Peter Owen, 2005, 208pp Translated by Kong Yoo-jung Originally published as 생의 이면, Seoul, 1992 A partly autobiographical novel exploring the life story of a prominent Korean writer growing up in the second half of the twentieth century. [Read More]
Featured Posts - page 276
Yi Chong-jun: Your paradise
A puzzling story about the struggles of successive managers of a leper colony to improve the lot of the lepers. I think the Complete Review shares my puzzlement. One of the best-selling novels of 20th Century Korean literature, originally published in 1976. Yi Chong-jun: Your paradise. (Green Integer, 2004) Translated by Jennifer Lee, Timothy R. … [Read More]
Yi Mun-yol: the Poet
A novel based on the life of a 19th century poet, Kim Sakkat, exploring his development as an artist against the backdrop of the insurrection by Hong Kyong-rae in the north-west. I was reminded of this book when watching the Im Kwon-taek film Chihwaseon because of its storyline of a wandering artist. See also review … [Read More]
Theatre visit: Ye-Gam Inc – Jump
A highly entertaining mix of slapstick, gymnastics and martial arts. The first half lacked structure, though it served to introduce the different characters in the “family”. Valiant members of the audience were also dragged up on stage. The second half was much more fun, with a comic story-line to hold things together. Knowing references were … [Read More]
Lim Hyung-joo, popera sensation
An article from the Korea Times which I’m posting in full as it seems to have disappeared off their website. Popera Star Lim Sings Colors of Korea in New Album ‘Lotus’ by Han Eun-jung Korea Times, 11 October 2005 Little was known of the boy who walked on stage to deliver the national anthem at … [Read More]
Review: New Korean Cinema (Julian Stringer, Shin Chi-yun)
(Edinburgh UP, 2005) A good selection of articles covering a wide variety of topics. Highly recommended, despite the over-academic language in one or two of the articles. This book’s lively cover, a bracing green colour with a still from Take Care of My Cat, makes it sit well on the bookshelf next to the equally … [Read More]
Six party talks, round 4
Following is a text of the joint statement at the conclusion of the fourth round of Six-Party Talks, as released in Beijing on September 19, 2005 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China. Joint Statement of the Fourth Round of the Six-Party Talks Beijing 19 September 2005 The Fourth Round … [Read More]
Kim Ki-duk mistaken for a tramp
A nice gossipy item from the Chosun Ilbo: Kim [Ki-duk] went to Jungbu Police Station in Seoul to obtain a permit to manufacture a model gun for his new film. But his seedy appearance inspired little confidence, and when he kept repeating the phrase, “The leading man’s gun, the leading man’s gun,” police decided he … [Read More]
Conference report: Hallyuwood — Korean Screen Culture Goes Global
I was unable to attend the conference, and I am grateful to Prof Hu Puzhong for this report: The symposium has witnessed a relatively blissful atmosphere probably because the Korean wave and its cultural representation in screen production seem to have become an alternative in a world dominated by the hegemony of Hollywood. Academics from … [Read More]
62% of Koreans can’t use chopsticks
According to the Chosun Ilbo, “only 38 percent of [Korean] adults, split almost evenly between male and female, [are] able to use chopsticks in the correct manner.” The problem could threaten Korea’s future intellectual prowess. Professor Kim Phil-soo at Daelim College who conducted a survey of 252 Korean adults said: “chopsticks require a person to … [Read More]
Fourth most ideal rear belongs to transgender star
Sorry to be a bit tabloid, but I just had to preserve this article from the Chosun Ilbo, which illustrates the Korean obsession with plastic surgery. Visitors to a plastic surgeon’s website were asked whose bum they would most like to have. The preferred posterior profiles were owned by the following celebs, in order: Jeon … [Read More]
Pyongyang declaration
PYONGYANG, Sept. 17 Kyodo The following is the full text of the Japan-North Korea Pyongyang Declaration issued Tuesday after a summit meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Kim Jong Il, leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Chairman Kim Jong Il of the DPRK National … [Read More]
Memories of Mokseokwon
Fond memories of a visit to Mokseokwon (목석원) sculpture park in Chejudo. I was lucky enough to be introduced to Baek Un-Ch’ol, who has masterminded the park. The main exhibits in the park are interesting pieces of driftwood, which Mr Baek has spent a lifetime collecting. He could earn a fortune by flogging them off … [Read More]
The June 15 North-South Joint Declaration
The following is the text of the joint declaration issued following the first Nouth-South summit. NORTH-SOUTH JOINT DECLARATION True to the noble will of all the fellow countrymen for the peaceful reunification of the country, Chairman Kim Jong Il of the National Defense Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and President Kim Dae … [Read More]
The 1994 US – DPRK Agreed Framework
AGREED FRAMEWORK BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA GENEVA, OCTOBER 21, 1994 Delegations of the Governments of the United States of America (U.S.) and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) held talks in Geneva from September 23 to October 21, 1994, to negotiate an overall resolution of … [Read More]
Joint Declaration on the Denuclearization of the Korean peninsula
The text of the Joint Declaration, courtesy of the Federation of American Scientists: JOINT DECLARATION ON THE DENUCLEARIZATION OF THE KOREAN PENINSULA Entry into force on February 19, 1992 South and North Korea, In order to eliminate the danger of nuclear war through the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, to create conditions and an environment … [Read More]