Sunday, March 8, 2009

Itaewon Juxtaposition

Parade HDR

Wandering the streets of Itaewon yesterday I heard the clang of gong and beat of drum coming from somewhere up on high.

Parade HDR

At the top of Hooker Hill, the Itaewonland Sauna was celebrating their reopening with a traditional parade.

Parade HDR

As they trotted down Hooker Hill, I was struck by how in Itaewon, you can sometimes see the strangest things...

Parade HDR

Parade HDR

Parade HDR

Parade HDR

Parade HDR

Parade HDR

Parade HDR

Parade HDR

Parade HDR

HDR photos processed with Photomatix.

4 comments:

Ben said...

Great photos!

Paul Ajosshi said...

Thanks. I was so lucky to have had my camera with me.

Anonymous said...

Itaewon is a strange one. I have never seen a parade for a grand opening before. However, I have seen on several occasions a parade for a night club, generally in a smaller city. About one hour before the club opens about 20 servers and perhaps one or two of the performers go through the streets in a similar style as your sauna opening.

Paul Ajosshi said...

There's something fascinating for me about the meeting of these two very different aspects of Korean culture. It's interesting that the night clubs employ the same technique. Do they do it every night or only for special occasions?