Deleuze, Cinema and National Identity: Narrative Time in National Contexts. http://amzn.to/azAXRL Looks like one film book I’d really hate, even though it discusses Lee Chang-dong’s Peppermint Candy. # [Read More]
Category: Asides (page 64)
David Cameron’s G20 sightseeing
Ambassador Uden chronicles David Cameron's sightseeing outside of the G20 summit. http://bit.ly/dBNnxv #: a visit to Gloster Valley, jogging with the Spanish Prime Minister, shopping in Insadong and tea at Bongeunsa. [Read More]
Three Korean traditions named world treasures
Three Korean traditions named world treasures: gagok (lyrical songs), daemokjang (wooden architectural craftsmanship) and maesanyang (falcon hunting). That UNESCO list keeps getting longer! http://bit.ly/9Ia99y # Daemokjang is Important Intangible Cultural Heritage No.74; Gagok is Important Intangible Cultural Heritage No.30 [Read More]
Waujeongsa, Gyeonggi-do: home of record-breaking statues
Where is the biggest Buddha head in the world? Waujeongsa, Gyeonggi-do (above. Photo credit: Wake up and Laugh!). It also contains the world’s largest wooden statue of a Buddha in a lying down position. Via @CoolstuffKorea. [Read More]
Ideas for a brief stopover in Seoul
The New York Times: http://is.gd/h2dlH has a list of things to do in 36 hours in Seoul. The Leeum, Gangnam, Samcheong-dong and a jjimjilbang (above: Dragon Hill Spa & Resort. Credit: NY Times). A good list, but Chris Backe suspects he could do better. # [Read More]
The Gyeongbokgung at night
More nice photos from @rjkoehler. This time, Gyeongbokgung Palace at Night – the palaces were kept open for the G20 summit. There’s a sample above. Visit his site for the rest: http://bit.ly/bpH9vZ # [Read More]
The G20 Summit at the Seoul Lantern Festival
It was a nice idea to create a special lantern in honour of the G20 leaders as part of the Seoul Lantern Festival. The bit in the red circle contains their likenesses. But unfortunately there was a misunderstanding about the country represented by one leader: Korea welcomes 'Julia von Trapp'. As the Marmot says: Australia, … [Read More]
Korean Art featured in Orientations
The November / December 2010 issue of Orientations Magazine features Korean art, celebrating 10 years of the British Museum's Korean gallery http://bit.ly/cWD1jn #. Back orders are avaialable from the website. [Read More]
Jang Jin and performers’ fees
Just for once, at the Q&A with Jang Jin tonight, I DIDN'T ask any question about the screen quota. It was an effort though. #. Instead, I asked him about actors fees, which for a significant portion of a film’s budget. But in the news today, it seems film actors aren't the only performers with … [Read More]
Korea’s treasures on show at the G20
Nice idea for the National Museum of Korea to showcase these treasures to the G20 visitors at a reception. http://bit.ly/cgWHF3 # “In celebration of the G-20 Summit, the National Museum of Korea recently designated 20 masterpieces (dubbed the “M20”) among its vast collection of cultural and historical artifacts. Fourteen of them will be displayed in … [Read More]
The Secret Garden in Autumn
Kim Sung-jin's photolog of the Changdeokgung Palace and Secret Garden in full autumn colours. Beautiful. (via @rjkoehler) http://bit.ly/8Zenxe # A sample is posted above, but there are many more. [Read More]
The instant six-pack
I heard that in Korea you can get 6-pack implants like you get breast enhancement. Can anyone confirm? Won Bin's was impressive in Ajosshi – but I’m sure his was natural. [Read More]
The Natural Cheese Contest
I know one or two Koreans who like cheese but thought it was generally unpopular. But here's a Korean-made cheese contest. http://bit.ly/d0Vbjl #. The Natural Cheese Contest, organized by the Rural Development Administration. (Photo: Yonhap) [Read More]
Proving that technology can entertain…
Here’s a great video of toy robots dancing to “Nobody” by the Wonder Girls. Someone went to a lot of trouble to program this. It’s perfection. http://bit.ly/d3FmZw # [Read More]
Ki Sung-Yueng the target of racist abuse
Fury after footy fans ‘woof’ at Celtic’s South Korean star Ki Sung-Yueng: (The Sun via The Marmot’s Hole). St Johnstone fans also chanted “Who ate all the dogs?” and made monkey noises. Not funny. [Read More]
Eric Lafforgue’s Pyongyang photos
Pyongyang photos by Eric Lafforgue, including the image chosen for the cover of Barbara Demick's "Nothing to Envy". Example above. Well worth a browse. http://bit.ly/b7GBjL # [Read More]