2009 year-end posts

LKL’s top 10 K-films of the noughties

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by Philip Gowman on 26 January, 2010

in 2009 year-end posts | Film | Film reviews and comment

Mark Russell led the way with his fascinating list of films of the decade – in which the biggest shock was that there was no Park Chan-wook. GI Korea also has a list, which redresses the balance somewhat. So here is mine. Over the years I’ve been reasonably diligent in giving marks out of 10 […]

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A belated look back at 2009

by Philip Gowman 9 January 2010

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For the past 3 years LKL has concocted a quiz of the year as a way of gathering together some of the news stories which have most caught our eye. This year, as I came to draw up the list in mid December I found it hard to think of anything amusing or diverting: most […]

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President Lee Myung-bak’s 2010 New Year message to the nation

by Philip Gowman 4 January 2010

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Somewhat less wordy than the Joint New Year Editorial issued north of the border, and there’s also a subtitled video to go with it: My fellow Koreans, 2010, a New Year full of hope, has just dawned. Did you have good dreams last night? Even in the face of crisis last year, we created a […]

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2010 Joint New Year Editorial: “Hooray for socialism and singing of Arirang of prosperity”

by Philip Gowman 3 January 2010

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The DPRK’s joint new year editorial celebrates revolutionary upsurges, an orbiting satellite and the economic upturn. Here is the version published on the KCNA website Joint New Year Editorial Pyongyang, January 1 (KCNA) — Rodong Sinmun, Josoninmingun and Chongnyonjonwi Friday published a joint editorial titled “Bring about a radical turn in the people’s standard of […]

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ROK Drop’s stories of 2009

by Philip Gowman 3 January 2010

Top 10 ROK Drop Stories of 2009 http://bit.ly/7KiEV6 and ROK Drop’s pick of the decade http://bit.ly/7aYjGm. Good memory refreshers both. | 10:28 AM Jan 3rd from bit.ly Update – both links are now dead. ROK Drop (now rokdrop.net rather than rokdrop.com) seems to have deleted archive stories other than those released directly to the US […]

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Suicides soar among NY Koreans

by Philip Gowman 31 December 2009

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Suicides soar among New York Koreans – more depressing stories for 2009: Money troubles have been the leading force behind the sharp rise, say Korean civic leaders and officials, who are alarmed by the trend. Failure to get into top colleges, perform well at school or climb the economic ladder can cause deep shame and […]

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The London Korean Links Awards 2009

by Philip Gowman 31 December 2009

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LKL’s fourth annual, unscientific and personal list of highlights from the London Korean Year, 2009. Film of the Year There were two hotly anticipated high-profile films this year: Bong Joon-ho’s Mother and Park Chan-wook’s Thirst. Both are obvious candidates for film of the year and delivered everything that one has come to expect from these […]

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Some thank-yous

by Philip Gowman 29 December 2009

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Another fun year of blogging, and so it’s time to thank all those who have made things possible. In no particular order, thanks to: The regular and one-off contributors who provide coverage, insight and expertise that are beyond me, and make LKL much more than what it would otherwise be. We’ve had several new contributors […]

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Quiz of the Year 2009 cancelled

by Philip Gowman 28 December 2009

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There won’t be an LKL quiz of the year this year – too depressing. Most of the questions would have been about suicide. I agree with the Korea Times: good riddance to 2009. Keywords: General post tags: Quiz of the Year

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Festive illuminations in Boseong

by Philip Gowman 28 December 2009

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Today’s Photo: December 11, 2009 – Christmas lights illuminate the Boseong tea slopes, South Jeolla province. Beautiful. Source: Chosun Ilbo. # Keywords: General post tags: Tea

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Merry Christmas to all

by Philip Gowman 25 December 2009

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A gratuitous seasonal picture for Christmas Day

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Korean restaurant in Time Out pick of the Year

by Philip Gowman 23 December 2009

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It’s not often you see a Korean restaurant featured in Time Out, still less one that’s not in Central London. But in the Christmas double-issue a New Malden eatery gets singled out: Jee Cee Neh (지씨네), 74 Burlington Road, New Malden, Surrey, New Malden, KT3 4NU, 020 8942 0682. Our bowl of yukkaejang (a rich, […]

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Good Riddance to 2009, says Korea Times

by Philip Gowman 22 December 2009

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Top 10 Reasons We Can’t Wait to Close 2009: A gloomy look at the past 12 months in the Korea Times http://bit.ly/7kctSh. 6:44 PM Dec 22nd from bit.ly

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LKL Critics’ Choice 2009: Philip

by Philip Gowman 22 December 2009

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The editor provides an eclectic choice of albums from this year. 2009 has been a bumper year for new, innovative music and some welcome re-releases of the back catalogue. And anyone interested in the Korean contemporary music scene needs to be very grateful to Anna over at Indieful ROK for the work she does in […]

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LKL Critics’ Choice 2009: Saharial

by Saharial 19 December 2009

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This year can definitely be marked down as one for the less inspiring years for discovering new musical talent. Korea is packed full of vocally gifted teens all eager to make the break into stardom and this year saw various girl and boy bands pop up from nowhere as companies vied for more of […]

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Sardine Santa at the COEX Aquarium

by Philip Gowman 15 December 2009

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Joongang picture of the day — Sardine Santa at the COEX Aquarium: a diver in a Santa Claus costume plays with a swarm of sardines during an underwater feeding show at the aquarium in southern Seoul. The show is held four times a day until just after Christmas. Source: JoongAng Daily. #

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LKL competition – album of the year 2009

by Philip Gowman 14 December 2009

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I don’t know how you discover new Korean bands and music to listen to, but the way I go about it is to read the recommendations of other people. So I hope you all checked out Anna Lindgren’s choices for album of the year 2009. Coming soon, LKL will have one or two other lists […]

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