Aashish Gadhvi has some issues to get off his chest about the state of Korean football. Its time to face facts, people. The golden generation is finished. The players are all overpaid, high-ego celebrities with more money than talent. The fans don’t get behind the team and no manager in their right mind would take … [Read More]
Front Page
Five from the archive
Did you know pennies were magnetic?
Did you know pennies were magnetic? I certainly didn’t until yesterday evening, when I visited the opening of the Courtauld’s East Wing Biennial. And apparently 5p pieces are two. So says Yun Sungfeel, who should know. His series of works Looking at The real world from within The real world use hidden magnets to move … [Read More]
New and upcoming non-fiction titles for 2019
Unlike my list that attempts to compile upcoming literature and fiction titles, here I’ve had to be selective in what to include, otherwise the length of this post would be unmanageable. Nevertheless I’ve almost certainly missed out some titles that I’d want to have on my bookshelf. I’ve divided the list into seven sections: Literature … [Read More]
Perfect Number (용의자X, 2012) review: a nuanced Korean reimagining of a Japanese thriller
Based on the best-selling novel ‘The Devotion of Suspect X’ by Keigo Higashino, ‘Perfect Number’ asks what one man is prepared to do for love. An in-depth yet nuanced thriller at its core and a romance in part, ‘Perfect Number’ ultimately answers the question of whether heart or mind will win in a battle between the two. [Read More]
Cho Young-wuk on waltzes, playgrounds and working with Park Chan-wook
An in-depth look at film composer Cho Young-wuk, his creative process and long-standing collaboration with Park Chan-wook. From the iconic Oldboy score to live performances and audience Q&A in London, the article explores how music shapes mood, character and cinematic identity. [Read More]
Recent Posts
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]
June events 2026
If K-pop and club music isn’t your thing, June so far seems to be a reasonably quiet month, which after such a busy May is no bad thing. Exhibitions Architect Byoung Soo Cho has a solo exhibition at the Coronet Theatre until 6 June The KCCUK’s current exhibition Icheon and Beyond — The Space Within … [Read More]
Intelligence with Soul: Dr Seunghye Sun on AI, K-Culture, and the Art of Human Connection
Jennifer Paun, who organised and hosted KCCUK Director Seunghye Sun’s valedictory talk at the University Women’s Club, gives her impressions of the evening. On the evening of Tuesday 24 March 2026, it was a great pleasure for me to welcome Dr Seunghye Sun to the University Women’s Club for her lecture, K-Everything with AI: Rethinking … [Read More]
Hangul Celluloid content is now available on LKL
Three months ago Hangul Celluloid‘s Paul Quinn made the shock announcement that he was going to close down his site, taking it offline today, 23 March. He also extended an invitation: So, for those of you who still feel there’s stuff worth grabbing from there, grab it now… ‘coz when it’s gone, it’s gone… And … [Read More]
For more posts, visit our Featured Content page.
Recent Event updates
CNBLUE world tour “3LOGY” in London
2026 CNBLUE live world tour “3LOGY” IN EUROPE BOICE, the wait is finally over! After years of longing, the masters of K-Rock are returning to the European stage. CNBLUE is bringing their high-octane energy, soul-stirring melodies, and legendary stage presence back to you in the 2026 CNBLUE live world tour “3LOGY”. Experience a night where … [Read More]
London Hallyu Festival 2026
Get ready to experience Korean culture like never before at London Hallyu Festival 2026. Taking place on 4–5 July 2026 at Beverley Park, New Malden, the festival will bring together the energy of K-POP, authentic Korean street food, fan-participation programmes, Korean products, live entertainment and traditional culture in one outdoor celebration. Held just before the … [Read More]
Korean musical: You & It
South Korea’s award-winning musical sensation arrives in London. Following sold-out acclaim across Asia and a triumphant Edinburgh Fringe run, You & It transfers to the King’s Head Theatre, Islington, for a limited season. A grieving widower meets an artificial intelligence built in his late wife’s image — and must confront grief, memory, and what it truly … [Read More]
[Leeds] From South Korea to the World: Korean Literature in Translation
![Thumbnail for post: [Leeds] From South Korea to the World: Korean Literature in Translation](https://londonkoreanlinks.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/starfield-suwon-120x120.jpg)
How do Korean stories travel from Seoul to readers around the world? What happens between the writer’s desk and the English-language page? And how are contemporary Korean authors reaching global audiences today? Join award-winning writers Kim Keum-hee and Hwang Bo-reum, together with translator Clare Richards and scholar Dr Eugene Kim, for a day of readings … [Read More]
Korea update with the two ambassadors
A briefing with the British ambassadors to South and North Korea, who will talk about their work and current issues on the Peninsula. After the presentations there will be a Question & Answer session and a reception with refreshments. Colin Crooks has been the British Ambassador to the Republic of Korea since 2022. He previously … [Read More]
Tabber “Modern Goth” tour in London
A new moon is rising, and with it, a brand-new chapter for Tabber. Known for pushing boundaries and creating some of the most distinctive sounds in Korean R&B and alternative music, Tabber has never been an artist who stays in one place for long. This October, he returns to Europe with a completely reimagined live … [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
On the Balance Beam [forthcoming]
Once Ko Mani dreamt of becoming a professional gymnast. Life, however, had other plans for her. Today she has an office job and lives with her parents in the same house and poor part of Seoul in which she grew up. When she unexpectedly finds herself out of work, however, her old ambitions resurface. At … [Read More]
Korean Dragons: 대한용
Korea’s Dragon Traditions and their Yong-wang Monarchs: the ONLY comprehensive work on this topic; there is nothing like it even in the Korean language! There is not even any complete book like this about Chinese dragons, in Chinese. 973 pages — 87,200 words — 2540 color photos. E-book (PDF) only; it is too big to … [Read More]
Sublimation [forthcoming]
When you emigrate, you leave a version of yourself behind. Literally. One instance crosses the border; the other instance stays trapped behind it. Some instances keep in touch, call each other daily, synchronize their lives and minds in the hopes of reintegrating and resuming a life as one person. Other instances, like Soyoung Rose Kang, … [Read More]
South Korea’s Soft Power: The Korean Wave [forthcoming]
Since Korean cultural products and entertainers have gained global popularity – the so-called Korean Wave – many studies have regarded the Korean Wave as Korea’s soft power. However, the concept of soft power remains contested in the political science literature, particularly because it is difficult to clearly distinguish it from hard power. This Element, therefore, … [Read More]
Contemporary Buddhist Movements and Alternatives in Korea: Legacy of Tongbulgyo [forthcoming]
This book provides a comprehensive exploration on the history and practices of native Buddhist movements in contemporary Korea. It begins with a historical emergence of Korean Buddhism, followed by the colonial transmission of Japanese Buddhism in East Asia. The study critically analyses the development of five distinct Buddhist sects and two alternative movements from the … [Read More]
Diary of a Korean Plant Parent: Four Seasons of Growth [forthcoming]
Acclaimed writer Kim Keum Hee invites readers into her sun-soaked Seoul apartment, where the daily ritual of nurturing her many houseplants becomes a moving meditation on resilience, hope, and the evolving seasons of a life. “Where there are roots, there is hope.” Kim Keum Hee is a self-confessed and proud ‘plant parent’. She lives with … [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.