Behind blue walls
Byeongbeom (Brandon) Kim’s photographic confrontation with Korea’s political taboos.
Author and images: Byeongbeom (Brandon) Kim | Editor: Ilana Cohen
Byeongbeom (Brandon) Kim
Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House), 2024, digital photography series
IN A PLACE WHERE tradition often rules, my photos from Korea’s Blue House (Cheong Wa Dae)—a location once secretive, now open to the public—reveals the unspoken and controversial aspects of Korean society. This collection captures a mix of history, politics, and moments that challenge cultural norms.
The portraits of controversial former presidents and first ladies were presented in a very luxurious way even though they have seen days full of scandal—typically left unspoken for the sake of social harmony. A tour guide points at the border map of Korea and describes the ongoing conflict, all the unresolved pain and political tension (topics that many prefer to avoid discussing). When the group of old men next to our tour group became agitated about how the conflict was explained, they raised their voices in objection.
Let me challenge the cultural norms that discourage such bold inquiries and invite viewers to face difficult questions and engage with stories that are so often left untold. Why should these be ‘taboo’? Why don’t we encourage a deeper understanding of these societal topics and break the silence?
Byeongbeom (Brandon) Kim
Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House), 2024, digital photography series
As everyone knows, Korea is divided into North and South — technically they’re still in the middle of a war. Unfortunately, simply mentioning North and South Korean relations itself is more or less considered taboo. Instead of a healthy exchange of opinions based on different perspectives, it quickly escalates into political confrontation and disputes. Political conflicts in Korean society are already intense, but when it comes to North-South issues, the reactions can be even more extreme, like mixing Coca-Cola and Mentos.
Even now in 2024, near the 38th parallel and DMZ (The Demilitarized Zone), North Korean forces often provoke South Korea, resulting in South Korean casualties. One of the prime examples would be the Battle of Yeonpyeong in 2002 when North Korea shot a bomb at Yeonpyeong Island which resulted in the death of 13 people, leaving 25 wounded. This event could have become a full North-South war, but it was intervened by the United States as they didn’t want it to spread.
