Present-day Korea has achieved splendid development that astonishes the world, and it abounds with vitality and changes to shape the future. Meanwhile, our memories of the past are fading like an old photo, and the unique spirit and culture that define our identity are overshadowed by grand agendas such as globalization and development.

However, there are values that must be preserved and passed on in our culture. Carried down from the past, the values remind us of who we are and guide us toward what we should seek. It is for this reason that we constantly reflect upon our cultural heritage to apply values in it to our lives today.

The 2025 Busan International Photo Festival, with the theme honbul (“soul fire”), turns its attention to the deep values of spirit embedded in the long history and unique culture of Korea as well as the cultural identity of Koreans. The festival’s exhibits invite us to reflect on our present reality, contemplate on the human condition, and discover the Korean worldview that has been passed down generation to generation.

Honbul is not a mere flicker of flame. It is an affirmation of the effort to inherit and carry forward Korea’s unique culture and spirit; it is the resonance of our bodies and minds speaking in their truest form; and it is a profound return to human dignity and the communal bonds that sustain us. At the same time, honbul is also a conversation with the world—a shared meditation on human existence itself. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all those who have joined their ideas and devotion in making this endeavor possible.

Artistic Director, 2025 Busan International Photo Festival
Lee Il Woo