Kim Hyun-bin began his journalism career at Arirang TV from 2012 to 2017, specializing in defense, foreign affairs and the economy. In 2018, he joined The Korea Times, covering society and business, and is currently responsible for embassy affairs.
Seoul teaches photography to homeless through 'Hope Academy'
Thirty-six homeless people who entered Seoul City's Hope Academy pose with officials after an admission ceremony at Malli-dong Square in Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government
By Kim Hyun-bin
By Kim Hyun-bin
A man surnamed Kim studied design in England during his adolescence, but he fell into the world of gambling and lost everything he owned, which forced him to live on the streets. Coming back to Korea, he continued gambling online, and once again he was forced out on to the streets.
But he took up the chance to learn photography through the Hope Academy, run by the Seoul Metropolitan Government to help the homeless get back on their feet. Deeply into photography, he escaped his gambling addiction, participated in exhibitions and taught it to other homeless people.
Kim even got a job at Hope Photo Studio, a city-provided stall at Gwanghwamun Square, reunited with his brother and went into business with him.
The city government, in cooperation with renowned photographer Cho Sei-hon, has been giving hope to people like Kim ― other homeless people in the city ― to motivate and help them through the academy, which teaches photography to the social outcasts.
Hope Academy has enrolled 36 “freshmen” for this year's curriculum, with an admission ceremony held at Malli-dong Square in Seoul, Monday.
Before the launch of Hope Academy in 2016, the program was operated by Cho under the name of Himang (Hope) Frame from 2012 to 2015. It recruited homeless people who showed an interest in photography and offered beginner and intermediate classes.
In 2016, Cho joined hands with the city government to launch the Hope Academy, which added an advanced course where participants after graduating can be linked with job opportunities.
Each year, over 30 people take courses at the academy, while outstanding students have been offered jobs including positions at the Hope Photo Studio.
“I feel more responsibility as more people have been applying to take part in the Hope Academy in the last four years,” Cho said. “If society keeps up its interest, I will not let down their dreams and hopes. The homeless students are my happiness.”
Apart from the photography classes, the academy offers other classes by a lawyer, a pianist, a poet and a monk who act as the students' motivators and mentors.
The city government operates 40 projects like the Hope Academy to help homeless people in the city learn to support themselves, including lectures on the humanities, art and music therapy as well as programs to help them acquire licenses.
“We plan to continue our support programs like the Hope Academy that has been effective in producing results,” said Kim Byung-gee, director of the low-income and homeless assistance division at Seoul Metropolitan Government. “We plan to consult professionals to increase the program's satisfaction level.”