Kim Kkobbi talks candidly about Breathless, her approach to acting, violence in Korean cinema, working across film and theatre, and her creative life beyond acting in this wide-ranging interview. [Read More]
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Five from the archive
Review: Pyun Hye-young – The Law of Lines
Life was much deeper than he could ever imagine. It was impossible to tell just how far you could sink (1) Two apparent suicides in different parts of the country kick-start two separate story-lines which turn out to be interlinked. Se-oh is the daughter of one of the deceased – a man who had fallen … [Read More]
Americans in Pyongyang
With typically bad timing my travel arrangements didn’t work out. I caught the Star-Spangled Banner and the first movement of the New World Symphony in the car on the way to the airport, but missed the North Korean anthem which opened the broadcast, and of course all the encores — including the tearful Arirang (by … [Read More]
Words of inspiration
NO RIVER TO CROSS: Trusting the Enlightenment that’s Always Right There Zen Master Daehaeng Wisdom Publications, Boston US$14.95 The title refers to the idea that you don’t have to make a grand pilgrimage to find your Buddha nature, as it’s already inside you, and this approachable book offers plenty of inspiring thoughts. It starts with … [Read More]
Transeurasian languages: are Japanese and Korean related?
Darren Southcott reports from the SOAS seminar given by Dr Martine Robbeets on 20 November: “Korean and the Transeurasian languages: similarities that make a difference”. With additional material from Peter Corbishley Korean and the Transeurasian languages was not the title of a talk designed to bring in the crowds. But slowly SOAS room G50 filled … [Read More]
Recent Posts
Bleak, relatable, daring, humane: how Korean literature emerged from its niche
The following is the text of the talk I submitted to the LTI Korea conference held in Seoul on 1 – 3 July 2026 celebrating their 30th birthday. I am grateful to LTI Korea for the invitation to present, and to those who helped and encouraged me in the preparation. Special thanks go to literary … [Read More]
The LKL Korean Literature in Translation survey: a quick look at the results
A few months ago I asked for your help with preparing for a talk at a conference organised by the Literature Translation Institute of Korea to celebrate their 30th birthday. The brief for my talk was, to quote from the email I received commissioning it, “how Korean literature is received by English-speaking readers — what … [Read More]
July events
Twin highlights this month: BTS’s comeback and Yunchan Lim opening the Proms. Tickets for both are like gold dust. Exhibitions The KCCUK’s summer exhibition, Korean Traditional Painting in Alter-age: Pure and Hybrid, is on all month. Look out for special events associated with the exhibition. Experience Young Huh’s maximalist minhwa interior design style at WOWHouse … [Read More]
In pictures: Icheon and Beyond — The Space Within Form
In the past few years, the potters and other artisans of Icheon have shown off the beauty of their work at the Collect craft fair, in partnership with Han Collection. That arrangement worked well for a few years, but had its limitations. On the one hand, Collect gave them the opportunity to find buyers for … [Read More]
In pictures: Songs beneath the Sacred Tree
It was a huge privilege to be one of the few members of the audience when two leading practitioners of the East Coast Byeolshin Gut tradition displayed their talents in Durham’s music department towards the end of May. Husband and wife team Hong Hyojin and Jung Younrak continue the traditions of the hereditary shaman practice, … [Read More]
K-music Festival 2026: the official press release
Here is the official press release for the 2026 K-music festival, released earlier today. Much to look forward to! Europe’s Largest Korean Music Festival Beyond Genre Boundaries 28 Sep – 23 Nov 2026 From folk traditions and experimental sound art to gaming soundtracks, jazz, hip-hop and indie rock, K-Music Festival returns to showcase the depth, … [Read More]
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Recent Event updates
Miye Lee, Catherine Cho and Ela Lee at Wimbledon Book Fest 2026
As last year the Wimbledon Book Fest is collaborating with KCCUK to present a mini Korean strand in the festival. The festival also includes a screening of Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice. And Korean Dancheong decorative traditions – together with Pakistani Truck Art – inspires the colourful visual identity of the festival this year. Miye … [Read More]
Big Bang 20th anniversary tour comes to London
K‑pop veterans Big Bang return to London this September for a rare stadium‑scale appearance at Tottenham Hotspur as part of their 20th Anniversary world tour, marking one of the most anticipated Korean music events of the year. As pioneers of the genre’s global expansion, Big Bang helped define the sound and spectacle of modern K‑pop, blending … [Read More]
XG World Tour “The Core” in London
XG (Xtraordinary Genes) is a seven-member artist group consisting of JURIN, CHISA, HINATA, HARVEY, JURIA, MAYA, and COCONA. Unbound by innate attributes or predefined frameworks, XG unleashes the power and creativity that lie within each individual’s core. By continuously creating new culture without being constrained by convention, XG seeks to empower people across the world … [Read More]
Bang Yongguk “Haebang” tour in London
Former B.A.P leader, rapper and producer Bang Yongguk returns to London this September with the latest chapter of his acclaimed Haebang (解方) tour. Known for his gravel‑toned delivery, introspective lyricism and a production style that blends brooding hip‑hop with cinematic instrumentation, Yongguk has carved out one of the most distinctive solo paths among second‑generation idols. … [Read More]
Hong Sangsoo’s The Day She Returns, at the ICA
The Day She Returns follows actress Bae Jeongsu (Song Sunmi), who, having stepped back from acting after marriage and a subsequent divorce, returns to the profession with a role in an independent film. As the film’s release approaches, she takes part in a series of press interviews. A subtle meditation on memory and performance, Hong … [Read More]
dearALICE UK tour
Britain’s exciting, on-the-rise band dearALICE are primed in 2026 to show the global music scene what happens when talent and work ethic meets opportunity. dearALICE comprises Dexter Greenwood, Olly Quinn, Reece Carter and Blaise Noon, brought together through BBC One’s Made in Korea: The K-Pop Experience. The six-part series followed the UK group as they … [Read More]
The above events list includes recent updates to events which might have been uploaded some time ago (eg an update confirming venue or ticket link). A chronological listing of all event notices published, most recent first, can be found here. A list of all upcoming events can be found here.
Recent Book updates
The Devoted
A stunning, page-turning love story of family and fate from the author of the acclaimed memoir, Inferno. I made my plan. I would be the north stars: the decider of fate, of what was to come. Eunha grows up in a quiet village in Hong Kong with little knowledge of the reputation of her father, a … [Read More]
With the Heart of a Ghost: Stories
With the Heart of a Ghost is a debut collection of eight fantastical stories translated by Chi-Young Kim (Whale) that explore feelings unseen, unconveyed, unexplainable. The funny, meditative characters who inhabit this book are pulled far from their ordinary daily routines to stare straight into their own sorrows, however they manifest. Ghosts and otherworldly occurrences … [Read More]
Your Neighbour’s Table
From the award-winning author of The Old Woman with the Knife comes the thought-provoking story of community and the cultural expectations of motherhood, through four women whose lives intersect in unexpected ways at a government-run apartment complex outside Seoul When Yojin moves with her husband and daughter into the Dream Future Pilot Communal Apartments, she’s … [Read More]
Death of a Crow
The 1957 publication of this inaugural collection of short stories on the 1948 uprising on Jeju Island was to inform the world of the incident Kim Sok-pom has devoted his writing career to raising awareness of the Jeju April 3 Incident through literature. Death of a Crow (1957) marked the beginning of his campaign; known … [Read More]
Roadkill
An effervescent speculative short story collection by South Korean author Amil for the next generation who crave a fresh perspective. With strong roots in feminist science fiction and fantasy, Roadkill is for the next generation of readers of speculative fiction who love to be transported to different worlds but also crave a fresh perspective. Featuring … [Read More]
Romancing on Jeju
This atmospheric novel about friendship and self-discovery from Korean author Hyun-joo Park buzzes with romance, mystery, and just a hint of danger. Romi is an illustrator and hopeless romantic. When she can’t stop obsessing over a brief encounter with a handsome stranger, there’s just one thing to do: hop on a plane and find him. … [Read More]
The above booklist includes recent updates to books which might have been uploaded some time ago (eg an update to reflect a release of cover art, or a new review). A chronological listing of all books uploaded, most recent first, can be found here.