Slaves to the System, a collaboration between EAHRNK and the Leiden Asia Centre, published their first major report on DPRK workers in Poland at a conference held at Leiden this week: On Wednesday afternoon (6 July) in Leiden, the Netherlands, a new in-depth report on the issue of North Korean forced labour in Poland was … [Read More]
Category: Formats (page 9)
Visiting Korean students protest Comfort Woman issue
Great to see so many young people from South Korea raising awareness of the ‘comfort women’ issue in London today, performing and protesting at the Japanese embassy and Trafalgar Square. [Read More]
Ryu Seonghie featured in the JoongAng Daily
Readers may remember back to 2014 when the KCC had its Year of the Film Professionals. The final professional to be featured was production designer Ryu Seonghie, who has worked on many of the most distinctive Korean movies of the 21st century. Her most recent success is Park Chan-wook’s The Handmaiden, for which she won the Vulcan Award … [Read More]
Andrew Salmon awarded MBE
Congratulations to Andy Salmon for being awarded an MBE in the Queens 90th birthday honours list. His citation, in the Diplomatic Service and Overseas List reads as follows: Andrew Charles SALMON Journalist and writer, Seoul, Republic of Korea. For services to British Veterans of the Korean War. If you haven’t already, check out his two … [Read More]
Event news: Sounds of Korea, at SOAS
The SOAS Korean Music Society presents a varied programme of Korean music this coming Friday (10 June) at 7pm in the main SOAS building. It is rumoured that they will be joined by guest performer Gamin (who will be playing with Notes Inégales at Wilton’s Music Hall on 14 and 15 June). Entry free but … [Read More]
The new Ambassador presents his credentials
The new RoK Ambassador, Hwang Joonkook, presented his credentials to the Queen on 1 June. Among the topics of conversation was Han Kang’s Vegetarian. More photos available on the RoK Embassy website. [Read More]
Brief review: The Priests – another excellent LKFF16 teaser
The second of the KCC’s “teaser screenings” for the 2016 London Korean Film Festival, which screened last night at the Picturehouse Central, was another hit. Let’s hope they keep this up. Jang Jae-hyun’s The Priests was a hugely fun (and suspense-filled) exorcism movie, and an impressive full-length debut for the director. It will win new … [Read More]
Han Kang’s Vegetarian wins the Man Booker International Prize
The news that Han Kang and Deborah Smith had won the Man Booker International prize for The Vegetarian, sharing £50,000 between them, reached me on Tuesday morning, 17th May, in a hotel room of a vast Lotte resort celebrating Baekje cultural heritage just outside of Buyeo, Chungcheongnamdo. I saw the news on Facebook, and just … [Read More]
Pojang Korean Street Food opens up in Druid Street Market
Another debut – today is the first day of the Pojang kimbab stall at Druid Street Market in Bermondsey. With so many Korean ‘street food’ ventures trying to reinvent the Korean street food wheel (bulgogi burittos, kimchi burgers, ramen burgers etc) it’s nice to see this enterprising English couple recreating the simple authentic food they … [Read More]
The V+A’s official video of Kang Yiyun’s residency
The V+A has put together a short video of Yiyun Kang’s residency, with footage from the two performances of her work in the Cast Courts. Much more informative than LKL’s botched effort. There’s also a brief blog post on the museum’s website, and you can find a better quality version of the video on vimeo. … [Read More]
Event news: Joo Yeon Sir’s concert diary for May includes a Karl Jenkins premier
Joo Yeon Sir makes her Royal Festival Hall debut with the Palladio Orchestra of London at the invitation of Sir Karl Jenkins, performing his work Lament for the Valley on Friday 6 May 7.30PM. Sir Karl has also kindly composed a new work called Chatterbox! for the Young Artist Residency at St. Johns Smith Square, … [Read More]
Event news: Jane Portal on art and archaeology in North Korea
News of a lunchtime lecture at the British Museum this coming Friday: Tradition and socialism: art and archaeology in North Korea Jane Portal Friday 29 April 2016, 13.30–14.30 BP Lecture Theatre Free, booking essential | Book Online In this lecture, Jane Portal, British Museum, will discuss the dual influence of Korean tradition and the socialist … [Read More]
Event news: B.A.P tour comes to London
Fans will have booked their tickets and pre-ordered their merchandise weeks ago, but for the record: B.A.P Live On Earth 2016 World Tour — London Awake!! Date: 13th May (FRI) 8:00 PM Venue: The Coronet Theatre | 28 New Kent Road | London SE1 6TJ | coronettheatre.co.uk Tickets: www.ticketmaster.co.uk Ticket prices: £69 / 99 / … [Read More]
Shine Artists open in Chelsea
Shine Artists, who have hitherto been based in Albemarle Gallery off Piccadilly, have just opened up in the Sloane Square area. Their first exhibition features many of their house artists. From Korea: Hwang Seontae | Im Changwook | Jeong Woojae | Kim Chansong | Lee Jeonglok | Lee Jungwoong | Mari Kim | Lee Jaehyo … [Read More]
Younee releases second solo album
Those of you looking for interesting piano music should seek out Younee’s second solo release. She came to London back in 2009 with the launch of the album True to You (reviewed here) which showcased her talents as a singer-songwriter, and she entertained live and radio audiences with the many different facets of her musical … [Read More]
Tony’s Reading List plugs Bae Suah
There’s a great article in support of Bae Suah’s Nowhere to be Found (tr Sora Kim-Russell) on Three Percent, by Tony of Tony’s Reading List fame. A year ago he did a review of Nowhere to be Found along with Highway with Green Apples. And in his Three Percent article he passes on this bit of … [Read More]