London Korean Links

Covering things Korean in London and beyond since 2006

LKL book database logo

Selected publications

  • Booklist: Traditional Korean Music (17 titles)
    • Qi Masters in Broadgate Circle and the Scoop

      Details of two upcoming outdoor events in the City, sponsored by the Innersound Foundation Sunday 19th July 2009 – 1:00pm-2:00pm at “The Scoop” Riverside – Near Tower Bridge Monday 20th July 2009 – 12:30pm & 5.45pm at The Broadgate Circle – Nearest Tube: Liverpool St AN ANCIENT ENERGY DANCE Qi Masters from South Korea are … [Read More]

      Chongganbo – Sejong’s Musical Alphabet

      By Matthew Jackson King Sejong is most famous for his invention of the Korean alphabet. His other achievements, in social and legal reform, science and art, are less well known. The Chongganbo (정간보), which could be regarded as a musical alphabet, is one such achievement. The five-line staff notation that we use in modern music … [Read More]

      Live Music Versus Audio Tourism

      Keith Howard gives his inaugural lecture as Professor of Music at SOAS on Tuesday: Live Music Versus Audio Tourism: world music and the changing music industry Inaugural Lecture by Professor Keith Howard (SOAS) 11 November 2008, 5.30pm,Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre, SOAS Chair: Professor Jonathan Stock, University of Sheffield Professor Paul Webley, Director and Principal of … [Read More]

      A Night with Baramgot

      European Premiere Experience new waves of traditional Korean music A Night with Baramgot Date: Thursday 06 November 2008 Time: 7:30pm Venue: St Giles’ Cripplegate, Fore Street, Barbican, London EC2Y 8DA Tickets £8 / £5 (concessions) at the door Sponsored by Art Council of Korea Produced by Baramgot Managed by KCPA Won Il’s group Baramgot gives … [Read More]

      Some of my favourite gugak fusion videos

      A lazy post with a link to a performance of a number entitled “Seoul in panic” by the gugak fusion band Sorea. Modern music performed on traditional instruments, with dancing both traditional and modern. It could be taken straight from a Korea, Sparkling promotional video. It works rather well: The b-boys are from Extreme Crew. … [Read More]

      “Made in Korea” festival in Brussels

      The “Made in Korea” festival in Brussels is a big-budget four month perspective of Korea’s arts. Centred around the Centre for Fine Arts, this is a unique opportunity to see some of Korea’s ancient treasures and also some more contemporary visual and performing arts. Definitely worth a trip to Brussels. First, a summary of some … [Read More]

      An evening with the Korean Artists Association

      Press Release The Korean Artists Association UK was formed by 7 Korean artists in 1997, at a time when the activities of Korean artists in the U.K. were not broadly recognized. Over the last 10 years the Association has organized a number of activities and has grown in membership. Korean artists living and working in … [Read More]

      Some New Year drumming

      First, a video posted to YouTube on New Year’s Eve: a Korea-Japan collaboration in Los Angeles, from Doppo Nagata. “New year celebration of dance and music 2008” from Los Angeles, California. “Japan-Korea cross-cultural future traditional music and dance”. Music composed and produced by Doppo Nagata (Soul of Japan and beyond). Choreography by Soo Hyang Lee … [Read More]

      Two more 2007 album choices

      As an appendix to the recommendations by the three critics who know Korean pop, rock and indie music much better than me, here are two further choices. I can’t help but sympathise with Jenny when she comments that 2007 was not an outstanding year. My own purchases of Korean music are somewhat random. When I’m … [Read More]

      Concert notes: Choi Jin at SOAS

      Concerts at SOAS always seem to have a good turn-out. Monday (19 November) was no exception when Choi Jin and colleagues presented a programme of modern compositions and arrangements of music for traditional Korean instruments. Keith Howard provided some informative introductions to the music to be performed, which provided useful context as well as some … [Read More]

      Event news: Kayagum and dance at SOAS

      As part of the SOAS autumn concert series there’s a kayagum recital, with traditional and contemporary dance, on 19 November at 7pm. Choi Jin (최진) : Evocative Korean Kayagum and Dance Choi Jin is one of the most brilliant kayagum players in the Korean music world. As a well-known performer, she has given many concerts … [Read More]