On Monday next week we have the rare opportunity to hear some work by possibly Korea’s best-known composer in the Western “classical” style, Yun Isang (윤이상). Yun was born on Korea’s south coast near Tongyeong (통영) in 1917, and during the colonial period studied Western classical music in Korea and Japan. He was also involved … [Read More]
Music (page 91)
Event news: Jasmine Choi at the Wigmore
Notice of an upcoming recital at the Wigmore, including a rare opportunity to hear a work by Korean composer Yun Isang, and an exclusive deal for lucky LKL readers. Jasmine Choi – flute Ashley Wass – piano Debussy – Syrinx Reinecke – Sonata for flute and piano Op. 167 ‘Undine’ Yun – Garak Bartók – … [Read More]
The biggest independent music awards in the world
Voize.my, a Malaysian entertainment and lifestyle magazine site, brings you the Asia Voice Independent Music Awards. Billed as Asia’s first indie music awards, the event has acts from all over Asia, including Malaysia, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore, UAE, and of course Korea. In fact, with 16 countries participating, the organisers claim this is … [Read More]
FT hails New Malden parakeets, and other recent London Korean stories
First up, Professor Keith Howard from SOAS got featured in the JoongAng daily in an article entitled Samulnori beats in an English heart, on the occasion of a recent trip to Seoul to attend a Samulnori symposium. Professor Howard will soon be off to sunnier climes, with a year in Sydney Australia. Howard was recently … [Read More]
Dulsori gets Chichester jumping to the beat
Jennifer Barclay meets Dulsori at their performance in Chichester’s Festival Theatre, 24 January 2009. I’m not sure the theatre staff were quite prepared when the drummer troupe led the audience dancing into the foyer, bashing gongs and drums in a frenzied finale to an energetic evening. Young and old, the Chichester crowd jumped, laughed and … [Read More]
Kim Kwang Seok – a folk singer still much loved today
Saharial discovers a folk singer from the 80s. A few months ago, when I finally got my hands on the special edition of Sung Sikyung’s 6th album, I fell in love with a song called Around Thirty – one of three live additions to the CD. Keen to have it on my Cyworld as a … [Read More]
According to Gallup, my favourite singer should be Jang Yoon Jeong
At least, that’s if I’m a Korean conforming to the profile of the sample selected by Gallup Korea for their 2008 K-pop poll. OK, I’m reasonably happy listening to her first album, but there are other albums I’d much prefer to have in my CD player. Jang Yoon Jeong (장윤정 – right) is the younger … [Read More]
Kim Yoon Ah #2: Glass Mask
T Entertainment, 2004 Kim Yoon Ah (김윤아) is the lead vocalist from Jaurim. Her first solo outing was in 2001 with the well-received Shadow of your Smile. And if LKL had been around in 2004, this follow-up album would have been a strong contender for album of the year. The opening track, engineered to sound … [Read More]
Saharial gets it spot-on
Congratulations to LKL’s K-pop pundit Saharial for correctly gauging the mood of a nation. Back in early December nominated Shinhwa’s JunJin as Artiste of the Year. “JunJin’s popularity soared with the launch of his solo album in May,” said Saharial. “Continued exposure on variety shows as participant and presenter along with promoting the song ‘Wa’ … [Read More]
LKL Critics’ Choice 2008: Philip
The last of a series in which regular and guest LKL contributors nominate their CD releases of the year. As Mark Russell notes in his 2008 roundup, we had some good reissues this year. This is great news, as it shows that the Korean music industry is showing some maturity. Why after all should fans … [Read More]
Indieful ROK joins the Music Alliance Pact
It’s a sort of FTA for indie musician blogs, and it works like this. It’s all a great idea originating from The Pop Cop, and currently the pact consists of 21 fine music blogs from all over the world. Each month every blog selects a song from their own region to be posted on every … [Read More]
LKL Critics’ Choice 2008: Mark Russell
Mark Russell from Korea Pop Wars and Korea Gig Guide presents his pick of 2008’s CDs I think it is safe to say that 2008 was one of the best years for new music in Korea in quite some time. Maybe not for K-pop, which continues to take a beating (certainly financially, and I would … [Read More]
LKL Critics’ Choice 2008: Anna Lindgren
Anna Lindgren from Indieful ROK provides her list of the top albums of 2008 For last year’s critics’ choice Bluedawn’s goodbye album was one of my picks. Though it still saddens me that Bluedawn is no more, the two members are doing well enough on their own to make the departure less painful. Let’s start … [Read More]
A nomination for Artiste of the Year 2008
By Saharial I am sure, in fact I am positive, that my nomination this year will be met with accusations of bias and favouritism, but I am willing to weather that because I stand by my convictions. It also helps that KBS has also stated he has had a ‘personal renaissance’. My nomination this year … [Read More]
LKL Critics’ Choice 2008: Saharial
Saharial presents her choices of 2008’s finest albums What a difference a year makes… When I look back on my choice of 5 from last year, I can smile happily and know that wishes do come true when I listen to the third album ‘Live and Let Live’ from Shin Hyesung. Released at the end … [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]