MALVIE Magazine x Minhee: The Face of Generation Next

Magazine Feature

Minhee is on the cover of MALVIE Magazine’s June 2025 issue and it means the world to share this with you. The editorial, titled Generation Next, couldn’t be more fitting. We photographed the entire story at Seoul’s iconic Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), and the magazine also features a full interview with Minhee. Her energy, her perspective, her quiet strength, and her natural curiosity shine through every page. Everything I witnessed during our shoot, you’ll see and feel in her words and presence.

Some shoots stay with you. Not because of the location or the clothes, but because of the connection. That’s what this was. Photographing Minhee at the DDP was one of those moments. There was a rhythm to it. Her movements mirrored the space. Strong lines. Gentle shifts. And her laugh just floating into the silence. It was effortless. Honest.

What makes Minhee so special is how she brings her full self into it. She works in blockchain tech, which might seem worlds away from modeling, but you can feel that same spark of curiosity in how she approaches a shoot. She’s thoughtful. She notices things. She listens.

We moved inside next. The white hallway at DDP always feels a little surreal. Endless. Glowing. Soft. Black dots scattered across the walls. It’s a space that invites stillness and play all at once. Minhee leaned right into that. Her black outfit cut through the brightness like ink on paper. This part of the shoot felt more introspective. More quiet. But no less alive. We played with space. Light. Reflection. The mood shifted, but the connection stayed. She gave so much with so little. That’s the magic.

Shoots like this remind me why I do what I do. It’s not just about styling or scenery. It’s about trust. It’s about creating a space where someone can just be. And then capturing the moment when everything aligns.

The MALVIE feature, Generation Next, feels like a celebration of that. Of Minhee. Of what’s coming next in fashion and beyond. She brought her story, her energy, her culture, and her joy. I just had the honor of photographing it.

And I’m so glad I did.

The Interview

Paul, what inspired this photoshoot, and what made it feel special for you as the photographer?

This shoot was inspired by the idea of modern elegance rooted in Korean design and the spirit of Generation Next: a celebration of rising talent shaping the future of fashion. We wanted to create an editorial that felt futuristic while remaining grounded in a sense of place. Shooting with Minhee in Seoul, Korea at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) brought that vision to life. Her presence, the reflective surfaces, and the play of natural and artificial light all combined to create something distinctive and intentional. What made it truly special was the collaboration, as we co-created a moment that speaks to where fashion is going next.

Minhee, what does fashion mean to you beyond the clothes themselves?

Fashion, for me, is a way of stepping outside my comfort zone. I’ve never considered myself naturally gifted at styling, so learning how to express myself through fashion has been a challenge. But also a joy. Every shoot is a chance to discover new sides of myself. In this editorial, wearing a bold black bodysuit paired with sheer tights and an oversized denim jacket, I felt both strong and free. It amazes me how a change in styling or silhouette can transform not just how I look, but how I feel. Fashion lets me grow into new versions of myself.

Paul, how did Minhee bring something unique to this shoot?

Minhee has a quiet strength and a thoughtful approach to posing that truly elevated the shoot. She understood the contrast between softness and structure we were exploring and leaned into it with poise. Whether standing against the silvery panels of the DDP, moving through its open corridors, or framed in tight architectural angles, she created a calm tension that worked beautifully with the setting. She brought grace and a quiet confidence that translated so well on camera.

Minhee, what do you hope people feel when they see your photos from this editorial?

I hope they feel the harmony between the space, the styling, and the emotion. The DDP has such a unique architectural presence, and I tried to match that with poses that felt elegant yet relaxed. Whether leaning back against a curved steel wall or lit from within a narrow corridor, I wanted each image to feel intentional but unforced. I hope my expressions come across as natural and real. Paul made that easier by creating an environment where I didn’t have to overthink. I just had to be present.

Paul, you have an upcoming photo book, Fashion and Editorial Photography: Sixteen Tales From Around The World. How does this photoshoot fit into that larger project?

This shoot with Minhee will be one of two chapters in the photo book that represent Korea. The project spans sixteen stories across eight cities, capturing the relationship between fashion, setting, and creative collaboration. For the Seoul chapters, I wanted to highlight both the rich tradition and bold modernity of Korean style. Minhee’s shoot at DDP felt like a perfect encapsulation of that vision. Her look, minimalist yet striking, interacted powerfully with the futuristic lines of the space. Together, they tell a story of a new generation stepping confidently into their own.

Minhee, where do you see your modeling journey taking you in the next few years?

Modeling has been a dream of mine. Even when the path feels uncertain or slow, I remind myself that it’s okay to keep growing at my own pace. My short-term goal is to join my dream agency and gain more experience in commercial shoots. While I plan to pursue a career aligned with my major, I also want to give this dream the dedication it deserves right now, while I have the passion, energy, and momentum to see how far it can take me. Being part of shoots like this one, where I can fully express myself and contribute to something visually meaningful, keeps me inspired to move forward.