Social and urban themes in Seoul

On March 23, 2012, I was invited to speak at Kwangwoon University about the social and urban landscape of Seoul. During the presentation, I shared photographic and film work that looks at how social behavior and urban space influence each other in a dense and fast-changing city.

Rather than presenting Seoul as a fixed idea, I focused on everyday situations. These moments reveal how people adapt to their surroundings and how architecture shapes daily routines.

Bang — public and private space

In the Bang series, I examine how public and private space overlap in South Korea. Through photography, I look at interiors that sit close to the street and at boundaries that feel temporary rather than fixed.

As a result, the work questions clear divisions between inside and outside. It reflects a city where personal space often exists in close contact with the public realm.

Zugzwang — pressure and redevelopment

The Zugzwang series focuses on areas affected by redevelopment. Here, I document neighborhoods facing demolition and residents preparing to leave their homes. The work reflects the pressure that rapid urban change places on individuals.

I chose the title from chess, where zugzwang describes a situation in which every move leads to a disadvantage. In this context, it reflects the limited choices many residents face during large-scale development projects.

Urban Nature — city and countryside

Urban Nature looks at the boundary between urban growth and disappearing rural space. The series follows Seoul’s expansion from the outskirts toward the city center. At the same time, it records traces of landscape that remain within the built environment.

This body of work received the European Prize of Architectural Photography. However, more importantly, it reflects a long-term interest in how cities absorb and replace what came before them.

Double Portrait — identity and conformity

In Double Portrait, I focus on the relationship between individual identity and collective norms in South Korea. The images look at repetition, similarity, and small differences within groups.

Through this series, I ask how much space remains for individuality in a society shaped by strong social structures and shared expectations.

An open discussion

The lecture at Kwangwoon University was part of an ongoing conversation rather than a conclusion. Through photography and film, I try to observe carefully and allow questions to remain open. By bringing these series together, I aim to offer a layered view of Seoul—one shaped by social tension, urban growth, and everyday life.