Korean Profile Photo Studio in Seoul: How to Book (2026)
How to book a Korean-style ID or profile photo shoot in Seoul as a visitor: real prices from ₩29,500, what's included, and the Korean to use at the studio.
Korean photo studios (사진관, sa-jin-gwan) are one of those things visitors hear about and then can't figure out how to book. Koreans go for ID photos, job application photos and profile shots, and the look is soft, bright and carefully retouched.
The easy news: plenty of studios now take bookings in English. I searched the listings on November 4, 2026, so the prices below are real and current as of that day.
ID photo, profile photo or concept shoot?
Studios usually sell three kinds of sessions, and the names help you pick the right one:
| Korean | Say it | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| 증명사진 | jeung-myeong-sa-jin | ID photo (passport, visa, resume) |
| 프로필 사진 | peu-ro-pil sa-jin | Profile photo, more relaxed, a few poses |
| 컨셉 사진 | keon-sep sa-jin | Concept shoot, styled like a magazine or K-pop photo |
If you just want the Korean-style ID photo look, the cheapest sessions are enough. If you want something to frame or post, go for a profile or concept package.
How to book a photo studio in Seoul
There are three ways, from easiest to most local:
- An English booking site. Klook, KKday and Trazy list many Seoul studios with English pages, foreign card payment and often free cancellation. This is the easiest way for most visitors.
- The studio's Instagram or KakaoTalk. Many studios take bookings by message. Good if a studio you love isn't on a booking site.
- Naver booking. This is what Koreans use, but finishing a Naver booking needs real-name verification. I tested it step by step in my Naver booking guide.
Studios you can book in English (prices on Nov 4, 2026)
These are listings I found on Klook, with the starting price, rating and number of bookings shown that day. Prices change, so check the current page.
| Studio | Area | From | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seoul Hongdae Photo Studio Experience | Hongdae | ₩29,500 | 4.8 (120), 2K+ booked |
| PN Studio: Korean Style Profile Picture | Gangnam | ₩30,000 | 4.5 (19), 50+ booked |
| K-Style Photo Shoot in Seoul, hair and makeup optional | Seoul | ₩32,300 | 5.0 (73), 600+ booked |
| ID Photo Shoot by Sam Studio | Seoul | ₩35,000 | 4.7 (258), 2K+ booked |
| Seongsu Photo Studio, K-Style ID/Concept Photo | Seongsu | ₩38,500 | 5.0 (66), 200+ booked |
| SITA Photo Studio, hanbok near Changdeokgung | Jongno | ₩50,000 | 4.6 (52), 2K+ booked |
| Hanbok Photo Shooting, hanbok rental optional | Seoul | ₩90,000 | 4.9 (287), 4K+ booked |
| Studio Cosmos, with makeup and hair styling | Seoul | ₩246,400 | 5.0 (37), 100+ booked |
How to read this: the cheap end (about ₩30,000 to ₩40,000) is usually a basic ID or profile session. Once hair and makeup are included, prices jump to ₩200,000 and up.
What's usually included
Packages differ a lot, so read the "what's included" part of the listing. As an example, the Seongsu studio above describes its concept package as two 4x6 prints, a polaroid, a photo card and the digital files, with a choice of three retouching levels after the shoot.
Things to check before you pay:
- Digital files (원본, won-bon, means the original unedited files). Some packages only give printed photos.
- Retouching (보정, bo-jeong). Korean retouching can be strong. You can ask for less.
- Hair and makeup. Often not included, or booked separately. Ask before the day.
- Outfits. Most studios don't provide clothes, except hanbok studios.
- Cancellation. Many listings say free cancellation, but not all.
Korean to use at the studio
증명사진 찍고 싶어요.
jeung-myeong-sa-jin jjik-go si-peo-yo "I'd like to take an ID photo."
자연스럽게 해 주세요.
ja-yeon-seu-reop-ge hae ju-se-yo "Please keep it natural."
보정은 조금만 해 주세요.
bo-jeong-eun jo-geum-man hae ju-se-yo "Just a little retouching, please."
원본도 받을 수 있어요?
won-bon-do ba-deul su i-sseo-yo? "Can I get the original files too?"
얼마예요?
eol-ma-ye-yo? "How much is it?"
FAQ
How much is a Korean profile photo in Seoul?
On November 4, 2026, English booking listings in Seoul started at about ₩29,500 to ₩38,500 for a basic session. Packages with hair and makeup started around ₩246,000.
Can foreigners book a Korean photo studio?
Yes. Many Seoul studios are listed on English booking sites like Klook, KKday and Trazy, and many take bookings by Instagram message.
Can I use a Korean studio photo for my passport?
Studios take ID photos, but passport rules differ by country, and heavy retouching may not be accepted. Tell the studio which country's passport it's for and ask for minimal retouching.
A Korean studio photo is one of the nicest souvenirs you can bring home, and it takes about an hour. Pick the package, bring your favorite outfit, and have fun with it!
More booking guides: How to book anything in Korea as a foreigner.
Too much hassle? I'll book it for you
If doing all this yourself sounds like a hassle, just send it to my booking page and I'll do it for you. Tell me the studio (or the area and the look you want), the date and the time, and I'll book it in Korean, in your name. It's free while I'm testing this, and I never ask for your card or passport number.
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See the workbookEmma is a Korean-American who grew up in the US and now lives in Seoul. A marketer by trade, she spent years guiding first-time visitors around Korea and teaching them to read Hangul.