While Herstory’s ultimate conclusion may be known to many, with such an important subject that should never be forgotten the journey is equally important, for characters and viewers alike. As such, Herstory is an exemplary realisation of a deeply poignant true-life tale absolutely vital to public awareness of the comfort women’s plight. [Read More]
Front Page
Five from the archive
Exhibition visit: Lee Jin Woo at LdM Gallery
The current interest in Korean Dansaekhwa seems to have legs, to the extent that there is an emerging wave of second generation artists to complement the established generation of Park Seo-bo and Yun Hyong-keun. Thus recently at White Cube we had Kim Min-jung’s solo show; and now at HdM Gallery there is Lee Jin-woo. Although … [Read More]
We Love Kim Soo Hee (she said)
Two of your regular LKL writers were so taken with Kim Soo Hee’s concert on 26 January that we both felt moved to write about it. Here’s Jennifer‘s take. Kim Soo Hee, we love you! Especially when you make that heart shape with your arms above your head and blow a kiss. Please come back … [Read More]
The Legend of Lee Young-pyo
Aashish Gadhvi waves a final goodbye to Lee Young-pyo This Asian Cup tournament has seen the retirement of two of South Korea’s greatest ever footballers from the international game. Lee Young-pyo and Park Ji-sung have both decided to call it a day and hang up their boots for their country. No country could ask for … [Read More]
In pictures: Jewyo Rhii’s “Love Your Depot”
The 2020 KCC Artist of the Year exhibition featuring Jewyo Rhii was of course a victim of the intermittent Covid lockdown. Even though the exhibition was, at various times that I can no longer remember, theoretically open to the public, there wasn’t much public around in Central London to visit it. I managed to pay … [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]
For more posts, visit our Featured Content page.
Recent Event updates
Sailor Honeymoon: UK tour
Sailor Honeymoon began as a spontaneous collaboration born from all-woman jam sessions hosted by photographer Abi Raymaker (장인화) and former DJ Zaeeun Shin (신재은). Their vision was realised in a shared practice room where their noisy, loose improvisation was charged with chemistry, a small act of rebellion in a country where pop culture encourages artists … [Read More]
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]
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 Pain Chasers [forthcoming]
International Booker Prize-shortlisted Bora Chung creates a remarkably fresh dystopia-within-a-utopia that explores the inextricable link between humanity and suffering. Kyobo bookstore synopsis run through Microsoft’s translation engine: A new work by author Bora Chung, who was shortlisted for the Booker Prize for Cursed Bunny and shocked readers not only in Korea but also around the … [Read More]
Juniper Tree [forthcoming]
“My mother, who tried to kill me, now wants to kill my son.” The grand prize winner of the 12th Kyobo Paperback Story Contest, Kim Hae-sol’s Juniper has been published by the comprehensive publishing brand ‘Bukda’. This is the first full-length novel by an author who is active in various fields such as movies, dramas, … [Read More]
On the Eve of Goodbye [forthcoming]
On the Eve of Goodbye is an unforgettable novel from one of Korea’s most loved authors, weaving together the lives of three artists to explore creativity and human connection. Set against key moments in history – the assassination of Park Chung Hee, Korean American immigration, a Korean artist’s life in Germany, and the global pandemic – … [Read More]
So What If I Love My Single Life [forthcoming]
So What If I Love My Single Life by YouTuber Seen Aromi, who has captivated 400,000 readers, covers everything you need to live alone successfully. If you want to live a fulfilling day all by yourself, this book is a must-read. When you say you want to live alone, you often hear nagging from people … [Read More]
The Politics of the Have-Nots: What South Korean Activism Teaches Us about Radical Democracy [forthcoming]
Social change requires the emergence of a collective subject that can foster solidarity within and across national boundaries. But how can such a collective come together in our current era of liberal individualism and the pursuit of maximum profit? In The Politics of the Have-Nots, Hae Yeon Choo theorizes how this collective might cohere and … [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.