Covid 19 - Dispatch from Seoul
Strange times… I remember the morning of september 11 2001, I just came back from a night out in the Paris catacombes with friends and I got a message on AOL messenger from a friend in New York where I was a week earlier telling me a plane just collided with one of the twin tower. As I watched the events unfolded live on my television, I was certain that was probably the biggest historical event I was about to witness in my lifetime. This year, I stand corrected. As I am watching the entire world going from panic to lockdown, this time mainly through the screen of my iphone, I am wondering what lays ahead for the world. It also seems important to do my job and pick up my camera and start recording this unique moment.
South Korea is also quite unique in this sense. As the rest of the world seems to slowly go into full lock down, South Korea has managed to flatten the curve. With a population wearing masks extensively to a big campaign of free testing and contact tracing throughout the country, the death toll as remained incredibly low. Life seems almost normal if its not for the fact that the entire population is wearing masks. I am going to document the life in Seoul, not knowing where is going but more as an exercise and a way to record this historical moment.
A young couple on a date in Gangnam.
A social distance volunteer in Yeouido getting ready for the the popular cherry blossom week end.
As social distancing is being reinforced in Seoul, all public square equipments has been sealed off to prevent contact infestions.
On the main shopping street of Gangnam, it is almost business as usual.
all photos by Tim Franco are available for publishing - please get in touch : timfranco@gmail.com