ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Park Chan-wook's First Solo Photography Exhibition Opens at Kukje Gallery in Busan

exhibition · 2026-04-20

Park Chan-wook, the acclaimed South Korean filmmaker behind works like 'Oldboy' and 'The Handmaiden,' will present his first solo photography exhibition at Kukje Gallery in Busan from October 1 to December 19. Titled 'Your Faces,' the show features images that capture moments when ordinary objects and spaces suddenly appear animated. Park describes photography as an antidote to his meticulous filmmaking process, valuing its spontaneity and simplicity. He began taking photographs during his college years, joining a photojournalism-focused club while studying philosophy. His photographic work often highlights surreal qualities in mundane subjects, such as sun protectors on car windscreens or closed parasols. Park also creates moving-image works with his brother, artist and critic Park Chan-kyong, under the name PARKing CHANce, including 'Decades Apart' commissioned by the Fondation Cartier. A selection of his photographs is displayed on rotation at the Park Chan-wook theatre in CGV Yongsan under the title 'Pantheism.' He shoots both color and black-and-white images, using a Leica Monochrom for the latter with predetermined artistic intent. The exhibition aims to invite audiences to empathize with the expressions and sentiments conveyed by the images.

Key facts

  • Park Chan-wook's first solo photography exhibition runs from October 1 to December 19 at Kukje Gallery in Busan.
  • The exhibition is titled 'Your Faces' and features representative works from his photographic oeuvre.
  • Park describes photography as striving for simplicity, unlike film which aims for complexity.
  • He began photography in college, joining a photojournalism club during South Korea's military dictatorship.
  • Park collaborates with his brother Park Chan-kyong under the name PARKing CHANce on moving-image works.
  • Photographs are also displayed at the Park Chan-wook theatre in CGV Yongsan under the title 'Pantheism.'
  • He uses a Leica Monochrom for black-and-white photographs, a predetermined artistic decision.
  • His images often capture surreal moments in everyday scenes, such as sun protectors on car windscreens.

Entities

Artists

  • Park Chan-wook
  • Park Chan-kyong

Institutions

  • Kukje Gallery
  • Fondation Cartier
  • CGV Yongsan
  • ARTREVIEW ASIA

Locations

  • Busan
  • South Korea
  • Yongsan

Sources