AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

한준구
Yoo Na-hyun · Han Jun-gu
  • Upcoming thriller about noise pollution set to chill moviegoers next week
    Upcoming thriller about noise pollution set to chill moviegoers next week SEOUL, June 18 (AJP) - A press preview for director Kim Soo-jin's upcoming thriller was held at a multiplex in southern Seoul on Monday, about a week ahead of its release. The stars of "Noise" including Lee Sun-bin, Kim Min-seok and Han Su-a, gathered for the event to promote the film. The film, which marks the up-and-coming director's feature-film debut, revolves around a woman who becomes the target of relentless noise complaints in her apartment complex, as she gets drawn into a mysterious and troubling case involving a neighbor who endures the same disturbances and mistakenly believes she is to blame. The film is set to hit local theaters on June 25. 2025-06-18 11:15:45
  • PHOTOS: 2025 Seoul royal palaces international walk
    PHOTOS: 2025 Seoul royal palaces international walk SEOUL, June 16 (AJP) - Roughly 1,600 people gathered in Seoul on Saturday for the 2025 Seoul Royal Palaces International Walk, hosted by Aju News Corporation and AJP. The 6.3-kilometer route guided participants through some of the capital’s most iconic royal sites, including Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, and Changgyeonggung Palace. Among the walkers were about 700 foreign nationals from countries such as China, Vietnam, Japan, France, Russia, Canada, and the United States, alongside around 900 Korean participants. The event offered a chance to experience the architectural elegance and rich history of the Joseon-era palaces, while enjoying a scenic and healthy walk through central Seoul. 2025-06-16 16:31:23
  • PHOTOS: Fire at historic Seoul temple extinguished
    PHOTOS: Fire at historic Seoul temple extinguished SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) - A fire that broke out Tuesday within the revered Jogyesa Temple compound in central Seoul was extinguished without any reported casualties, authorities said. The blaze originated in the international conference hall on the second floor of the Korean Buddhism History and Culture Memorial Hall, a building adjacent to the main temple. Firefighters brought the flames under control approximately 90 minutes after they began. Around 142 personnel and 35 fire vehicles were deployed to the scene to combat the fire. Crucially, the swift response prevented the fire from spreading to the temple itself and the nearby Central Buddhist Museum, which houses a significant collection of cultural artifacts. Fire authorities are currently investigating the cause of the blaze. Initial reports suggest the fire may have started from sparks emanating from a ceiling air conditioner. 2025-06-10 15:15:47
  • PHOTOS: Namdaemuns hidden alley serving up noodles, hospitality — and history
    PHOTOS: Namdaemun's hidden alley serving up noodles, hospitality — and history SEOUL, June 02 (AJP) - In a market as vast and bustling as Namdaemun, one of Seoul’s oldest and busiest commercial hubs, the true culinary treasures are often hidden in plain sight. Tucked into narrow passageways and behind unmarked corners are food alleys that many visitors — and even seasoned locals — walk past without noticing. One such enclave is Kalguksu Alley, a humble yet vibrant corridor that feels worlds away from the souvenir stalls and wholesale clothing shops just steps outside. This reporter, a frequent visitor to Namdaemun Market, had to consult the information desk to locate the alley — a testament to its elusive charm. The entrance is easy to miss: a modest yellow sign reading “Kalguksu Alley” wedged between two buildings near Hoehyeon Station. But those who follow it are rewarded with a surprising sight — a 30-meter-long alley lined tightly with about 30 eateries, all dishing up variations of kalguksu, a handmade knife-cut noodle soup, along with boribap (barley rice), sujebi (hand-torn noodle soup), sticky rice, and naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles). The draw isn’t just the food — it’s the value. Order a single bowl of kalguksu, and you’ll receive two or three other dishes, often including a modest helping of bibimbap and naengmyeon, at no additional charge. It’s this unspoken generosity that packs the alley shoulder-to-shoulder with diners during lunch hours, often from noon to 3 p.m. Each restaurant is a model of compact efficiency: open kitchens line the walls, while tightly packed tables sit just inches from sizzling pots and chopping boards. The setup may be cramped, but it offers a front-row view of the action — fresh dough being kneaded, noodles cut and boiled, and vegetables chopped seconds before they’re plated. Many of the dishes are prepared entirely by hand, and with the right timing, diners can witness the full noodle-making process before it arrives at their table. For those seeking a quieter experience, an early or late lunch offers respite from the crowds — and the chance to linger and observe. Namdaemun Market has long been a place to shop for everything from textiles to kitchenware, but for the food-inclined traveler, Kalguksu Alley offers something more enduring: a flavorful slice of Seoul’s culinary tradition, served with warmth, speed, and no small measure of authenticity. 2025-06-05 14:43:10