AI ID photos, which you can get with just one selfie, are very popular these days, aren't they? They're gaining popularity for being convenient and affordable, but when you actually go to use one, you might wonder, "Will it turn out well?"
A professional who has personally operated a photo studio for 10 years offers an honest comparison between AI ID photos and professional studio ID photos.
Cost — AI is overwhelmingly cheaper
| Category | AI ID Photo | Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Several thousand KRW ~ 10,000 KRW range | 20,000 ~ 150,000 KRW (incl. hair & makeup) |
| Additional Costs | None | Extra charges for hair, makeup, re-shoots |
AI is significantly more advantageous when you're on a tight budget or need multiple photos. For MONKOS AI, a single finished photo starts from ₩9,900.
Time — Ready in 5 minutes
| Category | AI ID Photo | Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Time Required | 5~10 minutes | 1~2 hours (booking + travel + shooting + retouching) |
When you're in a hurry, AI is the answer. If you need to submit a photo today, you can get it done with just your smartphone.
Quality — This is where the difference lies
Typical AI ID photo services offer clean lighting and backgrounds, but often have issues with over-retouching skin or distorting facial features. While professional studios can provide natural retouching, quality can vary depending on the photographer.
MONKOS AI is different from typical AI apps.
It wasn't simply developed by a programmer; it's a service personally created by a photographer with 20 years of experience, incorporating real studio operation expertise. This is precisely why it produces natural results without over-retouching, unlike generic AI ID photos.
Customization — From attire and background to specifications
| Feature | Generic AI | Studio | MONKOS AI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Background Color Change | Possible | Possible | Possible |
| Attire Change | Limited | On-site consultation | AI transformation to meet Korean/Japanese employment regulations |
| Makeup Adjustment | Not possible | Possible | Natural retouching (no over-retouching) |
| Country-specific Standard Cropping | Not possible | Manual | Automatic cropping based on ICAO standards (Free Crop App) |
MONKOS AI allows you to change attire without a re-shoot and automatically adjusts dimensions to fit country-specific visa and passport sizes.
Conclusion — When to use which?
When AI ID Photos are suitable:
- When you're short on time (same-day submission)
- When on a limited budget
- When you need multiple photos in various styles/specifications
- When you need Korean/Japanese standard ID photos while abroad
When Professional Studio Photos are suitable:
- When top-tier quality is required, such as for major corporate interviews
- When you want a one-stop service including hair and makeup on-site
Because MONKOS AI is a service created by a photography expert, it provides sufficient quality for most official submission purposes. It's a service that turns your current location into a studio.
Check it out now → monkos.ai