‘100 Years of Change in Korean Life’ Photographic Exhibition Opens in Pretoria

Post Date18.08.2025
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The photographic exhibition 100 Years of Change in Korean Life opened at the Korean Cultural Centre SA last Saturday, 16 August 2025, offering South African audiences a rare opportunity to explore a century of Korea’s history and everyday life through striking colour-restored images. The exhibition presents an immersive visual narrative of Korea’s transformation, capturing the resilience, hopes, and daily experiences of ordinary people against the backdrop of major historical events.

From the quiet dignity of rural communities and Confucian traditions in the early 1900s to the struggles under Japanese colonial rule, the Korean War, post-war reconstruction, industrialization, urbanization, democratization, and the global prominence of Korean culture today, the exhibition traces a century of profound social and cultural change. Organised into eight thematic chapters, it highlights not only historic milestones but also the personal stories, emotions, and lived experiences that give history its human dimension.

Visitors will encounter vivid, colour-restored photographs depicting Koreans at work, at home, in protest, and in celebration. Special interactive areas allow guests to step further into the past, including a photo corner where visitors can wear vintage Korean school uniforms and experience a tangible connection to history.

The exhibition’s opening featured traditional Korean performances, including the sogo dance (a rhythmic folk dance performed with small hand-held drums) and buchaechum (fan dance, known for its graceful movements and colorful fans), as well as creative competitions inspired by Korea’s liberation and historical milestones. Attendees were also invited to enjoy a reception featuring Korean cuisine, providing a multi-sensory introduction to the country’s cultural heritage.

Jiyeol YOU, Director of the Korean Cultural Centre SA, said, “This exhibition is a meaningful way to mark the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation. We hope visitors from South Africa will gain a deeper understanding of not just Korea’s history, but also the daily lives, traditions, and resilience of its people. Our goal is for everyone to leave with a greater appreciation of the stories that have shaped Korea into the country it is today.”

100 Years of Change in Korean Life will be on display at the Korean Cultural Centre SA until 12 September 2025. The exhibition is open on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and will be closed on weekends and public holidays. Admission is free, providing an exceptional opportunity for South African audiences to engage with Korea’s past, understand its cultural journey, and appreciate the forces that shaped its present.

A person sitting on a boat with a picture of a person on the wall

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