10th annual photo contest highlights alleys, streams and daily life; exhibition runs through Nov. 30 at district office
Seongbuk-gu in Seoul is using photography to showcase the district's everyday life and urban appeal.
The district office held an awards ceremony Tuesday for the 2026 Seongbuk-gu Photo Contest, presenting certificates to the winners. The 24 winning works will be displayed on the outdoor bulletin board on the first floor of the district office through Nov. 30.
Now in its 10th year, the contest carried the theme "Living in Seongbuk, Moments Worth Living For." It was organized to document special moments discovered in the everyday scenes and landscapes of Seongbuk and to highlight the district's diverse appeal.
This year the contest was also tied to the district's newly developed city brand, "Once You Live Here, It's Seongbuk." Participants were encouraged to capture through photography the satisfaction felt by those who have actually lived in Seongbuk and the qualities of the neighborhood they would recommend to others.
The winning entries feature not only the district's alleyways, streams and ever-changing seasonal scenery, but also the quiet daily routines of the residents who call the area home. The works reframe familiar neighborhoods through fresh eyes, revealing Seongbuk's distinctive charm even within the most ordinary moments.
The exhibition is expected to give residents a new perspective on their own neighborhood, while offering those less familiar with Seongbuk a chance to discover the district's living environment and appeal through photography.
The winning photographs can be viewed on the outdoor bulletin board on the first floor of the Seongbuk-gu district office through Nov. 30, and are also available on the district office's website.
"Thanks to the attention and affection sent from across the country, we were able to rediscover the special moments that make Seongbuk unique," Seongbuk-gu District Mayor Lee Seung-ro said. "I hope the moments captured in these photographs will introduce more people to the charm of Seongbuk, and I will work to make Seongbuk a place where everyone wants to stay and find happiness in everyday life."
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