I won't say "if you happen to be" because I have to state unequivocally that Korea is one of the important countries that a photographer should go and photograph, not just if he happens to be.
I must honestly say that I was very, very surprised by the magnitude of the reactions to the posts I made on social media during my trip to Korea. Yes, I knew that there was an interest in Korean culture and that people listened to Korean music and watched Korean TV series within the framework of this interest, but the comments made on almost every post of mine showed me that I was not sufficiently aware of the extent of this interest.
Text and Photos: Adem MELEKE
The interest shown in my posts made me be more careful during my one-week trip to Korea, which I went on as a guest of the Korean Tourism Office. The colorful beauties of Korea, which I can call a photography paradise, the special flavors of their cuisine, which they call "the healthiest cuisine in the world", and the elegance and kindness of the people, made the week I spent very special. I tried to photograph this very special country as much as I could, with the same taste and elegance.
I won't say "if you happen to be" because I must state unequivocally that Korea is one of the important countries that a photographer should go and photograph, not if he happens to be in the world. Since I want to include as many photos as possible in this file, I will keep the written information section short with main headings. Here's the summary of a week in Korea, the photography paradise...
Traditional Dress Hanbook
Built in 1395, Gyeongbokgung Palace is the largest palace in Seoul. You can experience hundreds of years of Korean tradition by participating in the traditional parade held every day in the garden of the palace. Unlike the ceremonies you can see in many palaces around the world, you are also a part of this ceremony because you go to the palace by choosing and wearing one of Korea's traditional clothes, namely "Hanbok".
DMZ (Demilitarized Zone)
Going to the South Korea-North Korea border, which was completely closed after the Korean War, which caused an important friendship between Korea and our country, and seeing North Korea, which is closed to the whole world, with the naked eye, even from afar, is one of the important sociopolitical experiences of this century. What do I mean when I say North Korea is closed to the whole world? It is forbidden to use the internet in the country, to smile on July 8, the anniversary of Kim Il-Sung's death, to watch TV channels other than their own, to drive a car (for women), to travel outside the country, to wear jeans, to make international phone calls, to choose a profession, to style and dye your hair as you wish, to use Windows and Mac...
Ikseon – Dong and Bukchon Hanok Village
In these two regions where traditional Korean houses are located, I witnessed not only the elegance and beauty of Korean houses, but also a beauty that you cannot witness anywhere else in the world. In this place where all the people just whisper while talking on the streets, there are people on the street corners reminding you to be quiet. The traditional tea places located between the houses are both a taste stop and a visual feast.
Ikseon – Dong and Bukchon Hanok Village
In these two regions where traditional Korean houses are located, I witnessed not only the elegance and beauty of Korean houses, but also a beauty that you cannot witness anywhere else in the world. In this place where all the people just whisper while talking on the streets, there are people on the street corners reminding you to be quiet. The traditional tea places located between the houses are both a taste stop and a visual feast.
Dae Jang Geum Park
Those of you who have been to Universal Studios in America know it, and those who haven't have surely heard of it. Hollywood's important film sets are located here and you can visit them. The locations where the most famous Korean TV series are shot are also located in Dae Jang Geum Park. But with an important difference... It is a great pleasure and privilege to visit a unique natural park next to the historical texture made by human hands. Moreover, the houses and streets where those famous Korean TV series were shot are open to visitors all over Seoul.
Nami Island and The Garden Of Morning Calm
One of the things that surprised me most in South Korea, which has a very large population compared to its surface area, was the abundance and size of the parks. The Garden of Morning Calm Park and Nami Island, which you can reach with a short ferry trip, make you feel as if you could sit on a bench in peace for the rest of your life. In addition to visiting a park with wonderful scents accompanying the visual beauty of its colorful texture, you can feel the beauties that are like therapy for your soul. As for the photography part, it was like I was in a huge natural set that you couldn't get enough of even if you took photos for days, not hours.
Jeju Island
Jeju Island, which we went to about an hour's flight from Seoul, is not only a natural wonder, but also a center of attraction with its tea museum, festivals, beach texture consisting of volcanic rocks, temples and events where women over 80 years old dive underwater and perform hunting ceremonies!
Traveling in Korea, which has a very rich food culture and street delicacies, is a very special pleasure. It is impossible to fit even just one week's experience into eight pages. For example, I couldn't even mention the center where we played the games of the famous Squid Game series and experienced the sets of those famous Korean music videos. You see, I could fill the entire magazine with Korean photos and experiences. Come and see, that's all for now! I hope to go back to Korea as soon as possible and take lots of photos again. Who knows, maybe we'll even meet at a Korean wave exhibition. Why not?
