London Korean Links

Covering things Korean in London and beyond since 2006

Younee returns for her second UK tour

After the success of her 2009 UK tour, Younee is back for two months and a series of concerts. LKL will be meeting her this week to talk about her plans. In the meanwhile, here are some dates for your diaries: 19 Mar 2010 20:15 BBC Three Counties Radio ‘Sue Marchant Programme’ Cambridge 26 Mar … [Read More]

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]

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]

Arirang sells French Connection

“This is The Woman,” opens a new ad for French Connection. “The Woman of All Women.” The voiceover is rather reminiscent of British children’s TV programming from the 1960’s (Watch with Mother), albeit with a French accent. The footage is in black and white, adding to the slightly dated feel. And in the background, we … [Read More]

Event news: Nah Youn Sun returns to London

For me, 2009’s live performance of the year was Nah Youn Sun’s spell-binding gig in the Vortex with Swedish guitarist Ulf Wakenius. It drew a rave review from one of London’s top 10 blogs, London Jazz (“sheer magic” said its blogmeister, now jazz blogger for the Daily Telegraph, Sebastian Scotney) For those who didn’t manage … [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]

Biuret to play in Southampton

Good news for K-rock fans near Southampton. Biuret, the overall SUTASI Pan Asian winner 2009, will be performing at The Brook, Sunday March 14th at 9.20pm. They’ve also been invited to perform at the International Live Music Conference in London on 12 March. After their Southampton gig they’re off to Vietnam to perform in Ho … [Read More]

Belated New Year celebrations at Pacific Plaza

Pacific Plaza is a new Asian mall by Wembley Stadium, including a supermarket and a Korean food outlet. They’re having a belated celebration of the New Year this Saturday, with all sorts of fun events. The festivities start at 12:30pm and continue till around 6:30. Korean cultural interest is scheduled for 2:15pm, 4pm and 5pm, … [Read More]

Pansori in York

News of a rare Pansori performance on UK shores: Pansori: Heungboga Friday 12 February 2010 at 7.30PM Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall Kim Eun Yeong pansori Barrie Webb director Pansori tells traditional folktales in song to a drum accompaniment and is a key part of Korean heritage dating from the 17th century. Heungboga, the story … [Read More]

Sulki Yu with the Thames Philharmonic

The Thames Philharmonic and Sulki Yu at the Landmark in Teddington on Saturday 20 February 2010 at 7:30pm Liszt: Les Preludes Bruch: Scottish Fantasy Op 46 Sibelius: Symphony No 3 in C major Op 52 Conductor: Byung-yun Yu Landmark Arts Centre: Ferry Road, Teddington, TW11 9NN Tickets £10, £8 (concessions), £20 (Family: 2 adults and … [Read More]

Ji-Yeoun You lunchtime recital at LSE

Ji-Yeoun You piano Thursday 25 February 2010 1:05pm Shaw Library, Old Building Beethoven Eroica Variations, Op.35 Ravel Gaspard de la Nuit A first prize winner in several international competitions, she gives concerts round Europe and teaches music at Berlin University of the Arts. [Read More]

Two recitals by Grace Yeo

Grace Yeo has two piano recitals, on Wednesday and Thursday this week: (1) 1.15pm on Wednesday 27 January 2010 at St. Martin within Ludgate Ludgate Hill, London EC4 Mozart: 9 Variations on a minuet by Duport in D major, K.573 Mendelssohn: Venezianisches Gondellied in F-sharp minor, Op.30 No.6 Chopin: Barcarolle in F-sharp major, Op.60 Schumann: … [Read More]