Vintage Photos Capture Street Scenes of Taegu in the Early 1970s

Daegu, formerly spelled Taegu, is a city in South Korea. It is the third-largest urban agglomeration in Korea after Seoul and Busan; the third-largest official metropolitan area in the nation; and the second-largest city after Busan in the Yeongnam region in southeastern Korean Peninsula.

Daegu is located in south-eastern Korea about 80 km (50 mi) from the seacoast, near the Geumho River and its mainstream, Nakdong River in Gyeongsang-do. The Daegu basin is the central plain of the Yeongnam region.

Daegu was an economic motor of Korea during the 1960s–1980s period and was especially known for its electronics industry. The humid subtropical climate of Daegu is ideal for producing high-quality apples, thus the nickname, “Apple City”. It is also known as “Textile City”. Textiles used to be the pillar industry of the city.

These photos were taken by DRC from May 1970 to June 1971 when he served in the United States Army stationed at Camp Walker in Tague.

Downtown Tague, 1970-71

Downtown Tague, 1970-71

Downtown Tague, 1970-71

Downtown Tague, 1970-71

Downtown Tague, 1970-71

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Seoul in the Early 1970s Through Amazing Photos

Seoul is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. It forms the heart of the Seoul Capital Area with the surrounding Incheon metropolis and Gyeonggi province.

From the 1960s - 1970s, Seoul experienced serious urban issues, such as traffic congestion, environmental pollution, formation of illegal settlement areas, and housing shortages, as a result of the extensive population inflow and lack of social infrastructure. To resolve these issues, the Seoul Metropolitan Government focused on establishing a basic infrastructure by expanding roads, building apartment complexes in illegal settlement areas, and constructing the Cheonggye Overpass and Yeouido Island.

Considered to be a global city, Seoul was the world’s 4th largest metropolitan economy in 2014 after Tokyo, New York City and Los Angeles. In 2017, the cost of living in Seoul was ranked the 6th highest globally.

These amazing color photos from nick dewolf photo archive documented everyday life of Seoul in 1972.

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50 Wonderful Vintage Photographs That Capture Street Scenes of Seoul in the 1970s

Seoul was established as the national capital of the Joseon Dynasty in 1392, and it has continued to maintain its status ever since. However, the city was completely destroyed during the Korean War (1950–1953). Because of the war, Seoul became unprecedentedly overpopulated by people who came to the city for jobs and war refugees who escaped North Korea.

Shortly thereafter, South Korea experienced rapid economic development, becoming one of the four Asian Tigers. Currently, South Korea is among the top 10 nations in terms of the economic size. Moreover, its popular culture called the “Korean wave,” has become popular and is enjoyed by youth globally.

Seoul has also become an international hub that is home to about 10 million people. The Seoul Capital Area (Seoul Metropolitan Area), which includes Seoul City, is the most important geographical area in South Korea because more than half of the country's population resides there.

As a result of these sweeping changes, much of what was photographed below no longer exists.

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50 Fascinating Color Photographs Capture Everyday Life in South Korea in the 1950s

In the 1950s South Korea had an underdeveloped, agrarian economy that depended heavily on foreign aid. The military leadership that emerged in the early 1960s and led the country for a quarter century may have been autocratic and, at times, repressive, but its pragmatic and flexible commitment to economic development resulted in what became known as the “miracle on the Han River.”

During the next three decades, the South Korean economy grew at an average annual rate of nearly 9 percent, and per capita income increased more than a hundredfold. South Korea was transformed into an industrial powerhouse with a highly skilled labour force.

In the late 20th century, however, economic growth slowed, and in 1997 South Korea was forced to accept a $57 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF)—then the largest such rescue in IMF history. The country also wrestled with reforming the chaebŏl and liberalizing its economy. Nevertheless, its economy enjoyed a recovery in subsequent years, and the country entered the 21st century on a relatively firm economic footing.

A gallery of 50 fascinating vintage photographs below shows what life looked like in South Korea in the 1950s.

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30 Vintage Photos of Korean Weddings From the 1960s

Marriage is very important. It’s all about joining two families together under the name of love and respect. In the past, weddings in Korea were sacred and very important events. A traditional Korean wedding starts when a groom sends a proposal letter to the bride’s family so the two families can sit down and discuss if it’s possible to join the two individuals together after making sure both of them are matched in terms of social status and personality. This act is called the eui hon, the “marriage discussion.”

If it all went well and the bride and her family agreed, the bride would send a wrapped piece of paper back, with the date of the wedding ceremony written on it. Then the bridegroom also sends a hamm which is a box containing three things. Among them is the hanseo, which is a letter from the bridegroom's parents. The box also contains the red and blue cloths, the chaedan, and small bags containing five different grains. Different gifts for the bride’s family can be added too.  

In the past, the ceremony was held at the bride’s house when the groom and his family arrived on horses carrying ceremonial gifts, like wooden geese and ducks that represent a long happy marriage. Both the bride and the groom should wear wedding attire that’s the closest thing possible to traditional Korean Hanbok attire, but with some additions, like long ribbons and the head pieces that the bride wears.

Some women help the bride to walk around, take a drink and bow, because of her covered hands. Then the couple passes a jujube between each other using their mouths, which is similar to the West’s “You may now kiss the bride.” After the ceremony, the bride and groom bow to their parents and parents-in-law as an act of respect and to gain their blessings. Then the groom can take his bride carried back to his parent’s home in a gama or a palanquin to start their new life. 

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50 Candid Photographs That Capture Street Scenes of South Korea From the 1990s

1990s were a pivotal time for South Korea. The nonmilitary government led by a civilian president ruled the country and liberalized the nation. The Korean pop music transformed with a burst of creativity and intensity which was a forerunner of the rise of Kpop.

People demanded better life and leisure/luxury so consumer sectors really boomed. The communism fell so South Korea seemed safer than before and they began trading with China which really enriched South Korea. People began to travel and study abroad and the English craze started around that time.

Back in the 1990s, there were less rebellious youngsters and people dressed more modestly. Young people believe one day their country will be a highly developed country and that they wanted to study as much as they can for the good of their country.

Today, South Korea is indeed a highly developed country. Brands like Samsung and LG are among the leading electronic manufacturers. Korean cars used to have poor quality, but thanks to some generous locals who were willing to buy their products, which helps to fund the company to improve, Korean car manufacturers today are able to compete with the international brands.

Below is a gallery of 50 amazing photographs, mostly taken in Seoul, that show street life of South Korea in the 1990s.

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50 Amazing Color Photographs That Capture Street Scenes of Seoul in the Mid-1950s, Just After the Korean War

When Korea was liberated from Japanese control at the end of the Second World War, the United States and the Soviet Union agreed temporarily to divide Korea at the 38th parallel of latitude north of the equator. This division resulted in the formation of two countries: communist North Korea (supported by the Soviets) and South Korea (supported by the United States).

The Korean War began when North Korean troops pushed into South Korea on June 25, 1950, and it lasted until 1953. But experts said the military conflict could not be properly understood without considering its historical context.

Technically, the Korean War did not end. The fighting stopped when North Korea, China and the United States reached an armistice in 1953. But South Korea did not agree to the armistice, and no formal peace treaty was ever signed.

Neither North nor South Korea had achieved its goal: the destruction of the opposing regime and reunification of the divided peninsula.

Since 1953 there has been an uneasy coexistence between North and South Korea, which hosts over 20,000 American troops. At one time hundreds of American nuclear weapons were based there. It was from the Korean War onward that South Korea had a permanent, global American military presence that we had never had before. It was a real turning point for America’s global role.

Here, these amazing color photographs were taken by several American soldiers that show everyday life in Seoul from 1954 to 1956:

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35 Fascinating Color Photographs That Capture Everyday Life in Korea in the Early 1970s

A nice set of slides taken by a soldier in the 2nd Division, U.S Army. They were taken mainly in 1970, with some early 1971. They appear to most be in and around Seoul.

The photographer was Pvt. Cox, as only his last name shown in a nametag in one photo. These came from an estate sale, and the seller did not know anything else about him. He did appear to like to juggle, and do magic tricks, as can be seen in these photos.

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50 Rare and Amazing Photographs That Capture Everyday Life in Seoul, South Korea in the Late 19th Century

The 19th century is a period of significant political, social, and cultural change as Korea lurches into the modern era and world order. Much political jostling occurs among the royal in-law families, creating drama but little stability or visionary leadership. Socially, the class system weakens considerably, even within the so-called elites, as more and more “fallen” yangban (literati) demand greater equality and recognition. Culturally, exciting developments occur in all the arts, including visual, literary, and performing arts.

Dubbed the “hermit kingdom,” Korea is known especially to the West for its reluctance to engage in relations with the outside world. This stands in stark contrast to China and Japan, with whom the Europeans enjoy trade and cultural exchange, if at times antagonistic. By the late 19th century, however, Korea, as a result of both internal politics and external pressure, signs formal treaties with the U.S. and various European nations. Around the same period, the Korean peninsula becomes a targeted territory of the Japanese, whose new and “modern” Meiji government develops increasingly imperialist ambitions, competing with other global powers boasting empires or colonies, notably Britain, France, Russia, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain (the U.S. coming into the game late with the acquisition of the Philippines from Spain in 1889).

These rare and amazing vintage photographs show what life was like in Seoul in the 1890s.