Do you like today’s outfit?
Want to capture the memory of hanging out with your friend today?
Or maybe you just need something to stick on your fridge?
Today, I’m going to talk about another trend that’s become hugely popular in Korea: instant self photo studios.
K-pop Stars at Self-Photo Booths
Koreans really love taking photos.
Maybe that’s why instant photo studios are everywhere these days. You can literally spot one every few steps on the street.
Originally, a brand called Life Four Cuts (Insaeng Ne Cut) started the boom. But now, there are so many others such as Photo Gray, Photoism, Haru Film, and Don’t Look Up, and there are probably more than thirty different studio brands across the country.
People usually stop by these photo booths when they’re out with friends. Someone will say, “Hey, let’s take a photo!”, and everyone just walks in together. Sometimes it’s with your partner or your family, and yes, many people go alone too.
Whatever the reason, capturing today’s version of yourself means your future self will have a chance to look back at you, even just once.
What Exactly Do You Get for Four Dollars?
A single photo session costs about four dollars, and you usually take four cuts — four poses printed on one strip.
It’s not four dollars per person; it’s four dollars per session, no matter how many people squeeze into the booth.
(If you want extra prints, there’s usually a small additional charge.)
The basic package includes two printed photo strips with four cuts each, plus a time-lapse video of the photo-taking process and the original digital files, which you can access through a QR code.
This one was taken at Moss’s graduation, featuring both of us — Bbap and Moss.
What’s So Special About It? Can’t I Just Use My Phone?
What really made these studios popular is that you control the camera. When a photographer takes your photo, it takes more time, costs more, and sometimes you have to pose in ways you don’t really like. But here, you just walk into the booth, press the button, and shoot however you want, in your own style.
The payment is also done right inside the booth, so all you need is a credit card. Most studios accept cards these days, although a few still ask for cash. There’s no need to talk to a staff member, no counter, and no small talk about how many rooms you’ll use or when you’ll pay.
Everything happens instantly and quietly inside the booth.
Each booth has a different color theme, so you can pick the one that flatters you the most — what Koreans often call finding your “personal color.”
Even though you only print four cuts, the camera usually takes around ten shots in total, so you have plenty of chances to get that one perfect smile.
Inside the booth, there’s a small remote control.
You can press it yourself to take each photo, or if you wait, the camera will automatically capture one when the timer runs out.
After taking the photos, you can choose a frame for your pictures.
All booths offer editing options too — from black and white to bright or soft pastel filters. (You can also add various filters and effects, such as stickers and other visual enhancements.)
Where Should You Go?
If you ever visit Korea, you don’t even need to plan a trip to a photo booth. Just walk around any area where young people hang out, and before you know it, you’ll see one right in front of you.
‘Don’t Look Up’
Earlier, I mentioned that there are more than thirty different self-photo studio brands in Korea — and each one has its own concept.
The pioneer, Life Four Cuts, gives off a cute and playful vibe.
Photo Gray is all about a sleek, black-and-white aesthetic (though you can still choose color). If you have a cool-tone look, Haru Film might suit you better, and if you’re more of a warm-tone type, try Mono Mansion. Then there’s Don’t Look Up, where the camera is actually mounted above you — and that’s just one of many unique setups.
References (Instagram)
Do you really need to plan ahead?
Not necessarily.
One of the charms of these studios is that you can just walk into any one you spot and instantly blend into its concept. No need to dress up, fix your hair, or prepare anything special. Sometimes, the best photos come from the most spontaneous moments.
I think that’s enough explanation for today, right?
So, how was it?
Following the last post about coin karaoke,
here’s another look into how young Koreans love to have fun.
Taking photos can be a kind of content too!
It’s surprisingly satisfying once you do it — and when you collect the photos or stick them somewhere you can see every day, they somehow make you feel happy.
So give it a try someday!
Hope you capture a photo you truly love.
Alright then — that’s all for now!
다음에 또 보자~~
* This post, like all Bbapmoss content, was first drafted in Korean by the site administrator and then refined in consultation with ChatGPT.
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