Looks like a fascinating book on North Korean arts. Michael Rank reviews “Illusive Utopia” by Suk-young Kim in the Asia Times: http://bit.ly/96S7hq # This impressively researched book examines performance in North Korea in great detail and in its widest sense, from theater and film to visual art and literature and even fashion [Read More]
Category: Formats (page 71)
Mot’s eAeon does trailer for Kim Young-ha novel
Missing the sound of MOT(못)? Wishing Kim Young-ha would write another book? Check out @eaeon‘s trailer for Kim Young-ha’s new novel (Nobody knows) what happened (무슨 일이 일어났는지는 아무도) # (via @indiefulrok, who has the full story here) [Read More]
This summer’s soundtrack
In response to the question “So what's the soundtrack to the Korean summer? What's everyone listening to on Haeundae beach or wherever?” #, Indieful RoK responds: “Haven’t really kept up, but right now I would go for Ukulele Picnic:” Check it out. [Read More]
Perceptions on the Cheonan incident
Totally stunned at the South Koreans who don't believe that the North sunk the Cheonan. # Darren: Are they convinced it was an inside job? Philip: I was too busy rubbing my chin – bruised from hitting the floor so hard – that I wasn’t really focusing. And to be honest they weren’t making much … [Read More]
The attractions of North Korean restaurants
If ever you're on holiday in Cambodia this looks like the restaurant to visit. A North Korean noodle restaurant known for its beautiful waitresses – including the “North Korean Kim Tae-hee:” http://bit.ly/bHmvzR # …but if you work in South Korea you haven't got long to get there: an average of only 4.1 days for your … [Read More]
Boryeong’s Mudfest Ambassadors
What should three pretty actresses have to do as PR ambassadors for the Boryeong Mud Festival? Suggestions please. http://bit.ly/c9CD2O # [Read More]
Mountain walking, Tea Classics and a thriller: three new books
ROK Drop Book Review: Yin Yang Tattoo By Ron McMillan. Looks like a good novel for summer holiday reading. http://bit.ly/9hxn6M # Walk the Baekdu-Daegan: Korea’s mountain backbone: new book on the hiking trail. http://bit.ly/b9cmsu # An article about Brother Anthony (brilliant translator, says KTLit.com) and his new book about tea (not my cuppa!): http://www.ktlit.com/?p=1377 [Read More]
Korea’s hottest celebs — CNNGo
South Korea's 20 hottest male celebs: CNNGo’s list is topped by Jang Dong-gun, Won Bin and Bae Yong-joon. http://bit.ly/aZAANo – via allkpop http://bit.ly/cDqitG But why isn’t Lee Byung-hun on the list? # [Read More]
JYP’s new girl band
Do we need another manufactured girl band from JYP? What the heck, why not? Just hope they get original songwriters. Above: “Miss A” – slightly less cute than the current wave of k-pop girl bands. http://bit.ly/9GTF9h # [Read More]
Hyundai’s overseas construction projects
This kind of thing completely dwarfs export earnings from film and TV drama: Hyundai's huge construction projects including the proposed Hanoi Marriott (above) http://bit.ly/cyoeS0 # [Read More]
Pastel scarves for men the latest fashion craze
I can see pretty male silk scarves lasting about as long as male sarongs. http://bit.ly/9AUYwV # [Read More]
Mount Baekdu will erupt soon, say geologists
As if everything to do with North Korea isn’t depressing enough already, we are warned that Mount Baekdu will erupt in the next few years. http://bit.ly/9WVVgO # [Read More]
Kia Cee’d is Top Gear’s Sensible Car
"The Kia Cee’d is a car that lobs the paving slab of reality into the windscreen of preconception". Review on Top Gear, where it gets a creditable 11/20. It’s also the “sensible” car driven by celebs in the new TV series. http://bit.ly/9Qmh4s # [Read More]
Wake Up and Laugh!
Just discovered a great Korean Buddhist blog, Wake Up and Laugh! Their latest post Three months of eating garlic and mugwort analyses the Tangun myth, and in passing talks about the Korean saying “In the days when tigers smoked tobacco…”. # [Read More]
The Korea Teddy Bear Association
Korea has a Teddy Bear Association? I thought it was only Brits who were so cranky. Do you think that group of bears is meant to be Super Junior T? http://bit.ly/cNoXQ6 # [Read More]
Demick wins Samuel Johnson prize
Congratulations to Barbara Demick for winning the Samuel Johnson Prize for Nothing to Envy (reviewed by LKL here) Through extensive interviews with defectors, Los Angeles Times journalist Barbara Demick shows in a compelling and unforgettable way that this hermetic country is Orwell’s 1984 made reality. Sources: Samuel Johnson Prize website | Guardian # [Read More]