Taiwan falls for Korean-style ‘Life’s four cuts’ photobooths

You mighthave noticed a rising tide of novelty photobooths on Taiwan’s streets. The new style of photobooth is an import from South Korea. These machines offer a simple selection of four photos, printed as soon as you can say “cheese.” While they’re mostly catering to students, a significant number of older people also pop into the booths - to enjoy some nostalgia, or mark a special day out on the town. We spoke to some photobooth fans and business owners, to uncover the appeal of the trend.

Two young women strike a cheeky pose for the camera. But this is not a photography studio – it’s a roadside photobooth.

The photos are snapped and printed in less than 30 seconds. Korean-style photobooths like this have mushroomed across Taiwan’s streets in the last few years, buoyed up by the younger market.

Member of public
We went to high school together, but we don’t get to meet up that often, so we came to get a photo to mark the occasion.

Member of public
If you use your phone, you don’t get a physical printout. But you do in the booth, and then you can keep it.

The photobooths give users four group photos on each strip, in a simple, retro style. Spotting a niche in the market, business owners first brought the booths to Taiwan five years ago.

Korean-style photobooth operator
It was just starting to get popular in South Korea when we went there for a vacation. At first we just thought it was fun. Then we realized nobody was doing it in Taiwan, so we found a metal factory and an engineer to write us a program.

The booth operators periodically release new frame styles. They’ve even released frames immortalizing Korean celebrities, with the help of super fans. Apparently, this booth in Taipei’s Xinyi District makes almost NT$100,000 in profits every month.

Lin Yung-chi
FTV reporter
The business has continued to expand, beyond photobooths. They’ve added this series of very cute headbands, as well as these comedy glasses and hats in the shape of plush toys, for customers to choose from. They’ve even added a makeup table in the booth.

Another operator offers a wealth of accessories to choose from, as well as options to take photos suitable for official documents, or photos with exciting digital backgrounds.

Korean-style photobooth store manager
The proportion is probably 80% students, 10% office workers, and the other 10% nostalgia. Because in Taiwan in the old days we used to have head-and-shoulders photos, and people want to reminisce about their youth.

Many older customers are remembering the Japanese-style photos that were common decades ago. The new Korean-style booths don’t have the same appeal exactly, but both provide a chance to capture a special day out for posterity.