Introducing the cherished moments captured in ‘My Moments with Kia,’ the heritage photo contest commemorating Kia’s 80th anniversary.
Kia held the heritage photo contest ‘My Moments with Kia’ in celebration of its 80th anniversary. Each scene and story shared by participants serves as a vivid record of how Kia has stayed close to everyday life.
Heritage is not created simply by the passage of time. It earns that name only when meaning and experience accumulate over years, enough to be carried into the next generation. Heritage becomes a unique narrative shaped not only by material value but also by the bonds, memories, and spirit formed between a brand and its people. This is why heritage is regarded as an essential asset for any long-standing brand, and Kia has continued to deepen its own meaning over the past 80 years alongside its customers.
‘My Moments with Kia’ was open to everyone through Kia’s official website and Instagram account. Participants captured their moments with Kia through photographs and short writings, and the resulting digital posters were shared on social media to extend their stories. This approach echoes the brand spirit that has accompanied everyday life for decades and underscores Kia’s commitment to being open to everyone, not only to its customers.
Heritage of Kia, Woven into Our Everyday Lives
Kia’s history is closely connected to the development of mobility in Korea. At every key moment, the brand has delivered the mobility solutions society needed. Founded in 1944 as a manufacturer of bicycle parts, Kia began producing bicycles in 1952. In 1961, it moved into engine-powered mobility, starting with motorcycles, followed by three-wheeled trucks in 1962, and expanding into trucks in 1970. In 1974, Kia introduced its first passenger car, the Brisa.
The Brisa played a key role in opening the era of personal car ownership, bringing the dream of mobility freedom to many. The Bongo, introduced in 1980, became a reliable partner for small business owners and self-employed individuals, while also serving as the go-to vehicle for family outings during the large family era. The Pride, debuted in 1987, earned the title of "the people’s car" with its affordable price and excellent fuel efficiency, embodying the youth and spirit of an entire generation.
The Sephia, launched in 1992, was Kia’s first proprietary model, marking the beginning of the compact sedan era. It quickly became a dependable family car for numerous households during the economic boom of the mid-1990s. In 1993, Kia introduced its first SUV, the Sportage, which marked a new era in outdoor recreation with its versatility, capable of handling both everyday life and outdoor adventures. The Sportage soon became a global bestseller.
‘My Moments with Kia,’ held from September 29 to October 27, brought together countless photos and stories featuring Kia’s historic models, including the Brisa, Bongo, Pride, Sephia, and Sportage. A total of 26 participants received awards: one grand prize, five excellence awards, and twenty merit awards. Presented here are the cherished moments with Kia that continue to shine in the memories of the recipients.
Encountering Kia Through the Moments We Share
Back to 1982: My Very First Camper Van
The summer of 1982 was when my first memories of car camping began. Back then, we did not have the small and handy camping gear we have today. Even with the tent and all the kitchen supplies packed to the brim, my father’s Bongo still felt enormous, spacious enough for our family and another family we were close with to travel together comfortably. My dad hummed the popular songs playing on the radio and smiled as he waved at another Bongo passing in the next lane. I quietly copied him, lifting my hand for a small wave of my own.
The Pride Joined the Family Before Me
A newlywed couple’s nationwide trip in their first car, they stopped on a mountain road, where they made instant noodles in front of their Pride. That moment, captured on a single film frame, became an unforgettable memory—a memory they could never have imagined would still be cherished as the most romantic one, 26 years later. The Pride, which became part of the family even before I did, now holds a piece of our family’s history. The journey we started with the Pride was probably the reason our family grew to love traveling.
The Day My Dad Tied the Knot
The photo above shows my father with the Sephia, which he decorated as his wedding car. I’ve heard that my grandfather gifted this car to his son in 1993, when my father got his first job. Now, in 2024, 31 years later, when I started my own career, my father gifted me a Niro. Over the past 32 years, my father has shared a wonderful life with Kia, driving the Sephia, Grand Carnival, and K7. Now, as he prepares for the next chapter of his life after retirement, I want to give him a gift—so he can continue his journey with Kia, just as he always has.
Youth! Let It Bloom on the Road, on the Hood
One day in my twenties, my friends and I, with no plans at all, found ourselves heading toward Mungyeong Saejae in Gyeongbuk. Five of us squeezed into the Pride Beta and hit the road. Though the space was tight, our hearts felt as wide as any road. As we sped down the highway, laughing on the bonnet, we were letting our youth bloom. Now, 30 years later, some friends are no longer with us, but the wind from that day, the sound of the Pride’s engine, and the laughter of twenty-something youth still run beside us.
Kia’s Always Been in My Name
Yes, ‘Shin Kia’ is indeed my name. When I say my name, the usual response is, “Excuse me?” That’s when I tell them, “It’s ‘Kia’ as in Kia Motors.” Last year, I finally got my driver’s license and became a true Kia owner. Just like my name, my parents also drove a Kia, so I practiced diligently, sticking the learner’s permit on the car. It seems like I’m destined to be a Kia ambassador — I don’t think I could ever own any other brand.
Dashing Through the Snow, in a Bongo
This photo was taken in December 1983, just before we set off with snacks to share with my friends at daycare. My sister and I were thrilled as we packed the car full of our favorite treats that my mom had prepared since early morning. We didn’t even envy Santa’s sleigh that day. Our first family car was a Kia Bongo 9. My parents ran a clothing store in the countryside and often needed to visit the early morning market in Seoul to buy goods. The size of the Bongo 9 was also the perfect fit for our large family of four siblings. The car was always with us during our childhood, and I am still grateful for it.
Raised by Sportage
My father, driving the Sportage, would love to take on trips whenever he had time, with his two little girls sitting in the backseat. From the beautiful islands of the West Sea to the vast mountains and seas of the East Sea, he showed us the stunning beauty of our homeland. Thirty years ago, I was sitting on the ground, crying because I didn’t want to take pictures with my sister and mom in Gangwon-do. But thanks to my dad, who stylishly put the shades on me, I was convinced to pose in front of the rhino-faced Sportage. Back then, the Sportage was like a magic carpet, taking me into a world of adventure.
Pride: The Bridge Between Us
My first car, the Pride, wasn’t just a means of transportation. It was the bridge connecting me, working in Gumi, Gyeongbuk, and her, living in Yeongdong, Chungbuk. After work, I would drive down the highway to meet her, and those late-night drives home, talking together, erased the exhaustion of the day. We talked, laughed, and grew closer in that little car, and those moments gradually built up to lead us to marriage. The Pride was a true partner, guiding me toward two destinations—work and love. Even now, my wife and I often look back on those times. The Pride was the car that carried the most cherished memories of my life.
Youth on Top of the Brisa
This photo was taken on top of the Brisa the day my dad, at 24, went with his friends to enjoy the autumn leaves at Naejangsan. The guy sitting on his first car looks carefree, with no worries in the world. The word “Brisa” means “wind” in Spanish, and just like its name, my dad’s youth was filled with freedom and excitement. The 24-year-old man driving the Kia Brisa 41 years ago is now a father in his 60s with two children in their 30s. Even now, he continues to carry the memories that began with the Brisa, still traveling with another Kia.
Memories with Kia, and the Future Ahead
The grand prize of the ‘My Moments with Kia’ heritage photo contest went to the story of a family’s first camping trip in the Kia Bongo. The grand prize winner will receive the Kia electric sedan, the EV4, while the five excellence award winners will be awarded a 2-night, 3-day stay at the Haevichi Hotel in Jeju. The 20 merit award winners will receive a variety of gifts, including the Kia Heritage Goods Set. The cherished photos and heartwarming stories collected through this contest will be reimagined in various forms, such as events, exhibitions, and videos, and will be used for future Kia heritage communication efforts to share Kia’s history and its meaningful connections with customers.
‘My Moments with Kia’ reminds us that a car is not just a means of transportation, but a companion in our lives. The moments spent with a beloved car become cherished memories, giving us the strength to smile when we look back. The photos, capturing the moments shared between Kia and its customers, allowed us to reflect on timeless memories, filled with both the passage of time and the essence of those experiences.
The car you cherish, the one you’ve invested your love into, is not just a vehicle, but a symbol of our dreams and happiness. For 80 years, Kia has been pursuing both the convenience of mobility and the value of experience, all rooted in its people-centered philosophy. This movement will continue to thrive, inspiring our everyday lives in the future.
