Sung Jin Park's 'Kid Echo' Unveils Unseen Portraits of Seoul Youth from the 2000s
Kid Echo, a photobook by Sung Jin Park and published by Session Press, showcases previously unseen photographs of Seoul's teenagers from the 2000s. This 152-page hardcover monograph captures students in altered school uniforms in candid shots taken in well-known neighborhoods. These images were left out of his earlier work, Kid Nostalgia, published in 2014, due to worries about their depiction of Korean youth. Park describes the book's launch at Dashwood Books in New York in November as a "homecoming." He explores the subtle fashion rebellions of students. Originally from Seoul, Park relocated to New York in 1987 and draws inspiration from figures like Bruce Davidson and Diane Arbus. Miwa Susuda suggested the book in late 2024 or early 2025, resulting in predominantly frontal portraits.
Key facts
- Kid Echo is a 152-page hardcover monograph published by Session Press.
- The book features previously unseen photographs of Seoul youth from the 2000s.
- Images were excluded from Park's 2014 book Kid Nostalgia due to publisher concerns.
- The book will launch at Dashwood Books in New York in November.
- Park moved to New York as a teenager in 1987 and studied painting at Pratt Institute.
- Miwa Susuda, who runs Session Press and works at Dashwood Books, initiated the project in late 2024 or early 2025.
- Park cites Bruce Davidson, Robert Frank, Diane Arbus, and Walker Evans as influences, viewed at MoMA.
- The photographs capture uniform modifications like rolled cuffs, shortened hems, and varied trouser styles.
Entities
Artists
- Sung Jin Park
- Miwa Susuda
- Bruce Davidson
- Robert Frank
- Diane Arbus
- Walker Evans
- Albie Fay
Institutions
- Session Press
- Dashwood Books
- Pratt Institute
- MoMA
Locations
- Seoul
- South Korea
- New York
- United States
- Shinsa-dong
- Garibong
- Cheongnyangni
- Tompkins Square Park