Vividly Depicting the Korean War Period... Seoul Museum of History's 'Im Insik Donated Artifacts Exhibition'

The Seoul Museum of History announced on the 14th that it will hold a special exhibition of donated artifacts by the late Im In-sik titled "That Time, That Seoul" from the 15th until March 10th of next year.

Jongno YMCA building damaged during the Korean War (1953)

Among 1,003 photographs donated by the family of the late Im In-sik (1920?1998), known as a war correspondent during the Korean War and a documentary photographer, about 140 photos taken between 1945 and 1965?a turbulent period in modern Korean history?have been selected for display.

This exhibition features photographs filled with hope for citizens striving to heal the scars of the Korean War and restore urban daily life, as well as warm stories of families and neighbors who stood together during the difficult times of national crisis. It showcases selected photos that vividly capture the atmosphere and sense of place in Seoul during the Korean War era, including downtown Seoul, royal palaces, the Han River, Namdaemun Market, and alleyways.

Additionally, cameras, diaries, identification cards, and various pamphlets used by Im In-sik during his lifetime will also be on display. This exhibition offers a new perspective on Im In-sik by presenting not only the films and photo prints he took but also his diaries, ID cards, and company-related documents that he collected and preserved.

Choi Byung-gu, director of the Seoul Museum of History, said, “Among Im In-sik’s works, known for his role as a war correspondent during the Korean War, there are many photographs capturing ordinary daily life, such as the streets of Seoul, bustling markets, people enjoying leisure at royal palaces and the Han River, and children playing in alleyways as their playground.” He added, “Through this exhibition, we hope to share and empathize with the memories and thoughts of Seoul captured in Im In-sik’s photographs.”