Photography

I have come to realize that the concept of “family” does not always conform to traditional or widely held assumptions. When meeting someone for the first time, I rarely explain the details of my family background. As a result, people often speak to me as if my family members live together in the same household. Each time, I feel a subtle sense of dissonance but usually choose not to correct them. These experiences have led me to reflect on how society perceives the idea of family—and how that perception might differ from reality.

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Growing up, I often enjoyed spending time alone, and as such, I rarely shared meals at the family table. I vividly remember visiting a friend’s house and seeing their entire family laughing together around the dinner table. That moment sparked a quiet but powerful question within me: What truly defines a family?

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This question soon merged with a larger theme—What is love?—and led me to think deeply about the diversity of relationships and family structures in today’s society. In particular, I became interested in the experiences of children who are often described as the “fruits of love” between two parents. What happens when that love disappears or falls apart? How do those children feel? How do they continue to live and make sense of their existence?

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In today’s world, where divorce has become increasingly common, I believe it’s important to acknowledge the emotional complexity this reality brings. While divorce can be a necessary and even healthy choice for couples, I cannot help but think about the children who are caught in the aftermath—left to navigate the emotional echoes of love that once was. There’s something deeply poignant, almost contradictory, about the fact that a life born out of love continues to exist long after that love has vanished.

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Through this exploration, I also became aware of the fragile nature of depending on others for love and emotional security. We cannot control the feelings or actions of others, but we can choose how we respond to our own emotions. I realized that rather than simply hoping to be loved, I needed to develop the courage to love myself. This realization became a turning point in how I view both love and personal agency.

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The title of this work, “Will You Love Yourself for the Rest of Your Life?”, echoes the words traditionally spoken by a pastor at a wedding ceremony. But here, the question is not posed to another person—it is asked inwardly, to oneself. It is an invitation to consider not whether someone else will love you forever, but whether you are willing to commit to loving yourself through all seasons of life.

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This piece explores the fragility of love, the resilience of life, and the importance of self-compassion. It is an expression of the inner conflicts and realizations I have faced while living in a complex modern society. I hope that through this work, viewers might gain a new perspective on the universal longing to love and be loved.