In the first of five articles, we look back over some of the milestones of 2013. Here we list some of the significant anniversaries, marriages and deaths. The Donguibogam was published 400 years ago. The Korean War armistice was signed 60 years ago The Marmot’s Hole started 10 years ago Marriages Footballer Ki Sung-yueng, to … [Read More]
People: Lee Hyori
The London Korean Links Awards 2013
Now in its eighth year, here are the LKL Awards 2013. The year has been both good and bad from LKL’s perspective. Good because there seem to have been more events, more books, more films and more music than ever before as Korean culture gets more and more public attention. And bad because our day … [Read More]
Lee Hyori is a retro Miss Korea
I just can’t resist this new release from Lee Hyori, Miss Korea – a very different, retro, style from her previous outings. Lyrics and music are by Ms Lee herself – perhaps sensible after the trouble she’s had with her songwriters in previous albums. The single is from her upcoming album, Monochrome. According to her … [Read More]
Is this for real? I’m so dead!
“A fine for a person who exposes his or her skin is too much. Is this for real? I’m so dead!” Lee Hyori is said to have tweeted in this week’s non-story. Park Geun-hye’s cabinet approved a revision on 11 March that regulates certain “inappropriate” social behavior such as stalking and public indecency, which includes … [Read More]
Looking back at 2012: Hallyu and entertainment news
In the second of four round-ups of links to news which caught our eye in 2012, we focus on hallyu-related stories from around the world, some of the local entertainment industry stories plus a quick look at the film industry. UK. The Guardian put together an entertaining photoshop when London Mayor Boris Johnson claimed he … [Read More]
The London Korean Links Awards 2012
The seventh eclectic and highly personal commemoration of the best of the past year. Personality of the Year Runner up There were plenty of personalities in the South Korean Olympic team, particularly the pistol shooters, archers and the gymnasts. But the athlete that everyone will remember is fencer Shin A-lam, cheated out of a place … [Read More]
I have no reason to drink Cheoeum Cheoreom any more
The average soju you get in London Korean restaurants is all much of a muchness. You either take whatever is on the drinks list, or, if you have a choice, you choose the one advertised by your favourite soju girl. And now that Lotte has parted company with Lee Hyori after five years advertising Cheoeum … [Read More]
A nice collection of soju ads
Gents, you know you like those soju ads but feel that you shouldn’t. Take a guilt-free look, courtesy of Suzy Chung at the official Korea Blog http://t.co/1pfEWqT4 [Read More]
Hyori’s former composer pays up for plagiarism
Lee Hyori’s former composer Bahnus ordered to pay Mnet $255,000 for H.Logic plagiarized material – 10 times what he got paid for the songs (via @AllKpop) [Read More]
Lee Hyori caught with plagiarised songs. Again.
Not again! Isn't it about time Lee Hyori hired some composers who compose rather than copy? http://bit.ly/bXynR8 # [Read More]
According to Gallup, my favourite singer should be Jang Yoon Jeong
At least, that’s if I’m a Korean conforming to the profile of the sample selected by Gallup Korea for their 2008 K-pop poll. OK, I’m reasonably happy listening to her first album, but there are other albums I’d much prefer to have in my CD player. Jang Yoon Jeong (장윤정 – right) is the younger … [Read More]
Happy holidays
LKL will be taking a break for a couple of days. In the meantime, here are some seasonal pics. First, from last weekend’s FT front page: postmen in Seoul on a charity mission: Next, K-pop band Jewelry: And because I haven’t posted many pictures of Lee Hyori this year, here she is in a festive … [Read More]
Post-olympics celebrity and trivia round-up
It’s been so long since I did a round-up of celebrity news, and nowadays my knowledge of what’s hot in the celebrity world is derived from looking at my site’s statistics where I can identify the google search terms which have landing people on my blog.1 So here is a collection of random stories from … [Read More]
The top 30 LKL pictures of 2007: the top 10
Here’s the top ten. And probably not all that work-safe. #10: The second appearance of LKL’s favourite ex-playboy model, Lee Sabi (806 views): #9: The Chejudo Love Land theme park (884): #8: Sassy girl and last vampire Jeon Ji-hyun displaying her smooth thighs as a rock chick (969): #7: Pop diva, CF queen and all-round … [Read More]
LKL 2007 Quiz of the Year – the answers
Question 1: Corporate crooks and corruption Match the alleged quote with the appropriate chaebol The conglomorate had run a vast network that bribed government officials, prosecutors, tax collectors, journalists and scholars I don’t want to take a gamble on causing a crisis in the country’s economy The sentence of one year and six months is … [Read More]
Banish your Monday blues
Two little items to brighten your Monday. First, if ever you thought the TV in your particular country was trashy, just be thankful they haven’t plumbed the depths of “Racing Model Billiard Championship”. “This is a sport I really would like to see catch on,” comments the Party Pooper1. “Some geniuses over at the Xports … [Read More]