Before Tomorrow

I have spent a lot of time in South Korea. First as a student, and later through many visits. Each time I return, the country feels both familiar and somehow different. There is something about this place that stays with me.

Not long ago, Korea was one of the poorest countries in the world. Today it stands among the most advanced. The transformation has been incredibly fast, almost hard to grasp. In that speed, traces of another time still linger, though they fade a little more with every passing year.

These photographs were made in the quiet space between what once was and what is still becoming. I tried to stay close to the ordinary - the small gestures, the silences, the warmth that persists even as everything changes.

They are my attempt to see the country as it is, before tomorrow.

People walking on a sidewalk, some looking at their phones, in a busy urban area, reflected in glass windows.
Black and white photograph of a woman wearing glasses and with her hair in a bun, looking down, with three large silhouette profiles of children’s heads in the background.
Black and white photo of three women with Korean features. The central figure is a large close-up of a woman's face, with short dark hair and wearing a high-necked, textured top. At the bottom right, a woman is in profile facing left; she has earring
Black and white photo of a man wearing sunglasses, a hat, and a suit, standing outdoors with buildings in the background.
Close-up of a transparent umbrella covered with raindrops at night, with a blurred dark background and faint reflections.
A black-and-white photo of a couple holding umbrellas and standing close together outdoors. The woman is holding a paper with heart shapes, and both are dressed casually. In the background, there is a large amusement park ride and a building.
A black and white photo of two men standing outdoors at night, one man is wearing a zip-up shirt with a high collar, and the other is wearing a short-sleeved shirt with a mesh arm sleeve, with trees and lights blurred in the background.
A black and white photo of a woman with glasses and her hair in a bun, sitting with her eyes looking directly at the camera. A man with short hair and wearing a white shirt is leaning towards her, and they are both near a semi-transparent curtain.
Black and white photo of two women walking outdoors in an urban setting, carrying shopping bags, with city buildings and signs in the background.
Black and white photo of two men walking on a large tiled open space. One man is near the bottom right corner, dressed in a white shirt and dark pants, walking leftward. The other man is near the upper left area, dressed in dark clothing, walking rig
Blurry black and white photo of a group of people. One person is holding a bottle, while others are standing close in a crowded setting.
Close-up of a manhole cover with Japanese characters on a concrete surface next to a pedestrian crosswalk.
A black and white photo showing a close-up of a display case with jewelry or small objects inside, a hand reaches in to pick up or examine an item.