London Korean Links

Covering things Korean in London and beyond since 2006

Exhibition visit: Najeon and Ottchil, at Asia House

The current exhibition at Asia House, featuring exquisite work by contemporary master craftsmen and women, celebrates 70 years of diplomatic relations between the UK and the Republic of Korea. Najeon is the craft of decoration using mother of pearl, usually made from abalone shells, while Ottchil is the craft of creating objects out of lacquer. … [Read More]

Event news: State of Play, a documentary on pro-gamers, to screen at Asia House film fest

Asia House has published the programme for its 2016 film festival. Two films will be of interest to Korea specialists. Steven Dhoedt’s documentary on the world of professional computer gamers, and Benson Lee’s comedy Seoul Searching. State of Play Dir Steven Dhoedt, Belgium / South Korea, 2013 85 minutes, UK premiere Time: Tuesday, 23 February … [Read More]

Exhibition news: Shin Meekyoung’s Translation Paintings at Asia House

Shin Meekyoung’s exhibition of her Painting Series earlier this year came to a slightly premature end when the gallery hosting it unexpectedly closed. The exhibition had been beautifully set up, and we really enjoyed it. Hopefully the series should work equally well in Asia House’s Georgian interior. Translation Paintings by Meekyoung Shin Friday 14 August–Friday … [Read More]

Hwang Sok-yong returns to London

A little over a year after the London Book Fair, at which his Vietnam war novel The Shadow of Arms was launched, Hwang Sok-yong returned to London to launch Sora Kim-Russell’s translation of his 2007 novel Princess Bari. Hwang appeared at Asia House today for a book-signing and conversation with Guardian literary critic Maya Jaggi, … [Read More]

A Conversation with Hwang Sok-yong, at Asia House

This year the Asia House Bagri Foundation Literature Festival gives us a Korean heavyweight. Hwang Sok-yong will be coming to talk about his recently translated novel, Princess Bari. Read LKL’s interview with the book’s translator, Sora Kim-Russell, here. UPDATE: Asia House has kindly offered LKL readers a discount of £2 off the ticket price. Simply enter the … [Read More]