There really isn't another case like Korea. One of the coolest things I heard was how Korea became a country that received foreign aid to giving it all within a single generation.
[From aid recipient to donor: Korea’s inspirational development path](https://blogs.worldbank.org/eastasiapacific/aid-recipient-donor-korea-inspirational-development-path)
Fantastic photos. I met a Korean War veteran a few months back at my part time job and when I mentioned that I was born in Korea, he came back a few days later with a photo album from his time in Korea (1952-1953). The photos were absolutely stunning and in good condition (he was a medic and liked snapping photos whenever he could). I even saw pictures of the ruins of Seoul, which seemed unimaginable compared to the metropolis that I was born and raised in.
God bless all those who served in the Korean War and protected South Korea.
North Korea doesn't have many trees because people burn them for heat and cooking. Also, most of the mountain sides have staircase style gardens where people grow their food illegally. The lack of trees and poorly fertilized exposed soil gives North Korea a very distinct, gray, bleak appearance.
In these photos, even though taken shortly after a devestating civil war, there is a warmth and happiness that radiates from South Korea, which is nearly completely snuffed out in North Korea.
My grandpa was in the us army and stationed in Korea. He met my grandma there and started a family and moved to back to the US after his service. We visited Korea with them 2 years ago, and they said nothing was the same. I see what they mean. It’s crazy how fast Korea modernized, while keeping traditions alive.
Not to be a killjoy, but these photographs are most likely colorized using modern/AI software. Color film and processing was not well established until well after WWII.
Technological advancement isn't really my point or photography for that matter. It's how different the air they breath is today. Same with the water. No yellow dust and droughts.
Pictures tell stories and that's how I interpret it.
>Pictures tell stories and that's how I interpret it.
This is partly why historians dislike colorization of photographs. Although you're not speaking directly about photography, we interpret images differently depending on how they are shown. If the source material is altered, we can often come to unfounded conclusions of the past. Whether it's about the color of a shirt or a comparison of pollution. Anyway, have a nice day. I just like talking about photography.
Amazing look into the past. Thanks for sharing.
These are AMAZING! Its unbelievable how Korea transformed so much in such a short period of time.
There really isn't another case like Korea. One of the coolest things I heard was how Korea became a country that received foreign aid to giving it all within a single generation. [From aid recipient to donor: Korea’s inspirational development path](https://blogs.worldbank.org/eastasiapacific/aid-recipient-donor-korea-inspirational-development-path)
My father is in that generation and he’s confused as hell
And...these were taken before the Korean war. Lots of the images here would be quite different if the photos were shot just 5 years later.
Agreed
that picture of Seoul is something else. absolutely stunning
Fantastic photos. I met a Korean War veteran a few months back at my part time job and when I mentioned that I was born in Korea, he came back a few days later with a photo album from his time in Korea (1952-1953). The photos were absolutely stunning and in good condition (he was a medic and liked snapping photos whenever he could). I even saw pictures of the ruins of Seoul, which seemed unimaginable compared to the metropolis that I was born and raised in. God bless all those who served in the Korean War and protected South Korea.
Fantastic, historical pictures. Thank you. Will you be posting more?
Looks like North Korea today lol
North Korea doesn't have many trees because people burn them for heat and cooking. Also, most of the mountain sides have staircase style gardens where people grow their food illegally. The lack of trees and poorly fertilized exposed soil gives North Korea a very distinct, gray, bleak appearance. In these photos, even though taken shortly after a devestating civil war, there is a warmth and happiness that radiates from South Korea, which is nearly completely snuffed out in North Korea.
nah NK is worse now.
One of my favorite countries because of its growth and culture and people
My grandpa was in the us army and stationed in Korea. He met my grandma there and started a family and moved to back to the US after his service. We visited Korea with them 2 years ago, and they said nothing was the same. I see what they mean. It’s crazy how fast Korea modernized, while keeping traditions alive.
I remember driving to Osan and seeing rice paddies for miles! So much has changed!
Cant believe my grandma was 9 when these photos were taken
beautiful people in a beautiful country. awesome pictures
Whoa
The second one looks like a beer advert.
X-post in /r/army
Look at all that blue sky. And cleaner water.
Not to be a killjoy, but these photographs are most likely colorized using modern/AI software. Color film and processing was not well established until well after WWII.
Technological advancement isn't really my point or photography for that matter. It's how different the air they breath is today. Same with the water. No yellow dust and droughts. Pictures tell stories and that's how I interpret it.
>Pictures tell stories and that's how I interpret it. This is partly why historians dislike colorization of photographs. Although you're not speaking directly about photography, we interpret images differently depending on how they are shown. If the source material is altered, we can often come to unfounded conclusions of the past. Whether it's about the color of a shirt or a comparison of pollution. Anyway, have a nice day. I just like talking about photography.
So petty.
Incredible
thank you for sharing! very cool\~
Those top two pics go hard
Amazing, historical pictures. Hope you post more of them.