Art13 at Olympia Grand Hall, 28 February – 3 March, is a new international art fair that debuts in London this year. It will have six commercial galleries from Korea, plus galleries from other countries including the UK who represent Korean artists. 28 Feb is the preview day, and the fair opens to the public … [Read More]
Category: Asides (page 32)
Teen Top ends European tour with earsplitting record
So glad I didn’t make it to Teen Top’s Paris gig last week. “The organizers said that the group’s show generated the loudest decibel and vibrations at the venue to date,” according to the Joongang Daily. “The crowd’s singing and dancing were thought to be the cause.” [Read More]
FLOTUS makes her own simple kimchi
You can hardly get a higher profile endorser of kimchi than Michelle Obama, who has tweeted a recipe made from napa cabbage in the White House garden. Last week, we picked Napa cabbage in the garden. Now, we're using it to make kimchi in the kitchen. Make it at home: pic.twitter.com/Y0L7dASZ — First Lady- Archived … [Read More]
Why does Lee Byung-hun need two heads?
Last year, Kara. This year Lee Byung-hun is releasing a doll of himself. But why does he need two heads? The doll comes with an extra attachable head among other add-ons, and according to the agency, will hit stores in Korea next year. The Joongang Daily doesn’t really explain why. [Read More]
Sanderson reveal models for new clothing range
In any other industry, you could sue your boss if he forced you to bleach your hair and wear a suit made of upholstery fabric… [Read More]
South Korea “Second most innovative country” – Bloomberg
Does it surprise you that South Korea ranks 2nd only to the USA in Bloomberg’s Global Innovation Index? Here is how the country ranked in the determining factors: R&D intensity: 5th | Productivity: 32nd | High-tech density: 3rd | Researcher concentration: 8th | Manufacturing capability: 3rd | Tertiary efficiency: 4th | Patent activity: 1st Definitions … [Read More]
The ROK Air Force parodies Les Mis
For those who, like me, find musicals a bit of a chore, here’s a 13-minute parody of one of my least favourites. It almost makes me want to try the real thing all over again. Almost, but not quite. Well done the ROK Air Force’s 22nd Fighter Wing. Les Miserables ROKAF (Republic of Korea Air … [Read More]
South Korea play Croatia at Craven Cottage
Fulham Football Club seems to be the favoured venue for South Korea’s friendly internationals. 2007 it was Greece (a 1-0 victory). 2009 was Serbia (another 1-0 victory). They moved to the QPR ground at Loftus Road for their 2-0 victory over Ivory Coast in 2010. This Wednesday, 6 February, at 2pm, they return to Craven … [Read More]
Royal Ancestors makes it onto Amazon.com
I was taken a bit by surprise when I was introduced at the KCCUK’s fifth birthday dinner as “Author of Royal Ancestors and Ancient Remedies.” I had almost forgotten. But coincidentally, a correspondent has just told me that it’s now available on Amazon.com. Some enterprising organisation has picked up a free copy or two from … [Read More]
AKS Diners at Kalbi Restaurant, Rosebery Avenue
A reminder of the informal gathering of Anglo-Korean Society members on 7 Feburary: AKS Diners You are invited to join our informal get together on Thursday 7th February 2013at 7.00pm at Kalbi Korean Restaurant, 36 Rosebery Avenue, London EC1R 5HP (Nearest Underground stations are Chancery Lane & Farringdon) This is an ideal and unique opportunity … [Read More]
Some almost affordable Lee Ufan at Christies
Some unusual and almost affordable Lee Ufan pieces are coming up for sale at Christie’s London on 14 February: an untitled charcoal on paper (55.2 x 73cm) work from 1984… and another similarly sized untitled work from 1977, ink and gouache on paper. Click on the links / images to find out more on the … [Read More]
Jeonju Film Fest to focus on Kim Young-ha
This is the kind of news I like. This year the program of the Jeonju International Film Festival will include “short films based on Korean writers’ short stories, thereby creating opportunities for good Korean literature to be introduced overseas. The focus this year will be KIM Young-ha. KIM Young-ha’s novel, I have a right to … [Read More]
One of the world’s most dangerous foods?
According to Yahoo news, sannakji (산낙지) is one of the world’s most dangerous foods. As described in the article it doesn’t sound dangerous at all: “Minimal preparation is required as raw baby octopus is simply dismembered, smothered in sesame oil and served. The problem is that each tentacle of an octopus encompasses its own brain, … [Read More]
Kimsooja to represent Korea at the Venice Biennale 2013
Kimsooja is an artist whose work has grown on me over the years. When I first saw one of her video works I didn’t spend long in front of it. But each time I saw her work I enjoyed it more, until I was completely enthralled by her Needle Woman videos when I saw them … [Read More]
The boom in literature museums
Those of you who saw Eungyo at the London Korean Film Festival 2012 may remember that the older author was talking with city officials about building a literature museum in his honour (and trying to avoid the honour). According to an article in today’s Joongang Ilbo, the building of literature museums has become rather a … [Read More]
January in the KTO 2013 Calendar
Does anyone have the Korean Tourism Organisation’s 2013 Calendar entitled Discovering the Path to Korea? January is particularly fine: Dodamsambong Peaks, Danyang-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do 도담삼봉 단양군 충청북도 [Map]. Photo by Seung-jin Song. Another place to put on the list to visit. [Read More]