korea
everyday new face!

the bulk of these images were taken in seoul, a frenetic city of intoxicating contrasts. despite the massive industry and western capital in the capital, seoul barely hides tradition beneath it's solarized surface of neon and concrete.

it always seemed to me that seoul grew like an amazing cancer, and i don't mean to sound unkind... but development has creeped into every possible corner - commerce in every alley, highways knotted around apartment complexes, and boulevards constantly seething with human life. while the downtown crowds are crushing, the city is home to some of the warmest and most generous people around.

seoul is not an unnatural city. but the ruling nature is the human nature. it's density and breakneck pace stew with provincial values -- and it's hard to understand for a westerner exactly how such a mix keeps cool. it isn't a particularly volatile place, seoul manages and regulates itself like a gigantic organism, making it one of the most fascinating places in asia.

i worked as an esl teacher in seoul for one year, so you'll find some shots of young students here too. they are the best... well... some.