London Korean Links

Covering things Korean in London and beyond since 2006

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Selected publications

  • Booklist: LGBTQ+ (7 titles)
    • Queer East Festival: A Korea Focus

      Here is a listing of the eight Korean feature films, six shorts and one VR experience that are included in this year’s Queer East film festival. You can find the full press release here. Film descriptions are courtesy of the Queer East website. Time Movie Location Book Thu 20 Apr 9:00pm Peafowl (공작새) Dir: Byun … [Read More]

      Queer East 2023 announces a Focus Korea strand

      Hot on the heels of the BFI Flare festival, Queer East this year also has a Korean focus, with eight feature films, six shorts and one VR cinematic experience. The selection includes one UK feature premier, plenty of recent films plus some opportunities to revisit the back catalogue. In a separate post we’ve listed out … [Read More]

      Korean movies at BFI Flare

      BFI Flare, London’s LGBTQIA+ film festival, this year has four Korean feature films plus one short. There is also a first-come, first-served discussion with some of the Korean film makers. Ticket links – and links to full details with movie synopsis on the BFI website – are below. Discussion: Spotlight on South Korea Saturday 18 … [Read More]

      Tiger is Coming: Dolpagu

      South Korea’s award-winning theatre company Dolpagu presents the UK Premiere of XXL Leotard and Anna Sui Hand Mirror, a groundbreaking theatre production exploring gender and social class across generations.  Junho must keep his secret – he likes to wear women’s leotards. Wearing them stops him stressing about his upcoming college entrance exam. Hee-joo finds out his secret and posts a photo … [Read More]

      Artist Talk: Heezy Yang meets Hurricane Kimchi

      Heezy Yang will be giving a talk at the British Museum tomorrow: Heezy Yang meets Hurricane Kimchi Moser Room, British Museum, WC1B 3DG Sat, 13 July 2019 | 11:30 – 12:30 BST Free | Registration required Join us for a talk by Heezy Yang as part of ‘The Liminal’, the ‘Queer’ Asia Art Exhibition 2019. … [Read More]

      Love without Boundaries: Wanee & Junah

      This film has been on my to-watch list for around 15 years. Finally I might get to see it. Wanee & Junah Director: Kim Yong Gyun (2001, 114 mins) Cast: Kim Hee-sun, Joo Jin-mo, Cho Seung-woo, Choi Gang-hee, Kim Soo-jin Thursday 1 August 2019 7:00 pm @KCCUK | Book here Wanee is a disenchanted animator … [Read More]

      Love Without Boundaries: Shorts Night

      Another chance to see Oh Suyeon’s Blind Alley, along with Leesong Hee-il’s first short and more: this evening should be good. Love Without Boundaries: Shorts Night Birkbeck Cinema, Thursday 25 July 2019 6:30 pm | Book here While homosexuality in South Korea is not illegal – outside of specific regulations relating to the military – … [Read More]

      An introduction to the Love Without Boundaries season of screenings

      The KCC have provided the following press release that introduces the second season of screenings this year. The first season this year, Home Truths, was a great selection of movies, and if possible Love without Boundaries is even better: Love Without Boundaries Korean Film Nights continue with a second season for 2019 ‘Love Without Boundaries’ … [Read More]

      Love without Boundaries: No Regret

      Leesong Hee-il’s White Night trilogy was the highlight of the 2013 London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival. Here’s an opportunity to see an earlier film: No Regret (후회하지 않아) Director: Leesong Hee-il (2006, 114mins) Cast: Kim Nam-gil, Lee Yeong-hoon, Kim Jung-hwa, Cho Hyun-chul Thursday 11 July 2019 7:00 pm | Book here At 18, Su-min … [Read More]

      Neverland: Holland’s ground-breaking K-pop debut in context

      Dr Colette Balmain discusses the controversial debut MV from Korea’s “first openly gay” KPOP idol. “Never lose self-esteem and be confident” (Holland, 2018) On 22st January 2018, at exactly midnight KST, Holland released his debut single and MV “Neverland”.  Since its release, “Neverland” has racked up over 6 million views on YouTube and Holland has … [Read More]

      Korea Through My Queer Eyes: a talk with Heezy Yang

      Coming up next week, a very informal talk session with South Korean artist and activist Heezy Yang (a.k.a. Hurricane Kimchi). Korea Through My Queer Eyes 21 February at 19:30–21:00 G3, SOAS The topics will include Seoul Pride, Military Service, Queer Youth, Parents and Family, Night Life, Drag Culture, Art & Entertainment! About Heezy Yang Heezy … [Read More]

      Photography exhibition: Gay Men And Pants

      Late notice of an exhibition by South Korean artist, performer and LBGT activist Heezy Yang aka Hurricane Kimchi: Gay Men And Pants New Bloomsbury Set | The Basement | 76 Marchmont Street | London WC1N 1AG 15-16 February 2018 Bar opening hours 4pm – 11.30pm “Underwear as medium – taking an intimate look at queer lives in … [Read More]

      Hurricane Kimchi appears on BBC World News

      Heezy Yang, the South Korean artist, performer and activist, is also known for his fabulous alter-ego, the drag queen Hurricane Kimchi. Currently in London for the Queer Asia conference at SOAS where he is performing alongside Chinese feminist and LGBTQ activist Whiskey Chow, he appeared on BBC World News yesterday: Yang has illustrated several LGBT … [Read More]