In the past few years the UK has benefited from a number of theatrical releases of recent Korean box office movies. Sometimes, the UK release has occurred while the movie is still showing in cinemas back in Korea, indicating a certain amount of confidence on the part of the distributors to invest in a title … [Read More]
Featured Posts - page 6
King Charles visits Koreatown to prepare for State Visit
King Charles paid a visit to New Malden Koreatown yesterday, as part of his preparation for the State Visit of South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol later this month. It wasn’t the pleasantest of days for it, but despite the grim weather enthusiastic crowds lined the High Street to welcome him. Centre of the action was … [Read More]
Site of first Korean legation in London unveiled
At a brief ceremony on 30 October, Ambassador Yoon Yeocheol unveiled a plaque marking the location of the first Korean legation to London, together with Mr Ian McDermott, representing the owners of the building. The building is at 4 Trebovir Road [map], a side street by Earls Court Station in West London, and is now … [Read More]
Experience the latest in Korean VR and media at The Oulim
I never thought I would find myself saying that the best thing at an event was the K-pop videos, but there’s a first time for everything. Let’s rephrase that. The K-pop videos were the most understandable items in the event, and they were also enjoyable: what’s not to like about good-looking performers showing off their … [Read More]
A visit to Delight: the Seoul-inspired video projection show in Borough Yards
I thought, for once, I’d try to get to an exhibition in the first few days of its existence instead of at the last possible minute. So I dutifully forked out £22 plus booking fee to see what the Delight media art show was all about. First, be prepared to spend a while wandering around … [Read More]
Ghibliotheque’s Film Korea: a highly enjoyable introduction to the world of Korean cinema
Do you remember what it was like when you first discovered Korean film in all its diversity? For me, it was in about 2000. Christmas in August, Why Has Bodhi-Dharma Left for the East?, Shiri and Lies were among my first DVD orders: a bewildering array of stuff was available, and I wanted to know … [Read More]
Cairo Declaration and Korean service in British army commemorated in SOAS conference
Hands up, anyone who had actually heard of the Cairo Declaration before this SOAS conference designed to mark its 80th anniversary? I certainly hadn’t. Winston Churchill was in Cairo with a contingent of over 100 diplomatic and administrative staff, in late November 1943, where along with Chang Kai-shek and President Roosevelt they were starting to … [Read More]
Focus Art Fair at Saatchi Gallery: well worth a second look
This month the Saatchi gallery is playing host to several showcases of Korean art and technology. From 29 October, KOCCA is organising Oulim, a digital media art showcase that celebrates 140 years of UK Korea diplomatic relations; next week sees StART art fair which always has a strong Korean representation as its origins can be … [Read More]
London Korean Film Festival Announces 2023 Programme
Yesterday the KCC released the final programme for the 2023 London Korean Film Festival. While in general 2023 has not so far been a stand-out year for Korean film, there’s plenty to enjoy here. I’m looking forward to seeing Hur Jin-ho’s latest, as his Christmas in August was one of the first Korean movies I … [Read More]
Jung Jae-il’s K-music opening concert leaves London wanting more
Ten years ago, the very first K-music festival concert, given by Won Il and the National Orchestra of Korea, was on the main stage at the Barbican. So for the first concert of the 10th anniversary K-music Festival it was the appropriate venue for Jung Jae-il to make his London debut. The Barbican is also … [Read More]
London Korean Film Festival announces 2023 dates and Special Focus strand
Details of the 2023 London Korean Film Festival are gradually coming out. BFI members may already have spotted, in the Oct-Nov catalogue, two LKFF screenings that will be at the BFI: Phantom (Lee Hae-young, 2023) on 4 Nov and Innocent Witness (Lee Han, 2019) on 5 Nov. Yesterday, the KCC officially announced the first round … [Read More]
Book review: JM Lee – Painter of the Wind
In The Investigation (2012, English version 2014), JM Lee gave readers an historical novel combined with a course in poetry appreciation. Somehow, it didn’t work for us. In Painter of the Wind, Lee gives his readers an historical novel combined with a course in art appreciation and it works a lot better. The novel was … [Read More]