Jeonbuk Life 2018-1 Spring

Photography
Cherry Blossoms:
A symbol of renewal and regret
Words byDianne Pineda-Kim
Photos bySeong Jin Kim, Sewon Jun, and Umesh Sampath
Seong Jin Kim
As this natural wonder blooms,
its beauty evokes a sense of
joy and profound sadness
Sewon Jun
As the temperature suddenly soars and
the last tail of the cold ends, a pretty shade of pink
explodes from the common to the most obscure
places: on the sidewalks, highways, mountains, and several
open spaces. In the city, a stark contrast between the drab,
heavy gray colors of the skyscrapers and the bright, cheery
hues signal one thing—Spring is finally here, and so are the
beautiful cherry blossoms that come with it.
Umesh Sampath
Spring is the season where a sense of renewal and hope is
felt. It’s the time when everyone starts to stow away their
heavy clothing just as lightness begins to replace their heavy
moods. More than the overwhelming feeling of joy that the
cherry blossoms evokes, its ephemeral beauty also reflects an
expression of life, death, and renewal. In a short span of one or
two weeks, the petals will fall and all the white and pink hues
will turn to green. This phenomenon reminds us that cherry
blossoms are just like life—we should cherish and make the
most out of it while it lasts.
Here, photographers attempt to immortalize and interpret
Spring’s fleeting yet memorable time.