One day in 2018, I noticed a strange booth in Hongdae. A few teenagers were crammed inside, screaming, posing, and laughing. I walked past thinking: “That’ll last a month.”
35 years in Korea, and I’ve been wrong about trends before. But never this wrong.
Within a year, photo booths were EVERYWHERE. Every subway station. Every shopping district. Every tourist area. Korea went from zero to thousands of machines almost overnight.
By 2020, I finally tried one. My Korean colleague dragged me in. “You HAVE to do this.”
I’m a man in my 50s. I did not think I had to do this.
But four photos and one ridiculous pose later, I was holding a strip of pictures with rabbit ears drawn on my head. My colleague was crying laughing. I was smiling more than I had in weeks.
Now I get it.
If you’re visiting Korea and haven’t done a photo booth yet, this guide is for you.
What Are Korean Photo Booths?
Korean photo booths (포토부스) are self-service machines where you take a set of photos, choose frames, and get printed photo strips.
Feature
Detail
Photos
Usually 4 shots
Time
3-5 minutes total
Price
₩3,000-5,000
Output
Printed photo strips
Digital
QR code download available
The Korean name:
인생네컷 (insaeng necut) literally means “4 cuts of your life” — four photos that capture a moment.
Why it’s different from Western photo booths:
Western Photo Booth
Korean Photo Booth
Basic camera
High-quality, beauty filters
Simple backgrounds
Hundreds of themed frames
Just photos
Props, stickers, drawings
Often old machines
Modern, sleek design
Privacy curtain
Open or semi-open (no shame!)
Korean photo booths are essentially a mini professional photo studio crammed into a machine.
Why Are They So Popular?
1. The “Beauty Mode”
Korean photo booths have built-in beauty filters that:
Smooth skin
Brighten eyes
Slim face (slightly)
Even skin tone
Add soft lighting
You look like the best version of yourself. Not fake — just… polished.
My first photo strip: “Wait, is that ME? I look 10 years younger.”
2. Cute Frames and Themes
Theme Types
Seasonal (cherry blossoms, Christmas, Halloween)
Character (Sanrio, Disney, Line Friends)
K-drama themed
K-pop themed
Vintage/retro
Minimalist
Couple frames
Friend group frames
New frames rotate regularly. Some are limited edition. Fans collect specific frames.
3. Affordable Memory
₩4,000 for a physical souvenir that fits in your wallet.
No need to buy expensive souvenirs. A photo strip is personal, unique, and costs less than a coffee.
4. Social Experience
It’s not about the photos — it’s about the chaos inside the booth.
Choosing poses. Arguing about frames. Laughing at failed shots. The 3-second countdown panic.
I’ve seen groups of friends spend 30 minutes doing multiple rounds, laughing harder each time.
5. K-Culture Connection
Korean celebrities do photo booths. K-drama characters do photo booths. It’s woven into modern Korean culture.
Taking a photo strip is basically a Korean rite of passage now.
Major Photo Booth Chains
인생네컷 (Insaeng Necut)
Info
Detail
Status
The original, most popular
Locations
2,000+ nationwide
Price
₩4,000
Quality
Excellent
Frames
Wide variety, frequent updates
The brand that started it all. Highest quality photos and best frame selection.
하루필름 (Haru Film)
Info
Detail
Status
Second most popular
Locations
1,000+
Price
₩4,000
Quality
Excellent
Special
Black & white option popular
Known for aesthetic, minimalist frames. The black and white mode produces beautiful results.
포토이즘 (Photoism)
Info
Detail
Status
Growing fast
Locations
500+
Price
₩4,000
Special
Larger photo options, profile shots
Offers bigger photo sizes and individual portrait modes — not just strips.
One street near Hongik University Station has 20+ booths side by side. Different brands, different themes, different vibes. You could spend an hour just booth-hopping.
Other Locations
Location
Photo Booths?
Shopping malls
Almost always
Subway stations
Many major stations
Tourist areas
Yes
Theme parks
Special themed ones
Movie theaters
Sometimes
Department stores
Usually
You won’t have to search hard. They’re everywhere.
How to Use a Korean Photo Booth
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Choose Your Booth
Look at the sample photos displayed outside. Each brand and machine has different frame styles.
Step 2: Pay
Payment Method
Accepted?
Cash (coins/bills)
✅ Yes
Card (tap)
✅ Most machines
Kakao Pay
✅ Some machines
Most machines take both cash and card now. Have ₩4,000 ready just in case.
Step 3: Enter and Settle
Enter the booth
Check the mirror/screen
Fix hair, adjust lighting
Place bags to the side
Stand at the right distance (markers on floor)
Step 4: Choose Frame
The screen shows available frames. Scroll through and select one.
Tip
Decide BEFORE entering — saves time
Preview frames on the machine’s exterior display
Seasonal frames change, so check what’s new
Step 5: Take Photos
Sequence
Countdown: 3… 2… 1… 📸
Usually 4-6 shots
~5 seconds between each shot
Change poses between shots!
Step 6: Choose Photos
Some machines let you:
Select which 4 photos to print
Retake if you blinked
Add stickers or drawings
Step 7: Print and Download
Output
Physical photo strip prints (usually 2 copies)
QR code for digital download
Some machines email photos
Total time: 3-5 minutes
Tips for the Best Photos
Posing
Photo
Suggested Pose
1st
Normal smile (warm-up)
2nd
Fun/silly pose
3rd
Cool/serious pose
4th
Best smile or group pose
Popular poses in Korea:
Pose
Description
V sign (✌️)
Classic Korean pose
Heart hands (🫰)
Finger heart
Surprised face
Mouth open, hands on cheeks
Back-to-back
For couples/friends
Funny face
Ugly pose (개그 사진)
Chin on hands
Cute, dreamy look
Lighting Tips
Tip
Stand centered — lighting is designed for the middle
Light-colored clothing photographs better
Avoid hats that cast shadows on face
Tilt chin slightly down (more flattering angle)
Group Tips
Group Size
Tips
2 people
Easy, lots of couple poses
3 people
Middle person slightly back
4 people
Two rows or creative stacking
5+ people
Squeeze! It’s part of the fun
Max recommended: 4 people. More than that gets very cramped.
Props
Many photo booth shops have free props:
Props
Sunglasses
Headbands (animal ears, flowers)
Hats
Signs and speech bubbles
Fans and feathers
Grab props BEFORE entering the booth. No time to choose during countdown.
Photo Booth Etiquette
✅ Do
❌ Don’t
Be quick if others are waiting
Hog the machine
Take your printed photos
Leave photos behind
Have fun and be silly
Be self-conscious
Share photos with friends
Block the entrance
Try different machines
Only do one (try at least 2!)
Special Photo Booth Experiences
Character Collaboration Booths
Collaboration
Where to Find
Sanrio (Hello Kitty)
Various locations
Disney
Select malls
Line Friends
Flagship stores
K-pop groups
Pop-up events
Limited edition frames with popular characters. Fans specifically seek these out.
ID Photo Booths
Not just fun — Korea also has excellent ID photo booths.
Feature
Professional lighting
Beauty retouching
Passport/visa photo specs
₩5,000-8,000
Need a passport photo? Korean ID photo booths produce better results than most photo studios back home.
Photo Booth Cafes
Some cafes combine coffee with photo booths:
Drink coffee
Take photos
Decorate your prints
Relaxed atmosphere
Found in Hongdae and Seongsu-dong areas.
What to Do with Your Photos
Decorating
Many photo booth areas have:
Sticker stations
Cutting tools
Decorative tape
Markers for drawing
Koreans decorate their photo strips and trade with friends.
Displaying
Idea
Phone case (slip behind clear case)
Wallet
Fridge magnet
Scrapbook
Room wall decoration
Gift for friends
Digital Sharing
Method
Scan QR code → save to phone
Share on Instagram/social media
Send to friends via KakaoTalk
Costs
Price Summary
Type
Price
Standard photo strip (4 cuts)
₩3,000-4,000
Premium frames
₩4,000-5,000
Larger format photos
₩5,000-6,000
ID photos
₩5,000-8,000
Photo + print set
₩6,000-8,000
Budget for Photo Booth Fun
Level
Budget
Gets You
Try once
₩4,000
1 strip
Fun session
₩12,000-16,000
3-4 different machines
Photo booth crawl
₩20,000-30,000
Multiple brands + props
Honestly? Budget ₩15,000-20,000. You WILL want to try more than one.
Photo Booths vs. Other Countries
Feature
Korea
Japan
USA
Quality
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐
Beauty filter
Strong
Strong
Basic
Frame variety
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐
Price
₩4,000
¥400-500
$5-10
Availability
Everywhere
Arcade focused
Rare
Cultural significance
High
High
Low
Korea and Japan are the photo booth capitals. Korea edges ahead on frame variety and location density.
My Personal Photo Booth Journey
First Time (2020): Reluctant
Colleague dragged me in. I stood stiff, barely smiled. Thought it was silly.
But the photos came out… actually good? The beauty filter was kind to my aging face.
Second Time (2020): Warming Up
Tried it with visiting friends from abroad. They went crazy. I started doing the V sign. Korean cultural assimilation complete.
Now: Convert
I have a small collection of photo strips in my wallet. Each one is a memory — friends visiting, company dinners, random Tuesday nights in Hongdae.
A 50-something man with photo booth strips in his wallet. Korea changed me.
Best Memory
Taking photos with my Korean neighbor’s kids. They taught me poses. They laughed at my “old man” attempts. Those photos are on my fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Korean photo booths cost?
Most photo booths cost ₩3,000-4,000 per session. You get a strip of 4 photos, usually printed in 2 copies so you can share with a friend.
Where are the most photo booths in Seoul?
Hongdae has the highest concentration — one street has 20+ booths side by side. Myeongdong, Gangnam Station, and most major shopping areas also have many.
Do Korean photo booths have beauty filters?
Yes. Most machines automatically apply light beauty filters — skin smoothing, brightening, subtle face adjustments. You look polished but still natural.
Can I get digital copies of my photos?
Yes. Most machines provide a QR code after printing. Scan it with your phone to download digital copies. Some machines also offer email delivery.
How many people can fit in a photo booth?
Most booths comfortably fit 2-4 people. You can squeeze in more, but it gets very tight. For groups of 5+, consider the larger format machines at Photoism.
What’s the difference between photo booth brands?
Insaeng Necut has the most frames and locations. Haru Film is known for aesthetic black and white options. Photoism offers larger formats. Try 2-3 brands to find your favorite.
Do I need to know Korean to use the machines?
Most machines have simple visual interfaces. Some offer English options. The process is intuitive — pay, choose frame, pose, print. You’ll figure it out even without Korean.
Can I use a credit card at photo booths?
Most modern machines accept credit/debit cards via tap payment. Some older machines are cash only. Carry a few ₩1,000 bills just in case.
Final Thoughts
I resisted photo booths for years.
Too silly. Too young. Not for me.
Then Korea did what Korea does — made me try something new, made me laugh, and gave me a memory I carry in my wallet.
Four photos. Three seconds each. One strip of paper.
That’s all it takes to capture a moment in Korea.
You’ll walk past hundreds of photo booths during your trip. The machines glow, the sample photos beckon, groups of friends laugh inside.
Don’t walk past.
Step in. Choose the silliest frame. Make the ugliest face. Panic during the countdown.
The photos won’t be perfect. That’s exactly why they’ll be your favorite souvenir.
