The CNBlue gig earlier this year was a treat, but you knew who many fans were really wanting to come. The rumours were persistent: BIGBANG would eventually visit London. It nearly happened last year but that unfortunate car incident got in the way. But now it’s happening: December 15 at Wembley Arena, according to their … [Read More]
Category: Asides (page 35)
Event news: King of Pigs screens at the Genesis Cinema
For those who’ve already seen the two Im Kwon-taek films screening on Tuesday 23 October and want to get ahead on their LKFF viewing, Terracotta Touring Festival is showing King of Pigs at Stepney’s Genesis Cinema at 6:45 on 23 Oct. I’ll be there provided I can be sure I’m not going to be seeing … [Read More]
Korea – the Amsterdam of Asia?
We’ve heard of the Koreans being the Irish of Asia. But in a recent video video interview in the Wall Street Journal World Bank president Jim Yong Kim says that “Koreans have expressly said they want to be the Amsterdam of Asia.” To many, that would mean Korea wants to legalise certain narcotic substances – … [Read More]
An apology to LKL subscribers
If you are reading this, it is because you are one of my loyal subscribers who get new articles delivered into your email inbox as soon as a post is published. You’re probably waiting for news of a recently-organised event. Instead, you find a post with no useful information in it. As you may know, … [Read More]
Arson, suicide and creationism
To find the story that links arson, suicide and creationism, visit the Marmot’s Hole, where you can also find the answer to that burning question: what is the Korean for archaeopteryx? (It’s 시조새) [Read More]
Yonsei scientists zap cancer cells with magnets
This looks like an exciting development in cancer research from South Korea. “We have developed magnetic nanoparticles that turn on apoptosis cell signalling by using a magnetic field in a remote and non-invasive manner,” says Jinwoo Cheon and his Yonsei University team in the introduction to their article published in Nature Materials. “Apoptosis, also known … [Read More]
K-film at the BFI London Film Fest: Nameless Gangster outstays its welcome
What a disappointment. One of Korea’s biggest grossing films this year is just not good enough. It’s a perfectly acceptable gangster flick, but is as bloated as Choi Min-sik, who must have eaten a serious number of pies to get to his fighting weight for this film. The plot is rather charming in the way … [Read More]
Manhattan gets its second Michelin-starred Korean restaurant
Last year a Michelin star was awarded to Danji in Hell’s Kitchen; this year Jungsik in Tribeca joins the prestigious club, according to the Chosun Ilbo. Interesting that neither restaurant is in Manhattan’s official K-town centring on 32nd Street. Jungsik is reviewed in the New York Times here. [Read More]
Korean artists in Saatchi New Sensation 2012 shortlist
Congratulations to Jin Han Lee (Goldsmiths College) and Hyojun Hyun (Glasgow School of Art) for making the 20-strong shortlist (out of 200 applicants) of the Saatchi Gallery / Channel 4 New Sensations 2012 Prize (via London Korean Times) [Read More]
Hugh Keice at O2 Academy Islington
Here at LKL we’ve been a fan of Seoul-born, London-based folk-indie musician Hugh Keice for a while. You can catch him live at the O2 Academy Islington on 21 October. Buy tickets here. Links: www.hughkeice.co.uk [Read More]
Bae Doo-na’s London fashion shoot
Bae Doo-na was in London earlier this year, staying with her language coach in preparation for the shooting of Cloud Atlas (which we’re really looking forward to at LKL). She took the time out to do a fashion shoot for Marie Claire Korea, which recently hit the news stands. Thanks to Yuna at the Marmot’s … [Read More]
Comrade Kim Goes Flying at the Busan Int’l Film Fest
Some interesting stuff at this year’s BIFF. Apart from Studio-MWP’s adaptation of Buckwheat Season, there’s a North Korean film being screened there, for the first time since 2003. “Comrade Kim Goes Flying,” was co-directed by a North Korean and two Europeans. (Source: AP / Guardian) [Read More]
Join the Korean Literature in Translation / Catch the Wave competition for some rare Korean literature
Charles Montgomery at KTLit.com and Catch the Wave (Arirang International Radio) are running a short essay competition to enable you to start your library of Korean Literature. 200-300 words (provided they are well chosen), and a hard-to-obtain volume of Korean literature is yours. More details here. [Read More]
Project K – The Korean Film Festival in Frankfurt
For those who have friends in Frankfurt, do pass on the good news that there’s a big K-fest coming up, 12- 14 October. Film, food, music, and a logo that looks very similar to London’s All Eyes on Korea festival. Visit their website and Facebook page. Pieta, Oldboy, Arirang and more. [Read More]
And for Christmas I’d like…
If there are any chaebol bosses out there with 500 million won to spare, there’s an opportunity to buy me a nice Lee Ufan which would look very good above my fireplace at home. The auction is 12 October at Christie’s in London. Thank you. [Read More]
Two months after installation, Shin Meekyoung’s soapy Duke of Cumberland is still looking good
Two months after installation, Shin Meekyoung’s soapy Duke of Cumberland is still looking good, with not much evidence of erosion yet (this picture was taken on 22 September 2012). I wonder how it will survive a rainy autumn. [Read More]