a pansori singer was the victor. Source: Joongang Daily [Read More]
Burberry Prorsum gets a celebrity upgrade
Last year at London Fashion Week, Burberry Prorsum fielded a few members of Girls’ Generation at their show. This year, at their September show, they get Jeon Do-yeon. Source: Joongang Daily, 18 September 2013 [Read More]
합 Collaboration: video of the opening performance
For the first time the KAA’s performance at their KCC residency was filmed in its entirety. Good news for those who couldn’t manage to squeeze in to the standing-room-only event! Thanks to Jason Verney of miniminimovie.com for the film. The event programme can be found on the KAA website here. [Read More]
K-pop as peace-builder?
Two recent stories from Israel and Palestine: Middle East: Korean pop ‘brings hope for peace’, BBC, 7 August 2013. “It’s something that gives you hope, and in Jerusalem it is sometimes hard to find hope,” an Arab student is quoted as saying. Israeli troops caught doing Gangnam style with Palestinians on the West Bank, Evening … [Read More]
Winterplay’s latest single – Yoboseyo Baby
Thanks to Andrew Jackson for the link to Winterplay’s latest single, Yoboseyo Baby (여보세요 베이비): a slightly cheeky and very catchy number with nice 1960s styling in the video. The single is from their latest album, Two Fabulous Fools, released last month. It’s just gone onto my YesAsia wishlist. Not on iTunes yet. Links: Buy … [Read More]
Kiejo’s cookery classes in September
Kiejo Sarsfield will be resuming her relaxed and friendly K-cookery classes in September after her usual summer break. Dates for September are Saturday 14th, 21st and 28th. For more details contain kiejosarsfield [at] hotmail [dot] co [dot] uk. Links: Kiejo’s blog [Read More]
A new trend in Korean-speaking Brits?
As an inspiration to the many British Koreaphiles out there who don’t speak the language, look no further than X-factor winners Little Mix. According to the Chosun Ilbo, a contestant performing a cover version of their song Wings on K-pop Star prompted them to release their own Korean version: Rather more proficient is 영국남자 or … [Read More]
Jasmine Choi to move on from Vienna Symphony…
Readers may remember Jasmine Choi’s splendid Wigmore Hall debut back in 2009. At the time, she was associate principal flautist at the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and last year she moved to the Vienna Symphony as their principal flautist. Sadly, at the end of her probationary year the orchestra members voted not to give her tenure. … [Read More]
Sung Rim Park solo show at A&D Gallery
Chelsea MA candidate Sung Rim Park has a solo show at A&D Gallery, 51 Chiltern Street, London W1U 6LY, 12-17 August. There is an evening opening on 15 August. Links: www.aanddgallery.com [Read More]
Central St Martins graduate featured in Joongang Ilbo
There’s a nice feature in today’s Joongang Ilbo on the London-based Korean fashion designer Lee Jung-sun of J. JS Lee, who has an MA from Central St Martins. Her collections are known for their clean and androgynous lines. Links: www.jsleelondon.com | @Jackiejslee Fashion’s rising star focuses designs on ‘cleanism’, Lee Do-eun, Joongang Ilbo, 6 August … [Read More]