London Korean Links

Covering things Korean in London and beyond since 2006

Strangers in a Strange Land: two modern classics at Prince Charles Cinema

In The Good, The Bad, The Weird (Kim Jee-woon, 2008) and The Yellow Sea (Na Hong-jin, 2010), outlaws wage war against each other against the backdrop of an alien and unforgiving landscape of chaos. This mayhem is mirrored in the films’ productions, which are notorious to this day for their gruelling shooting conditions, schedule overruns, … [Read More]

A review of the London Korean year 2016

As is traditional at this time of year, we look back at some of the highlights of the London Korean Year. Exhibitions Is it my imagination, or was there less going on this year? Certainly from the perspective of contemporary art, we have been through a lull this year. With HADA Contemporary gone, Mokspace reborn … [Read More]

Festival Film Review: Blood, Sweat, Tears and Laughter – ‘Yellow Sea’ has it all

While on a visit to Korea, I once asked a wise, old-looking Korean how he would describe the spirit of the Korean people. My friend who was interpreting answered the question instead, to my initial annoyance, giving the answer ‘Fun’, which I found doubly disappointing given its apparent banality. Several years on, I am beginning … [Read More]

Korean film at Cannes 2011

Three Korean Films have been invited to the 2011 Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard section. Nice to see Kim Ki-duk back in action with Arirang. http://bit.ly/i7Q3D3 #. Na Hong-jin’s Yellow Sea plus the latest Hong Sang-soo also going. [Read More]

Catch Na Hong-jin’s Chaser while you can!

Saharial advises you to go see The Chaser on the big screen while you can. I was delighted when I discovered, at long last, a Korean film showing again in a city centre cinema, something that seems very rare these days. The basic story that I knew before I went in, was that it concerned … [Read More]

The Chaser gets theatrical release

For those who missed “The Chaser” at Frightfest, don’t forget that it’s showing from tomorrow (Friday 19 September) at the Cineworlds in the Trocadero and Canary Wharf, and at the Shepherd’s Bush Vue. Viewing times are on the Evening Standard website here. Jonathan Ross gave it a rave review on Film 2008 earlier this week … [Read More]