Choi Won-suk is a photojournalist at The Korea Times. Before joining the newspaper, he also worked as a photojournalist with AFP and St. Joseph News-Press in Missouri. He spent 13 years in the United States, graduating with a Bachelor of Journalism degree (Cum Laude) from the University of Missouri - Columbia and a Master of Arts in Photography from Ohio University - Athens. Over the past 11 years, Choi covered various news events such as presidential elections, the 2019 North Korea-United States Hanoi Summit and 2022 Qatar World Cup. But above all, Choi believes in local journalism and finds a lot of joy telling life stories of ordinary citizens in small neighborhoods.
PHOTOS Jeonju Hanok Village: strolling through timeless beauty
A woman in hanbok is seen near a gingko tree with its leaves turning yellow. Seen behind her is a traditional tiled roof. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
By Choi Won-suk
By Kang Hyun-kyung
Touching the clay, brick and wooden materials of hanok is to discover its hidden value.
Korea’s traditional houses evoke various emotions.
If you become nostalgic, this means you are wise enough to value tradition.
If you feel nothing, it’s time to travel to Jeonju Hanok Village.
There, the hanok is no longer a serene place.
Exploring the quaint but lively neighborhood is fun.
It’s no longer an old-fashioned housing complex.
It’s a modern place full of surprises and experiences.
An aerial view of Jeonju Hanok Village. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Tourists in hanbok stroll around Jeonju Hanok Village. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Visitors in costume take photos in a studio. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
“New retro” is in vogue. Jeonju Nanjang located inside the hanok village is a theme park-style museum remodeled after three and a half years of construction and 25 years of research. There, children can experience a 1960s-era classroom. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk