At 20, Alex Kim roamed the world with just a camera. Brief encounters and fleeting moments  filled his lens. One day, he won an award from National Geographic, not as a grand achievement, 

 but as a milestone along the way.

Time passed, and in 2011, Alex traveled to the Himalayas. As a photographer with the Latok expedition, he met Yousuf, a porter who worked quietly but diligently. Yousuf’s presence, sometimes like the wind, sometimes like stone, intrigued Alex. After the expedition, Alex visited Yousuf’s village, Surungo, where he found a cold, barren classroom. Children sat on the floor, tracing letters with their fingers, without books or a teacher. Yet their eyes burned with determination, 

leaving a deep impact on Alex.


Skardu,massur rock in 2024


On the way to Latok-1 in 2012

 2024, Surongo, Pakistan. alex school

Himalayan snow mountain view in 2012

2024, Surongo, Pakistan. Stella

Hope at 3,000 Meters: 

Alex Kim and the School of Dreams

Surungo Village, nestled in the Karakoram Mountains on the western side of the Himalayas, sits 3,000 meters above sea level, cut off from most modern conveniences. The village’s only pride is its elementary school. Despite its short 13-year history, the school is the sole beacon of hope, especially for the children. Running this school is none other than Alex Kim from Korea. When he first arrived, the school was just a name—there were no teachers.

Surungo Village, nestled in the Karakoram Mountains on the western side of the Himalayas, sits 3,000 meters above sea level, cut off from most modern conveniences. The village’s only pride is its elementary school. Despite its short 13-year history, the school is the sole beacon of hope, especially for the children. Running this school is none other than Alex Kim from Korea. When he first arrived, the school was just a name—there were no teachers.

Career

Alex Kim


2012.07 National Geographic People Section Excellence Award

2012.03 Be Happy Like a Child published. Kyobo Bookstore Comprehensive Bestseller 6th place Hot New Book 1st place

2014.08 Be Happy Like a Child Published

2014.09 Michael Jackson Family Publishing Commemorative Event Visit to Korea

Alex Kim Surong High School Alex Kim School Video Participation

Background Music Section Genevieve Jackson Collaboration Work

2015~6 MBC Sports Baseball Broadcasting Photo Collaboration

2018.04~12 Jeju 'Elderly Longevity Filial Piety Photo Sharing Project' Project Progress

2019.09 SK Telink Barun Phone Business Collaboration Work

2019.11 Appearance on KCTV Jeju Broadcasting Special Project 'FACE OF JEJU'

2021.5.6 SK Broadband Wisdom Donation Broadcast Lecture

2022.7.22 KBS-1TV Documentary On 'My Friend Alex'

2022.08.17 Busan KBS 7 o'clock News [Bold K] Volunteer in a remote village in Pakistan... Photographer ‘Alex Kim’

2022.12.01 Busan KBS Lively Today People and the World Busan Life through the Lens Photographer Alex Kim

2023.01.09 KBS Network Co-planning Cultural Sketch Appearance

2023.06.25~29 Trip in Korea 5-channel cable co-production 20-minute 5-part series

2024.07.15~18 EBS World Theme Travel Camera Mego Walk Around Pakistan, - How to Steal Pakistan with Photos

Main Lecture_ Companies/Organizations

2014.03 Hyosung Good Springs New Employee Lecture

2014 Benjamin Inseong Gifted School (Alternative School) Mentoring Lecture

2016.01~10 Son Mina Travel School

2016.05 Lecture for Jimboree Employees

2019.11 Seoul City Library Travel Photography Lecture

2019.12 SK Telink Employees and Team Leaders Lecture

2020.01 HP Korea Hewlett Packard Lecture

2021.09.08 Gyeonggi Journalists Club Lecture

2021.03 Hanyang University International Graduate School Global Social Economics Department Special Lecture

2021.07 Busan Office of Education Busan Middle and High School Career Teachers Lecture

2022.09.22 Bupyeong-gu Office Bupyeong Cultural Center Citizen Culture Special


At 20, Alex Kim roamed the world with just a camera.

 Brief encounters and fleeting moments  filled his lens. 

One day, he won an award from National Geographic, not as a grand achievement,  

but as a milestone along the way.

Time passed, and in 2011, Alex traveled to the Himalayas. As a photographer with the Latok expedition, he met Yousuf, a porter who worked quietly but diligently. Yousuf’s presence, sometimes like the wind, sometimes like stone, intrigued Alex. After the expedition, Alex visited Yousuf’s village, Surungo, where he found a cold, barren classroom. Children sat on the floor, tracing letters with their fingers, without books or a teacher. Yet their eyes burned with determination, leaving a deep impact on Alex.

In that moment, Alex said without thinking, "I'll send a teacher’s salary every month. Please keep the school going." That promise changed his life. For 13 years now, he's kept it. He still lives in a small, old rented room, but children in distant Surungo learn to read thanks to his monthly support. Every time he thinks of it, he feels deeply connected to that village, as if life is quietly bound by a thin thread. It may one day break, but for now, it holds, strengthened by 13 years of commitment.


              Skardu,massur rock in 2024


                    On the way to Latok-1 in 2012


             Himalayan snow mountain view in 2012


              Himalayan snow mountain view in 2012


               Surungo School Overview in 2023


             Surung High School students group 2011

Hope at 3,000 Meters: Alex Kim and the School of Dreams


Surungo Village, nestled in the Karakoram Mountains on the western side of the Himalayas, sits 3,000 meters above sea level, cut off from most modern conveniences. The village’s only pride is its elementary school. Despite its short 13-year history, the school is the sole beacon of hope, especially for the children. Running this school is none other than Alex Kim from Korea. When he first arrived, the school was just a name—there were no teachers.

There’s a photographer who loves traveling and taking beautiful pictures. But he doesn't just take photos; he also wants to help children he meets. With the money he earns from selling his pictures, he builds schools and gives books and supplies to the kids. This way, more children can study and chase their dreams. He’s not only capturing the beauty of the world but also giving a wonderful gift to the kids he meets on his journey!

Career

Alex Kim


2012.07 National Geographic People Section Excellence Award

2012.03 Be Happy Like a Child published. Kyobo Bookstore Comprehensive Bestseller 6th place Hot New Book 1st place

2014.08 Be Happy Like a Child Published

2014.09 Michael Jackson Family Publishing Commemorative Event Visit to Korea

Alex Kim Surong High School Alex Kim School Video Participation

Background Music Section Genevieve Jackson Collaboration Work

2015~6 MBC Sports Baseball Broadcasting Photo Collaboration

2018.04~12 Jeju 'Elderly Longevity Filial Piety Photo Sharing Project' Project Progress

2019.09 SK Telink Barun Phone Business Collaboration Work

2019.11 Appearance on KCTV Jeju Broadcasting Special Project 'FACE OF JEJU'

2021.5.6 SK Broadband Wisdom Donation Broadcast Lecture

2022.7.22 KBS-1TV Documentary On 'My Friend Alex'

2022.08.17 Busan KBS 7 o'clock News [Bold K] Volunteer in a remote village in Pakistan... Photographer ‘Alex Kim’

2022.12.01 Busan KBS Lively Today People and the World Busan Life through the Lens Photographer Alex Kim

2023.01.09 KBS Network Co-planning Cultural Sketch Appearance

2023.06.25~29 Trip in Korea 5-channel cable co-production 20-minute 5-part series

2024.07.15~18 EBS World Theme Travel Camera Mego Walk Around Pakistan, - How to Steal Pakistan with Photos

Main Lecture_ Companies/Organizations

2014.03 Hyosung Good Springs New Employee Lecture

2014 Benjamin Inseong Gifted School (Alternative School) Mentoring Lecture

2016.01~10 Son Mina Travel School

2016.05 Lecture for Jimboree Employees

2019.11 Seoul City Library Travel Photography Lecture

2019.12 SK Telink Employees and Team Leaders Lecture

2020.01 HP Korea Hewlett Packard Lecture

2021.09.08 Gyeonggi Journalists Club Lecture

2021.03 Hanyang University International Graduate School Global Social Economics Department Special Lecture

2021.07 Busan Office of Education Busan Middle and High School Career Teachers Lecture

2022.09.22 Bupyeong-gu Office Bupyeong Cultural Center Citizen Culture Special