A new trend has been making its way through the new generation of Los Angeles County. Numerous photo booths have appeared in different locations throughout LA and especially, in the heart of Koreatown. These photo booths, each offering a blend of digital innovation and nostalgic charm, go beyond just taking pictures; they offer a unique chance to capture and customize snapshots in ways that strongly appeal to Millennials and Gen Z. With customizable backgrounds, digital stickers, and instant prints that act as remembrances, these booths cater to a generation that appreciates both digital creativity and the sentimental value of tangible mementos.
Photo booths have a big impact, not only for personal pleasure but also in shaping cultural trends and social media. Upon taking the pictures, Millennials and Gen Z users eagerly share creatively embellished photos on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, further fueling the popularity of photo booths and confirming their status as a rising sensation. The increasing presence of popularity in the photo booths through hangouts demonstrates their ability to ensure that they will remain a fresh attraction for the foreseeable future.
What is a Korean Self-Photo Booth Studio?
Korean photo booths are in high demand as interactive, unmanned kiosks for taking photos, gaining interest especially because of their popularity on social media. These booths go beyond traditional photo-taking experiences as they provide a wide range of customizable features. Users can choose from different backgrounds, themes, filters, and frames to enhance their photos based on their preferences and desired aesthetics. Each session results in a printed collage with 2, 3, 4, 6, or 8 pictures, which can be further personalized with handwritten notes or accessories. This blend of digital flexibility and tangible output enables people to create unique and unforgettable photo experiences that capture moments with endless imagination.
Medium shared, “Upon receiving the printed copies of your photos, you’ll often find QR codes on them, containing the original image files. This feature enables you to effortlessly save them to your phone and share them with friends. Nowadays, photo booths also capture the entire picture-taking process, providing a video along with the image file. All of these features make it exceptionally convenient to share content on social media, which, naturally, further fuels the popularity of Korean photo booths.”
The Influence of Social Media
The popularity of Korean photo booths has mainly been boosted by the increased use of social media such as Instagram and TikTok. Korean celebrities and influencers sharing their photobooth experiences online have inspired users and fans to look for similar interactive kiosks in their area. Unlike traditional photo booths that produce passport-like photos, Korean photo booths offer a wide range of customization options, allowing users to accessorize themselves with items like glasses, hats, plushies, and various props, unleashing their originality in each snapshot.
Individuals can garner likes, comments, and engagement from their social circles and followers by posting creatively taken photos on social media. This visuality not only amplifies the photo-capturing process but also strengthens the status of Korean photo booths as a trendy destination where people can display their creative skills and interact with others by sharing stories on online platforms and media.
Charms and Features:
Photo booth studios provide an extensive array of props including eyewear, headbands, wigs, hats, and plushies that can be utilized to the users’ desires. In addition to accessories, each booth is equipped with a remote control stick that people can use to take their pictures. While some opt out and use automatic timed photos, taking pictures using the remote controls allows people to pose specifically without having to worry about the timer going off and automatically taking their pictures. After capturing up to ten images, users can select the best shots to be included in the collage and printed.
Each studio typically offers rooms featuring different background colors. Based on the backgrounds, users can select from a variety of themes that set the scene for their desired pictures. These themes span from playful and vibrant patterns to seasonal and trendy designs, allowing users to customize and create a unique ambiance for their photos.
Following their selections, users have the option to apply digital filters and effects that alter color tones, add textures, or enhance the mood of the photos. Some photo booths incorporate augmented reality (AR) filters into live camera feeds, enabling real-time interaction with virtual objects. Recently, studios have started offering makeup styles that users can choose from based on their preferred personal colors, styles, and aesthetics. Unfortunately, this is a feature not yet widely available in the U.S. photo booths.
Photo booths have contributed to creating a unique photography culture in Korea. One of the most fascinating aspects is the atmosphere companies establish within the studio. Generally, each studio contains several booths, separated by partitions and curtains, allowing users privacy and a feeling of personal space while they capture their memories.
Another increasingly tended aspect among photo booth companies is the incorporation of overhead shots, fondly referred to as “hang gong shots” (항공샷). In this setup, the camera is placed in the upper corner of the booth, prompting users to look upwards for their photos. This perspective introduces a dynamic element to previous photobooths, further expanding the creative opportunities within the booths.
Photobooth culture in Korea is constantly advancing as specialized studios emerge, offering a variety of concepts and creative picture angles. Meeting the increasing desire for unique experiences, these studios enable users to explore diverse settings and themes, resulting in unforgettable and visually engaging photos.
“Special cameras are mounted on the ground or ceiling. The studio’s concepts are also various, such as subways, airplane restrooms and elevators, to allow people to take dynamic photos,” says Webzine Korea.
Self-Photo Booth Studios in LA
Life4Cuts, also known as 인생네컷, is widely recognized as the original selfie booth. Its name, translating to ‘life in four-image photo strips,’ represents its innovative approach.
According to Korea JoongAng Daily, Life4Cuts began modestly with a single unmanned booth in Daegu in 2017 and has since expanded extensively across Korea, becoming one of the largest photo machine franchises. The term “Life Four Cuts” has even become so closely associated with photo strips that it became a generic term.
“Starting out small, with a single unmanned booth on the streets of Daegu in 2017, Life Four Cuts has seen immense success branching out all across Korea. It is one of Korea’s biggest and most popular photo machine franchises, and because taking strips has become so common, Life Four Cuts has become the generic name, similar to Band-Aid and Post-it,” explains Korea JoongAng Daily.
Life4Cuts actively collaborates with various companies to offer special frames, including characters from Disney and Kakao Friends, contributing to its widespread appeal. Photos captured at Life4Cuts are renowned for their natural, warm-tones quality.
As of April 2024, Life4Cuts has “six independent stores in California and about 152 stores in 16 countries overseas,” noted by The Korea Daily.
Photoism
Photoism has established itself as a multifaceted entity with several branches, including Photoism Studio, Photoism Box, Photoism Colored, Photoism Wedding Anniversary (currently under development), and Photoism Project. This diversity allows Photoism to cater to both casual and formal photo-taking experiences, making it a popular choice among consumers.
One of Photoism’s distinguishing features is its collaboration with artists, as seen in its “Artist Frames” concept. These frames showcase popular Korean celebrities and athletes on the kiosk monitor, creating an illusion that they are standing next to the users; described to be AR filters.
This interactive approach not only enhances the photo-taking experience but has also made a significant contribution to Photoism’s fame. The collaboration with top K-pop groups like BTS, Blackpink, NCT, aespa, and more has especially increased its appeal, attracting fans who are eager to capture moments with their beloved stars.
As of July 2024, Photos has broadened its partnerships to include major Korean entertainment companies such as SM, YG, Cube, IST, Starship, WM, and More Vision. In addition to K-pop, Photoism has also partnered with Korean national sports teams and actors, further expanding its appeal across various cultural domains.
While offering a diverse range of dynamic Artist Frames, Photoism continues to maintain its traditional logo frames, which have remained unchanged from the prior pandemic, setting it apart from competitors who have updated their branding logos and designs.
Photoism’s dedication to ensuring top-quality photos is recognized through their outputs, which are known for their high definition, pale, and cool-toned aesthetic. The cameras they use are designed to delicately enhance facial features and minimize blemishes through the strategic use of lighting, angles, and Photoshop, resulting in flattering and professionally retouched photos.
Potobox currently operates five stores across California and Michigan. Unlike its competitors Life4Cuts and Photoism, Potobox is strategically based in the United States and does not have additional branches in Korea. Nonetheless, the company promotes Korean photo-taking culture within the U.S. through innovative studio features.
According to The Korea Daily, Potobox has introduced the first photo booth in the U.S. with an overhead camera.
“They also introduced the first photo booth in the U.S. with an overhead camera for high-angle photos, allowing for more varied and fun poses,” said The Korea Daily.
Despite not partnering with other entertainment firms, Potobox distinguishes itself through uniquely patterned theme designs in its studio. Photos taken at Potobox are renowned for their vivid and bright quality, offering a more authentic and vibrant image compared to those produced by Life4Cuts and Photoism. Moreover, Potobox enhances the customer experience by installing claw machines and arcade games, providing entertainment and the chance to win prizes while awaiting their turn at the booths.
Recently, Potobox introduced Photozone and Photo Printing, which allows digital memories to be transformed into tangible photo collages.
“Photozone brings your mobile memories to life. Bring your favorite phone snapshots, and we’ll transform them into vivid prints that you can hold, share, and display. Our Photo Printing service turns your digital gems into artful prints. Simply select the photos you want to print from your phone, and we’ll transform them into high-quality prints that capture the essence of each moment,” shares Potobox.
Conclusion
The growing trend of Korean photo booth popularity can be explained by various factors that attract a wide range of people, both Millennials and Gen Z. Initially, these photo booths provide a distinctive mix of nostalgia and modern technology, enabling users to relive the traditional charm of sticker photos while also getting the benefit of digital upgrades like filters and personalized themes. This fusion caters to younger generations who appreciate both the digital advantages and the emotional significance of tangible souvenirs.
Another significant trait of the photobooths is their involvement with the booming social media era, allowing individuals to generate and share aesthetically pleasing content. The capacity to customize pictures with entertaining props, stickers, notes, and theme frames promotes creativity and encourages social relationships through hangouts and connections. Frequently, users share their photo booth pictures on social media such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, which have shown to play a vital part in the widespread influence and popularity of the Korean photobooth culture.
Furthermore, the popularity of Korean photobooths is boosted by their accessibility and convenience. Situated in various tourist destinations and places such as shopping malls, entertainment centers, and cultural neighborhoods like Koreatown, these booths are easily reachable for city residents and tourists. Their affordability and quick printing also make them an appealing choice for gatherings and celebrations.
Finally, it’s important to recognize the cultural importance of Korean photo booths. Originating from South Korea, these booths have become synonymous with Korean culture and have gained worldwide recognition through media and entertainment influences. Their incorporation into diverse cultural, urban, and rural settings reflects their aspirations for sharing the experiences and trends in a global cultural phenomenon.
Ultimately, Korean photo booths have become increasingly popular because they combine traditional photography with modern digital trends. These booths provide a new, interactive, and easily shareable experience, which has been shown to resonate with a generation.
In conclusion, Korean photo booths have become increasingly popular because they have provided the generation with a new and fresh way of capturing memories. These booths have become an impactful part of youth today as it has become a space where people can enhance their social interactions through shared experiences and creative expression. Their popularity goes beyond just taking photos but has resonated with their combination of modern technology and personalized mementos in today’s predominately digital era.
<Student Reporter Kailyn Hahn>haneul24kh@gmail.com
