Han Youngsoo (1933-1999) was relatively unknown outside of Korea during his lifetime. Youngsoo grew up in a well-to-do family in Gaesung, Korea, where he took painting and drawing lessons and pursued photography as a hobby. When he returned to Seoul at the end of the Korean War, he found a devastated, impoverished city after taking part in bitter frontline fighting as a young South Korean soldier. Choosing photography as a profession, Youngsoo witnessed the rapid development of Seoul as a modern city and urban society.
Youngsoo’s photographs provide a fascinating look at the everyday lives of ordinary men, women, and children in the city. Even though he was interested in exploring the modern urban culture that was rapidly taking shape, Youngsoo did not overlook the surviving customs and architecture of old Seoul. The artist also took note of the changing status of Korean women, who were discovering new roles as entrepreneurs or consumers, as shown in his photographs of narrow streets lined with well-stocked fashion boutiques.
The war had taken away many things, Not only had it mercilessly trampled down on our beloved families and neighbors, but also their happiness, hope, and furthermore humanity itself. As if that wasn’t enough, by the end it had utterly destroyed everything on the face of the earth leaving behind ruins, despair, famine and sorrow.
It’s absolutely amazing. From being one of the poorest countries in the world to becoming a modern metropolis, this is where we came from. The past must be remembered and we should be humble.
It’s unfortunate that the change happened so quickly, and many don’t know or haven’t been around, including a lack of modern plumbing in many places. Therefore, the pressure is always high and the thinking is always ‘first class’.
It’s really interesting to me, and I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on it. Most of the pictures I’ve seen of Seoul during the 1950s, usually during the war, show slums with dirt roads and everyone wearing traditional clothing. The photos show a very different, and westernized side of the city that I have never seen before. There are polished concrete sidewalks, boutique stores, and everyone is dressed in fancy western clothes.
The city has slums and wealthy areas as it does now, but does anyone know if these photos are all from before the war? Did the wealthy continue to live that way during the war? Given how hard Seoul was hit during the war, I find that difficult to imagine.
Fascinating pictures. Thanks for sharing!
Barely any 한글 in the 50’s pics
Was thinking the same thing.