Location

South Korea
  [ ] Seoul

Travel Dates

2018.03.30 - 2018.04.02

Camera

Ricoh GR1v

Film Stocks

FUJI SUPERIA PREMIUM 400

Travel Notes

My first trip to Korea.

Having been living in Japan since 2005 it took me a long 13 years to finally make the trek.

I’ve been to a lot of this part of the world since moving to Asia, and Korea seemed to be a convenient middle in regards to comfort and cost of getting around. Seoul being mostly developed like Hong Kong while keeping the gritty sides like Taipei. By this time KPop has ruled the world charts and everyone knew that Korean BBQ was the shit. But what would being in the homeland feel like?

Luckily I had a local friend willing to put up with me for a couple of days. She showed me the late night temptations in Itaewon-dong, the basics of Korean food at Myeongdong Kyoja restaurant, and too many a night clubs.

But where Seoul got my heart was at the market, Gwangjang Sijang Market to be particular.

Stalls upon stalls of generations upon generations of serving the tastiest foods made from the freshest ingredients. Plastic stools serving tipsy locals. Old ladies in their color coordinated aprons making local treats from recipes long down the family line. Plastic plates covered in clear plastic bags to keep the sauces from spilling. Tin cups fulled to the brim with Korean shochu. The market streets seem to stretch on forever, all covered with high glass ceilings to create a continuous courtyard going on for blocks. THIS got me the most excited.

Dropping by the Seoul company office for lunch seemed to be the best place to catch a glimpse of all the tourists coming to town to get plastic surgery, especially a quick facial lift. Korea is known to offer high quality services for cheap. I must have shot 2 or 3 rolls just on these subjects alone, but I refrain by only posting one photo.

I think by this point my relationship with film and film cameras is becoming more mature. I find myself bringing tested equipments on trips so I can limit chances for bad results. For this trip I was happy with my selection of the GR1v and Fuji 400. I’m especially happy with some of the subway shots I got. With a little of touching up they could be cool shots.