London Korean Links

Covering things Korean in London and beyond since 2006

Mudang and minhwa

When we think of pre-modern Korean aesthetics, we think of the restrained tones of Koryo celadon, of the austere white of Choson porcelain, the subdued tones of Chong Son’s landscape paintings. But, as Charlotte Horlyck reminded us in her introduction to the informative day of decorative arts and folk customs at SOAS, that is only … [Read More]

Watching Korea with the British Museum

Peter Corbishley reviews the recent Korean Film double bill On Saturday 6th November 2008, Margaret O’Brien of The British Museum and Jeon Hye-Jung of the Korean Cultural Centre put on a somewhat sparsely attended family programme of Korean films. Margaret O’Brien, who has been Head of Lifelong Learning at the Museum since 2000, presented the … [Read More]

K-film double bill at the British Museum

A Korean film double bill Saturday 6 December, 13.00 BP Lecture Theatre £5, concessions £3 Marathon Director: Chung Yoon-chul Starring: Cho Seung-woo South Korea, 2004, 117 minutes The publicity says: “A touching tale of a mother who encourages her autistic son to pursue his passion for running.” LKL says: “A cut above your average feel-good … [Read More]

Chuseok at the BM — part sprint, part marathon

It is a commonplace observation that Korea is caught between two larger neighbours. Similarly, in marketing terms, the Korean events at the British Museum last Saturday were dwarfed by the blitzkrieg advertising for the Chinese “First Emperor” and the Japanese modern design exhibitions, both also at the British Museum at the same time. But although … [Read More]

Moon jars old and new

There were moon jars a-plenty at the British Museum on Saturday: old and new, whole and smashed, real and fake and, as is the nature of these objects, none of them perfectly spherical. In pride of place in Room 3, just as you enter the museum, is one of the prized items in the British … [Read More]

Focus on a piece of happiness

The story goes that Bernard Leach, browsing in a Seoul antiques store in the mid 1930s, came across a Choson dynasty Moon Jar and held his head in disbelief at its beauty. And, after one of the more inspired impulse buys in recent art history, he walked out of the shop “carrying a piece of … [Read More]

British Museum and AKS celebrate Chuseok

Two events to celebrate Chuseok, Korea’s harvest festival. Firstly, the Anglo-Korean Society will be having a buffet dinner at Young Bean Kwan on the Barbican highwalks in the City on 20 September. Guest of honour will be Ambassador Cho. There will be a short pre-dinner talk on Korean customs and food, and guests will be … [Read More]