If you are a tourist, you’ll probably visit beautiful attractions during your stay in Korea.
If you are a resident, you’ll experience all four seasons and enjoy the colorful scenery throughout the year.
No matter who you are, taking photos and videos is an essential part of capturing the moments that move you.
But here’s something many non-Koreans don’t realize:
👉 In Korea, taking photos/videos of people’s faces without permission or posting them online can be both culturally inappropriate and legally problematic.
A well-known example is when a Western influencer filmed a Korean soldier and uploaded the video to Instagram. Even though she simply commented that he was handsome, the video received heavy criticism from many Koreans.
This was not because of what she said, but because she filmed his face without his consent and posted it publicly.
Because this is a cultural and social difference, many non-Koreans may not be aware of it.
So to help you avoid any awkward or legal issues, here are the etiquette rules and hidden norms you must know before filming or uploading photos/videos in Korea!
Why You Should Be Careful When Taking Photos of People in Korea
Many Koreans feel uncomfortable with their faces appearing online without permission. This comes from a strong cultural emphasis on identity protection and privacy.
Korea has very interconnected online ecosystems. With just a single clear photo, a person’s workplace, school, and personal details can sometimes be identified quickly. Because of this risk, Koreans tend to be very protective of their facial images.
Korean Laws & Court Rulings You Should Know (2026)
Understanding Korea’s Portrait Rights (“초상권, Cho-sang-gwon”)
“Portrait rights” refer to the right not to have your face, body, or identifiable characteristics photographed or disclosed without your consent.
Although Korea does not have a single, dedicated “portrait rights law,” portrait rights are strongly protected as a personal right under civil law through long-standing Supreme Court precedents.
In short, Korean society values protecting personal identity and reputation highly, sometimes even more strongly than freedom of expression in this context.
Your face in a photo or video is considered a form of personal information.
Is Taking Someone’s Face Without Permission Illegal?
Accidentally capturing someone in the background is not immediately illegal.
However, intentionally photographing and storing a clearly identifiable face can be considered a violation of portrait rights..
For example, if you visit Gyeongbokgung Palace and film a Korean wearing hanbok because you found them interesting, that may cause an issue if their face is clearly shown.
If someone asks you not to film them and you continue, it can definitely lead to legal consequences.
Is Posting Someone’s Face Without Permission Illegal?
Yes. This is where problems usually occur.
If you post someone’s face on social media without consent, they can ask you to delete it due to portrait rights infringement.
If you refuse, they may claim damages.
If the content generates profit (YouTube, TikTok, brand deals, etc.), it may additionally violate publicity rights, which can result in even greater liability.
Many foreigners assume that “public places are free to film.”
But in Korea, courts have ruled that if identifiable faces are used for commercial or intentional purposes, it can be considered a violation of portrait rights, even if the footage was taken in public places.
So don’t assume people on the street are automatically “okay” to film!
Practical Etiquette: How to Take Photos Safely in Korea
So how do you get out of this legal and cultural trouble when filming in Korea? Follow these simple rules and you’ll be safe!
When It’s Okay
- Shooting from a distance where no one’s face is recognizable
- Crowd shots showing only the back of people’s heads
- Street scenes, building exteriors, and cafe exteriors
- Food/product photos or interior designs
In short, it is relatively safe if no one’s face is identifiable.
When It’s NOT Okay
- When one or two people’s faces are clearly visible
- Filming students or children
- Filming cafe workers, store staff, or employees
- Filming indoors when customers’ faces appear
In particular, there may be Koreans who make gestures to cover their face when you’re filming videos such as vlogs, or even when you’re just on a video call.
This is not because you are a foreigner, but simply because you are someone who is recording.
This uncomfortable situation also often happens between Koreans when filming vlogs or videos, and even when taking selfies. So it’s better to adjust the camera angle in advance.
When you must ask for permission
- When you shoot vlogs at cafes and restaurants
- When you are filming the inside of a cafe and restaurant
- When there’s a chance that someone’s face will appear clearly on the screen
(If you’d like, I can also make a separate post on related Korean expressions!)
What to Do If You Accidentally Filmed Someone’s Face or Uploaded it
If other people’s faces are already in your photos and videos, the general rule is to delete them.
However, completely deleting everything is difficult, and even Koreans don’t do that perfectly.
Delete immediately if requested
If the person in your video contacts you and expresses discomfort, you have to delete it or blur it as soon as possible.
Whether you delete or blur can depend on what the person prefers, so you can kindly ask what (s)he would like to do.
You may lose one piece of content, but that is still much better than getting into a legal dispute later.
When problems can escalate into legal claims
Strictly speaking, refusing a person’s request regarding portrait rights infringement or intentionally filming someone without consent can lead to legal disputes and claims for compensation.
In other words, you can get involved in civil lawsuits in Korea if you ignore these issues.
💡Summary: The Do & Don’t Checklist
DO
- Ask permission before filming at a restaurant or cafe
- Make sure to blur the human faces before posting
- Double-check your content before uploading to social media (so you don’t lose your precious content later!)
- Respond to deletion requests immediately
DON’T
- Filming people recklessly without consent
- Filming inside the store without permission
- Upload videos that show other people’s faces on social media
- Exposing the face of a child or employee
Conclusion: Korea Welcomes You — Just Respect Privacy 😊
Korea is a safe and kind country, but at the same time, it is a society that values personal information and privacy.
Protecting others’ faces is a basic courtesy in Korea, whether you’re a traveler or a long-term resident.
In short, Respecting privacy = Respecting culture.
With just a little more care, your photography and filming experience in Korea will be much more enjoyable and safer! 🇰🇷✨
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