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 ARMY arrives: Fans explore Seoul before BTS takes stage
Workers install a stage at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, March 16, five days before BTS’ comeback concert. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
By Choi Won-suk
Forklifts are lined up as an outdoor stage is being set up at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, March 16, ahead of BTS' comeback concert. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
Access is restricted as stage construction is underway at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, March 16, five days before BTS’ comeback concert. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
BTS fans pose in front of a staircase emblazoned with the name of the K-pop band at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, March 17, four days before the group's comeback concert. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
An elderly couple passes by the stage for the upcoming BTS comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, March 17. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Fans pose in front of the BTS comeback concert stage at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, March 17, four days before the group's show. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Ella Holbrook, left, and Zoe Holbrook, from Dallas, pose in front of HYBE Corp. headquarters in Yongsan District, Seoul, March 18, three days before the BTS comeback concert. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Amaira Carrillo, 7, from the Philippines, poses in front of a bus covered with images of BTS members near HYBE Corp. headquarters in Yongsan District, Seoul, March 18, three days before the BTS comeback concert. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
A woman passes by a restaurant decorated with photos of BTS members near HYBE Corp. headquarters in Yongsan District, Seoul, March 18, three days before the BTS comeback concert. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
A woman passes by a banner promoting BTS' comeback concert in Namdaemun, Seoul, March 18. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
Digital billboards in Myeong-dong display welcome messages for BTS fandom ARMY, March 18, three days before the BTS comeback concert. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
From left, Fer Vega, Susy Mouriz and Nataly Pop, Mexican content creators and BTS fans, film social media content in Myeong-dong, Seoul, March 19, two days before the BTS comeback concert. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Fans pose in front of a building covered with a photo of BTS at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, March 19, two days before the group's comeback concert. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
BTS fans gather near Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, March 18, as Koo Yu-ri, right, distributes her daughter’s collection of BTS merchandise for free to members of the BTS fan club ARMY ahead of the group’s upcoming comeback concert. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
Fans of BTS line up at a pop-up store set up at Shinsegae department store in downtown Seoul, Friday, a day before their slated comeback concert scheduled Saturday. Korea TImes photo by Shim Hyun-chul
A media facade lights up Sungnyemun Gate, Friday, one day ahead of BTS’ highly anticipated comeback concert. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
A media facade lights up Sungnyemun Gate, Friday, one day ahead of BTS’ highly anticipated comeback concert. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul