Korean Classic Film Series

Date: Every Thursday from 5 – 25 February 2009
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Multi-purpose hall, Korean Cultural Centre UK,
Grand Buildings, 1-3 Strand, LONDON, WC2N 5BW
Contact: Hye-Jung Jeon at hyejung.jeon@kccuk.org.uk or
Tel: +44 (0)20 7004 2606

Booking information: Booking is essential by either calling +44 (0)20 7004 2600 or by email at info@kccuk.org.uk

The Korean Cultural Centre has now been screening Korean films on a bi-weekly basis for a year now since the centre has opened. And to celebrate our year anniversary, we are delighted to present to you the Korean classic film series, which begins on Thursday 5 February with the screening of Han Myeong-mo’s classic Hyperbolae of Youth (1956), and runs every Thursday to the 25 February, which concludes with the screening of Lee Du-yong’s accomplished The Last Witness (1980).

In order for you to get as much from these films as possible, Dr.Daniel Martin from Queen’s University Belfast will give an overview of classic Korean cinema on 5th February, 7pm.

Film Schedule:
Thursday 5 February, 7:30pm - Hyperbolae of Youth (1956) (by Han Myeong-mo)

Thursday 12 February, 7pm - A Pretty Middle Manger (1961) (by Lee Bong-rae)

Thursday 19 February, 7pm - Ieoh Island (1977) (by Kim Ki-young)

Thursday 26 Febrary, 7pm - The Last Witness (1980) (by Lee Du-yong)

Whilst contemporary Korean cinema is popular with audiences around the world since the emergence of the blockbuster Shiri (1999), Korean cinema has evolved over many years and therefore, we feel it is important to screen films from an older period to show how Korean films have evolved over a period of time. We have selected a selection of films that have both received critical acclaim and exhibit aesthetic, cultural and historical content that reflect how Korean cinema has changed.

Asiana leaves its mark in Korean civil aviation history

Asiana Airlines (President & COO: Young-Doo Yoon) was chosen as the Airline of the Year by ATW (Air Transport World), the world’s most prestigious air transport magazine.
The Airline of the Year award is given to a major or large international airline which over the years has exhibited outstanding performance in a number of airline disciplines.
Only one airline has been selected as the Airline of the Year every year since the first award in 1974 and has been the most coveted and competitive award by all the airlines in the world. After 21 years of service, Asiana is the first Korean carrier to receive such an award.
Past winners of the Airline of the Year award are major airlines which reflected outstanding performance in all areas. There are four former winners from the Asian region; Singapore Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways and JAL.
For an airline to win this award it should have provided exemplary service to the public while upholding a model safety record, been innovative in developing new markets and services, been a leader in applying new technology to the airline industry, and been consistently profitable. Most winners of this award have won two or more ATW awards. Especially safety which is most emphasized among all factors.

Since its foundation on Feb. 17 1988, Asiana Airlines has continuously upgraded its safety and services with the philosophy of “Customer satisfaction through superiority in safety and service”. As a result, Asiana’s service has been recognized as the best in many assessments done by Korean and foreign institutions.
According to ATW, Asiana was recognized for its superb commitment to passenger safety and operational excellence as reflected in industry leading dispatch reliability and engine inflight shutdown rates. ATW’s editors noted that Asiana’s dedication to operating at the highest level of safety is matched by its devotion to superb customer service. Its designation as one of only a handful of 5-Star Airlines by Skytrax speaks to that commitment as do its significant investments in inflight services and amenities and cabin attendant training. ATW’s editors also took account Asiana’s financial performance, with aggregate earnings of $542 million between 2004 and 2007.

For 45 years, Air Transport World of ATW Media Group has been the leading monthly magazine serving the needs of the global airline and commercial air transport manufacturing communities. Each month, 38,691 subscribers around the world look forward to reading up on the latest trends and developments affecting their businesses. Each year, ATW publishes as part of its July issue the World Airline Report, providing detailed fleet, financial and traffic information on more than 350 airlines as well as an overview of the key events and trends of previous 12 months. Likewise ATW publishes World Airport Report, an extensive data-driven report examining the evolution of world airport traffic by region of the world and by type of airport (intercontinental hub, continental hub, regional platform).

The award will be presented on Feb. 17 2009 in Washington, D.C., at ATW’s gala awards dinner at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. On behalf of Asiana’s staff, President & COO Young-Doo Yoon will receive the award.