Han, Youngsoo

Han Youngsoo (; 1933–1999 ) was a South Korean photographer. He is mainly known for his black-and-white images of post-war Seoul from 1953 to 1963.

Han Youngsoo's photography is characterized by the use of urban environments to frame human subjects, often integrating architectural elements and objects seen in the foreground into the composition. His work has been noted for documenting the transformation Korea faced after the Korean War, particularly the hardships and rapid modernization, while balancing the focus on ordinary individuals in urban settings.

Han's legacy is continued by the Han Youngsoo Foundation, founded by his daughter.

Biography

Early life Han Youngsoo was born to a wealthy family in Gyeonggi. Before the Korean War, he studied painting, while pursuing photography as a hobby.

Career

Organizations and associations In 1958, Han joined the ‘Shinsunhwae’ (New Line Group). The same year, he also joined the Photo Artist Society of Korea. In 1959, he was Elected Vice Chairman of the Photo Artist Society of Korea, became a committee member of The Federation of Art & Cultural Organizations of Korea, and joined the Korean Artists Association. In 1962, he became Chief Representative to the Creative Photo Artist Society of Korea and the founding member of the Commercial Photographers Association of Korea.

1950-60s Han Youngsoo's photography career was most active in the years following the Korean War.

This style of photography is referred to as “Saenghwaljuui Realism (Korean: 생활주의 리얼리즘),” which translates to “Daily Life-ism,” or “Everyday-ism,” a term created by Yim Eung Sik, though not a formally defined style. This style is a documentary mode of photography, a style that seeks to capture the subject as they are in the moment in contrast to idealized or staged salon or studio photography.

Han Youngsoo became a prominent figure within this realist movement. His work is often compared to that of Western Magnum Photographers, such as Henri Cartier Bresson, because of similarities in style. His works show deviation from the known narrative of postwar Korea; children playing, people reading newspapers, and passers-by wearing the latest fashion trends. The compositions often employed geometric patterns or lines that direct attention toward the human subjects who become the center of the image. His use of natural light emphasized the subjects within urban environments. His works capture everyday attire of women's wear in Korea during a transitional period, allowing for more context and daily life examples rather than solely relying upon media such as fashion magazines. , 2017, Jersy City "Seoul, Where I Grew Up" Seoul Museum of History , 2017, Seoul "Time Flows in River" Space22, 2017, Seoul “Han Youngsoo: Photographs of Korea, 1956–1963” Baik Art Gallery , 2018, Los Angeles "Han Youngsoo: Photographs of Korea, 1956–1963" Korea Institute of Harvard University Asia Center , 2019, Cambridge "Once Upon A Time" Gallery 2 Jeju , 2022, Jeju "Han Youngsoo When the Spring Wind Blows" Baik Art Gallery , 2023, Seoul "Unknown City" MISA SHIN Gallery , 2024, Tokyo "Han Youngsoo And Life Goes On" Baik Art Gallery , 2026, Seoul