The Photobooth Trend In Korea: Providing Unique Souvenir Memories

Photobooths are THRIVING in Korea. You can’t walk down the streets in popular meet-up districts like Hongdae, Sinchon, Seongsu, or Myeongdong and not find a photobooth to hop into. The trend of unmanned photoshops emerged a couple years back but doesn’t seem to be going anywhere and in fact, seems to be adapting and changing in ways you might not expect. Themed photobooths? Yes, and not the kinds of themes you might expect.

Amidst the vibrant university neighborhoods, queues form in front of uniquely adorned photo booths, each offering a creative and fun way to capture memories in the more nostalgic paper form instead of in the captured in the phone relegated to rarely be seen again form. Open 24/7, photobooths in Korea make for a unique souvenir you can take home with you whether you’re a local just remembering fun nights out with friends or tourists that want to remember your time in Korea.

If you haven’t visited a photobooth in Korea yet, you’re missing out on the trend.

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Skin1004 Flagship Store, Myeongdong, Korean photobooth, Seoul, Korea

The Photobooth Phenomenon

These photo booths have become a night out necessity, particularly among Gen Z. The pandemic saw a surge in their popularity, as they provided a fun, affordable way to capture fleeting moments and played upon the nostalgia trend which swept the country. The trend brought everything from our favorite retro characters from companies like Sanrio to retro packaging on our favorite foods back to mainstream popularity. EPIK AI allowed people to create their own version of a 90s yearbook photo and traditional snacks like yakgwa were trending. And interest in photobooths surged.

Top Photobooth Brands in Seoul

Life Four Cuts (인생네컷): A trailblazer in the photo booth market, Life Four Cuts began in Daegu in 2017 and now boasts almost 400 stores nationwide. They have a number of diverse photo frames and features, it offers collaborations with popular entities like Disney and Kakao Friends, alongside a ‘personal color’ filter. Its Sinchon outlet stands out with LED board backgrounds and makeup filters.
Photoism (포토이즘 박스): This brand diversifies with various sub-brands like Photoism Box and Photoism Colored, offering a mix of casual and formal photo experiences. Photoism is popular for being a bit more modern in style. It’s also famed for its “Artist Frames,” where you can pose alongside Korean celebrities and athletes.
Haru Film (하루필름): Known for its signature blue backdrop and cloud-shaped signs, Haru Film embodies a serene and youthful aesthetic. While its cooler color edits might not suit everyone, its seasonal frames and calming interiors attract a young female demographic.
Don’t Lxxk Up (돈룩업): A fresh addition to the photobooth scene, it specializes in unique aerial shots and offers a distinctly cool aesthetic with its sunglass props. The newest trend in photobooth is photos taken from above or at an angle and this is the photobooth brand to check out if you want to try it.

Themed Photobooths

Now to jump into the themes. When unmanned photobooths first opened up, they were all fairly similar with a line of photobooths on one or two walls and a section of shelving with accessories to use. Now, in order to stand out, photobooths are taking on some very unique themes. In Seongsu-dong, you can find a bathroom themed photobooth and in Sinchon, there is an elevator-themed photobooth. Who wouldn’t want to a picture of themselves on a toilet?

WXCK Photo (웩포토): The bathroom themed photobooth in Seongsu.

Address: 13 Seongsui-ro 7ga-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (서울시 성동구 성수이로 7가길 13)
Hours: Every day: 10:00am ~ 12:00am

Plan.B Studio (플랜비스튜디오 신촌점): The elevator themed photobooth in Sinchon.

Address: 8-6 Yonsei-ro 5ga-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul (서울시 서대문구 연세로 5가길 8-6)

From Streets To Brands

Now, you don’t even have to pay for a photobooth photo if you know where to look. Companies have begun installing their own photobooths or photo sticker machines to bring in customers. The new Skin1004 Flagship Store in Myeongdong has a photobooth for customers to enjoy and Butter in Myeongdong has a fun machine that takes a quick snapshot and prints it out instantly. The phenomenon has even caught the attention of celebrities and influencers, further fueling its popularity.

The Experience

Unmanned: These photo booths generally operate around the clock.

Preparation: Check out the accessories shelves before you head into the booth opting for sunglasses, headbands, and other accessories. Plan your poses and prop choices in advance of pressing the buttons on the screen.

Budget Friendly: Step in and choose how many photo strips you’d like to have printed. Expect to pay around W4,000-W5,000 for two sets of four-frame photos.

Operation: The booths are self-operated with options for background and frame customization. Even if you can’t read Korean, it’s pretty easy to figure out and most of them have some English info available.

Digital Integration: A distinctive feature of these Korean photo booths is their digital connectivity. You don’t only get a photo strip, but you can download your photos and even a video of your photo session using a QR code. Download a fun video form of you striking various poses throughout the photoshoot session.

Photobooths in Korea offer a unique blend of technology, creativity, and social interaction, making them a must-try experience for anyone visiting or living in South Korea. Whether it’s for a spontaneous memory, a planned event, or just for fun, these photo booths capture more than just images. Make the memories, keep the souvenirs.

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