Nights of AweBy Harri Nykanen, translated from the Finnish by Kristian London (Bitter Lemon)The protagonist of Harri Nykanen’s “Nights of Awe” is named Ariel Kafka, and he’s one of two Jewish police officers in Helsinki.Now, Finland’s entire Jewish population is no bigger than a couple of good-sized Long Island bar mitzvahs, so it’s no shock that Jews would be somewhat exotic figures there. Nykanen has Kafka react with head-shaking amusement to well-meaning questions about Jews, and the deadpan

Books April 13, 2012

The Poetic World of Classic Korean Women Writers, By Lee Hai-soon, Translated by Hur Won-jae (Ewha Womans University Press)They were prohibited from public education and had to work against a male-dominated world to leave their literary legacy.Scholar Lee Hai-soon’s English-language book, “The Poetic World of Classic Korean Women Writers,” features 13 female poets from Korea’s Joseon era ― the time period when Chinese was regarded as the common written language in East Asia. She dedicates a chap

Books April 13, 2012

Christopher Moore’s new novel blends diligently researched art history smoothly with his fevered, fiendish imagination. So smoothly, in fact, that you must never, ever give this book to a docent who gives museum tours.But do give “Sacre Bleu” to anyone who likes tales of the Impressionists ― especially comic, down-and-dirty ones.Moore starts from real points ― the prevalence of blue in the Impressionists’ paintings, and unexplained questions about the death of Vincent Van Gogh. He then spins a s

Books April 13, 2012

Artday, a subsidiary of the Herald Media group, is opening its fourth art auction next week.It will roll out a total of 105 art works by acclaimed Korean artists, ranging from up-and-coming figures such as Mari Kim to renowned artists like Hwang Yeom-soo, Kim Chang-yeol and Cheon Gyeong-ja. Celebrated Chinese artists Chen Ruo Bing and Yin Jun’s works are also on the block.This year’s notable items include artist Kim Whan-ki’s 1968 abstract painting, which was created during his stay in New York.

Performance April 12, 2012

A translated version of the best-selling Korean children’s novel “Leafie, a Hen into the Wild” has won a literary honor in Poland, according to Korea Literature Translation Institute.The book, about the adventures of a mother hen who tries to escape the coop with her duckling son, has been named the “best book of spring 2012” (Najlepsza ksika na wiosne 2012) by Granice.pl, a renowned literary organization in Poland. According to Korea Literature Translation Institute, it is the first time a Kore

Books April 11, 2012

Yeondeunghoe, the lotus lantern festival that accompanie Buddha’s Birthday, has been designated as an intangible cultural heritage by the Cultural Heritage Administration said Monday.The first form of the festival dates back to Korea’s Silla Kingdom (57 B.C.-935 A.D.), and has been held on the day of Daeboreum ― a Korean holiday that celebrates the first full moon of the lunar calendar. The religious ceremony now takes place annually in Seoul on the nearest Sunday to Buddha’s Birthday.“Though Ye

Culture April 10, 2012

Ten Korean films have been invited to Italy’s Far East Film Festival, according to the event’s official website. The upcoming event, which is slated to be held in Udine from April 20-28, is considered the biggest European festival featuring popular East Asian cinema. The invited films include director Chung Ji-young’s courtroom drama “Unbowed,” Koo Ja-hong’s band-drama “Dangerously Excited,” Kang Hyung-chul’s retro flick “Sunny” and Ahn Sang-hoon’s serial-killer thriller “Blind.”Director Hwang D

Film April 10, 2012

Russia’s legendary choreographer calls KNB professional, its members enthusiasticHe is back in Seoul to showcase one of his most famous productions, the heroic tale of a Roman slave who sparked a rebellion during the Third Servile War (73-71 B.C.)Russia’s legendary ballet choreographer Yury Grigorovich is to present his 1968 work “Spartacus” with Korea National Ballet this week. “The piece requires high level of techniques and energy from the dancers,” said the choreographer during a press meeti

Performance April 9, 2012

Eungyo (Korea), Opening April 26Drama. Directed by Jung Ji-woo. Lee Jeok-yo (Park Hae-il) is a celebrated poet in his 70s, considered one of the most respected literary figures in the country. He one day receives a visit from a 17-year-old girl named Eun-gyo (Kim Go-eun). He finds himself falling for the teenager, while his young student Seo Ji-woo (Kim Moo-yeol) is evidently attracted to the young woman as well. Upon realizing his love for Eungyo, the old poet goes through emotional turmoil and

Film April 6, 2012

Jamaa Fanaka, who emerged as a dynamic black filmmaker with his gritty independent 1979 film “Penitentiary” and later made headlines with his legal battles alleging widespread discrimination against women and ethnic minorities in the film and television industry, has died. He was 69.Fanaka was found dead in his apartment in South Los Angeles on Sunday, said his daughter Tracey L. Gordon. The cause of death has not been determined, but she said it probably was the result of complications of diabe

Film April 6, 2012

There is a hierarchy of personal catastrophe, an informal but definitive ranking of all the terrible things that can happen, moving through categories that might be labeled “Worst Thing” to “Next-Worst Thing” to “Next-to-Next Worst Thing” and on down the line.At the upper end of that list, most people would probably agree, is losing a child. The world’s normal order ― parents predeceasing children ― is upended.But what happens if the child is indeed lost, but not gone? When the child, that is, t

Books April 6, 2012

Nonkilling Korea: Six Culture ExplorationEdited by Glenn D. Paige and Ahn Chung-siSeoul National University PressTo those used to studying the turbulent modern Korean history, which consists of war, division and an ongoing ideological dispute, the term “non-killing Korea” may not ring a bell at first.But the latest book published by the Seoul National University, “Nonkilling Korea: Six Culture Exploration” is what the unfamiliar term is all about: It seeks to discover “nonkilling” or non-violent

Books April 6, 2012

  Local community calls for cancellation of redevelopment plan near Joseon royal tomb JeongneungIn Jeongneung-dong, northern Seoul, there is a residential area made of some 80 low-rise houses ― a rare sight in the city where apartment complexes dominate the landscape.The residential community, formed in the late 1960s by university professors, is located near one of Seoul’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites ― Jeongneung. The royal tomb, where Joseon founder Taejo’s second consort Queen Sindeok (?-1396

Television April 5, 2012

Upcoming romantic comedy “Everything about My Wife,”featuring stars Im Soo-jung and Lee Sun-kyun, was belatedly found to be a remake of an Argentinean movie released in 2008. Its maker has never mentioned the flick being an adaptation of “Un novio para mi mujer” (A Boyfriend for My Wife) by director Juan Taratuto. Some websites have even credited director Min Kyu-dong as the screenwriter. Zip Cinema, the producer of the film, confirmed the fact Wednesday only when asked by The Korea Herald.“We t

Film April 4, 2012