Seoul, 2003, in Myong-Dong Possibly 2003 - 2014

Leo Rubinfien made this black and white photograph, "Seoul, 2003, in Myong-Dong." In the early 2000s, South Korea was experiencing rapid economic growth, and this image encapsulates some of the tensions between tradition and modernity. The man, dressed in a western suit, is captured in a moment of contemplation. Rubinfien, who has a keen interest in Asian culture and history, has said that his photographs are "not about the places themselves, but about the feelings they evoke." There is a sense of isolation about the man, framed by the blurred cityscape. His suit, a signifier of corporate success, seems to weigh on him. This photograph invites us to consider the emotional cost of progress and the individual experience within broader social change. How does this image speak to you about the personal dimensions of globalization?