Jennifer Barclay visits the Korean Cultural Centre on its first birthday, experiences Choi Jeong-hwa’s exhibition, and meets the KCC’s director, Kyuhak Choi. It’s been a few months since I visited the Korean Cultural Centre, so I’m pleasantly surprised to be surprised by it again. I arrive to find stern armed guards in helmets staring at … [Read More]
Category: Interviews and features (page 5)
KFA 75th Birthday – Top 5 Moments in Korean Football History
By Aashish Gadhvi Perry Como’s iconic 60’s tune ‘Magic Moments’ features the line – “The way that we cheered, whenever our team was scoring a touchdown”. Sports is part of our culture, our history and our memories. Personally speaking, I have absolutely no recollection of the time and date prior to this very moment. My … [Read More]
A meeting with Yeongene
By Anna Lindgren If you’re into Korean music and have a thing for cute pop you are probably already familiar with Linus’ Blanket (left). And if you are, you are probably well aware that the name of the band’s adorable vocalist is Yeongene (연진) (right). It has been a few years since Linus’ Blanket last … [Read More]
Kim Ji-woon in London: bigger, faster
Following a screening of The Good, the Bad and the Weird, director Kim Ji-woon discussed influences, genre experimentation and working with stars in a lively Q&A chaired by Tony Rayns. Entertaining and informative, the session offered valuable insight into Kim’s creative process and Korean cinema’s growing UK audience. [Read More]
The Euro Journal LKL interview
Jeon Sung-min recently interviewed LKL’s blogger-in-chief for an article in the Euro Journal. The interview was conducted in English, and he translated it into Korean for publication in the newspaper. Here’s a slightly polished-up transcript of the interview, published with Jeon Sung-min’s kind permission. Euro Journal: How and when did you get interested in Korea … [Read More]
A veteran remembers
A first-hand account of the Korean War from Royal Military Police veteran Peter Poole. From arriving in Pusan in 1951 to patrols, refugees, bitter winters and lasting friendships, his recollections offer a deeply personal insight into service, sacrifice and the dramatic transformation of Korea. [Read More]
A meeting with Sunflower – 해바라기
Anna Lindgren meets with one of the fathers of modern Korean folk music, with special assistance from Jeon Sung-min. A few years ago I came across a stunningly beautiful folk piece. It was called 내마음의 보석상자 and it had been recorded by 해바라기, Sunflower, in 1986. After getting my hands on a couple of Sunflower … [Read More]
Im Sang Soo: Uncut
In this wide-ranging Q&A, director Im Sang-soo discusses censorship, politics, Korean cinema’s future, international filmmaking and his own uneasy relationship with power, money and history. Frank, provocative and often humorous, the conversation offers rare insight into one of Korea’s most uncompromising filmmakers. [Read More]
Dr Hyun-key Kim Hogarth: how to be an anthropologist of your own culture
Known to her neighbours in Kent as Kim Hogarth, Hyun-key left Korea in 1968 before she’d even learned to cook Korean food. Her CV says ‘Nationality: British’. But it’s her academic work on Korean shamanism that keeps her busy giving papers and publishing books. Jennifer Barclay met the social anthropologist in London to find out … [Read More]
A diplomatic career in Korea
Jennifer Barclay reports from the AKS Evening with Warwick Morris at the KCC Wednesday 7 May, 2008 Warwick Morris retired from the British Diplomatic Service in February 2008 after 38 years, 13 of which he and his wife spent in South Korea in three very different postings. Members and guests of the Anglo-Korean Society had … [Read More]
A meeting with The Invisible Fish
Anna Lindgren continues her series of interviews with interesting musicians When only a few days remained of 2006, Korea’s most distinguished indie folk duo said “goodbye” with the release of their second full album. We were many that didn’t quite want to believe it – of course there were other prominent folk acts, but nothing … [Read More]
A meeting with Zitten
By Anna Lindgren In January, Korea’s premier indie label, Pastel Music, released a 5CD compilation to commemorate its 5th birthday. On those five CDs there are 71 songs in total. Needless to say there is plenty of good music on those CDs – I had expected as much when I pre-ordered it. What I did … [Read More]
A meeting with My Hair Ball
By Anna Lindgren There’s this Korean music site, millim.com, where little known musicians share their work with the public in the form of free downloads. While browsing this site, every now and then one comes across a real gem – someone that makes music so fantastic it’s impossible to understand that no record company has … [Read More]
A meeting with MOT
The summer of 2004, MOT’s debut album, “non-linear”, was my soundtrack of choice. Three years later, MOT have finally released their second album, “Strange season”, and it’s hard to think of a better suited companion for this rainy summer. Amidst the band’s activities following this recent release, the two members took the time to answer … [Read More]
A meeting with Swimmin’ Fish
By Anna Lindgren There are few things I take a liking to as easily as catchy guitar driven music with female vocals, thus I took a liking to Swimmin’ Fish as soon as I heard them. Despite being busy in the studio, recording their first full length album, the band’s manager made sure that I … [Read More]
A meeting with Tearliner
By Anna Lindgren There’s a consensus among Korean indie music lovers that Pastel Music offers high quality music. One of the main reasons why this consensus arose is Tearliner. Thanks to orienkorean and his cousin I was able to make contact with Liner, who kindly agreed to answer my numerous questions on Tearliner and his … [Read More]