Hello, my name is Seonghee Moon, and I am a photography student in South Korea.
I am currently working on a documentary photography project tracing the life and history of my late father.
As far as I know, my father worked as a photographer at a photo studio inside the Yongsan Friendship Arcade at the U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan from 1984 to 1986.
I would like to hear from anyone who knew my father, as well as anyone who worked at the U.S. military base in Yongsan during that time, particularly Korean employees.
Additionally, I am interested in learning about the personal, human stories of the people who worked and lived within the unique environment of a U.S. military base.
I would also like to learn more about the culture, atmosphere, and everyday life around the base during the years when my father worked there.
Even the smallest piece of information could be meaningful to me. If you have any memories, stories, photographs, or information that might help me with this project, I would be truly grateful if you could share them with me.
cokemoon1@gmail.com
I arrived at Yongsan in June of 1986 and I am sorry but I don't remember your father. Back at that time before mobile phones photography and photo developing were more important. Other differences in Seoul between then and now were in 1986 coffee could be found only in 5 star hotels and served in tiny cups, wine was similarly scarce. The only pet dogs were those brought by DOD members. There were no motorcycles and very few automobiles. But rapid change began over the next few years.