Journalist

한준구
Hanjungu
  • I tried outdoor yoga — it was freezing, but strangely refreshing
    I tried outdoor yoga — it was freezing, but strangely refreshing SEOUL, April 07 (AJP) - The latest global trend to land in a traditional Korean setting — after BTS turned Gwanghwamun into a stage — is yoga. I had imagined something serene: quiet breathing, sun-drenched calm, flowers in bloom, and that cinematic kind of spring healing. So I signed up for an outdoor yoga session at Namsangol Hanok Village in downtown Seoul on Tuesday morning. Instead, I got windburn. A stubborn cold snap had dragged temperatures close to freezing, and a sharp gust cut through the courtyard, slapping faces and seeping straight through the mat. Within minutes, my fingers were stiff, my shoulders tense, and my optimism fading. Turnout reflected the weather. Only about 30 people showed up for “Seoul Yoga Connect 2026,” an annual event hosted by the Indian Embassy’s Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) ahead of the International Day of Yoga on June 21. Still, we began. I wobbled into a cross-legged pose, palms facing upward on my knees, softly chanting “ah” to mark the start. The idea was calm. The reality was trying not to shiver. We leaned forward to stretch our backs and hamstrings, then stood to sway side to side, loosening stiff bodies under the pale morning sun. Lying flat on my back was the real test — the cold from the ground hit instantly. We moved through poses: bending legs, lifting hips toward the sky, then curling up to hold both legs while raising the chest. The instructor’s voice stayed calm and measured. My internal dialogue did not. The session, which began at 10:30 a.m., followed brief opening remarks and rolled into three consecutive classes led by instructors from SVCC, Viveka Yoga and the Korea Yoga Association. Gradually, something shifted. Breathing steadied. The wind, while still biting, felt less intrusive. Some participants closed their eyes as sunlight filled the courtyard, settling into a rhythm that seemed to ignore the temperature altogether. “Yoga is beneficial not only physically, but also mentally, spiritually and emotionally,” said Ashish Singh, an SVCC instructor. “It is not limited to posture or physical exercise. Yoga is a journey toward self-realization.” He explained that the focus on breathing helps guide participants toward a meditative state — the ultimate goal. For some, that journey has been long underway. “It has been almost 20 years since I started yoga,” said Moon Yeon-kyung, 62, who attends classes at the Indian Cultural Centre. “It is not just exercise. Yoga is special because it trains both the body and the mind.” “It has helped loosen tight muscles and clear my mind,” she added. By the end, I was still cold — but oddly refreshed. The United Nations adopted the International Day of Yoga in 2015 to recognize its benefits for physical and mental well-being. Since then, it has been marked worldwide with mass sessions and cultural programs. In South Korea, this year’s celebrations will begin on Jeju Island on June 7, followed by Busan on June 13 and Chuncheon on June 27. 2026-04-07 17:02:58
  • NK holds photo exhibition to mark 114th Anniversary of Kim Il-sungs birth
    NK holds photo exhibition to mark 114th Anniversary of Kim Il-sung's birth PYONGYANG, April 07 (AJP) - A central photo exhibition commemorating the 114th anniversary of North Korean founder Kim Il-sung's birth (April 15) opened up to the public at the People's Palace of Culture in Pyongyang on April 6, the North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Monday. 2026-04-07 16:27:26
  • Main cast of The Devil Wears Prada sequel to visit Seoul ahead of release
    Main cast of 'The Devil Wears Prada' sequel to visit Seoul ahead of release SEOUL, April 6 (AJP) - Hollywood stars Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway are set to visit Seoul this week, just weeks ahead of the release of a sequel to their 2006 hit "The Devil Wears Prada." According to the film's distributor, the two stars are scheduled to meet fans here at a red carpet event in Yeongdeungpo on Wednesday and also take part in other promotional activities. They are also set to appear on cable channel tvN's show "You Quiz on the Block." The long-awaited sequel, slated for release here on April 29, reunites the original cast in new roles, as they face new challenges and evolving careers in the fashion industry. 2026-04-06 17:52:24
  • Girls Generation members shine in all-white suits
    Girls' Generation members shine in all-white suits SEOUL, April 6 (AJP) - Yoon-a and Hyo-yeon, members of K-pop girl group Girls' Generation, showed off their glamorous looks at a promotional event for a cosmetics brand in central Seoul on Monday. The two girls flaunted their stunning beauty in all-white suits while promoting Sulwhasoo's premium skincare products, which combine traditional herbal ingredients. In particular, Yoon-a, who has branched out into acting with appearances in various films and dramas, also released her single in December last year, demonstrating her versatile talents. 2026-04-06 17:22:53
  • Learning to plant green on Arbor Day
    Learning to plant green on Arbor Day SEOUL, April 03 (AJP) -Arbor Day may have faded from public attention, but in pockets of Seoul it still lives on — especially for children discovering the simple joy of planting a tree. In Gangnam, that spirit took root along Yangjaecheon on Friday. To mark the 81st Arbor Day on April 5, Gangnam-gu hosted the “Our Neighborhood Green Donation Challenge – Garden Forest of Participation” at Gaepo-dong Neighborhood Park, drawing some 500 participants — from local residents and donors to children, Saemaul members and volunteer gardeners. Together, they transformed a stretch of parkland into a shared green space. Participants planted 94 trees, including kousa dogwoods and maples, alongside some 1,000 shrubs such as azaleas and euonymus. Flower beds were laid out and benches installed, turning the site into a community-built garden. More than a one-day event, the initiative reflects a shift toward participatory urban greening — where residents do not just use public spaces, but help create and care for them. For many of the children, it was also a rare, hands-on reminder of a holiday that once held a firm place in the national calendar — now quietly kept alive, one sapling at a time. 2026-04-03 17:11:13
  • Remembering Jeju April 3 for the 78th time
    Remembering Jeju April 3 for the 78th time SEOUL, April 03 (AJP) -The Jeju April 3 Incident refers to a period of armed uprising and state suppression on Jeju Island between 1948 and 1954, during which tens of thousands of civilians were killed. The violence began with an uprising on April 3, 1948, rooted in unrest that had been building since March 1, 1947, and continued for years amid a broader ideological conflict in the early Cold War period. Voices of remembrance echoed across the nation on Thursday as South Korea marked the 78th anniversary of the tragedy, paying tribute to victims and renewing calls to uncover the full truth behind one of the country’s darkest chapters. Participants honored the victims through flower offerings, moments of silence and grave cleanings, expressing their condolences with quiet solemnity. 2026-04-03 16:07:44
  • IVEs Jang Won-young turns heads in spring outing
    IVE's Jang Won-young turns heads in spring outing SEOUL, April 1 (AJP) - Jang Won-young, a member of K-pop sextet IVE, attended a promotional event for fashion brand ROLAROLA in central Seoul on Wednesday. In keeping with the French-inspired casual brand's appeal to young customers, Jang wore a white T-shirt with red embroidery, a cherry-blossom-colored cardigan tied around her waist, and a frilled lace skirt, completing her stylish look with heart-patterned fishnet stockings that awed visitors and other attendees. 2026-04-01 17:19:20
  • Seoul turns pink earlier than usual
    Seoul turns pink earlier than usual SEOUL, April 01 (AJP) -Full bloom suddenly arrived after heavy rain earlier this week. Cherry blossoms burst into full bloom around Seokchon Lake, soaking the lakeside in soft waves of pink and marking an early arrival of spring in the city. Petals clung to rain-darkened paths and shimmered on the lake’s surface, while the skyline — anchored by Lotte World Tower — stood framed by a fleeting canopy of blossoms. The city will formally welcome the season with the 2026 Lake Cherry Blossom Festival, set to run for nine days from April 3 through April 11. The '2026 Lake Cherry Blossom Festival' will be held around Seokchon Lake for nine days from April 3 through April 11. The festival has been extended by five days compared to last year. Landscape lighting has been installed along the entire 2.5km lakeside promenade, allowing visitors to enjoy the cherry blossom tunnel even at night. During the festival period, various exhibitions including installation art and media art will be presented. Programs for families, including Fashion Week, bubble shows, circus performances, and magic shows, will also take place. 2026-04-01 16:04:16
  • Tracing humanity in the age of AI; MMCAs Deep Time
    Tracing humanity in the age of AI; MMCA's Deep Time SEOUL, March 31 (AJP) - In an age where artificial intelligence processes information at lightning speed, what makes humans uniquely human? At the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, the answer unfolds not through data, but through the patient gaze of a detective — observing, tracking and interpreting over time. The museum on March 31 unveiled its 2026 performing arts program, Deep Time, a yearlong exploration of how humans perceive, question and endure in an era increasingly shaped by machines. The museum announced on March 31 that it will host MMCA Performing Arts 2026 'Deep Time' from April 1 through December 6, exploring humanity's distinctive approach to observation and inquiry in the AI era. The long-term project will unfold over two years. This year's Chapter I, themed 'Observation and Tracking,' explores "deep and slow" time revealed through persistent observation over extended durations. Next year's Chapter II, 'Slow Creep,' will examine how this accumulated deep time transforms both the observer and the observed. At a briefing held on Tuesday, electronic music composer Ryoji Ikeda and contemporary music ensemble Ensemble Modern presented a collaborative work. Detailed programs will be revealed sequentially each month. 2026-03-31 17:08:22
  • Why yacht tour is best way to enjoy Busans iconic Gwangan Bridge
    Why yacht tour is best way to enjoy Busan's iconic Gwangan Bridge BUSAN, March 31 (AJP) -A yacht tour would be the best way to soak in the beauty of Gwangan Bridge, one of the must-see landmarks in the southern port city of Busan. Several tour programs are available at Haeundae Beach, the city's most famous beach, known for its long sandy shoreline and seaside attractions. Depending on the type of yacht, routes may vary, but some tours take you right under Gwangan Bridge, offering breathtaking views of Busan's coastal scenery. Cruise tours run throughout the day. Daytime tours are perfect for exploring Busan's urban landscape, while nighttime tours offer spectacular views of the bridge lit up against the city skyline. Tours on every Saturday evening are especially popular, coinciding with a weekly drone show that passengers can enjoy against the stunning night sky, with the bridge as a dramatic backdrop. 2026-03-31 16:38:05