South Korea, with its craggy hills, gnarled trees and ancient temples, is steeped in tradition yet is thoroughly modern - the tenth-ranking industrial power in the world. Seoul is one of the most populous cities in the world and home to such cutting-edge buildings as the Samsung Tower Palace.The beautiful landscape and day-to-day details of life in South Korea are depicted here in images taken by the photographers of Magnum - the famed cooperative whose members are among the greatest photographers of our time. Here we see a rich culture that both respects a dynamic cultural history and celebrates the latest trends in fashion, technology and architecture. These extraordinary photographs are set in their historical context by an insightful text by historian Bruce Cumings.