SweetEscape is committed to helping you capture life perfectly during the good times and tough times. As one of the biggest platform that connects you with thousands of photographers around the world, we would like to connect you with one of our photographers every two weeks on Instagram Live to discuss and share their experience during this global pandemic and their memorable moments as a SweetEscape photographer.

In the very first Instagram Live with #SweetEscapePhotographers, we talked to one of our photographers from Seoul, South Korea: Dongjin Kim. He has been one of our photographers since 2018 and he had some interesting stories to share with us.

How is the situation in Seoul during this COVID19 outbreak?

It’s less crowded around the tourist’s spot and public places. The streets are empty but it's not a total lockdown. You can still see people walking around the city but everyone's wearing masks. Some of the offices still open but they are following the government officials’ instructions for safety protocols.

How do you cope with the stay at home lifestyle these days?

Everyone is getting used to it. I’ve spent most of my time by doing something that I liked the most to keep up the positive mood. I usually spend my day playing video games and connect with my closest friends and family.

What is your most memorable SweetEscape session?

We were having a session at Bukcheon Hanok Village and I saw the client carrying this huge bag throughout the shoot. You know how Bukcheon is an uphill, right? So this client carry the big bag the entire trip up to the hill. I was confused about why they need to carry it around because it was quite big. Then I thought maybe it's filled with a change of outfits because you can actually do that during your SweetEscape session.

Turns out, at the end of the session, they gave me that big bag! I was super surprised. When I opened the bag, it's filled with these Indonesian snacks and foods. I was super touched by it.

What is your favorite photo shoot occasion?

Proposals. Because it's such an intimate and once in a lifetime moment. The guy will usually contact me first to set up a surprise proposal and then during the photoshoot, I will be the one giving him signals on when to kneel. Sometimes the guy will be super nervous & he doesn't know what to do. I'm amazed as well on how they can hide the ring box. But most of the time, both of them will cry and it's just special.

As a photographer & a local friend, what's the most common thing that the clients asked during SweetEscape session?

Mostly they asked about where to eat? Then I will usually recommend a local food place around the shooting location. I really love Samgye-Tang (Ginseng Chicken Soup), but I will usually tell them to go to a Korean restaurant near the shooting location so they can enjoy it right away. Everything is good!

What's your hobby besides photography?

I really like to sing and go to karaoke in my free time! Hahaha...

Lastly, Donjin really wished everyone to stay healthy and keep up a positive mood during these tough times. Let’s hope this pandemic will be over soon and we’ll plan another Seoul #CapturedPerfectly by SweetEscape.