This article explores the photo-documentation series ‘Boys of Seoul’ by Lindsay Ryklief, featuring non-mainstream representations of Korean men who are not widely seen in the media. I extend the conversation onto talking about diverse representations of masculinity.

Predominantly strength and vulnerability are understood as opposites. In the popular portrayal of masculinity, these two elements are not seen as compatible but as mutually exclusive. This singular representation of masculine embodiment becomes a restrictive guideline and projects a sole mode of being onto those identifying as men. The positioning of masculinity as the compulsory norm men must conform to thereby regards femininity as its weaker counterpart. Through socialized understandings of masculinity, men withhold the most control in a given society. However, this also deems their status the most insecure, as to protect this image, they must constantly perform to prove their adequacy with masculinity. Suppressing femininity in favor of the push for a singular representation of masculinity protects the status quo and simultaneously weakens our agency over our self-expression. Consequently, social existence transforms into a series of performances set by the gender binary.

With the ongoing work by feminist writers and the impacts of these sources on popular media, the constraints of masculinity begin to break. We increasingly begin to recognize the absurdity of performing to strict presentation standards. Boundaries of how men should express themselves, such as in their dress conduct or their relationships with each other, are questioned today. The space of how one can convey themselves can be suffocating for those who identify at a cross-section of multiple under-represented identities, such as people of color. While there lacks a diverse and healthy portrayal of masculinity, Western culture is still centered in our media today, causing non-Western individuals to find themselves in the space as the ‘other’. Due to the under-representation of men of color, the frame in which they are allowed to exist is often constrictive. Though we are born into these social standards, we learn that we have the choice to reject them and pursue a future that is inclusive to all individuals with the constrictive notions of masculinity lifted.

In the digital age, our exposure to images strongly influences what we perceive as our ‘norm’, meaning the media must broaden itself to produce an inclusive representation for all people. Artists find themselves in a position where they grow from demanding visibility to becoming those who create it. As such, creation becomes utilized as a tool for empowerment, carrying forth unheard stories. This is especially prominent in the work of Lindsay Ryklief, the South African-born photographer currently based in South Korea.

His photo series ‘Boys of Seoul’ is renowned for highlighting extensive documentation of Korean men captured in an alternative, raw and vulnerable way. Ryklief’s photo-documentary style of photography aims to represent forms of Asian masculinity and beauty unseen in mainstream culture. His work magnifies layers of vulnerability and strength, aiming to showcase a new narrative on masculinity where vulnerability and strength are not polarized at two opposite ends but as two coexisting forces. The photo-documentation work invites us to view captured joy and individual spirits. With the rejection of a singular frame of masculinity, Ryklief pours the soul of his models into his images, introducing us to multiple forms of self-expression and, importantly, teaching us how to honor our community.

‘Boys of Seoul’ challenges the dominant portrayal of masculinity that positions men who possess traditional ideas of success and are emotionally stoic as the ideal man. Instead, the photos present honest yet joyful, close friendships between men. Ryklief brings light into subcultures and rejected communities, including Queer men. This broadens the space of visibility and celebrates the existence of multiple overshadowed communities. Through challenging pre-determined assumptions about femininity and masculinity, the heteronormative structure is disrupted. The poetic approach empowers the artist while uplifting others to do the same. Overwhelmingly, the representation of Asian people in popular media is selective and generates a constrained idea of who an Asian person is. Projects celebrating diverse identities open the potential to empower individuals to embody their identities.

The celebration of K-Pop is monumental, yet simultaneously is a restrictive presentation of Asian men. By widening the scope of visibility, Ryklief challenges the predominant imaginings of Asian men in favor of honoring their unique spirits. The binary lines between femininity and masculinity become blurred with widespread connotations about individuals challenged. For example, he enjoys photographing men in tattoos in a manner that introduces a softness to their bold exterior, breaking down traditional ideas about men in tattoos. We are introduced to a world where boys begin to toss aside conventional ideas of fragility.

‘Boys of Seoul’ sends out this message - the embodiment of masculinity does not have to reject femininity. By embracing ourselves, we can also uplift those around us.

Instagram
@ligrye
@boysofseoul

Article by Kairui Cheng, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Alexa Dyer, Graphic Design Coordinator, PhotoBook Magazine
Photo references
Ryklief, L. (n.d.). Boys of Seoul. LIGRYE. Retrieved March 9, 2023, from https://ligrye.com/.
Ryklief, L. (n.d.). Boys of Seoul. Instagram. Retrieved March 9, 2023, from https://www.instagram.com/boysofseoul/.

'Boys of Seoul - Breaking The Barriers of Masculinity'