Discover this visionary restaging of one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies into a spellbinding traditional opera from some of South Korea’s leading creatives, performers and musicians. This major new production, critically acclaimed at its premiere in 2022, retells a familiar story in the form of Changgeuk. This culturally significant and artistically rich theatrical form in Korea, blends … [Read More]
Musician: Jung Jae-il (정재일)
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]
Jung Jae-il in Conversation
Award-winning composer Jung Jae-il is has created some of South Korea’s most popular scores. He has worked on titles such as Kore-eda Hirokazu’s Broker, Hwang Dong-hyuk’s Squid Game series and collaborated with Bong Joon Ho on Okja and Parasite. At this event, he will talk about the growing appeal of Korea’s cultural output overseas and … [Read More]
K-Music Festival 2023: the official press release
The KCC and Serious announce the line-up for the 10th iteration of the K-music Festival. Expect new music from Leenalchi and Jambinai, some new collaborations, and performers that are new to the festival. The festival runs from 1 October to 12 November. [Read More]
K-music 2023: Jung Jae-il + London Symphony Orchestra: Music from Parasite & Squid Game
Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the K-Music Festival, Jung Jae-il’s award-winning score will be presented live in concert at the Barbican Centre Hall on Sunday 1 October featuring the London Symphony Orchestra to open the festival. Renowned for his versatility, the award winning singer-songwriter, composer, producer and music director Jung Jae-il is responsible for some of … [Read More]
Round and Around: an Audio-Visual Project by Jang Minseung and Jung Jaeil
This looks like an interesting project to kick off the Autumn at the KCC: Round and Around Audio-Visual Project by Jang Minseung and Jung Jaeil 27 September – 22 Octocber 2021 @ KCCUK The video plays for 90mins starting at 10:00 | 11:30 | 13:00 | 14:30 | 16:00 The Korean Cultural Centre UK is … [Read More]
A review of the Korean cultural year 2020
It would be an understatement to say that the cultural year 2020 has been markedly different from previous years. The pandemic has had a huge impact on the cultural scene, with most live events cancelled and event promoters falling back on the internet to provide us with our cultural fixes. Some of these attempts have … [Read More]
K-music 2020 online: Kyungso Park, Jae Il Jung + Soona Park
A double-bill of collaborations in the third online concert of K-music 2020. K-music Encounters II: Kyungso Park + Soona Park Wednesday 4 November, 7pm Watch at www.youtube.com/thekccuk or www.youtube.com/seriousmusiclive Kyungso Park Kyungso Park is a composer, player and improviser of the gayageum, a traditional Korean stringed instrument that sounds like a cross between a harp, … [Read More]
London East Asia Film Festival 2019: the official press release
London’s annual East Asian film festival returns for its fourth year at the end of October. The 2019 programme includes cinematic offerings from 11 countries, including two movies from North Korea. The festival opens with a South Korean disaster comedy movie and closes with a film by celebrated East Asian actor Aaron Kwok. Here is … [Read More]
Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite wins Palme d’Or
Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite (기생충) is the first Korean film to take the Palme d’Or – the top prize – at the Cannes Film Festival. The awards were announced last night, 25 May. Announcing the 2019 CST Artist-Technician Prize, the Jury also noted Lee Ha-jun’s outstanding work as Artistic Director on the movie. According to Arirang … [Read More]
Theatre visit: a changgeuk Trojan Women
An adaptation of a Greek play more than 2400 years old interpreted through the medium of an early 20th century Korean performing practice does not immediately sound a promising theatrical experience, except perhaps to the handful of people who appreciate both Euripides’s take on Homer and Changgeuk’s adaptation of Pansori. Nevertheless, the Purcell Room had … [Read More]
National Changgeuk Company in Trojan Women
I hope I’m not setting my expectations too high, but I wouldn’t be surprised if this is near the top of my list of events of the year. Trojan Women National Changgeuk Company of Korea | Ong Keng Sen Queen Elizabeth Hall Sat 2 June, 7.30pm | Sun 3 June, 5pm | Tickets £22 – … [Read More]
The London Korean Links Awards 2014
Our regular unscientific seasonal post which recognises some of the people, books, films and events which made 2014 an outstanding year. Personality of the Year This year there seem to have been more anti-heroes than heroes – examples to avoid rather than emulate. Villains we loved to hate this year have included the reclusive photographer, … [Read More]
Pansori Project ZA at the Queen Elizabeth Hall
This event should be the highlight of the All Eyes on Korea concerts at the end of July. Pansori Project ‘ZA’ performs Sacheon-ga Date: 30 July 2012, 7:30pm Venue: Queen Elizabeth Hall Pansori, with its themed stories, is a form of musical theatre recognised by UNESCO, and Pansori Project ‘ZA’ bring these Korean songs of … [Read More]