Who’d want to be a top official in the DPRK? Finance chief gets executed following the botched currency reforms. Sources: New York Times | JoongAng Daily #. Pak Nam-gi “was executed at a firing range in Pyongyang on the trumped-up charges of being an antirevolutionary element as public sentiments worsened over the failure of the … [Read More]
Category: Formats (page 76)
Korean marries his pillow
From the Metro: Lee Jin-gyu fell for his ‘dakimakura’ – a kind of large, huggable pillow from Japan, which has a picture of his favourite anime character, Fate Testarossa, on it. And married it. http://bit.ly/98lDK6 # “He is completely obsessed with this pillow and takes it everywhere,” said one friend. “They go out to the … [Read More]
HSBC boss cooks doenjang jjigae
HSBC Korea boss Matthew Deakin makes a mean doenjang jjigae, says the JoongAng Daily http://bit.ly/boNfCn # “I play golf most weekends, and before tee off, I usually prefer having a Korean breakfast – rice with soup. It is very filling,” he said. “And among the various types of soup here, doenjang jjigae is my favorite. … [Read More]
Nah Youn Sun wins new supporters in London
Nah Youn Sun was such a pleasure to interview – and the gig was rather good as well #. Deservedly, she gets rave review in the Financial Times http://bit.ly/aJYQoD #. LKL’s first review for LondonJazz is now posted. We’re now branching out into Swedish jazz (Dan Berglund’s Tonbruket), thanks to Nah Youn Sun, who opened … [Read More]
On-the-spot guidance in Boston Globe’s big picture
Ample fodder for caption competitions as Kim Jong-il gives On the Spot Guidance in The Big Picture, the Boston Globe (Boston.com) – with a collection of 31 photos culled from the KCNA http://bit.ly/bPXyrd # [Read More]
The Korean War in colour at the Smithsonian
Colour photos of the Korean War: John Rich, a US journalist took some personal photos: Smithsonian.com. Well worth a look. Sample below. http://bit.ly/b5tDMS # [Read More]
Can South Koreans survive without the latest technology?
Can South Koreans survive without the web? The BBC’s John Sudworth deprives families of their internet access for a week, in a fascinating experiment. http://bit.ly/9yZiBa #. And on a related note, in my unscientific sample (of 5 Korean musicians visiting the UK), 60% of Koreans have iPhones. Fast adopters. # [Read More]
Pojagi wrapping cloths take off in America
Pojagi wrapping cloths get a new lease of life in America with the Bobo Wrapping Scarf, created by Korean-American Patricia Lee. # Described as “eco-luxe reusable wraps,” the bobos are now available in luxurious Asian-inspired brocades, trendy animal prints, quirky stripes and floral patterns. Source: Korea Times [Read More]
Dulwich College to open an outpost in Seoul
Dulwich College is opening an outpost in Seoul, and is already accepting applications. # The opening of the college is a significant milestone for expatriates in the city as it represents the first kindergarten to 12th grade school offering a British education. The existing British School has no high school facility. Source: Korea Times [Read More]
British cigarettes generate cash for DPRK
North Korea resells British cigarettes – BAT State Express 555s – to generate hard cash: BAT sold the so-called “NK555s”, made and packaged in Singapore for the US market, to a Singaporean distributor for shipment to Nampo … However at least 15,000 cases worth $6.3m rebounded out of Nampo to ports in Vietnam and the … [Read More]
Epik High tops US Hip-hop charts
Mark Russell has spotted that Epik High’s new album Epilogue has topped the US hip-hop charts on iTunes. Amazing. http://bit.ly/Y1GzU0. “Very encouraging for a more “real” group to make some noise outside of Korea, as opposed to a more manufactured teen-pop group,” notes Mark, noting that the album, released on iTunes on March 8, is … [Read More]
Hamheung celebrates reopened Vinalon factory
That’s one big parade, celebrating the reopening of a Vinalon factory in Hamheung after a closure of 16 years. Vinalon is the DPRK’s own fabric made of limestone and anthracite. Source: JoongAng Daily # [Read More]
The Asian Palate partners Asian food with wine
A Korean living in Hong Kong is the only Asian Master of Wine. Her love of wine began in Oxford. Jeannie Cho Lee spent two years sampling dishes and figuring out which wines can stand up to the powerful flavours of oriental cuisine The result is The Asian Palate. Sources: FT | Christie’s. # Links: … [Read More]
Kyung-wha Chung’s 40 years in the record industry
It doesn’t seem possible: Kyung-wha Chung has had 40 years in the recording industry. One of her best was the Walton Violin Concerto. After jointly winning a major competition with Pinkas Zukerman, her early concert success was in London, so it’s appropriate that she’s marking the anniversary with a concert with London’s Philharmonia Orchestra. Source: … [Read More]
Debbie Han interviewed in the Korea Times
Good to see a feature on Debbie Han, a regular in the London Korean Art scene, in the Korea Times: # I had a vision, a strong desire to document what was happening in Korea and Asia at this moment, through my own eyes. I grew up in the U.S., and when I came to … [Read More]
The upcoming wedding of the year
Jang Dong-gun and Ko So-young: enough already. http://bit.ly/8ZI8Kf , http://bit.ly/c6JJhH, and just about everywhere else # [Read More]