Presentation and exhibition at Korea University

On April 20, 2012, I presented my work on the social and urban landscape of Seoul at Korea University . The presentation brought together photography and film projects that examine how space, architecture, and social behavior interact in the city.

The talk coincided with my solo exhibition SPACE & MEMORY, which was shown at Korea University until April 20 at 6 pm. Both the presentation and the exhibition focused on long-term observation rather than single events.

Bang — public and private space

The Bang series looks at how public and private space overlap in Korea. The word bang translates to “room,” but in practice it describes spaces that sit between visibility and privacy. These rooms often exist behind closed doors and remain hidden from the street, even though they play a public role.

Rather than entering these spaces, I photographed the buildings that contain them. By staying outside, I focused on surfaces and structures that suggest what happens within. The work questions familiar Western ideas of clear spatial separation.

Zugzwang — redevelopment and pressure

Zugzwang is a personal series that I first showed at the Topohaus Art Gallery in 2009. It focuses on neighborhoods such as Hukseok-dong, Bangbae-dong, and Sangwangsimni-dong during periods of redevelopment.

The photographs show areas marked by demolition and large-scale apartment construction. Many residents faced relocation with limited options. I borrowed the term zugzwang from chess, where every possible move leads to loss. In this context, it reflects the lack of choice created by rapid urban development.

Urban Nature — city and countryside

The Urban Nature series examines the disappearance of rural space as cities expand. In Seoul and its surroundings, farmland and open land give way to housing developments and infrastructure.

This work received First Prize at the European Prize of Architectural Photography in 2011. Beyond the award, the series reflects an ongoing interest in how cities absorb landscapes and leave architectural traces behind.

Double Portrait — identity and repetition

In Double Portrait, I focus on uniforms and their role in South Korean society. The images look at repetition, similarity, and small variations within groups.

Through this series, I explore how personal identity exists within strong collective structures. The work does not judge conformity or individuality, but observes how both operate side by side.

An open view of the city

The exhibition and presentation at Korea University brought these series together as different perspectives on the same city. Rather than offering conclusions, the work encourages close observation. Through photography, I continue to look at how Seoul’s spaces shape daily life, memory, and identity over time.