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Opinion

Columnists

Mon, August 19, 2019 | 11:18

From macho to mincing

A traditional yeogwan in central Seoul, 1989. Your columnist ― a spotty backpacker touring the Far East ― has just landed in Korea. In my little, beamed room, I switch on the TV. Obviously, I won’t understand a word, but want to see what Koreans watch. What I see is this.

2011-10-31 17:01

Europe’s 1st Korea-themed museum?

This summer, I was invited aboard a small, but special boat, moored in the prestigious St Katherine’s Dock, central London. The Havengore carried Winston Churchill’s coffin down the Thames for his funeral; today it is chartered by VIPs, including movie stars, politicians and even religious leaders.

2011-10-17 17:43

Land of the Fragrant Loo?

Whether one is a duchess or a waitress, a chap or a chav, it is an inescapable fact of life: Several times a day, one must temporarily abandon the company one is in so as to ``turn one’s bike around,” ``shave a horse,” or perhaps, ``see a man about a dog.”

2011-10-03 17:15

Literature of atrocity

``Tour de force” is a much overused term to describe fiction, but occasionally you encounter a work that fits the description. Having just finished the most shocking novel I have ever read, Jonathon Littell’s ``The Kindly Ones,” I am stunned.

2011-09-19 17:18

PR tips for foreign CEOs

Imagine this. A Korean CEO stationed in London is to be interviewed by a prominent British newspaper. When the reporter arrives at the CEO’s residence, he finds him decked out in the black trousers and scarlet tunic of a Grenadier Guardsman. After mixing the reporter a gin and tonic, the CEO rushes into the kitchen to finish cooking roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. During lunch, and between satisfied slurps of Earl Grey, the Korean holds forth on his passion for traditional British culture. After lunch, he drags the hack out into the back garden for an invigorating game of lawn cricket....

2011-09-05 17:11

There was a time when Britons sang “Rule Britannia” and it meant something. British hard power waned but with British soft power flooding the world, “Cool Britannia” was a fair millennial replacement.

2011-08-22 17:49

’Koncrete’ Korea

It is an odd fact that the traditional gardens of the late Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) were notable for their essential wilderness. While their English, Italian and Japanese counterparts showcase carefully planned layouts, the uncultivated design of Joseon gardens with their light human touch reflected Korean appreciation of nature in its purest form.

2011-08-08 17:40

Activists, tiger wives and Murdoch

Take a spiraling-out-of-control media scandal and add a mogul who is nationally reviled. Carefully place both in a parliamentary hearing. After simmering for some minutes over medium heat, add two further ingredients: A publicity-seeking cretin and a kung-fu superwife who is determined to defend her man.

2011-07-25 17:23

Beautiful, ugly and great Koreans

As my legions of regular readers will be aware (hi mum, I know you are reading this) I have recently been traveling in France and the UK. As the thermometer climbs, the tourism season is well underway, and Western Europe is overrun with international tourists.

2011-07-11 17:37

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