An Evening and the Han River After the Rain

The day after the loud, crashing rain poured down, under the scorching blaze of the sun that replaced the rain, the sky was so clear and beautiful, as if mocking the world.

After finishing work, I rushed out of the office and struggled to get to the Han River as quickly as possible, but the heavy streets of Seoul, crowded with people and vehicles packed in like crates, did not allow freedom of movement.

Inside the car, I was in anguish, watching with a heavy heart as the golden sunset wilted away.

A nighttime view from the southern end of Banpo Bridge in Seoul, looking north. The lights of vehicles along Gangbyeonbuk-ro stretch into long reflections on the Han River, while streetlights and car trails create dynamic streaks over the dark water. In the distance, Namsan Tower rises faintly against the night sky.

I like the center.
Not leaning to either side—and sometimes, only once in a while, leaning slightly this way or that—that kind of taste.

But now, the bridge that would hold such balance must be too dangerous, right?

Sweating profusely, I hurried along to Banpo Bridge. The beautiful sunset had already passed…

A nighttime view from atop Banpo Bridge in Seoul, looking west toward the riverside areas of Yeouido and Yongsan. Under the dark sky, city lights stretch along the riverbank, shimmering on the water’s surface. A faint golden afterglow lingers near the horizon, and the silhouette of the 63 Building in Yeouido stands in the distance.

And yet—

The traces of the sunset mixed with the clouds and the sky, and the clumsy decorations humans have arranged upon the earth.
Is this truly nature?

I had always thought that only mountains, seas, fields, trees, and rivers were nature. But seeing this scene, I thought: could this also be nature?

That enormous 63 Building looks like a piece of a broken toothpick.
Beneath the sky…

A nighttime view from the middle of Banpo Bridge in Seoul, looking northeast. Car lights and streetlamps along Gangbyeonbuk-ro cast long reflections on the surface of the Han River. On the right side of the frame, part of Hannam Bridge appears as a silhouette against the darkness. The blend of city lights and flowing traffic captures the vibrant energy of Seoul at night.

The Gangbyeonbuk-ro and a part of Hannam Bridge.

The river during the day is beautiful, but the river at night is beautiful because of the lights…
Is this nature? Or could it be that moonlight alone would be beautiful enough?

A nighttime view from Banpo Bridge in Seoul, looking northeast. Under the dark night sky, rows of car lights and streetlamps along Gangbyeonbuk-ro stretch into long reflections on the surface of the Han River. In the distance, city lights from the Seobinggo and Hannam-dong areas form the backdrop.

The fast-moving vehicles. And the line across the water, as if cut with a blade. Where the light is, it is human work. Where there is no light, it is the realm of God? At some point, humans began to draw a line between their domain and that of the divine.

*** 

Hurriedly!
I came running out and took these photos without a tripod. Since I couldn’t use a long exposure, the photos are a mess. Please forgive me—the meager mischief of a novice amateur.



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