Soon after Psy's Gangnam Style hit the charts I was assigned to document youth culture, nightlife, and everything cool about Seoul. It was a week of non-stop walking, taxi and train commutes, connecting with people whose language I did not speak (though I tried).  I meandered through various districts photo hunting with a few appointments mixed in - to cover the people whom writer, Derek Ferrar had interviewed.

I worked solo on this trip. I love the company of my camera and that it allows me to experience people and places as a researcher, an explorer.

This is a mix of outtakes and some of the images that the Hawaiian Airlines' in-flight magazine, Hana Hou! published in an eight page story titled, K-Hip Looking for Korea's "Gross National Cool" on the Streets of Seoul.  In addition to many strangers, the images include : the fashion editor at Teen Vogue,  art bar Ruffxxx,  the college district Hongdae; Cocoon, a popular nightclub; and KPOP stars (I hadn't realized the scope of their stardom when I met them skateboarding in a parking lot ) Simon D, Gaeko, Choiza, Hangzoo, Geegooin, and Boi B.