JONGNO

Jongno in Seoul, South Korea, is the urban heart of the city north of the Han River. Skyscrapers, traffic, crowds, and neon billboards shape this dense environment, while small parks, alleys, and aging buildings add a quieter, local layer.

As a street portrait photographer Seoul, I’m drawn to these overlooked spaces. Away from the main streets, the back alleys reveal a different, often worn-down side of Jongno. Their roughness brings out textures – concrete walls, garage doors, plastic tents – that give the area its depth.

Despite their character, these neighborhoods are rarely promoted, as the city leans toward a cleaner, modern image. Ongoing redevelopment continues to replace them, often leaving behind a more uniform landscape.

This series is my personal photographic exploration of Jongno.

PHOTOGRAPHER

NILS CLAUSS

CLIENT

PERSONAL