South Korea Photography - M1key - Michal Huniewicz

South Korea by Michal Huniewicz

South Korea was just a stopover on the way to New Zealand. Having visited North Korea before, I thought, why not.

Sources: 1, 2, 3.
Uploaded on: 2022-01-11.

South Korea

Haminjeong

Haminjeong
We intended to visit the DMZ (you know, see the place from the other side), but the area was closed due to swine flu. I believe this to be a common if not permanent occurrence. Seoul, its palaces, and a refund would have to do.
In the photo, the Haminjeong pavilion in the Changgyeonggung Palace, Seoul. The palace has survived more than one Japanese occupation. [1] There's a fair bit of animosity between the two countries to this day.
ISO 100, 24mm, f/6.3, 1/160s.

Door Handle

Door Handle
It was winter in the northern hemisphere. Korea was colder than I anticipated while in NZ there was summer.
In the photo, an elaborate door handle and decoration.
ISO 100, 48mm, f/5.0, 1/400s.

Seoul Cityscape

Seoul Cityscape
In his book Three Tigers, One Mountain, Michael Booth writes that "Seoul looks to have been shaped by the cyclone of cash [...], unhindered by regulations, planning or taste". [2] And it shows.
ISO 100, 60mm, f/5.0, 1/2000s.

Changgyeonggung

Changgyeonggung
In the Changgyeonggung Palace. You can get a discount if you visit wearing a traditional Korean outfit.
ISO 100, 50mm, f/6.3, 1/100s.

Just My Luck

Just My Luck
As it usually happens to me, many attractions were closed due to renovation. From Moscow to Chartres to now Seoul.
ISO 100, 58mm, f/6.3, 1/400s.

Guest Receiving Hall Yanghwadang

Guest Receiving Hall Yanghwadang
The Guest Receiving Hall Yanghwadang in the Changgyeonggung Palace. Bizarrely, in one of the palaces, we ran into a group of tourists among whom there was a young woman, who entertained herself by throwing rocks into palatial bodies of water. I told her off, and she stopped.
ISO 100, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/640s.

Zen

Zen
Zen
Once that was taken care of, the zen was undeniable.
ISO 100, 24mm, f/6.3, 1/250s.

Geometry

Geometry
I found peace in the geometry of the place.
ISO 100, 42mm, f/5.6, 1/500s.

Gates

Gates
Somewhat reminiscent of what I saw in China.
ISO 100, 50mm, f/5.6, 1/160s.

Bongeunsa Temple

Bongeunsa Temple
Amazingly, this temple was founded in 794. It is located on the slope of the Sudo Mountain, in the Gangnam District (famous for we all know what). In the photo, its Main Hall.
ISO 100, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/1250s.

Prayer

Prayer
People praying in the Bongeunsa Temple. Being now older and wiser, out of respect, I was reluctant to go in, but someone invited me to step inside.
ISO 320, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/50s.

Prayer Hall

Prayer Hall
Prayer hall in the Bongeunsa Temple, adorned with lanterns. Following Buddhist excesses, there are now more Christians in the country (almost a third of the nation, compared to 1 or 2-3% in Japan and China, respectively).
ISO 100, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/1250s.

Maitreya

Maitreya
The 23-metre Maitreya - a successor to the present Buddha.
ISO 100, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/2000s.

Graves

Graves
Speaking of Gangnam, the fat man and his horse dance were only one example of hallyu, or the Korean wave.
In the photo, graves.
ISO 100, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/1600s.

Seoul from the Temple

Seoul from the Temple
Korean pop culture became popular around the world, including in China and Japan.
Seoul seen from the temple.
ISO 100, 24mm, f/4.5, 1/800s.

Disabled Access

Disabled Access
But during political disputes, both China and Japan have tried to limit the reach of K-Pop. [2]
Disabled access to a temple building.
ISO 100, 24mm, f/7.1, 1/200s.

Samcheong-dong

Samcheong-dong
What makes South Korea so impressive is that not that long ago, they were poorer than the North, and as developed as Egypt at the time (we're talking after the Korean War in the 1950s). After the war, a third of the country was homeless. They were not even producing enough food for themselves. Korean men would emmigrate to West Germany to work as miners (8 thousand of them), while women migrated there to be nurses (10 thousand).[2]
The trendy Samcheong-dong neighbourhood.
ISO 100, 50mm, f/5.0, 1/500s.

Muted

Muted
Now they're one of the wealthies nations (and the most intelligent one on average).
(Artificially) muted colours.
ISO 100, 48mm, f/6.3, 1/80s.

Pond

Pond
They are the twelfth largest economy in the world [2], and the eight largest exporter. [3]
ISO 100, 32mm, f/6.3, 1/320s.

With a Tree

With a Tree
All of that was achieved through hard work and enduring a murderous regime under Park Chung-hee at home. The latter was so bad that some Korean people who lived abroad at the time opted to return to North Korea rather than South.
ISO 100, 56mm, f/6.3, 1/200s.

Selfie

Selfie
And yet, a rather bleak image of the country appears when you look at corruption, happiness, equality, suicide rates... [2]
In the photo girls taking a selfie.
ISO 100, 52mm, f/2.8, 1/400s.

Closing for the Day

Closing for the Day
The more time goes by, the less the South Koreans seem to want to unite with North Korea. Or they do - but not in their lifetime.
The palace is being closed.
ISO 100, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/1000s.

Suyeonsanbang Tea House

Suyeonsanbang Tea House
We arrived at this traditional tea house when they were closing. They saw our red noses, and let us in. It was a beautiful experience. They refused to charge us.
ISO 1250, 24mm, f/2.8, 1/50s.

Aerochrome

Aerochrome
Thanks for checking out the photos.
ISO 100, 70mm, f/5.6, 1/320s.