[Insta Walk] Mulnamu Photo Studio - #Self-Portrait in Black and White #Meeting My Whole Self

'Today's Self' Fully Recorded... 'Self-Portrait Project' Gains Word of Mouth
'Hanji Printing' Researched for 7 Years
Photos That Last for Generations

Exterior view of 'Mulnamu Photo Studio' located on Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul. The window displays a phrase introducing 'Self-Portrait'. Photo by Heo Midam damdam@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] The moment we open an album, we begin a journey into the past. From the first steps taken as a child to the wrinkles that form over time, an album inevitably contains someone's lifetime. However, since the transition to the digital era, the heavy albums once found in every household have gradually disappeared. The innovation brought by smartphones is even causing local photo studios to vanish. The footsteps of those who used to bring film for development are fading away. Amid this, a photo studio attempting a revival by emphasizing 'old-fashioned sentiment' is gaining attention. It is also popular among Instagrammers. A place that captivates customers with a single photo imbued with analog sentiment, sweat, and effort; a place that creates photos to be cherished forever with a motto of naturalness?this is 'Moolnamu Photo Studio.'

If you walk about five minutes from Exit 3 of Anguk Station on Seoul Subway Line 3 along a street called 'Gye-dong-gil,' you will notice a monochrome building nestled among traditional Korean houses (hanok). The building's exterior paint is peeling in places, and ivy covers the walls, seemingly telling the passage of time. The vintage exterior is mirrored inside the photo studio, which exudes analog sentiment. Classic old cameras and black-and-white photos hanging throughout create an illusion as if time has stopped. Upstairs on the second floor, a studio space unfolds with gentle music playing in the background. Two well-used cameras, lighting equipment, and a large mirror fill the space. This neat and charming place is also known as the filming location for singer IU's music video "Friday."

Exterior view of 'Mulnamu Photo Studio' located on Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul. The glass door has the phrase 'Authentic Black and White Photo Studio' written on it. Photo by Heo Midam damdam@asiae.co.kr

This place embodies the philosophy of 'the old.' The reason the studio is filled with items such as black-and-white photos, traditional Korean paper (hanji), and scrolls?objects rarely seen these days?is due to the studio's unique value system that emphasizes the virtues of 'the old.' The studio owner, CEO Kim Hyun-sik (51), carries on the spirit of 'Jeonsinsa-jo (傳神寫照)' that has been passed down since the Joseon Dynasty. This means that when painting a portrait, the goal is not only to reproduce the person's appearance but also to capture their spirit. Kim said, "The word 'sajin (寫眞)' means 'to reproduce exactly as it is.' In Joseon-era portraits, it was said that 'if even a single hair is not alike, it is not the person.' To maintain the dictionary meaning of 'photo,' I have chosen analog work."

Printing photos on hanji is also unique. CEO Kim found the answer to creating photos that can be preserved for a long time in traditional hanji. He explained, "Korean hanji is called 'thousand-year hanji' because of its excellent preservation qualities. By applying several processes such as lacquering the hanji, photos can be preserved semi-permanently. Even after several decades, they maintain the same condition." He hinted that he invested about seven years to apply the rough texture of hanji to printing.

The studio became well-known through the 'Self-Portrait Project.' Starting in 2015, with the somewhat quirky idea of offering customers the experience of taking black-and-white photos of themselves without a photographer, it surprisingly gained popularity. For customers, it provides an opportunity to focus on themselves away from others' gazes and reflect on their past, present, and future.

Kim explained, "There is no need to worry about the perfection of the photo, and any pose is acceptable, so even if the expression is somewhat rough or awkward, it seems people appreciate the unique experience of capturing their true 'self' in the photo." Sometimes, customers who have had this time solely for themselves become so overwhelmed with emotion that they cannot hold back tears. The self-portrait photo-taking method is simple: go upstairs to the second-floor studio and just press the rubber ball connected to the camera. Kim gives customers who are inexperienced in photography plenty of time and does not rush them.

A photo studio located on the second floor of 'Mulnamu Photo Studio.' Projects such as the 'Self-Portrait Project' are conducted here. Photo by Heo Midam damdam@asiae.co.kr

Kim's works can be easily seen throughout nearby alleys. Whether it is an old restaurant or a convenience store, large black-and-white photos by him are displayed. Two years ago, during the exhibition 'Memories of Jeongbak: Gye-dong 2018,' he photographed shop owners along Gye-dong-gil and included their stories in a catalog. Shop owners who liked the photos began to display them in front of their stores one by one. Naturally, the alley became a gallery. He started this project with the intention of preserving the past. Kim said, "The scenery of the alley is changing very quickly. With a sense of regret, I wanted to record the stories contained in this village and share them with visitors." This exhibition project also served as an opportunity for residents to take an interest in each other. Although they were familiar faces, they rarely spoke, but now they interact while looking at the black-and-white photos.

Kim said that this year marks the 10th anniversary of Moolnamu Photo Studio, and he plans to continue expanding solidarity through photography with the same passion as when it first opened. He added, "To share the role and value of photography, I am currently conducting a photo exhibition project in Gunsan, Jeonbuk, which is far from here. I hope these activities open people's hearts and promote communication."