Photographing Seoul for Dongbangyuhaeng

I am a German photographer based in Seoul, and over the years the city has become a constant subject in my work. For the March 2015 issue of Dongbangyuhaeng , I photographed a series on everyday city life in Seoul.

The feature appeared under the title 25 Districts, 5 Zones, This Is the City Life. It looks at how different parts of the city connect through architecture, food, fashion, and movement.

Districts, Zones, and Everyday Movement

The assignment focused on Seoul as a collection of neighborhoods rather than a single image. Each district has its own rhythm. Some move fast. Others feel quieter and more layered.

I photographed streets, buildings, and small moments that show how people live within these zones. The goal was not to define the city, but to observe it.

Working with Dongbangyuhaeng

Dongbangyuhaeng is published in Seoul and distributed across East Asia. The magazine brings together travel, culture, and design with a strong editorial focus.

For this issue, my photographs sit alongside writing that explores the city from multiple angles. Together, the material builds a broader picture of Seoul as a lived place rather than a destination.

Architecture, Food, and Street Life

My work for this feature moves between different scales. Some images focus on buildings and spatial structures. Others stay close to food stalls, shop fronts, or people passing through a street.

These elements overlap constantly in Seoul. Architecture frames daily routines, while food and fashion mark shifts in culture and time.

Approaching Seoul as a Story

I do not approach the city as something to explain. Instead, I try to follow it and respond. My background in filmmaking shapes how I photograph. I think in sequences and transitions rather than single images.

Each photograph becomes part of a larger flow. Together, they reflect how the city feels when you move through it.

A City That Keeps Changing

Seoul continues to change, often faster than it can be recorded. That is part of what keeps me engaged with it. This series does not aim to summarize the city. It offers one moment within it, shaped by walking, looking, and staying present.