A Day In The Life - Poets & Punks

Coffee, English and Seoul 6:00-9:00am

My day begins a little earlier than most. It has to, if I’m going to work with our office in Seoul, eight hours ahead of London. I run a publishing house in London, while in Seoul I have a bookshop and a small merchandise business. I also curate libraries and offer consultancy for various companies. Today, I’ve been up since early morning organising books for a library we are creating for UNIQLO Korea. The latest theme is Berlin, and we have put together a wide ranging selection of books exploring the city through its history, architecture, art, music and culture.

Once the working day in Seoul draws to a close, I head straight to a café near my home to study English. It’s nothing particularly ambitious! Haha I learn a set number of words, expressions and British idioms each day, then listen to podcasts featuring Bill Nighy, whose voice and manner of speaking I love.

I’ve been doing this for a year and five months now, and it has become part of the rhythm of my daily life. For me, it isn’t simply about learning a language. It’s a way of waking up my brain and of gaining a better understanding of British culture and the people around me. It is, without question, my favourite part of the day.

Romain Gavras at 180 Studios 12:00-2:00pm

When I heard that it was the final day of the exhibition, I hurried over to 180 Studios. GENER8ION: Visions of 2034 is an audiovisual exhibition by GENER8ION, the collaborative project formed by French filmmaker Romain Gavras and music producer Surkin. I had already visited in early August and loved it so much that I decided to return with my partner for one last look.

Every work in the exhibition was remarkable, but Neo Surf resonated with me most. Gavras’s films can be raw, confrontational and, at times, violent and politically charged. Yet beneath all that, I always find a particular sense of youthful melancholy and poetic, a sadness or tenderness that is difficult to define. I am an ardent admirer of Romain Gavras and his work.

Tacos and Stella’s 3:00-4:00pm

After the exhibition, we head back to our neighbourhood for a taco pop-up at Stella’s, our brilliant local butcher. Created in collaboration with chef Lana Matsuyama the event drew an enormous queue, and the place was packed. Everyone seemed happy to be outside, making the most of the last days of summer.

I have also created a small collection of merchandise for Stella’s, including T-shirts, tote bags, caps and socks. Seeing the pieces in their natural habitat (worn and used by people from the neighbourhood) is always particularly satisfying.

The Gym 5:00-6:30pm

Like studying English, exercise is something I’m trying to build into my daily routine. I much prefer working out with machines at the gym to running outdoors. Today marks my twenty-second session. I’m still at the beginning, but it finally feels as though exercise is becoming a real part of my life rather than something I have to persuade myself to do.

Banana Yoghurt Cake 9:00-10:00pm

My day ends with baking a banana yoghurt cake for tomorrow. Alongside exercising, I’ve been trying to introduce more protein into my diet. I sometimes eat this cake in place of breakfast and sometimes as a dessert. More than anything, though, the simple act of making it has become a kind of therapy.

The recipe is very easy: two bananas, a spoonful of Greek yoghurt, a couple of drops of vanilla extract, a little honey, walnuts, eggs, salt and baking powder. Mix everything together, then bake at 170°C for around 40 minutes. It’s a quiet and comforting way to bring the day to a close.