Restoring "Those Days" in Uijeongbu
Bringing the Past to Life with Colorized Photographs
Uijeongbu City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Donggeun Kim) held a communication session on August 11 as part of the 'Into the Lives of the People' program, watching restoration videos that vividly recreate the past of Uijeongbu together with local YouTuber Bokwonwang (Sungjin Kim and Jang Jaedeuk).
Mayor Donggeun Kim is communicating with YouTuber Bokwonwang (Sungjin Kim Jangjaedeuk) on August 11 as part of the "Into the Lives of the People" initiative. Provided by Uijeongbu City
Bokwonwang, who was born and raised in Uijeongbu, has produced and released more than 600 videos to date, based on domestic and international public records as well as materials donated by citizens. Currently, the channel has around 250,000 subscribers and is gaining attention for its unique local content that delivers stories from "those days and times."
The video they watched brought back the scenery of Uijeongbu in the 1960s and 1970s with vivid colors, as if they were recent photographs. The restoration process included hidden histories and the origins of place names, enhancing both the historical value and immersion of the work. On average, restoring a single photograph takes about 10 hours, and when color verification is required, related records and testimonies are meticulously reviewed to ensure precise coloring of even the smallest details.
In particular, among the materials provided by the city, the restoration of the "1959 Uijeongbu-dong Munhwa Theater" referenced the Uijeongbu City Chronicles, as well as records of films screened and signage from the time, to reproduce colors as close to reality as possible. Munhwa Theater was a cultural hub where residents could enjoy movies released simultaneously with Seoul at affordable prices, making it a place that was always bustling with people. Sungjin Kim commented, "I was once again struck by how culturally vibrant Uijeongbu was back then," and added, "I wanted to fully revive the excitement of those who visited the theater."
The comments section on Bokwonwang's YouTube channel also serves as a "community of local memories." For videos related to Uijeongbu, locals from their 20s to their 80s gather to share stories and memories tied to various places and buildings. Jang Jaedeuk said, "The words of thanks for providing a space to share memories are the greatest motivation for us to continue this work."
Mayor Donggeun Kim stated, "Bokwonwang's work is a valuable cultural record that revives the shared memories of an era," and added, "Activities like this, which connect the past and present of our hometown Uijeongbu, will enhance citizens' pride and serve as an opportunity to highlight the importance of preserving the city's history."
Bokwonwang plans to restore and release new videos featuring photographs of Uijeongbu from the 1980s and 1990s in the future.
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