During her trip to South Korea in 1956-57, a woman named Marie Ann Han Yoo captured rare color photographs of post-war life in the country.
As a nation that has experienced significant historical events, the daily lives of the South Korean people have varied uniquely across different periods. Unlike the modern, bustling image we see today, South Korea appeared quite differently through the lens of Marie Ann Han Yoo, a Korean-American, nearly 70 years ago.
Marie Ann at 20 years old during her first visit to South Korea in 1956-57.
During her stay in Seoul in 1956-57, at the age of 20, Marie purchased a camera to document her journey.
“I wanted to capture that special moment. Everything was completely foreign to me,” Mrs. Yoo said.
With her curiosity, Yoo wandered through prominent locations in the capital city of Seoul, such as the bustling Namdaemun Market, capturing images of life along the Han River. After returning to the United States, she preserved the film she had taken, allowing future generations to see how different life in South Korea was in the mid-1900s compared to the present day.
She also mentioned that because her mother held a high position, Yoo and her sister were occasionally driven by a chauffeur to locations outside the city, enabling her to document life both in rural areas and within the urban environment of Seoul.
Three elderly men posing in traditional white clothing, wearing horsehair hats and round glasses.
A bustling corner of Namdaemun Market in Seoul.
While today the Han River is a hotspot for youth, it was once a gathering spot for families to wash and dry clothes on rocks.
Bustling streets of Seoul filled with vendors.
A rice seller next to his rice milling machine.
Seoul bus station featuring vintage buses.
A young girl sitting by the Han River in a vibrant hanbok, a style typical of young girls during this period. Next to her is a student, dressed in a black uniform and wearing a cap.
A street artisan making noodles with simple drying racks and straw below.
