Seolleung photo studio for driver's license photos: Deokseu Gallery

I needed to renew my driver's license, but taking new photos for it was such a hassle that I kept putting it off. Then I had a meetup near Seolleung Station, so I figured I'd finally get it done while I was in the area and looked for a place close to the station. Right at Exit 9 of Seolleung Station, practically a stone's throw away, was Deokseu Gallery, and I finally crossed this homework-like errand off my list.

Where is Deokseu Gallery, and how much do ID photos cost?

Deokseu Gallery is at 401 Teheran-ro, Namgyeong Center Building B1F, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea — by subway, it's in the basement of the Hana Bank building right in front of Seolleung Station Exits 8 and 9. Hours are Monday to Saturday 09:30–19:30, closed Sundays, and also closed on September 25 for Chuseok. Parking is free for 3 hours, and you can book ahead through Naver.

• Review event: passport + driver's license + ID card, 16 prints for ₩30,000
• 15-minute completion with Naver booking
• Free 1:1 custom retouching with Naver booking
• Passport + driver's license prints (8) + files: ₩30,000
• Files only, passport + driver's license prints (8): ₩15,000
• Smartphone photo printing (photo table): ₩1,000–₩5,000
• Art photos (painting-style ₩10,000, 3D ₩30,000): ₩10,000–₩30,000
• ID card prints (8) + files: ₩30,000
• Visa by country: ₩30,000–₩40,000
• Permanent residency by country: ₩30,000–₩40,000
• Half-body profile: ₩50,000
• Job application/ID badge/premium ID photo: ₩50,000
• Profile photo: ₩80,000
• Makeup & hair: ₩80,000–₩100,000
• Family photo: ₩170,000

(Please double-check whether these prices have changed since this post.)

How to get to Deokseu Gallery from Seolleung Station

Finding Deokseu Gallery was really easy. Come out of Exit 9 of Seolleung Station, turn left, and it's in the basement of the Hana Bank building — literally a stone's throw away.

Inside the studio: clean, bright and comfortable

I booked through Naver two days ahead and arrived on time. The bright, clean Deokseu Gallery sign was clearly visible through a wall of glass windows that didn't feel at all like a basement. The interior gave off a proper photo studio vibe from the entrance, so it caught my eye right away.

Framed family photos and profile shots hung on the walls, making it clear right away that this was a real photo studio.

Stepping inside, I was struck by how clean and comfortable the studio felt — a total contrast to a dark, dingy place I'd visited before.

There were several lighting fixtures and reflectors set up to carefully control the light for shooting, which gave me a lot of confidence. The mood of a face and the feel of a photo really can change depending on a single light, which is exactly why celebrities are so particular about it. I remember thinking to myself that I'd picked well.

On top of that, there was a good variety of chairs, and the space was divided into modern, clean sections with different concepts for each wall, so different types of shoots — family photos, personal profiles, and more — could each get the right look. You could tell a lot of thought had gone into bringing out the right feel for each type of photo.

The prep room: mirrors, and outfits you can borrow

Another spot I really liked was the prep area where you can sort out your hair and makeup before shooting — a big mirror lit brightly so you can see everything, with styling tools neatly laid out. There were also clean men's and women's outfits in versatile colors ready to wear, so if you're there for a personal profile or job application photo, you don't even need to worry about what to wear 👍

There were quite a few framed autographed photos from celebrities on the walls. I'm pretty sure that means the photographer at Deokseu Gallery really knows what they're doing.

Below the mirror there was a guide showing photo sizes and background colors alongside sample photos, so I could tell roughly what size I'd be getting.

What the driver's license photo shoot is like: posing and eye-line coaching

There was a hand mirror on the table so I could check my face one more time, and after that it was just a matter of following the photographer's posing instructions. A white table added to the finished look right up to the last detail. I guess I have more posture issues than I realized, because staring straight ahead turned out to be surprisingly hard, and my shoulders kept tensing up haha… the photographer must have had a tough time with me. But they patiently and gently adjusted my eye direction over and over without making me feel any pressure, which let me relax and take the photos comfortably.

Because I'd booked through Naver in advance, I also got the 1:1 custom service, so I picked my favorite shot while looking through the photos together, and they asked me exactly how I wanted it retouched.

Might as well leave a Naver review to get the deal! Passport + driver's license + ID card, 16 prints for ₩30,000 (regularly ₩60,000), plus they can even change the background color. Since mine were for a passport and driver's license, I couldn't add a colored background, but for something like a profile photo, choosing a color that matches your personal color would make the photo pop even more~~~

There's one more perk. If you fill in your details, they'll email you the photo files, and I got mine right away.

I filled out my info and had barely checked KakaoTalk for a moment when I already had my ID photos in hand — just 15 minutes. I'd worried about being late to my meetup, but that worry turned out to be completely unnecessary 😂 Since my whole forehead had to show, I was really self-conscious, but they naturally retouched away the flyaway hairs, and thanks to the careful coaching, I ended up with photos I was really happy with 👍 There's clearly a reason Deokseu Gallery is known as one of the best places in Gangnam for ID photos. I left in a great mood, super satisfied with how the photos turned out, happy with the deal I got from booking through Naver, and happy it was right by the station exit. From now on, my family's photos are all going to Deokseu Gallery~~~~

Is Deokseu Gallery worth it for ID photos in Gangnam?

Deokseu Gallery near Seolleung Station was an ideal space for photo shoots. From outfits to styling to all the supporting equipment needed for shooting, everything was well set up to create a variety of moods for the best possible photo. Rather than just quickly snapping a photo, they coached me carefully and gently throughout, focused on the satisfaction of the person who actually needs the photo, so I could shoot the whole time without any pressure.

Being right in front of Seolleung Station Exits 8 and 9 was a big plus, and finishing in just 15 minutes meant no hassle of having to walk around and come back later. If you're looking for ID photos, profile shots, or family photos in Gangnam, I'd recommend giving Deokseu Gallery near Seolleung Station a visit!