Friendship Portrait Experience in Seoul by 9 Studio

A Seoul photo studio can turn a trip with friends into something more lasting than another phone snapshot. At 9 Studio, near Apgujeong Station, you get a guided portrait session in a Korean style, with room for a group of up to 30 or a single-person shoot.

I like two things here: the studio can handle a genuinely large group, and the session includes clear direction to help you feel at ease in front of the camera. You also get five digital photos, so the result is more than a quick pose and a receipt.

The main consideration is the extras. Hair, makeup, accessories, and outfits are not included, and wedding clothes have substantial rental fees. You should also allow up to a month for your five digital photos to arrive.

Key points before you book

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• A group-friendly studio: The space can accommodate up to 30 people, a useful option for friends or family traveling together.
• A guided session, not just a camera appointment: The team explains what to pay attention to and encourages you during the shoot, which can help if posing feels awkward.
• Five digital photos are included: Choose photos during the 1 to 1.5-hour session, then expect delivery within one month.
• Solo portraits are welcome: You do not need a group to make this experience worthwhile; a professional portrait can be a personal souvenir.
• Styling costs extra: Hair, makeup, accessories, and outfits are not included. Wedding dress and tuxedo rentals are separately priced.
• Check the final price: The supplied price details differ, showing a starting price of US$146.15 in one place and US$160.75 in another.

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A Korean-style portrait session in Gangnam

This is a practical way to bring home a different sort of Seoul souvenir. Rather than buying another item to pack, you leave with professional portraits that record who you traveled with and what this moment in your life looked like.

The studio is at G/F 25 Dosan-daero 27-gil in Gangnam-gu, a short walk from Apgujeong Station Exit 4 on Line 3. The central location makes it fairly easy to fit the appointment into a day in Seoul, though getting there is your responsibility. Transportation to the meeting point is not included.

The experience is described as Korean-style photography, but no specific backdrops, poses, or wardrobe are promised as part of the base package. Think of this as a professional studio shoot with guided posing, rather than a fully styled costume experience included in the price.

That distinction matters when you are comparing photo studios. If you mainly want a polished portrait with a friend or partner, the base session may suit you. If you have a particular look in mind, plan ahead and ask about styling and rental costs before booking.

The first few minutes: getting comfortable on camera

A studio portrait can feel odd at first, especially if you are used to taking casual phone pictures rather than holding a pose for a photographer. The useful part here is the guidance: the team explains details to watch during the shoot and offers encouragement as you get started.

That patient approach is especially helpful for a group. With several people, it can take a moment to settle into the process, and clear direction can keep the session moving. If you are shy, you do not need to arrive as a natural poser. One practical tip from someone who found the start a little nerve-racking is to practice smiling before you go.

A little preparation can make the session more relaxed. Decide in advance whether you want a formal portrait, a playful group picture, or a mix, and tell the team what you hope to get from the shoot. The available information does not promise a particular number of poses or setups, so keep your request realistic and ask about options when you arrive.

The shoot: from a solo portrait to a group of 30

The studio can accommodate up to 30 people, an unusually useful capacity if you are traveling with a large party. You can make it a shared activity and create a group image that would be hard to organize on the street. Just remember that a large group may need more coordination than a solo portrait, even though the stated session length remains 1 to 1.5 hours.

You can also book alone. A professional portrait gives you a lasting record of your time in Seoul and can work as a profile photo or a personal keepsake. The experience does not require you to bring friends along, which makes it a flexible option for solo visitors.

The staff’s guidance is part of the value. The photo team is described as professional and patient, with clear instructions about what to pay attention to during the shoot. That can be the difference between feeling stiff and settling into the session, though no photographer names are provided.

The session includes photo selection, so you are not simply shown the door when the camera work ends. The full appointment is listed as 1 to 1.5 hours, including that selection step. Leave enough room in your schedule for the longer end of the estimate, particularly if you are coordinating a group.

Five digital photos, with a month for delivery

The package includes five digital photos, delivered within one month. That is a reasonable keepsake allowance if you want a small set of polished images, but it is not a large digital gallery. If you expect to want many different combinations or portraits, ask about the cost of additional edited images before the shoot.

The stated extra-photo prices are KRW 110,000 per person for original photos and KRW 33,000 per edited photo. These are separate charges, so clarify exactly what you are buying and how the studio defines each option. Five digital photos are included, but the details provided do not specify their editing level.

Some customers have received their photos quickly, but the stated delivery window is within one month. I would plan around that formal timeframe rather than count on an earlier delivery, especially if you hope to share the pictures for a particular event or date.

Styling and rental costs to weigh

The base experience does not include hairstyling, makeup, accessories, or outfits. You can add some services for a fee, but makeup needs to be reserved in advance. Hair design services are not part of the package, so check what can be arranged before you arrive rather than assuming the studio will provide a complete makeover.

Wedding dress and tuxedo rentals have specific listed prices: KRW 220,000 for a wedding dress and KRW 110,000 for a tuxedo. Those costs can change the value calculation considerably. If formal wear is the reason you are booking, compare the full cost of the session, clothing rental, and any styling you want with other studio options.

For a simpler portrait, you may not need extras at all. A group in coordinated everyday clothes can still make a strong memento, and avoiding rentals keeps the total down. The key is to decide whether you are paying for photography alone or for a more elaborate styled session.

What the price buys, and what it does not

The price information supplied for this experience is not consistent: one figure starts at US$146.15, while another gives US$160.75. Treat those as guide prices, not a guaranteed final total, and check the amount shown for your date and group before paying.

At its base, the value rests on a professional shoot, staff guidance, photo selection, and five digital images. For a group, the ability to include as many as 30 people can make the shared experience more appealing than paying separately for individual sessions elsewhere. For one person, the value is more personal: you are paying for a directed portrait rather than a casual snapshot.

Extras can quickly shift the economics. If you add wedding clothes, makeup, accessories, or multiple edited photos, the total can rise well beyond the starting price. Ask for a clear breakdown before choosing add-ons, and decide how many finished images you truly need.

The strongest reason to book is not simply that the photos are professional. It is the chance to mark a trip with an image that includes the people who made it memorable, or to leave Seoul with a portrait that feels more considered than a selfie.

Timing, meeting point, and the outdoor-shoot question

The studio is open from 09:30 to 19:00, with last admission at 17:30. You need to choose your preferred meeting time during checkout. The voucher is valid only on the date specified, and you should present the mobile voucher at the appointment.

The meeting point is Exit 4 of Apgujeong Station on Line 3. The studio address is G/F 25 Dosan-daero 27-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Since transportation is not included, make your own way there and leave enough time to find the address.

The experience information also mentions an outdoor photo shoot, but does not explain whether it is included in the standard studio session, where it takes place, or how long it lasts. If outdoor images are important to you, confirm those details before booking rather than assuming the base package includes a separate street session.

Changes are allowed until 14 days before the activity, with some booking types excluded. A full refund is available if you cancel at least 14 days before the activity date, using destination local time. Check the specific terms attached to your booking before making plans around that deadline.

Who will get the most from this session

This is a good fit for friends who want a shared activity and a lasting record of the trip, particularly if you have a large group that is difficult to photograph together. It also suits couples, families, or solo visitors who want a professional portrait and are comfortable setting aside around 90 minutes.

It is less appealing if you want a fully styled shoot at the base price, need your images immediately, or are trying to keep every cost low. The extras are optional, but the clothing and additional-image fees are worth checking carefully if you have a specific result in mind.

I would book it for the experience of making a portrait together, not just for the five files. Go in with a simple idea of what you want, practice a smile if you feel self-conscious, and confirm the total price and photo delivery details before your appointment.

FAQ

Where is 9 Studio?

The studio is at G/F 25 Dosan-daero 27-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. The meeting point is Exit 4 of Apgujeong Station on Line 3.

How long does the photography session take?

The studio session takes 1 to 1.5 hours, including photo selection.

How many people can join?

The studio can accommodate up to 30 people.

Can I book a session by myself?

Yes. The experience is suitable for a solo portrait as well as a session with friends.

How many digital photos are included?

The package includes five digital photos, delivered within one month.

Are hair and makeup included?

No. Hairstyling and makeup are not included. Makeup service must be reserved in advance.

Are outfits included in the price?

No. Outfits are not included. Wedding dress rental costs KRW 220,000, and tuxedo rental costs KRW 110,000.

What do additional photos cost?

Original photos are listed at KRW 110,000 per person, and edited photos at KRW 33,000 per photo.

What are the studio hours?

The opening hours are 09:30 to 19:00, with last admission at 17:30. You should indicate your preferred meeting time when booking.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 14 days before the activity date, using destination local time.