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Choi Won-suk

Korea Times Photo Reporter

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.

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East meets West at K-pop stars BTS rock London

Tens of thousands of adoring fans of South Korean boy band BTS flocked to Wembley stadium on Saturday (June 1) to witness the group's second ever set of London concerts.Fans from all over the world arriving at the UK leg of the "Love Yourself: Speak Yourself" tour said they found inspiration in the seven members' ability to bring Asian culture to a western audience and touch on issues such as mental health, social injustice and generational woes in their music -- despite the Korean lyrics.Other members of the "BTS army" described their admiration for the pop sensation's fashion sense and sophisticated dance moves, both of which were on show as BTS performed in front of a sold-out stadium of screaming fans.Local media reported that tickets for the 90,000-seat stadium sold out in minutes. They last performed in London in October 2018.BTS, formed in 2013, have gained a worldwide following, winning over fans across continents and helping popularise the K-pop genre overseas. (Reuters)

Jun 3, 2019By Choi Won-suk
East meets West at K-pop stars BTS rock London
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June: LGBT Pride Month

A huge rainbow flag is carried during a parade as a part of the Seoul Queer Culture Festival in Seoul, South Korea, Saturday, June 1, 2019. Tens of thousands of supporters and visitors participate in the 20th Seoul Queer Culture Festival which is held from May 21 until June 9. AP  A Lesbian couple arrive to attend a Mass wedding ceremony for Same-sex marriage in Taipei, Taiwan, 25 May 2019. Taiwan became the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage on 24 May 2019. EPA People wave rainbow flags during a mass wedding banquet for gay couples in front of the Presidential Palace in Taipei on May 25, 2019. - Taiwan made history on May 24 with Asia's first legal gay weddings as same-sex couples tied the knot in jubilant and emotional scenes, the culmination of a three-decade fight for equality. AFP Taiwan's gay couple Shane Lin (2ndR), Marc Yuan and Cynical Chick (L) and Li Ying-Chien display their wedding certificates after registering at the Household Registration Office in Shinyi District in Taipei on May 24, 2019. AFP A same-sex married couple kiss duri

Jun 3, 2019By Choi Won-suk
June: LGBT Pride Month
News

How does 5G technology work?

5G is the generation of wireless technology that follows 4G LTE mobile connections. It operates on higher radio frequencies called millimeter waves which allows it to deliver data more quickly but its signal doesn't travel well through physical objects such as buildings and houses, and its waves can be absorbed by rain and humidity.Millimeter waves also have limited range. They cover less than one square mile from the cell tower, only allowing devices in close proximity to link to the network.In January, a group of 250 researchers from around the world signed a petition asking for further investigation on the impact of 5G technology on humans.Shaven-headed young boys wear VR devices to experience 5G service at LG UPlus 5G experience place in Seoul, South Korea. Korea Times photo by Seo Jae-hoonThey fear radio frequency radiation from devices including cell towers, smartphones, WiFi signals, TV antennas might have adverse effects on human health.5G could also reduce the accuracy of weather forecasts. 5G networks transmit at nearly the same frequency as weather satellites and could pro

May 30, 2019By Choi Won-suk
How does 5G technology work?
News

Cannes winner 'Parasite' captures rich-poor gap through family: director

The South Korean director of "Parasite," a darkly comic movie that won the top Palme d'Or prize at this year's Cannes Film Festival, described the movie on Tuesday (May 28) as "a candid portrayal of the rich and the poor.""Parasite" is a wickedly humorous suspense movie about class struggles set in modern South Korea, following a down-on-its-luck family of four who worm their way into jobs in a wealthy household.The unanimous decision to award "Parasite" the top prize at Cannes on Saturday (May 25) partly came down to its unexpected mash-up of genres, as the darkly comic tale doubles up as a thriller, with flashes of violence. It was the first Palme d'Or at Cannes for a South Korean film.South Korean director Bong Joon-ho, left, poses for the media with cast members after a press conference for his new movie "Parasite" which won the Cannes Film Festival's top award, the Palme d'Or, in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, May 28, 2019. The movie is to be released in South Korea on May 30, 2019. APBong said he conceived and began writing "Parasite" in 2013 when he was filming th

May 29, 2019By Choi Won-suk
Cannes winner 'Parasite' captures rich-poor gap through family: director
Darkroom

Time is running out to save the Earth

This photo taken on October 8, 2018 shows an elementary student wading through floodwaters in Mabalacat, Pampanga. - Areas north of Manila like the provinces of Pampanga and Bulacan have sunk four-six centimetres (1.5-2.4 inches) a year since 2003, according to satellite monitoring. The creeping bay waters put people and property at risk, while the threat is amplified by high-tides and flooding brought by the roughly 20 storms that pound the archipelago every year. AFP This photo taken on February 3, 2019 shows residents using a boat to travel across the water in Sitio Pariahan, Bulacan. - Areas north of Manila like the provinces of Pampanga and Bulacan have sunk four-six centimetres (1.5-2.4 inches) a year since 2003, according to satellite monitoring. AFP Traditional Samburu tribes-people shelter in the shade of an acacia at Merille livestock market, some 411km north of Nairobi in Kenya's Marsabit county, on April 30, 2019. - Nomadic livestock herders in East Africa's drylands have endured climate variability for millennia, driving their relentless search for water and pa

May 29, 2019By Choi Won-suk
Time is running out to save the Earth
News

Puppy kindergarten gaining popularity among full-time workers

A puppy kindergarten is gaining popularity among full-time workers who are too busy to take care of their pets in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.The kindergarten named Puppy's Spring, provides daily care services and training programs for dogs above 12 weeks old and already been vaccinated. Every morning, pet owners bring their puppies to the kindergarten and hand them to professional trainers who are responsible for designing courses based on puppies' characteristics and needs. In classes, dogs are trained to distinguish different smells and this can help them become more obedient. Games are their favorite, through which sociability is developed. "According to our rules, the kindergarten can only accommodate 25 puppies each day. The reason some pet owners take their puppies here is that they do not have much time taking care of these little ones, so dogs have to be at home alone for a long time. But here, they can play with other dog friends," said An Bo-ra, a trainer at the kindergarten. Besides physical exercises, puppies have a nap time to relax with light music in the b

May 27, 2019By Choi Won-suk
Puppy kindergarten gaining popularity among full-time workers
News

South Korean director Bong Joon-Ho wins Palme d'Or

South Korean director Bong Joon-Ho wins Palme d'Or"Parasite," a wickedly humourous suspense movie about class struggles directed by South Korea's Bong Joon-Ho, won the top Palme d'Or prize at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday. A night to remember for Bong Joon-Ho, the first South Korean director to win the top Palme d'Or prize at the Cannes film festival.His movie "Parasite" was widely acclaimed for blending dark comedy with suspense.It features a working class family of four in South Korea who worm their way into jobs in a wealthy household.Bong said he was was surprised at his win.PALME D'OR WINNING DIRECTOR BONG JOON-HO SAYING:"My head was completely blank when they read out my name but Mr Song (actor Song Kang-ho) just grabbed onto me and shook me so I was physically shaken!"Women also received recognition.Four female directors were in contention for this year's Palme d'Or out of 21 entries.Mati Diop the first black woman to vie for the award.Taking home the Grand Prix title for her movie "Atlantics".DIRECTOR OF "ATLANTICS" AND WINNER OF CANNES FILM FE

May 27, 2019By Choi Won-suk
South Korean director Bong Joon-Ho wins Palme d'Or
Darkroom

Stars in Cannes

72nd Cannes Film Festival - Screening of the "The Traitor"(Il traditore) in competition - Red Carpet Arrivals - Cannes, France, May 23, 2019. Kimberly Garner poses. Reuters Actor Leonardo DiCaprio poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'Oh Mercy' at the 72nd international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Wednesday, May 22, 2019. AP US actor Leonardo DiCaprio (C), British actor Orlando Bloom (5thL), Jean-Eric Vergne (L) pose with guests as they arrive for the screening of the film "The Traitor (Il Traditore)" at the 72nd edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 23, 2019. AFP Actor Leonardo DiCaprio poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'Oh Mercy' at the 72nd international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Wednesday, May 22, 2019. Reuters 72nd Cannes Film Festival - Screening of the film "Roubaix, une lumiere" (Oh Mercy!) in competition - Red Carpet Arrivals - Cannes, France, May 22, 2019. Lorena Rae poses. Reuters Model Winnie Harlow poses for photographers upon arr

May 24, 2019By Choi Won-suk
Stars in Cannes
Darkroom

Venezuela dialysis patients face uncertain fate after power cuts

 Aidalis Guanipa, 25, a kidney disease patient, poses for a photo after a dialysis session, near her home in La Concepcion, Venezuela, April 26, 2019. "I should have been born rich to be able to buy myself a new kidney," said Guanipa. They get by on her 83-year-old grandmother's pension and from sales of homemade sweets. "I have not had dialysis for two days because there has been no electricity. I am scared. Reuters Aidalis Guanipa, 25, a kidney disease patient, stands in her house during a blackout in La Concepcion, Venezuela, April 12, 2019. Reuters A chair stands next to kitchen equipment in the house of Aidalis Guanipa, 25, a kidney disease patient, during a blackout in La Concepcion, Venezuela, April 12, 2019. Reuters The hands of Aidalis Guanipa, 25, a kidney disease patient, and her 83-year-old grandmother, are seen as they pose for a photo, while they wait for the electricity to return, at her house during a blackout, in La Concepcion, Venezuela, April 12, 2019. Reuters Aidalis Guanipa, 25, a kidney disease patient, prepares her breakfast, before a d

May 22, 2019By Choi Won-suk
Venezuela dialysis patients face uncertain fate after power cuts
Darkroom

China's slowing economy: the view from the Henan heartland

Fishermen Sun Lianxi, 32, and Sun Genxi, 44, travel down the Yellow River to cast their net on the northern outskirts of Zhengzhou, Henan province, China, February 21, 2019. For generations, the Suns plied their fishing boats up and down the Huai and Yellow Rivers, living off their daily catch. Like their grandfather and father before them, brothers Sun Genxi, 44, and Sun Lianxi were born on a fishing boat. China's economic ascent has tantalised the brothers. "These high-rise buildings have nothing to do with me. They're for others, not me," Lianxi says.  "We don't have any part in it."  The Suns were owners of a large houseboat, enough to accommodate their clan of 17 spanning four generations under one weather-beaten roof. But as part of a broad-ranging environmental crackdown, local authorities in 2017 took over the houseboat in the name of minimising water pollution and over-fishing. The Suns now live in tents of tarpaulin and plastic sheets by a floating bridge on the banks of the Yellow River, reduced to fishing from a small dinghy. "Who knows, my son one day can maybe

May 17, 2019By Choi Won-suk
China's slowing economy: the view from the Henan heartland
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