The following photograph was taken late at night in the vicinity of Euljiro, one of Seoul’s most iconic old town areas. Once a bustling industrial district during Korea’s rapid economic growth, Euljiro has since fallen into decline with the passage of time. However, recent large-scale urban redevelopment efforts signal a transformation, as the area prepares to welcome a new generation.

One evening, while walking through the alleys of Euljiro, I noticed an old pub casting a chromatic glow amidst the closed, aging buildings. The bright light seemed to symbolize both the district’s vibrant past and the exciting changes that lie ahead. In the center of this light, an elderly man—perhaps someone who had once witnessed and contributed to the area’s prosperity—stood quietly smoking a cigarette.

The image of this man, standing at the crossroads between a glorious past and an emerging future, perfectly encapsulated my vision of modern Seoul and its people. There was a sense of solitude in the moment, but also a quiet beauty that spoke to the resilience and spirit of the city.