Hotelier reveals his passion in photo essay book on Korea

Baek Seung-woo may have worked more than 30 years as finance director for Hyatt Hotels Corp., but his real passion is photography. 

His new book, “My Korea: Musings with a Camera and Pen,” an English photo essay book, features a variety of photographs introducing Korean sites foreign tourists would be interested in knowing more about.

Baek’s photographs of the Deoksugung Palace, Sareung or the Royal Tomb of Queen Jeongsun and a jjimjilbang, a public bathhouse with saunas and massage tables, are some of the pieces aimed at showing Korea beyond its well-known spots.

The photo essay book is, in fact, a compilation of photos he took and uploaded to his Facebook page. He turned them into this book after he realized there were not many books featuring photos of Korea for foreigners. 

“I started to realize that there is no proper book explaining the latest in local culture, including Korean lifestyle,” he said in his book.

Baek has presented several solo exhibitions and was also the author of the book “Way to Work, Yaksudong,” which was published in 2013. 

An adjunct professor at Sejong University where he teaches finance, Baek holds doctorate degrees in economics and business management.

On weekends, Baek also serves as a volunteer tour guide for Seoul citizens. 

By Park Hyong-ki (hkp@heraldcorp.com)