Experience everything from choosing a camera that suits your personal photography preferences to printing your photos

[Financial News] An experiential pop-up store has opened in Seoul’s Seochon Village where visitors can choose and try out cameras and lenses suited to their preferences, based on the kinds of photos they usually enjoy taking. It is a space where they can search for a logo with a camera and take on shooting missions while changing lenses.
After completing the experience, visitors can have a photo they took printed on-site and take it home.



I visited the experiential pop-up store ‘Canon Photo Hanbangdang,’ which Canon Korea Inc. opened at Youthquake Gallery in Jongno District, Seoul, on the 23rd. Although it was opening day, visitors interested in photography and cameras were lined up waiting.
Visitors begin the experience after entering by writing on a leaflet about the subjects they usually like to photograph and their shooting habits. After looking around the History Wall and the Heritage product exhibition zone, they can try out cameras and lenses, including the new EOS R8 Mark II. Product consultations are also available.
The experience is designed so that even visitors who are not familiar with using cameras can take photos themselves while exploring the products.
Rather than simply explaining product features, the experience lets visitors follow shooting missions and themed spaces to learn how to operate the cameras and experience how lenses affect the way images look.
The pop-up features shooting missions that let visitors experience the differences between cameras and lenses firsthand. They can photograph the Canon logo among various images, or use a randomly selected lens to capture a subject within a time limit. Visitors can compare how the framing and the impression of a subject change depending on the lens, even when photographing the same subject.


The photography spaces, tailored to different preferences, are divided into four categories: ‘Objects,’ ‘Portraits,’ ‘Moments’ and ‘Landscapes.’ In the Objects space, visitors can photograph props up close and explore how different lenses render them. In the Portraits space, they can take portraits alone or with someone accompanying them. The Moments space is for capturing moving subjects. From the rooftop Landscapes space, visitors can take photos against the backdrop of Gyeongbokgung’s Yeongchumun Gate and Seochon’s autumn scenery.
Each space is equipped with cameras and lenses suited to the photography activities, and staff explain the basic controls. Visitors can carry out missions in each space while recalling the shooting habits they wrote on their leaflets, and find out what kinds of scenes interest them. They can also receive a product consultation after trying out the cameras and lenses.


After finishing their photo session, visitors can choose their favorite photo from the ones they took and have it printed on-site. They are also given content about their photography preferences based on the results of the experience. A message wall and photo kiosk have been set up in the courtyard so visitors can record their experiences at the pop-up.
Merchandise reflecting the pop-up’s concept is also available, including a mini-book introducing lenses, postcards and lens cleaners. An event is also being held where visitors can get a miniature Canon camera through a capsule-toy-style draw.


‘Canon Photo Hanbangdang’ will run through November 1. It is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends.
Park Jung-woo, CEO of Canon Korea Inc., said, “We designed the space so visitors can naturally experience Canon’s imaging technology by using cameras and lenses firsthand throughout the venue,” adding, “We hope visitors will enjoy taking photos in a setting where Seochon’s distinctive character and the photography program come together.”
[email protected] Yoon Hong-jip Reporter