Relaxation in one of the most hard -working countries in the world

Relaxation in one of the most hard -working countries in the world

The photographer based in Seoul Kim Seunggu has devoted itself to the recording of what he "Leisure Culture" - from vacation to relaxing by the pool to community gatherings in South Korea. Dressed with his large film camera and often dressed in sporting clothing, he conveys the essence of these moments in his continuous series "Better Days". This study is particularly remarkable in a country that internationally for four where the phenomenon of the " gwarosa " (death by overwork) demands many lives every year. In 2023, the South Korean government was forced to drop plans to increase the maximum working week from 52 to 69 hours after resistance from employees of the Millennial- and Gen-z generation. The proposed step should counteract the country's shortage of labor, which is caused by a falling birth rate and an aging population.

The leisure culture of South Korea

KIM emphasizes that the leisure culture in South Korea is shaped by the desire to find a break from the intensive work loads and the fast -moving lifestyle of the country. In 2010, during his studies, Kim began to capture these scenes. His project brought him to various locations, including the popular Jangheung Hanok swimming pool, whose mineral -containing waters lie against the background of a traditional Korean house, as well as the Royal Azaleas Hill, known for its blooming Azalen, the Mulbit Park with its calm natural paths and various campsites in urban parks across the country.

artistic recognition and exhibitions

The photographer's works have found critical recognition and the Grand Prix at the Tokyo International Photography Competition Rel = "NOFOLLOW" TARGET = "_ Blank" Href = "https://bba-prices.com/photography-prize-2020" Target = "_ Blank"> BBA Photography Prize . Kim's works were presented in renowned exhibitions at the Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art and in the Seoul Museum of Art. Be soon published book "Better Days" contains almost 50 photos from the series and deeper topics, such as community, Leisure and work-life balance.

The art of location search

In many of Kim's photographs, bleak city landscapes come to the fore in the background, while happy leisure activities take place in the foreground. This creates a strong contrast between the stress of everyday life and the moments of joy that pull through it. In his picture of the Hanok swimming point, Kim shows a lively pool that is surrounded by traditional Korean architecture, while children splash around in the water and almost feel their laughter. Parents relax by the pool in colorful swimsuits, while others lie on inflatable tires.

The socio -cultural dimension

Kim's locations for "Better Days" often concentrate on the middle class instead of concentrating on the wealthy layers of Korean society. He says: "Upper classes can often be found in luxurious, exclusive places that are inaccessible, such as in high -class resorts or hotels. This makes it difficult to observe their culture closely." He adds: "I believe that the culture that the majority enjoys is better representing the Korean society." At the same time, he refers to the representation of everyday life in the Joson dynasty, which also inspired European genre paintings to present local festivals and the life of the rural population.

cultural resilience in change

In order to better understand South Korea's unique leisure culture, Kim also took into account the historical backdrop, in particular the cultural stagnation according to the decades of Japanese colonial rule and the Korean war. "In the 1980s and 90s, the pressure on political reforms - especially after the democratic uprising of 1987 - led to a strong desire for freedom and democracy, which resulted in the acceptance of Western cultures from America and Europe," he says. Kim adds that the pursuit of individuality in Korea goes hand in hand with a feeling of community that is rooted in Confucian values.

The dual reality of South Korean Society

The photographs of Kim are a testimony to a society that, despite the challenges through long working hours and rapid modernization, finds moments of joy and connection. His work does not directly address political questions, but reflect on social "contradictions" as part of "growth pain on the way to better democracy and a better world". Kim also sees these aspects in "Better Days" and emphasizes: "The Korean society has overcome many challenges through the power of its citizens, and the passion that is expressed in our leisure culture indicates the potential for improvement."

A look into the future

Short breaks and long working hours have forced many South Koreans to live near urban centers, with over 80% of the population in cities lives . There is a fascinating duality within Kim's photographs - a tension between the impressive city landscape and the colorful leisure activities of the residents. Kim often uses lively colors, bird's eye views and removed perspectives to capture the further context of social interactions. "The long hours of work and the short vacations in Korea are often considered negatively, but I see them as the mirror of the people who adapt and overcome challenges," he says, adding: "We accept these contradictions to a certain degree, and this is the endeavor to satisfaction in leisure time."

He also underlines the importance of his creative process and his commitment to "slow photography", which requires patience because he often spends hours with it before holding a single picture. Ironically, his documentation of the developing leisure culture of Koreas contains a strong work ethic. "I plan to continue until my last breath," he says. " Better Days ", published by Kehrer Verlag.