It’s always nice when a singer you’ve been following for ages gets some well-deserved recognition. It’s even better, if you get the chance to interview her, when you find out that as well has having oodles of talent she’s a really nice person as well. Nah Youn Sun comes across as self-effacing on stage – … [Read More]
Category: Interviews and features (page 4)
A meeting with Biuret
Biuret discuss their first UK performances, roots in Hongdae’s indie rock scene, and plans for an internationally focused third album. The band reflect on influences from Korean rock and 90s Western grunge, their Sutasi win, collaboration with overseas songwriters, and ambitions to expand beyond Korea while retaining their core sound. [Read More]
S Korea v Ivory Coast: interviews with Park Ji-sung and Lee Young-pyo
Aashish Gadhvi managed to interview two key members of the South Korean world cup squad after the match with Ivory Coast last week. First, Lee Young-pyo, formerly of Tottenham Hotspur. Next, probably Korea’s best known player, Park Ji-sung. No subtitles this time: both interviews are in English. This wraps up LKL’s coverage of the South … [Read More]
S Korea v Serbia: interviews with Kim Nam Il and Lee Chung Yong
Aashish Gadhvi gets up close and personal with Kim Nam Il and Lee Chung Yong South Korea were recently in London to play Serbia, and thanks to the help of many people who I am very grateful to, I was able to interview two members of the team. Firstly I just want to say a … [Read More]
Jeju’s destiny is set in stone
Darren Southcott, recently returned from a stint in Jeju-do, appreciates one of the island’s unique attractions: Jeju Stone Park In this age of globalisation, authentic Korea may seem elusive and challenging for the visitor to find, but there are many sites which seek to preserve the nation’s cultural spirit. Jeju Island, despite heavy tourist development, … [Read More]
Korea, recharge your energy
In fifty years since the Korean War, South Korea was catapulted from being one of the poorest countries on the planet, on a par with Ethiopia and Bangladesh, to being one of the OECD countries with a GDP that hovers between 11th and 13th in the world, depending on exchange rates. Now Mr Charm Lee, … [Read More]
Tearliner revisited
Anna Lindgren of Indieful ROK gets in touch with Tearliner again, two years after her first interview. The past couple of years, my favourite Tearliner has gone from being the loveliest of indie musicians to becoming the excellent music director that perfectly sets the mood for any scene. Working on popular dramas he’s largely responsible … [Read More]
Park Chan-wook: uncut (almost)
Following a screening of Thirst, director Park Chan-wook discussed the film’s decade-long genesis, its dark humour, Catholic imagery and fascination with moral transformation. Insightful and often hilarious, the Q&A offers a glimpse into the personal ideas and influences behind one of his most complex works. [Read More]
A meeting with Maangchi in Manhattan
It was LKL’s first transatlantic trip for about two years, and I was keen to see what had changed in Manhattan’s Koreatown. In addition, I was keen to meet up with Maangchi, one of the winners of the first prize in the KTO’s Blog Korea, Visit Korea competition. I had been aware of Maangchi’s work … [Read More]
Younee and the British Invasion
Younee, the versatile singer-songwriter-pianist from Korea, is in London to launch her new album and play the Pizza Express Jazz Club. She takes a break from her rehearsal schedule to talk to LKL about her musical influences. It was not a good start to the interview. I had selected the Wigmore Hall bar as a … [Read More]
A meeting with Brother Anthony
LKL talks to Brother Anthony on poetry, tea, temple stays and romanisation Wednesday 22 July 2009 On the twelfth floor of an anonymous building in the Sincheon area of Seoul there’s an overcrowded study. From a cassette player in the corner wafts the soothing sounds of kayageum and daegeum sanjo. Books line every available inch … [Read More]
Concert Review: Unsuk Chin at the BBC Proms — A new work enters the Cello repertoire
Last Thursday (13 August) saw the world premiere of the cello concerto by Unsuk Chin, a BBC commission. Chin, who was born in Korea in 1961, has been composer-in-residence for both the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin. She is a careful worker: the new work was originally scheduled for the 2007 Prom … [Read More]
Gen Paik Sun Yup Interview: Remembering the Forgotten War
Seoul, Friday 17 July 2009 “Freedom is not Free”, we are reminded by the inscription on the monument commemorating the Korean War. In the bustle of our daily lives, we can forget the sacrifices made by previous generations to secure our freedoms. I have come to the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul to meet … [Read More]
Map the Soul – a revolution for the music industry
Saharial shows her appreciation for the way in which hip-hop group Epik High’s new album is marketed: international fans are included, and even welcomed. On 21 March 2009, a website went live and promptly crashed under the weight of 300,000 hits. It was unexpected, but the kind of unexpected that you almost hope for in … [Read More]
Warrior at the Imjin
‘We lived on what you feed pigs, sorghum, and it was full of weevils. You had to cook it first and then take the weevils out, ’cause you couldn’t catch them when they were alive.’ On 25 April 1951 after the desperate three-day battle of the Imjin River, Hampshire man Bob Warrior was captured and … [Read More]
LKL meets Jasmine Choi
“I’m not used to having my photograph taken without my flute” laughs Jasmine Choi. She decides to fold her arms as I take her picture in the foyer of the Wigmore Hall. We have met to talk a little about her musical career. She is in London briefly for her Wigmore debut – a big … [Read More]