Student takeover: Shooting on the Seoul Streets by 진지성 (Zach)

Daily Life in Korea

Hi, I'm Zach (진지성) and I’m a 16-year-old high school student from Los Altos Hills, CA.  I chose to participate in the K-Pop Immersion because I am interested in Korean music, culture, and history, and I wanted to visit Korea.

I’ve been taking photos for about three years, but only as a serious hobby for about one year.  I like to shoot cars and people in both rural and urban settings, versus focusing on landscapes, and I am interested in people’s daily lives.  I aim to tell someone’s story with my images!  Please follow my photographs on Instagram (@jiseongleft)! 

Shooting in Seoul has been very different as opposed to shooting in the U.S.  It is nice to see a different way of life.  I see a lot of people working hard here, and I also see a strong sense of community, and I strive to show these two aspects of the culture with my photos.  

There are more people here to shoot, which makes it easier and more difficult.  It is easier because there are more opportunities to shoot, but it is more difficult to actually choose the ones I want to share.  Since I’m from the U.S., the people here are more interesting to me.  I like learning and seeing new things, and I like finding new stories to show.

People

This shot is a typical street shot, focused on the laidback yet stylish fashion found in Korea.

This is a couple taking a  rest together.  Couplehood is emphasized here, but not necessarily with public displays of affection.

This is a waiting area outside to receive food.  Food is often purchased in restaurants with limited space, so patrons wait outside to receive their orders.  

This photo shows how driven many Koreans are to keep their space and communities tidy and clean

Many of these workers are more senior Koreans, but they continue to work hard in more manual labor types of positions.

An older Korean taking a short rest while commuting.  

Senior Koreans staying active, prepared with umbrellas.  I found the hand postures of two of the subjects interesting as well.  

Senior Koreans still work to stay active by going out for a walk and relaxing outdoors. 

Shop life

Monsoons in Korea don’t stop life.  Shops cover up and people carry umbrellas.  Life carries on!  

This is the same shop area as above, with no rain!

A woman stops for a quick bite to eat.

Deliveries

These are unique because we don’t see moped deliveries in the US and because it shows how Koreans use small vehicles and spaces well on the road and sidewalks

This is another delivery person. Many of these delivery drivers are senior Koreans, but they continue to work hard, illustrating the hard-working nature and mind of Korean people is present at all stages of life.

Commuting

This final collection shows people on their daily commute.  For me, this was special and interesting because I don’t take public transport, and here, public transport is a big part of daily life, including the waiting.  It was also interesting that biking (which is somewhat common in the U.S.) is not as common as walking.

Stay tuned for more Seoul-ful adventures as we finish our third and final week in Korea!