National Memorial Museum of Forced Mobilization, An Sehong Photo Exhibition "Names Engraved in the Back Alley"

Restoring the Lives of 13 "Comfort Women" Left Behind in China Through Photographs

The National Memorial Museum of Forced Mobilization under Japanese Occupation, in collaboration with photographer An Sehong, is presenting a joint exhibition titled "Names Engraved in the Back Alley," which captures the lives of 13 Korean victims of the Japanese military "comfort women" system who remained in China.

This exhibition, commemorating the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation, will be held from October 21 to December 28, 2025, for approximately two months in the special exhibition hall on the 6th floor of the museum.

Jointly curated by photographer An Sehong and the museum, and supported by the Korea Disability Arts and Culture Center and the Layered Project, the exhibition features over 80 photographs, two video works, and numerous personal belongings and archival materials.

An Sehong is a documentary photographer who has been documenting victims of the Japanese military "comfort women" system across Asia since 1996. From 2001 to 2018, he traveled for over 20 years to places such as Yanbian, Beijing, Shanghai, Hainan, and Wuhan in China, seeking out 13 victims and capturing their lives through his camera.

The exhibition is centered on previously unreleased photographs and archival materials. It goes beyond mere testimony of victimization to shed light on the lives of women who maintained their dignity as human beings amid the violence of war and colonial rule.

Accompanying programs have also been prepared. During the "Artist Talk & Docent Tour," photographer An Sehong will personally guide visitors through the exhibition and engage in conversation with them. The "Letters of Remembrance" program is an interactive corner where visitors can write messages to the victims, which will then be displayed in the exhibition hall.

Photographer An Sehong stated, "This exhibition highlights the ongoing survival of women who, in a foreign land in China, had to live longing for their homeland, focusing on their daily lives, memories, and voices that have not been forgotten even after the war."

The exhibition is free of charge, and participation in the accompanying programs is also free upon prior reservation. Detailed schedules and application methods will be announced on the museum's website after the exhibition opens.

Photo exhibition poster of An Sehong titled "Names Engraved in the Back Alley".

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.