Ki Yong Kim is a smartphone photographer devoted to capturing and sharing the timeless beauty of Korean heritage. Formerly engaged in an entirely different profession, Kim found his true calling in photography during the pandemic in 2021. With a smartphone in hand and a deep love for Korea’s traditional culture, he transitioned from hobbyist to professional artist, documenting the quiet elegance of royal palaces, seasonal landscapes, and the intricate patterns of heritage architecture.

Kim’s journey began with an award in a UNESCO-themed photo contest in 2006, sparking a lifelong passion for Korea’s historical spaces. Eschewing heavy equipment, he embraced the flexibility and accessibility of smartphone photography—believing that great images stem from one’s perspective, not the price tag of a camera.

His work has reached audiences far beyond Korea, inspiring viewers across the globe and appearing in cultural exhibitions in Turkey, France, and the U.S. Through photography and education, Kim continues to make Korean traditions feel close and personal, inviting others to see familiar places in a new light—and to fall in love with the country he cherishes.