We didn’t get around to writing any detailed reviews of the films that screened at the two big festivals in the autumn of 2023, so it’s time to try to pull some thoughts together before the memories fade entirely, jostled sideways by new ones. There were some sparkly new films which were fun to watch … [Read More]
People: Lee Young-ae
Lady from 406 screens at Frightfest
Blink and you’ll miss it, but there’s some Korean interest at Frightfest this weekend. Included in a showcase of short films is The Lady from 406 by director Lee Kyoung-mi (The Truth Beneath) starring Lee Young-ae. The Lady from 406 (아랫집 – UK Premiere) Part of Short Film Showcase 3 Prince Charles Discovery 1 Monday … [Read More]
Looking back at 2014: Culture, sport and tourism
In the first of four articles looking back over 2014, we recall some of the culture, sports and heritage stories that made the news. Arts Dansaekhwa emerged as flavour of the year. Following the MMCA exhibition in 2013 and Joan Kee’s book, Kukje Gallery had a monochrome retrospective, and dansaekhwa artists were included in MMCA … [Read More]
Looking back at 2013: Culture, tourism and branding stories
In the second of five articles looking back over 2013, we recall some of the tourism and heritage stories that made the news. And we also take a look at some of the stories about Korean food, given the increasing popularity of Korean cuisine of Korea. Arts and Heritage Sungnyemun, the great Namdaemun gate, reopened … [Read More]
Lady Vengeance continues the Choi Min-sik season at the KCC
Is it wrong like Lady Vengeance? I have to admit it’s one of my guilty pleasures. I sense in Lady V a slightly cocky director consciously aiming his work at an international audience for the first time, after the success of Oldboy. After all, Koreans don’t need to have it explained that prisoners might want … [Read More]
Lee Young-ae returns in NYT ad
Yes, it’s nice to see Lee Young-ae back. But why do the people who put full page Dokdo ads in the American press feel the need also to promote Korean food in similar fashion? Aren’t Michelle Obama and Gwyneth Paltrow doing that for free? Still, I can’t think of a better spokesmodel for hansik than … [Read More]
First birthday celebration for Lee Young-ae’s twins
Cute or what? Lee Young-ae holds low-key first birthday bash for her twins, 21 Feb 2012. Jeon Do-yeon was also there to celebrate. http://bit.ly/x7W0ec. Pic via Hancinema [Read More]
A look back at 2011 – part 2
In the second of our articles we look at stories relating to Sports, Tourism, and national branding and marketing. And K-pop and celebrities are never far away when talking of Brand Korea. Sports and Tourism Jeju was provisionally listed as one of the worlds New 7 Wonders, after a multi-month international marketing campaign. Celebrities ranging … [Read More]
A Lee Young-ae conundrum
Discovered on a Middle East fansite, whose location I can no longer find. Who on earth can be the Kim whose back acne Lee Young-ae is supposed to have witnessed? http://twitpic.com/3tovf7 #. [Read More]
Many hearts broken: Lee Young-ae married
Lee Young-ae secretly tied the knot with a Korean-American businessman in the U.S. on 24 August. The wedding was attended only by family and close friends, and was held in the U.S. because the bridegroom’s family lives there. Source: Chosun Ilbo # [Read More]
Inshalla – Detente in the Desert
It’s Lee Young-ae’s first film, released at the very beginning of 1997. It’s pretty difficult to get hold of. Unavailable on Region 3 DVD, you might be able to find a cheap Hong Kong version of the film from Panorama. Currently, YesAsia only lists it on VCD. Filmed mainly in Morocco, there’s plenty of exotic … [Read More]
Rain 8 – Colbert 4: an unscientific survey of hallyu in Asia
Devoted followers of Korean popular culture will remember the Rain v Colbert battle in Time magazine last year. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5c7fj_stephen-colbert-vs-rain-dance-off_fun The much smaller population of devoted LKL readers will remember that I did a straw poll of my US co-workers last year: how many out of an unrepresentative sample of US bank regulatory specialists had heard … [Read More]
The top 30 LKL pictures of 2007 – part 2
Here’s #11-20, in reverse order: #20: Tottenham Hotspur’s Lee Young-pyo: #19: 1970s Seoul: #18: The first appearance of top K-pop star BoA, in her campaign for Olympus: #17: Shinhan Bank’s Manchester United Credit Card: #16: The cover image from Kyung-Hyun Kim’s heavyweight book on Korean Cinema — a still from Peppermint Candy: #15: Robot Taekwon … [Read More]
The redemptive power of Lee Young-ae
As we all know, Jewel in the Palace is a hit in many countries. It’s watched all around the world. Including in Indian jails. A convict in India has sent a letter of gratitude to a top Korean network for airing the historical drama “Jewel in the Palace,” or “Daejanggeum” in Korean. Narendra Kumar Sharma, … [Read More]
Some Lee Young-ae videos
I’ve been feeling guilty about not meeting the needs of all those people who come to this site looking for articles about the lovely Lee Young-ae and not finding very much. Having done a few searches on YouTube I’m amazed at the dedication of fans who create tributes to their favourite star. Here’s a small … [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]