Bulgwang-dong 2024

Mari, an elderly woman in her eighties, was born and raised in Bulgwang-dong and is a living witness to the neighborhood's history. During the preparation of the Bulgwang-dong photo archive and exhibition, she joined as official staff and supported the project with extraordinary dedication. This portrait was taken at the outdoor gallery during the memory exhibition, capturing her warm and joyful smile. For me, the image is more than a portrait—it shows how community memory endures through individuals who actively choose to preserve it. Her smile carries pride, continuity, and the quiet generosity shaped by decades of lived experience.