Tiger Times Volume 54 Issue 6

What’s your favorite childhood memory?

layout by Yuzine Yi

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News briefs

Chinese I and II students visit Chinatown

On Feb. 16, Chinese I and II students went on a field trip to the nation’s only Chinatown in Incheon. Students not only visited the Korean-Chinese Cultural Center but also learned about the history of the Three Kingdoms of Korea during a walking tour around the neighborhood. They also explored the development of Korean-Chinese cuisine by visiting the Jajangmyeon Museum, where jajangmyeon originated, and by purchasing Chinese snacks such as tanghulu.

“Rather than watching a simple video of Chinatown, I got to experience the wonder of Chinatown with all my five senses, which enriched my learning of its history and attractions,” Edward Sohn (10), Chinese II student, said. “Every part of the trip was memorable, as I was able to listen to the tour guide while sightseeing with my friends. I believe that field trips like this provide students with a deeper knowledge of their class material.”

Photo By Gyusung Lee (11)

Counseling office promotes kindness

Since November, the High School Counseling Team has been promoting kindness throughout the school community by delivering monthly “Positive Referrals,” or anonymous nominations of students and faculty members who have had a positive impact on the community. The counselors have been visiting the nominees’ classrooms and offering free snacks to them, brightening the class mood, as many students and teachers say. As of Feb. 24, the counselors have received 152 referrals.

The Counseling Team also set up a poster of a cupcake in the second floor hallway with the label, “We Are Sprinkling SIS with Kindness,” inviting students to stick post-it notes with warm messages on the cupcake.

“This is something that I had implemented in my last school for the past several years,” Amy Kuhn, high school counselor, said. “I find it rewarding to create such a positive culture here at SIS, because it’s really nice to be recognized in front of your peers and your teachers that you are a wonderful human. I would love for these referrals to keep coming because I’ve gotten a lot of great feedback from teachers who say they really appreciate that we are coming together as a school.”

Spring sports season begins

The spring sports season began the week of Feb. 20, during which all varsity teams announced their rosters. This year marks the first time that track and field, hitherto a club sport, joins girls and boys soccer and badminton as a varsity sport. Accompanying this development has been a marked increase in participation, especially from female students and the Senior Class, with the team comprising 21 athletes—up from eight last year.

The soccer and badminton teams played their first games against KIS on March 3. In light of loosening COVID-19 restrictions, athletes anticipate more frequent games, as well as international trips to Japan and Taiwan for badminton and girls soccer respectively.

We refrain from publishing material that advertises illegal products or services, is obscene, libelous, or invades privacy. We refrain from publishing material that creates a clear and present danger or the immediate material and substantial physical disruption of the school. Reporters Jasmine Jeong Erin Choi Jack Lee John Kim Grace Lee David Kim Gyusung Lee Ian Park Brandon Choi Joseph Chun Sophie Choi Andrew Shin Yoon Choi

Tiger Yujin Joe Eric Kim Jason Lee Jason Shin San Schwede Danny Kim Hannah Yi Eric Cho Waan Choi Adviser Ms. Wendy Grant

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SIS hosts first offline NHD in 3 years

On Feb. 25, SIS hosted the National History Day (NHD) tournament, a project-based history competition for students. It was the first offline contest in three years, administered by NHD coordinators James Kowalski and Steven Nave. A total of 263 groups participated in the competition under five different categories—Website, Paper, Documentary, Performance, and Exhibit— amounting to more than 500 students and 95 judges from 36 different schools.

“We had actually planned an in-person contest last year as well,” Mr. Kowalski said. “But there had been a resurgence in COVID-19 numbers here in Korea, and although we held out as long as we reasonably could, we had to make the decision to move it to an online format. We’re glad that we could do it in-person this year. There really is no substitute for National History Day being in-person.”

This iteration of NHD reintroduced many traditions that had been lost in its three years online. While online, the opening ceremony, like the closing ceremony, was live-streamed on Youtube. But this year, thanks to loosened COVID-19 restrictions, NHD participants were able to watch them in-person after checking in.

“As a check-in volunteer, I had the opportunity to work with participants and provide them with guidance on the expectations of the competition and a basic overview of the schedule,” Bin Ma (12), NHD student volunteer, said. “I helped them navigate through the building and answered any questions they had regarding the competition.”

Upon arriving at SIS, participants were directed to the auditorium to listen to guest speaker Min Jin Lee, author of Pachinko, followed by a series of questions from the NHD Student Council. After her speech, Mr. Kowalski officially announced the start of NHD Korea 2023 to a rupture of applause.

Another distinguishing feature of this year’s contest was the judging process. After the opening ceremony, students situated themselves in their designated rooms for an interview with the judges—a process absent in the online NHD contest as coordinating a specific time with both the students and judges among five categories would have been difficult.

Many past participants in the Exhibit category were

unsatisfied due to the absence of an interview; their exhibits had to be self-explanatory because students were unable to explain it themselves. Thus, especially considering the 500 hard word-limit, many participants found it difficult in making their project.

“The interviewing process was definitely helpful for our project,” Luna Moon (10), first place in the Senior Group Exhibit category, said. “Our project was a difficult project to understand and focused on a topic not many know about. The interviewing process allowed us to explain our project so it was better understood, definitely contributing to the final decision. In previous years, I was hesitant to choose difficult topics like this year’s.”

An additional aspect of the tournament was the recreational activities that the administrators planned— which did not exist online. Throughout the day, students were provided with snacks, photos, a basketball free throw contest, as well as performances by dance club D$Q and music clubs Blue Note Jazz Ensemble and MP3.

Last year, the finalists and winners were announced weeks after the final project had been submitted, with no hard date for the awards. This year, the judging process was compressed to a single day. Just nine hours after the students arrived, winners were announced at the awards ceremony.

“We have gotten nothing but positive feedback and we could not be happier with the way NHD Korea went,” Dr. Nave said. “A lot of people were pleased at how organized the event was. Having the support of Dr. Gerhard, Mr. Macklin, Mr. Del Vecchio, Mr. Moneghue, Mr. Ames, and all the general affairs and facility team was crucial to being able to put on a successful event. We are so thankful for the NHD Student council, the student volunteers, and the judges.”

According to Mr. Kowalski and Dr. Nave, NHD will continue to be hosted offline by SIS in the following years, with more traditions to be brought back.

SIS forms new water polo team

On Feb. 9, an unexpected email sent by the Aquatics Director Carly Wessels popped up in the inboxes of SIS students, stating that SIS would create a new water polo team. Aside from those who have completed the water polo unit in Life Sports, few students have experience playing the sport. Despite this, SIS has begun to form a team, as have other KAIAC schools such as Seoul Foreign School, Yongsan International School of Seoul, and Gyeonggi Suwon International School.

“We haven’t officially started our water polo team yet, but we do have around 14 or 15 students who have signed up for the team,” Coach Wessels, coach of the water polo team, said. “That’s not a huge amount of kids, but it’s a good start. We’re also trying to arrange festival games with water polo teams from other schools, so that’s something to look forward to.”

Coach Wessels and the water polo team hope to participate in friendly matches with other KAIAC schools and eventually make water polo a KAIAC sport. To fulfill this vision, Coach Wessels made the water polo club a spring-time commitment to avoid conflicts with the varsity swim team’s winter schedule. However, some express doubts as to whether said vision will come to fruition, as water polo is a uniquely challenging sport.

“When I did water polo in my Life Sports class, it was really hard to even stay afloat in the water without a [foam] floating device,” Andrew Kim (10) said. “So I’m really going to have to consider whether or not water polo is the right sport for me.”

Water polo requires an immense amount of cardiovascular stamina and leg strength. Athletes must be able to swim continuously, tread water for extended periods, and perform complex maneuvers while

College Corner: Transcripts and course selection

defending opponents. The game’s physical contact adds to the difficulty, as players are allowed to use their bodies to gain possession of the ball. But some students at SIS, particularly those from the varsity swimming team, are up to the challenge.

“Pretty much all of the kids who did varsity swimming in the winter are joining the water polo team,” Terry Seong (10), varsity swim team member, said. “Water polo is quite tough, but it’s also very rewarding once you get the hang of it. I’m sure that SIS is going to do well in the KAIAC scene.”

Aside from those who were already on the swim team, some students have joined the water polo team due to its relatively lenient practice schedule. This distinguishes it from other school sports, which often require athletes to reconstruct their entire after-school schedule and some of their weekends during the season.

“We’re still trying to coordinate when we can do our practices so that it doesn’t clash with any of the other spring sports’ practices, but our practice schedule is going to be really flexible,” Coach Wessels said. “We’re not going to have practices every day like the other sports, and if you sometimes can’t come for practice it’s not that big of a deal.”

The prospect of a KAIAC water polo scene is just starting to emerge among the international schools. The water polo club will allow students to build relationships with others and stay physically active without having to commit to the burden of an official sports practice schedule. In time, it could become another staple sport in the SIS community.

Do I need to take a fourth year of Chinese? Would taking a study hall instead hurt my chances of admission?

These are some commonly asked questions concerning the second semester’s prime topic of discussion: transcripts and course selection. Keen to pin down the courses that will improve prospects of admission to highly competitive colleges, many high school students devote great consideration to the course selection process—which, at SIS, begins in early February.

However, there is no master key to the door of admissions, and one transcript certainly does not fit all. With such caveats in mind, here is some advice to help guide what could be the most important set of decisions in high school academics.

High school transcripts are important documents in students’ applications. Providing colleges with a detailed record of academic achievements and potential, a transcript is often an admissions officer’s best friend when it comes to evaluation of academic performance, rigor of coursework, and preparedness for higher education.

Yet, deciding whether or not to take a fourth year of Chinese is, to some extent, remarkably simple: just ask yourself the two following questions. Do I like learning Chinese, and am I capable of devoting the time it takes to achieve my desired outcome? Students can run through this thought process no matter the course in question. (However, this specific concern is even more straightforward, as with languages, admissions officers have never questioned the language background of SIS with a bilingual majority.)

Moreover, it is difficult to conceive whether the presence or absence of a particular course on a transcript would dictate admissions results. And this rather convincing theory stems from colleges’ holistic approach to admissions.

Admissions officers do not make their decisions based on a piecemeal read over a student’s test scores, recommendations, extracurricular activities, or individual elements of a high school transcript; they heed each application as a comprehensive illustration of that applicant.

In other words, the admissions committee does not look through a narrow tunnel and hone their focus on whether students have taken any specific course. In fact, they will be far more interested to discover intellectual vitality that shines with success amid chal -

APUSH requirements change

APUSH grades. Rather, it was an administrative decision to establish a foundational curriculum to better prepare students for APUSH. AP Biology is preceded by Biology and Ecology, a mandatory core class in ninth grade. The lack of a mandatory regular US History class to set up rising sophomores for APUSH stood out as a potential cause behind the course’s reputed difficulty.

lenging coursework.

Though it is true that certain standards of transcript evaluation remain largely ambiguous, if one factor stays constant over almost all application readings, it would be the importance of balance. Seeking high or improving degrees of rigor and success throughout high school, schools comb through applications to find transcripts with a balanced set of classes. This is, by no means, meant to just push students to enroll in the most academically demanding AP classes. The word “balance” is key in this message, as students must strike an appropriate balance between challenge and unnecessary physical, mental, and emotional struggle that often comes with an AP class overload.

At SIS in particular, classes are filled with academically driven students who hold themselves to unrealistically high standards. A high average GPA thus comes somewhat naturally to our school, and the grade distribution curve of most classes displays a shockingly large group of students with scores almost indistinguishable to one another.

However, it is important to note the effects of this school environment on the significance of our transcripts. With the lack of patent differences in our performances, admissions officers tend to resort to other displays of competence or passion—such as extracurricular activities and essays—when reviewing applications from highly competitive high schools like SIS.

Nevertheless, transcripts are important, and the admissions committee will never completely overlook a student’s transcript just because some numbers resemble their classmate’s. Students should, hence, select classes following their true interests and make sure to not spread themselves too thin to ensure sufficient sleep, performance, and sanity. Do not underestimate the risks of a tough course load. Time and energy are limited.

If students put effort into demonstrating their academic competence and vitality through their transcripts, colleges will take notice and consider it as a part of the holistic review. Grades may open some doors, but, especially for SIS students, it seems that character, dedication, and passion are what will ultimately lead to success—success in the college admissions process and later in life.

By: Katelyn Oh

of fully preparing its students for challenging college-level courses like APUSH.”

method to reduce workload in following years when there are multiple APs to take.

Starting next school year, the SIS AP curriculum will undergo momentous change. Once a staple in the sophomore curriculum for aspiring humanities and social sciences students, AP US History (APUSH) will no longer be offered to sophomores due to the difficulty of the course for which many students may not be prepared. Instead, tenth grade US History or AP World History will be prerequisites for APUSH, which only juniors and seniors will be eligible to take.

Contrary to some rumors, the decision did not have anything to do with students’

The APUSH restriction is also designed to open a path for a more diverse, flexible curriculum. With the new changes, it is no longer required to take regular US History if a student decides to take AP World History, making AP World History a more accessible course.

“If you look at the APUSH restriction by itself it seems like we are blocking people from doing what they want to do,” Gray Macklin, high school principal, said. “In reality, the decision improves the scope and sequence of the curriculum by eliminating the older requirement of having to take both US History and AP World History and ensuring that the school fulfills its responsibility

While making regular US History a mandatory class in place of APUSH will most likely help prepare sophomores for the class in junior or senior year, there is much dissent from those who feel prepared for the workload. By restricting the course from sophomores, some rising sophomores who are capable of taking the class say they are being denied a valuable intellectual experience.

“I was disappointed by the APUSH restrictions,” Austin Chung (9), History Honor Society member, said. “I was looking forward to tackling APUSH and expanding my understanding of US history further in my sophomore year. Restricting APUSH delays my opportunity to deep-dive into US history.”

Others criticized the restriction for creating excessive workload for upperclassmen. Tackling a particularly demanding class like APUSH in sophomore year, when there is only one AP class to focus on, is a popular

The new restriction prevents this balance according to opponents of the restriction, potentially increasing pressure on students in their upperclassmen years.

“Admittedly, APUSH does have a demanding and rigorous curriculum even among the AP classes,” Brian Cho (12), former APUSH student said. “If it is allocated to upperclassmen years and taken together with other demanding APs, I think it will be quite difficult to handle.”

This reputation of APUSH as an especially difficult AP course, however, is likely a result of its accessibility to sophomores without prior experience in US history or AP-level history courses according to the administration. After finalizing a decision many years in the making, the administration is looking forward to its anticipated merits.

Photo By Gyusung Lee (11)

Turkey-Syria border hit by earthquakes

At 4:17 a.m. on Feb. 6, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake followed by a 7.5-magnitude earthquake caused catastrophic damage in southern Turkey and northern Syria. 47,000 buildings were destroyed, 46,000 people died, and millions, including children, were left stranded without homes.

“After the earthquake, the government declared one week of national mourning, during which schools were closed, but then it was extended to two weeks,” Emir Tigin Bayhan (10), American Collegiate Institute Turkish student, said. “There was a nationwide and international aid campaign to help people who were affected by the earthquake.”

Recorded as one of the biggest natural disasters in history, the earthquake prompted countries across the world to take action and offer help. The US, UK, Mexico, Japan, Korea, and various members of the EU sent firefighters, rescue

teams, and financial aid to Turkey and Syria. Korea sent around 110a workers from Korea’s International Rescue Team, along with $5 million in aid.

“After around two weeks since the earthquake, most foreign rescue teams left since there were only two cities that were not fully searched, ” Kerem Demir Karahan (10), American Robert College Turkish student, said. “Their support really helped expedite the rescue operations. Around 8,000 people were saved thanks to the combined effort of all teams.”

On Feb. 17, 2.2 million people were evacuated from the disaster zone, and with a collective effort, 1.6 million of them were provided housing, 890,000 were placed in public facilities, and 50,000 in hotels.

“Although I have no relatives in the impacted cities, I had many friends who experienced the earthquake firsthand,” Kerem said. “A lot

Actor Yoo Ah-in faces backlash

On Feb. 6, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency opened an investigation into actor Yoo Ah-in’s illicit use of marijuana and the powerful anesthetic propofol. Yoo Ah-in, a prominent South Korean actor known for his roles in popular dramas such as “Secret Love Affair” and “Burning” has been accused of receiving multiple propofol injections at a dermatology clinic in Seoul. The allegations first came to light when an anonymous source claimed to have witnessed the actor receiving the injections. A hair sample of his also tested positive for traces of marijuana.

“I’m not really a Yoo Ah-in fan, but I’ve seen him in a few dramas and he was an amazing actor,” Joseph Kim (10), avid K-drama viewer, said. “I’ve also heard about him doing kind deeds so I had a good impression of him… when I heard the rumors that Yoo Ah-in was using drugs like marijuana, I was quite surprised.”

Propofol is a sedative-hypnotic drug that is primarily used for anesthetic purposes. Despite its intended medical purposes, it has been illegally abused and its highly addictive nature can lead to dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Famously, in 2009, American pop star Michael Jackson died from a propofol overdose. The recreational usage of propofol is thus globally stigmatized. The recreational usage of marijuana is similarly prohibited and frowned upon in South Korea.

“There are a lot of stories about how people, especially famous celebrities, got into a lot of trouble because they smoked weed,” Sean Kim (10), who follows Korean social trends, said. “The thing is, though, this isn’t even limited to using marijuana inside South Korea. If you go to

of them, naturally, were terrified of what happened and are still thankful that they are alive. Currently, like most families still in the region, they are staying in tents and wishing for this situation to be over as soon as possible so they can return to their normal lives.”

Violations of construction policies are being blamed for causing the high number of casualties. Especially, in the 2019 presidential election, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s support in forgiving property owners responsible for construction violations was a risky move considering that the southern area of Turkey is prone to earthquakes.

“[The Turkish government was] not prepared for the situation even though they said they were,” Emirtigin said. “They also seem to be using the earthquake as a political weapon. They are attacking the opposition parties that controlled some of the municipalities where

the earthquake happened.”

Recorded as one of the biggest natural disasters in years, Turkey has been left to handle political conflict, numerous displaced and dead people, and reflect on problems within their safety protocols in the aftermath. Despite these struggles, Turkey’s citizens as a whole are continuing to support those in need.

“Even though Turkey is a quite multiethnic society, especially in the area near the Syrian border, people still consider themselves part of a big community,” Stephen Shifflett, English teacher who taught in Turkey for 10 years, said. “Because of their shared history and all they have gone through over the years, there is a big collective atmosphere in Turkey; they have a strong national bond. So although it’s people in the east of Turkey directly suffering, all people of Turkey are hurting.”

Various non-government organ-

izations are also making donations and providing humanitarian assistance to the survivors of the earthquake. According to Emir Tigin, schools in Turkey, including his, are also making donations to support the humanitarian effort.

“SIS recognizes the importance of working together to support one another during times of crisis, and the attempt at creating a donation campaign is a testament to that,” Kate Kim (11), student interested in donating to Turkey. “By providing aid and relief, SIS aimed to help alleviate the suffering of those affected and to provide a sense of hope and comfort during this difficult time.”

Amidst the struggles of the earthquake, the whole world continues to provide messages of hope and encouragement through their active support.

Food poisoning rates double in South Korea

places where marijuana actually is legal, like California, you get texts from the Korean government that you are still not allowed to use it.”

Yoo Ah-in has denied the allegations against him, stating that he has only received the drug for legitimate medical reasons. There is some credence to this claim, as Yoo Ah-in does have a prescription for certain amounts of propofol. However, the actor’s sponsors have not hesitated to cut ties with the actor since his drug usage rumors camehave come to light. Popular Korean fashion brand Musinsa, for example, has taken Yoo Ah-in’s face down from their billboards and online advertisements. On some subway billboards, due to the costs of replacing the large advertisements, companies like fashion brand Nepa have simply pasted a piece of paper to cover the actor’s face.

“I think that it’s understandable why Yoo Ah-in’s sponsors have tried to distance themselves from him, since drug usage is super heavily frowned upon in Korea,” Ann Lee (11), enthusiastic consumer of Korean pop culture, said. “I do feel like the response was very extreme, though, since his usage of marijuana and propofol are only rumors as of right now.”

The allegations of drug abuse against Yoo Ah-in have brought attention to a serious issue in the entertainment industry. Although the actor has yet to be proven guilty of misusing propofol and marijuana, it is clear that the rumors surrounding him have been detrimental to his popularity.

According to Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, norovirus food poisoning rates have doubled in South Korea since the start of 2023. This upward trend in contraction was seen in numerous regions of the country, leaving many concerned about not only the potential precautions they might have to take against the infection but also its potential to parallel the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I do worry about it a lot,” Kristina Kang (10), former norovirus patient and frequent restaurant goer, said. “My experience with the norovirus has definitely made me more cautious about the food that I eat, as I am sometimes suspicious of the food that is being served to me in restaurants and other places. The norovirus is really something I do not wish on anyone.”

The reports of norovirus cases this month show that schools, restaurants, and products from various food manufacturers all over South Korea have been affected. In response, not only has the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety sent out an alert to local food-serving businesses for caution against the virus, but local areas have also started to recognize the situation, with the City Health and Environment Research Institute from Sejong

requesting for better attention to food hygiene management. Furthermore, the release of these startling rates throughout the country has left many curious about the potential causes of this outbreak in the first place.

“The norovirus is a highly contagious virus and the recent rise in norovirus cases in South Korea is concerning,” Ji Sun Choi, school nurse, said. “It can be caused by a number of different factors such as contaminated food or water, person to person contact, touching of contaminated surfaces, and even airborne transmission.”

Traditionally, the norovirus is the most prevalent stomach flu virus during winter. However, the Ministry claimed that the sudden increase in social gatherings following the relaxed COVID-19 restrictions has left many more susceptible to food poisoning. Furthermore, its appearance in public areas such as schools and other facilities has contributed to the rise of cases as well, with SIS being no exception.

“Experiencing a norovirus outbreak in school was something I really had not imagined happening,” Andrew Kim (10), who recovered from norovirus, said. “I think it disrupted my school life quite a bit

as I missed a lot of tests and other schoolwork that I had to make up in a week’s time. Also, the online classes and the caution that people took during the initial days of the outbreak really reminded me of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

With schools across Korea being infected and cases rising, many are weary of the large influence the virus might have on people’s daily lives. Nonetheless, with its potential parallels to COVID-19, students feel that the discussion should be more toward the larger implications on society and what to expect in the future.

“If the virus continues to spread rapidly, increased hospitalizations could strain healthcare resources, and outbreaks in schools could lead to disruptions in daily life,” Ms. Choi said. “In the future, we can expect to see continued efforts to prevent the spread of viruses in schools, as well as increased awareness and preparedness for outbreaks when they do occur. These efforts might look like enhanced sanitation measures, promotion of good hygiene, and adjustment of learning models.”

layout by David Kim

Your Classical Contemporaries

John Kim

The variety of experiences we encounter in high school often widen the range of our skills and passions from our initial interests. Likewise, in classical music, variations create harmonic changes to the theme, the main melody that is repeated and diversified throughout the piece.

Witold Lutosławski was a 20th century Polish composer who lived through a tumultuous period in history. When World War II broke out, Lutosławski was captured by German soldiers but escaped back to Warsaw, avoiding life in a concentration camp. Using his skills in composition, Lutosławski made a living by playing original pieces, transcriptions, and even popular music in cafes with fellow composer Andrzej Panufnik. During this time, he composed 200 two-piano duets, but his “Variations on a Theme by Paganini” was his only work that survived the war.

Composed in 1941, “Variations on a Theme by Paganini” is a five-minute piece for two pianos that is based on the familiar melody from the 24th caprice—a lively piece of music with a loose structure—of Niccolò Paganini’s “24 Caprices for Solo Violin,” which also inspired many other composers to produce their own interpretations of its captivating theme.

Lutosławski’s piece opens with one pianist playing the theme from Paganini’s 24th Caprice, which the other complements with streams of harmonic and dissonant chords. The two pianists continue to converse with each other throughout the variations, sometimes building on to each other’s melodies and sometimes playfully clashing with one another.

The expansive range of dynamics and vibrant rhythmic structure highlight the virtuosity of the two pianists. The varying articulation also creatively mimics violin techniques on the piano, such as pizzicato and harmonics.

Nonetheless, Lutosławski’s unique

twists to Paganini’s 24th Caprice is what distinguishes his interpretation from that of other composers. For instance, while Paganini’s 24th Caprice only has 11 variations, Lutosławski adds his own twelfth variation that utilizes the high end of the piano keyboard, producing a shrieking and mischievous effect. The piece then ends with a grand finale, with striking glissandos of the piano contributing to the finale’s fascinating reprisal of the main theme.

This musical dialogue between the two pianists reminds us of the coexistence of friendship and competition we experience at SIS. Being friends for numerous years at SIS, we strive to bring out the best in each other and create harmonious relationships. Yet, we simultaneously share the road to achieve high grades and leadership positions that inevitably place us into competition. This challenges us to push harder, just like the two pianists who unrelentingly articulate their own unique melodies in the cascade of musical phrases.

Throughout our high school life, our competition and relationships often pull us into different directions. But just like Lutosławski who continued his love for composing music even amid unforeseen times of war, staying true to ourselves can allow us to sustain our individual standards with stability, similar to the primary theme of variations that remains unchanged as the backbone of the piece. Possessing this self-awareness can encourage us to be less hesitant when exposing ourselves to the variations of our lives.

Kakao emerges victorious over Hybe in battle for SM holdings

Over the past month since early February, the K-pop industry faced one of its largest corporate battles with the fight for SM Entertainment shares between the Hybe Entertainment bloc supported by SM Chairman Lee Soo-man and the Kakao Entertainment bloc backed by SM co-CEOs Lee Sung-soo and Tak Young-jun. On Mar. 12, Hybe Entertainment withdrew from its takeover battle for SM due to concerns that the SM stock market was overheating, effectively seceding victory to its Kakao rival. With its recent tender offer, Kakao entertainment is poised to obtain up to 35 percent of SM shares and secure control of the entertainment behemoth, raising many questions about the future of the K-pop industry.

“The Hybe-Kakao battle for SM is one of the most intriguing corporate stock wars I’ve seen so far,” Eric Chang (12), avid stock investor, said. “I thought Hybe had the edge as it was initially the largest shareholder with its 14.8 percent stake but its abrupt decision to withdraw was truly unexpected and shocking. At the same, I fully understand Hybe’s decision as the SM stock prices were climbing extremely high and the financial pressure on Hybe would have been immense.”

Only a few months ago, Lee Soo-man had been the established founder and leader of SM Entertainment, which seemed to be flourishing as one of the most prominent K-pop companies. But over the years, as Lee Soo-man increasingly accumulated massive profits for himself by heavily exploiting personally owned labels despite owning only an 18 percent SM stake, the discord between Lee Soo-man and the rest of the SM management group increased. Consequently, SM management teamed up with Kakao through a $173 million share sale deal in an effort to diminish Lee Soo-man’s power while Lee Soo-man retaliated by allying with Hybe.

While Kakao has the controlling stake, SM is still guaranteed its ability to conduct independent business operations and strive toward its own established strategic goals. Moreover, Hybe, despite its withdrawal, still holds considerable

influence on SM as its decision to withdraw was a mutual decision made with Kakao that agreed upon the maintaining of a cooperative relationship where Hybe would be an active platform business partner of SM-Kakao.

“Aside from the business aspect, I think Kakao’s acquisition of SM will help SM groups get a fresh new start and reach another level of success,” Richard Jung (12), avid K-pop enthusiast, said. “Kakao groups have been enjoying much success in the K-pop industry as of late, notably the girl group IVE with its 3rd Single Album ‘Afterlike’. With Kakao’s talented producers and unique concepts taking part in SM production, I believe SM groups will enjoy more success as well.”

That being said, the transition of SM management into Kakao’s hands is expected to have significant implications for not only SM groups but the K-pop industry as a whole. While Kakao’s absorption of SM may result in intriguing collaborations between each company’s respective groups, many fans are concerned that the unique SM culture and style of music may disappear with a change in ownership. Others are wary of K-pop becoming a monopolized industry with the securing of SM, arguably the most prominent K-pop entertainment company after Hybe, by Kakao.

“Large labels play roles as gatekeepers in the K-pop industry that determine who will be successful and who will not be,”

Chris Bracciano, K-pop enthusiast and former Economics teacher, said. “Having a few powerful labels means many artists will be shut out if they cannot join them. While there is the Internet and various streaming platforms these days that allow convenient dissemination of music, the reality is that the vast majority of consumers only explore label-associated music—the acquisition of SM by Kakao will likely limit opportunities for more artists.”

Avalanche Software releases Hogwarts Legacy video game

Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Within the game, players are able to fight each other and non-player characters like dragons, wizards, and goblins. Players can also customize their characters, craft potions, master spell casting, and upgrade their abilities.

“I found out about the game because it was advertised on the PS5, which asked me to pre-order this new game,” Matthew Halter, “Hogwarts Legacy” player, said.

comments first started as misinformed rants regarding gender, but soon grew into attacks against the transgender community. For example, in 2020, she wrote that transgender people erase the concept of “same-sex attraction” and the “lived reality of women.”

“Hogwarts Legacy” is an openworld roleplaying game in which players can create their own unique characters and explore the magical world of the Harry Potter series. More than 12 million copies were sold in the first two weeks after the game was released on Feb. 10. The game is the best-selling Warner Bros. Games launch ever, with more than $850 million sales worldwide.

“I bought the game after I saw trailers, clips, and ads online,” Alma Tyvand (10), “Hogwarts

Legacy” player, said. “An aspect of the game I enjoy is the virtual world they created. I tend to walk around and explore even if I get lost. I was content with what I got from the game and impressed by how they managed to create an entire world based on a book series.”

“Hogwarts Legacy” was released on numerous platforms such as PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X. It was developed by Avalanche Software, a subsidiary company of Warner

“The special thing about Harry Potter is that I grew up with it, so the world of Hogwarts is not just a video game to me. The game is portrayed very well and expands on the setting of Harry Potter with new content. However, one improvement they could make is adding Quidditch into the game.”

Despite the game’s initial success and positive response to gameplay, its launch was plagued with controversy surrounding J.K. Rowling, the author of the original “Harry Potter” book series. In recent years, Rowling has become notorious for making transphobic comments on Twitter. These

“The comments of J.K. Rowling really damaged her legacy as an author,” Sylvia Lee (11), an avid Harry Potter fan, said. “I’m worried as to how this is going to affect the Harry Potter series and reputation. She already even made several controversial changes to some of the characters’ sexual identity and ethnicity.”

Due to such comments, many have discussed boycotting the game to express disapproval of her comments. Following such discussions, “Hogwarts Legacy” and its development team officially stated that Rowling had no involvement with the game’s development, but proposals for boycotts continued online as the game is still part of the franchise and would ultimately promote Rowling’s novels.

“Although I enjoyed reading the Harry Potter books and watching its movie adaptations, I was really uncomfortable when I found out about the tweets that J.K. Rowling made online,” Elizabeth Kim (11), avid Harry Potter fan, said. “But I do think that it’s unfair that people are attacking the new game when it doesn’t involve the author at all.”

Regardless of the boycott, the game has already become a hit on streaming platforms like Twitch, where it has garnered over one million viewers and 120,000 followers. There are also discussions of downloadable content of the game coming up, which would increase the game’s content with more updates.

‘‘Lutosławski: Variations on a Theme by Paganini’”

Charities: effective solution or fruitless effort?

By Jason Shin

For decades, charities have provided economic and humanitarian support for impoverished nations. Donations of food and clothing, medical supplies for AIDS and COVID-19, and even rescue teams for natural disasters have not only provided a basic foundation for their society, but also given an opportunity for these nations to alleviate their struggles and progress. These efforts are valuable as they strive to help struggling nations in times where help is often rare or unseen.

However, many also question the efficacy of these charity efforts, saying that they ultimately fail to solve the main causes of poverty or impoverishment. In almost half a century’s worth of donations, progress is still miniscule compared to the amount of resources spent. According to the Wall Street Journal, in the past 60 years, Africa received over $1 trillion of foreign aid, yet more than half of its population lives in conditions worse than it did in the 1970s.

The question then arises: do charities actually help impoverished nations, or do they only provide nominal support under the guise of efficiency?

Several factors contribute to the ineffectiveness of foreign aid. Many believe that charities wrongly fixate on false numerical metrics of progress, such as the quantity of food or shirts they have sent out rather than whether these efforts will have a lasting effect on the receiving nations. A salient example is the charity effort started by Jason Sadler through his T-shirt company I Wear Your Shirt in 2009. While initially viewed as a success due to the millions of t-shirts sent out to impoverished nations, it was heavily criticized for hurting local economies as it indirectly competed with an already weak local industry for clothing. As a result, citizens depended on the charity more since there was no incentive to buy the clothing locally, even when it might help the local industry if the charity had already provided it.

This was also seen in Haiti in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, where locally manufactured clothing directly competed with the millions of clothing sent by charities, which prevented the Haitian clothing industry from finding its footing in the domestic market. Ultimately, by hindering nations from the ability to pick themselves out of

poverty, charities perpetuate poverty by creating a dependency on foreign services and disrupting local economies from growing. Moreover, a nation’s sole provider for clothing and food then becomes the efforts of charities only, which further solidifies the charity’s presence in the nation but does not necessarily fix the root cause of the shortage itself, such as a weak economy, an unstable infrastructure, or a corrupt government.

The fixation on false quantifiable metrics as progress also leads to a facade of effectiveness that discourages further help. When it seems as if these communities are doing better than they really are, foreign governments can falsely believe that the urgency to intervene is low, making them less likely to provide aid. As a result, many impoverished nations fail to receive the amount of support that they could have gotten, but rather are forced to rely only on the small efforts of charities.

Charities are not completely ineffective. They are often excellent at providing generous amounts of support for a particular area of focus. For example, due to a lack of medical supplies and a poor living condition, many impoverished African nations suffer from many cases of AIDS and COVID-19. However, with the assistance of certain medical charities that provided medical research and treatments for patients, viruses were better contained and treated. Additionally, when charities are focused on a tangible and physical problem such as natural disasters, they often fare better than efforts for a broad societal problem such as poverty or hunger. In the recent devastating Turkey earthquake, rescue teams from different countries, food and shelter provided by charities, and much more, were all factors that greatly contributed to the recovery of the nation.

The issue of charities and their effectiveness will most likely remain a controversial topic. As disasters, extreme poverty, and other social issues will likely occur in the future, it is unlikely the use of charities will decrease any time soon. Thus, SIS students should attempt to discern their own opinion on the kind of charities that they support or may support in the future. By assessing and understanding whether a charity is effective or fruitless, students can make an informed decision before choosing to donate.

Poverty sensationalism: justified or misused?

Crying children with runny noses and eyes welling up with tears, thin grooves lining their chests as their rib cages protrude outward. A woman abandoned by her husband, clutching onto her starving children. A voiceover in the background plays alongside some somber orchestral music, begging the viewer to donate to end such vivid depictions of suffering, claiming that only a single dollar could be the difference between life and death.

Such a scene has become a rather common occurrence in modern times, where advertisements from charity organizations are plastered all over the Internet and television. This strategy of emphasizing the living conditions of the impoverished to garner sympathy for a charitable cause, known as poverty sensationalism, has been commonly used by large charities including UNICEF, the Salvation Army, and Save the Children.

Though some may perceive it as a wholly beneficial strategy, poverty sensationalism has stirred up controversy regarding its morality, exploitativeness, and patronizing nature.

Many claim that the practice is immoral, as it takes advantage of the living conditions of the poor to generate an increased amount of funds, much of which often also go toward supporting the operations of the nonprofit charity organization. In fact, a former New York Times photographer professed that many pictures of African villagers were taken without their consent and at their most vulnerable moments. Critics of this method argue that it does not matter how much money is produced by this strategy, as the means to achieve those funds are ultimately immoral.

Others also claim that poverty sensationalism is harmful because it promotes western superiority and the white savior complex, often implying that the only people who can help struggling, impoverished communities are wealthy white Westerners and their generous donations.

One particular advertisement that was harshly criticized for promoting the white savior complex was from Compassion International. Titled “The wait is over,” it depicted several impoverished Indonesian children praying for someone from the western world to sponsor them and save them from their struggles. Critics from The Guardian stated that the video “promotes deep-rooted perceptions of Western superiority over the South,” citing it as yet another instance of the problematic nature of the use of poverty sensationalism by charities.

Furthermore, some claim that poverty sensationalism is directly harmful to the poor as it exaggerates the truth, focusing more on the extreme hardships of the impoverished rather than providing the full picture to the viewers. This often leads to skewed

By Junseo Lee

perceptions regarding impoverished communities, completely disregarding their complex history and culture and instead defining their identities by the fact that they are struggling and in extreme poverty. Many consider these actions to be manipulative and deceitful, particularly in an era where sensationalism in digital news media has grown significantly.

On the other hand, supporters argue that poverty sensationalism, despite its harms, is largely justified as it fulfills the ultimate purpose of charity organizations—raising money for those who need it. Even if such strategies exploit the poor, they claim that it is still an acceptable method of appeal, considering the fact that most of the donated money would be directly aiding them.

For instance, despite receiving backlash from critics for relying too heavily on poverty sensationalism, the 1985 Live Aid campaign raised $127 million to combat famine in Ethiopia. The campaign’s supposedly exaggerated advertisements were ultimately able to generate a substantial amount of awareness and publicity for the issue, encouraging developed nations to end the African hunger crisis by producing and donating surplus grain.

From a utilitarian standpoint, it may seem obvious that as long as such advertisements remain effective in fulfilling the purpose of the charity and maximizing the funds generated to help the poor, the use of poverty sensationalism is morally justifiable.

However, as a result of the trend of sensationalism and distressing imagery becoming commonplace in modern society, many experts share concerns that people have become desensitized to them, reducing their effectiveness in generating funds. The potential continuation of diminishing returns on sensationalist advertising ultimately raises the question of why this strategy should be used if its only appeal—effectiveness in increasing donations—will no longer be applicable, leaving only the morally questionable nature of using this strategy.

Regardless, poverty sensationalism will likely remain a staple of charity advertising in the near future, having at least proven its effectiveness in generating funds in the short term. Regardless of whether they agree with such strategies, SIS students must also learn to make their own decisions on what causes they value and choose to contribute to. Donating to the poor is nearly universally considered to be a beneficial act, and though the means organizations use to achieve their goals may be controversial, it is ultimately up to the consumers to make an informed choice regarding the causes they would like to support.

Matthew Um: baking man with a baking plan

Whether it be his distinctly long hair, his exceptional skills in photography, or even his quirky last name, Matthew Um (12) is certainly a memorable member of the SIS community. But despite his status as such an unforgettable individual, Matthew has numerous lesser-known talents that he has not yet had the chance to share with the rest of the school. In particular, very few of his fellow students seem to know that he has a remarkable talent in the creation—and consumption—of baked goods.

“I started baking when I was around 12 years old,” Matthew said. “At the start, it was mostly just me watching my mom baking in the kitchen and maybe having a little taste of what she made. But as I grew older, I became a lot more interested in actually helping her bake, which is when she really started teaching me.”

After practicing in his home kitchen with his mother for sev-

layout by Alice Lee

eral years of his childhood, Matthew continued to hone his skills in baking on his own after entering high school. Since then, he has learned how to make a wide variety of baked goods, many of which SIS students likely would not be able to differentiate from products found in their local bakeries.

“I think I have baked most things that people could reasonably think of,” Matthew said.

“I’ve made blueberry muffins, brownies, chocolate cookies, and even banana bread, though I think carrot cake is definitely my favorite to make. Each of them has a completely unique recipe, so it is a bit difficult to have to learn all of them, but they become really easy to make after a few tries.”

Baking has become more than just a skill he can practice at home, however: it has also allowed him to participate more actively in school projects and activities such as club bake sales and fundraisers, as well as show off his baking prowess to

his fellow students.

“At school, I volunteered to bake cookies and caramelized brownies so that I could sell them as part of a fundraiser for the Aperture photography club,” Matthew said. “I went around the school selling them, and I was able to raise quite a lot of money. I was actually kind of surprised that so many people bought them, considering I rarely sell my own baked goods at school for a profit.”

Though baking has certainly helped Matthew make valuable contributions at school, it remains a hobby that has personal significance to him. In fact, he believes that this hobby has played a major role in shaping his character and personality as well.

“Baking has definitely made me a more creative person, but in a way that also encourages me to follow the most important rules,” Matthew said. “It is really important to come up with your own ideas and try to bake new things,

but it is also just as important to stick to the recipe and be exact with your measurements. If you add just a bit too much vinegar or your eggs are not at room temperature, the whole thing could be ruined, so baking has definitely taught me to be more of a cautious person.”

For Matthew, baking remains a deeply personal hobby that he will likely take with him and continue to practice after graduating from SIS. Not only a hobby, baking also seems to have taught him numerous valuable lessons that he will take into adulthood.

“I think baking has taught me the importance of giving,” Matthew said. “It is always a more enjoyable experience if I am able to share some of the things I make with others, and maybe even encourage them to take up baking too. After all, if I always end up making more than I could eat, what else is there to do?”

Through his inspirational use

of baking to develop his character into the person he is today, Matthew teaches us the importance of devoting your time to practicing a unique hobby and applying it to numerous aspects of your life. Especially for SIS students who may often sacrifice their hobbies to focus on studying and academics, his enjoyment of baking serves as a reminder that life offers many different paths and opportunities, and the only requirement to pursue them is the willingness to try something new.

“I think the best part of baking is that it allows me to embrace my love of giving and providing for others, whilst also allowing me to just do something I find fun,” Matthew said. “I really believe that anyone is capable of doing it with enough practice and effort, and I hope others try it out and share this passion of mine.”

Photo by Hannah Kim (12)

What is your favorite childhood memory?

Childhood memories are particularly valuable to us because they recall a time of innocence, curiosity, and adventure in a blissful time free of school obligations. Whether it is the sound of a loved one’s voice or the aroma of a parent’s home-cooked meal, childhood experiences build the foundations for who we are today. For many, those memories are associated with spring, as with the blooming season comes a wave of nostalgia for the past.

“One of my best childhood memories was Christmas in 1978, when I was 8 and going back to where my family lived. My mom told me to listen to the radio, and it said that Santa Claus was spotted flying over the North Pole, heading to the US. I was so excited and wanted to hurry so Santa Claus wouldn’t pass me by. When we arrived, I immediately went to bed. Everything I had asked for, I got that year.”

- Mark W. Hastings, Spanish teacher

“My favorite memory was when I went skiing in Finland with my family. I was 8 and short, so the snow was up to my shoulder. It’s a nice memory because it was my first time skiing, and also the first time I did an outdoor sport. I was terrible at it, and I still don’t know how to ski. I learned nothing, but it was fun nonetheless.”

- Grace Lee (9)

“I was 7 and couldn’t ride a bike, but my classmate Magnus could. Eventually, I told my mom I wanted to learn to bike. She said she would ask if Magnus’s dad would teach me. His dad spent the entire day teaching me. I still remember the moment he let go of my bike, and I was riding completely on my own. It was exhilarating. I rode a bike to school every day that year.”

- Yuha Jeon (10)

“I was in middle school that year, and when I went to the hospital to visit my brother and his wife, I saw my niece as a newborn baby. I’ll forever treasure the first time I saw her and the first time she smiled at me. I take care of her sometimes, so I remember those firsts every time I’m in charge of babysitting her.”

- Silvia Lee

(11)

“My favorite memory is probably when I went to my first concert ever at the age of 9—I can still remember that Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas were performing. I was enthralled by their performances, and seeing them made me realize I wanted to do the same thing. Every time I think back to that moment, I feel really nostalgic because this concert motivated me to continue singing and putting myself out there.”

- Anna Piscioneri (11)

“My favorite memory was when I stepped into the classroom on the first day of elementary school. Even though I was scared, I was still able to make long-lasting friends, whom I stay in contact with even to this day. Every time I think back on that moment, it brings a smile to my face and I feel content with such sweet childhood memories.”

- Yujin Lee (11)

Dystopian discussions

by Aimee Choi & Skylar Peck editors-in-chief

This is where we produce ear-piercing yells at decibel levels that seem humanly impossible, where we magically forget lessons we should have learned in kindergarten about not interrupting others while they are speaking. This is a vicious, Hunger-Games-esque battlefield where our actions are primarily driven by desperation. This is the environment that characterizes summative discussions at SIS.

Few would consider it an overstatement that the word “summative” awakens a different persona within us SIS students. It is as if attaching a grade to our work cues our metamorphosis into hypervigilant meerkats that frantically seek opportunities to pounce on predators—or, in the case of discussions, other students’ viewpoints.

In our discussions, capitalizing on every nanosecond of silence to speak often takes precedence over listening to others. When a peer is speaking, we listen on the edge of our seats not for thought-provoking ideas to deliberate but for the chance to pose a prewritten question on a tangentially related theme that LitCharts deems important. As for the content, students elect to provide formulaic responses fraught with buzzwords like “normalize,” “inherent,” and “status quo” (not necessarily used correctly) over insightful contributions. This inevitably obstructs the development of a nuanced exchange and synthesis of diverse ideas, defeating the theoretical purpose of discussions.

In fact, rarely do disagreements arise at all. Typically, once one high-achieving student proposes a well-supported idea, that idea permanently remains not only unchallenged but also largely unexplored. Instead, we tend to “add on” to it by presenting a paraphrased version of the exact same idea—God forbid we display the slightest semblance of deviance. This calls into question the productivity of summative discussions. What purpose do they serve if they amount to little more than speed contests to vocalize generic responses that are original just enough to earn the “sophistication” point on the rubric?

The ideal countermeasure to this would be deemphasizing summative discussions in favor of formative ones. This runs contrary to the popular perception that removing the summative label will reduce motivation and further depreciate the value of discussions. While virtually any student’s PowerSchool dashboard will confirm that they care less for formatives, many are confident that discussions can be excepted from this trend.

Several students express that they would contribute more sincerely to discussions in the absence of the pressure to answer “correctly”; one student said that because they feel like teachers subconsciously direct them toward a narrow set of acceptable answers, originality takes a backseat to conventionality when participating in summative discussions. Moreover, a formative environment would reduce the cutthroat competition for the opportunity to speak.

Of course, the feasibility of this solution is contingent on students’ collective willingness to approach formative discussions with the same preparation and engagement as they would summative ones. We ought to recognize that the practice of exchanging ideas with others is imperative to nurturing our critical thinking and open-mindedness—discussions bear importance beyond an “easy 100” grade. Only through this realization will we be able to potentiate collaborative and productive conversations that do not leave us feeling like predatory parrots afterward.

Let yourself be heard. If you have any responses to articles published in the Tiger Times or original contributions, please send them to tigertimes@gmail.com

layout by Hannah Kim

Cannabis: crime or comfort?

South Korea has long held a critical attitude toward the use of cannabis, or marijuana, with its drug policies being among the strictest in the world. Under the law, recreational use of marijuana is punishable by a fine of up to 50 million won or up to five years in prison, and citizens are prohibited from using marijuana abroad, regardless of its legal status. Korea’s social culture mirrors its laws’ harsh resistance to drugs, as most Koreans have a dim view of the recreational use of drugs

This anti-marijuana attitude is exemplified by how netizens react to public figures and their recreational drug use. For example, Shin Dongyup, a renowned entertainer in the TV industry, was arrested for the illegal use of marijuana in 1999. The consequences were dire: he was removed from the cast of “Night of TV Entertainment“ and was forced to pay a bail of around 2 million won. More than 20 years later, not much has changed. When actor Yoo Ah-in recently tested positive for the use of marijuana, his advertisement deals were pulled and his future shows have been put at risk.

Such severe consequences beg the question: is strict regulation of recreational marijuana justified?

Simply, the drug’s harsh regulation is overly pessimistic and ignorant of its health benefits and effects, based on conservative ideals that have stigmatized marijuana.

According to a 2017 study conducted by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, health benefits of marijuana include relaxation, stress relief, easing chronic pain, and help with mental health disorders like depression and PTSD. This study also disproved many harms of marijuana, finding minimal evidence between its use and lung cancer, asthma, and heart attacks. Most importantly, the study found insufficient evidence that marijuana could lead to an overdose death.

Additionally, Korean culture includes other recreational activities that have similar health consequences to cannabis but are viewed in a much less negative light. Drinking is a substantial part of Korean culture, and drinking parties are the norm for office workers. Smoking cigarettes has also been normalized, as the Korean Disease Control and Prevention Agency reported a smoking rate of 20.6% for adults 19 and older in 2020. However, drinking, a common comparison for marijuana due to its frequent recreational use, is in fact just as harmful to the human body, if not worse. According to Healthline Media, the short-term effects of alcohol and marijuana are quite similar: drowsiness, impaired judgment, coordination issues, and relaxation. However, alcohol seemingly has much harsher possible long-term effects, such as heart damage, liver disease, and infertility.

While not enough research has been conducted to truly state the long-term effects of marijuana, scientists have found some issues, like triggering schizophrenia for those who have a family history with it. As long as addiction is prevented, such effects pose much less of a threat as they affect a smaller population. This comparison weakens the case for strict regulation of marijuana and the negative stigma surrounding it. Koreans have long normalized and legalized the use of other harmful substances, yet their conservative ideals fail to view marijuana in the same light.

It is worth noting that Korea has not completely backed away from looser enforcement of marijuana, as it is the first East Asian country to legalize its medical use. Despite such changes, however, it is clear that the culture’s attitude has created a roadblock for the progress of its destigmatization. Many have been blinded by such stigmas and fail to objectively view the drug, thus causing them to be unable to judge the punishments that come with it. Therefore, in order for destigmatization, decriminalization, or legalization to make progress in Korea, it is important for the culture to attempt to view the issue without prejudice and break free from conservative ideas.

Mental illness? OMG!

NewJeans, currently one of the most beloved K-pop girl groups, released the music video for its latest song, “OMG.” Though the song’s catchy tune and refreshing lyrics attracted many K-pop fans and furthered its global success since the group’s surprise debut in 2022, the music video stirred controversy for romanticizing mental illness.

Specifically, some viewers felt uneasy about the last scene of the music video. Minji, the oldest member of NewJeans, says gaja, which translates to “Let’s go,” to a person writing a negative comment about the music video’s content. Because Minji takes the role of a psychiatrist throughout the music video, some viewers interpreted the last scene as implying that those who react negatively to NewJeans have mental health problems and should go to a mental hospital.

Mental illnesses are often stigmatized in Korean society, which often leads to people not seeking help when they need it. Considering the societal sensitivity of discussing mental illness, Korean media should approach mental health with more sincerity and portray mentally ill

patients positively to lessen the unease around receiving professional support.

One social influence that shapes the perception of mental health in Korea is Confucianism. Confucianism emphasizes self-discipline and values interpersonal harmony over individual desire, which Confucianism attributes as the source of mental instability. These social values may increase the tendency to avoid openly expressing one’s mental illnesses and recognizing the gravity of their psychological impacts on one’s mental state. Combined with the fear of stigma, this reticent attitude may further inhibit patients from seeking professional mental support.

According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), South Korea has a public mental health expenditure of only 3 percent of its public health budget, which highlights insufficient measures and attention toward providing mental health care. This lack of accessibility and development in public mental health could correlate with individuals feeling reluctant to receive specialized mental care.

Some claim that NewJeans and producers of the music video have actually illustrated mental illness positively by using a creative medium to increase the representation of patients in mental health hospitals.

Using a mental health hospital as a concept of the music video and implicitly conveying that critics are mentally ill, however, may unintentionally affect Koreans into forming an inaccurate view of mental health patients. This is especially problematic because most of the audience of not only NewJeans but many K-pop groups are young viewers whose values could be shaped by the entertainment industry.

In fact, some K-pop idols have openly expressed the importance of mental health through their songs, such as the choreography in Kang Daniel’s song “Paranoia” that visualizes his mental conflicts and the lyrics of Sunmi’s song “Borderline” that convey her suffering from borderline personality disorder. These direct approaches could certainly initiate a more welcoming view of and increased exposure to mental health among audiences, but the hesitance in seeking medication and professional support regarding mental illnesses still remains.

As revealed by the controversy from NewJeans’s music video, the media can have a resounding impact on Korean society and stigmatization. Those with mental illnesses should be represented in a more humane light by the media through ways such as enhancing the visibility of professional mental support programs and public service announcements on media platforms. Altogether, increased societal attention and sincerity to this issue can truly serve as a stepping stone for Korean society to advance into a more supportive society for mental health patients.

Viewpoint Feature:

When was the last time you talked to a middle school student? The gap between high school and middle school students has been growing in recent years. Interaction between the two ages groups can have numerous benefits for both student groups.

What events could SIS host to foster relationships between MS & HS students?

How can you take the initiative to bridge the gap between MS & HS students?

Bridging the gap between middle and high school students

With the recent COVID-19 pandemic and the discontinuation of Family Fun Day, the gap between middle school and high school students has grown further apart than ever. Students have ample opportunities to interact with their peers and with their teachers, but they rarely get the chance to interact with those in other age groups. In order to resolve this issue, we must work toward bridging the separation between high school and middle school students. But why is encouraging interactions between students of different age groups important?

First, it could help middle school students assimilate more easily into high school. Most of us can recall our first day of school as freshmen. In my case, the thought of being in a new environment with new expectations was overwhelming. What if I could not find my classes?

What were KC and IA grades? Even though I had been at SIS since kindergarten, my first day of school as a freshman was swarmed with confusion and uncertainty, and many students probably had a similar experience.

But it does not have to be this way. Every year, a new class of students enters their freshman year as another class leaves for college. For every new freshman, there is a senior seasoned by their three years of experiencing high school. If we connect these students, underclassmen could benefit from the knowledge that upperclassmen may possess regarding study tips, time management skills, club functions,

testing regulations, and social life.

This can partially be achieved by building up on the foundation that already exists at SIS. The Peer Mentor Program, created in the last school year, has been connecting freshmen with seniors or juniors; simply expanding this program to include middle school students, by connecting peer mentors to 8th grade students, could foster more interaction between students to prepare them for an entirely new experience. SIS can incentivize high school students to participate by handing out certificates or awards to recognize students who have been most successful in aiding middle school students. It can also be achieved through smaller things such as working to build relationships with middle school students during sports practices or school-wide events.

Some may argue that such interactions are unnecessary because the responsibility of preparing students for high school should lie on teachers and parents. The MSSC and the middle school faculty members already diligently prepare students for the transition at the end of every year with presentations and grade wide meetings. What benefits can high school students provide when experienced adults are already on the job?

The answer is simple. High school students have experienced the transition more recently and are often more knowledgeable about the everyday struggles that adults may not be able to directly relate to. This can be minute details,

such as tips on opening lockers, optimal study strategies, and even the best places to study. Additionally, students are more likely to relate to older students than their parents and teachers.

The integration of high school and middle school students also has educational benefits. Even though there are several events that introduce students to the high school, there are very few opportunities for high school students to share their knowledge with middle school students. One way to increase these opportunities is for clubs to extend their reach and organize classroom visits to share their projects and expertise.

The interaction of clubs with middle school students could then spark interest in younger students and encourage them to develop their passions as they transition into high school. These events do not always have to be extensive, but can be simple things such as baking sales, information sessions, or volunteering sessions. In fact, a few clubs have already started to reach out to them. Amnesty International has held annual middle school writing competitions on human rights and Science National Honor Society (SNHS) is holding a science demonstration as well.

High school students would also benefit from experiences like SNHS’s demonstrations, as countless studies indicate that the best way for students to cement their knowledge is to teach others. Research shows that when students explain concepts to others, they gain a deeper under-

standing of the subject.

High school students will also be able to gain skills such as leadership and mentorship that they need—skills that do not appear overnight. When students graduate from high school and college, these skills will be essential to their careers.

Though clubs and organizations such as the HSSC already provide leadership opportunities, they are defined by leading peers who are, at maximum, only three years younger than them. This does not reflect the reality of a workplace environment, where people must collaborate with those with a much wider range of age. Mentoring middle school students and interacting with them allows high schoolers to lead students much younger than them, providing a unique chance to acquire leadership skills that require more empathy and patience.

Although SIS can develop more opportunities to address this issue, the most essential factor is that students themselves are motivated to engage and interact with one another. We should not wait for a systematic change in our education system, but instead, take the initiative ourselves to improve communication between varied age groups. As an old Greek proverb says, “A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit.”

DEEP_FRIED_INTERNET

On the basis of quirkiness

“Girls vs. Boys,” otherwise known as “Boys are Quirky,” is a popular meme format that has recently permeated into mainstream social media. Created for and by a usually young male audience, it features a drawing of a boy and a girl and compares how they would act in specific situations like finding a time machine, changing in the locker room, or talking during a sleepover.

The punchline of the meme is that the girl would act in a predictable way while the boy would act in more interesting—or “quirky”—ways. For example, one meme depicts girls talking about clothes in the locker room while boys engage in drone warfare in the same scenario. Pushing aside the question of how a teenage boy would know what happens inside the girls’ locker room, one of the discussions surrounding this meme is whether it is actually misogynistic.

The young male audience this meme is usually created for is often rife with misogyny. According to women’s rights activist Laura Bates, easy access to radical men’s rights forums has indoctrinated many young boys into misogynistic ideologies.

Even in the halls of SIS, it is not unusual to hear a male student talking about freeing Andrew Tate, an influencer and self-described misogynist convicted of sex trafficking that many teenage boys idolize. Alarmed by the rapid normalization of feminist ideals and wanting to cling on to a sense of superiority, perhaps they latched on to such misogynistic memes as a way of subtly affirming their place in society.

Furthermore, it is not the first time that jokes were used to spread ideologies. Throughout history, political battles have often been fought on the battlegrounds of humor. In World War II, Ally propaganda depicted Hitler as a cartoonish oaf; likewise, Nazi posters portrayed Franklin Roosevelt as household pets. Even today, political cartoons use humorous satire to draw attention to government blunders. Humor has remained such a popular vehicle for political agendas because it makes it easy to belittle the opposition without an overly grim tone, which may scare viewers away. As a result, the line between serious commentary and genuinely lighthearted joking has become difficult to discern.

But while it may be impossible to ever conclude

for certain whether “Girls vs. Boys” is purposefully political, it is undeniable that it perpetuates unfair stereotypes about girls. It sticks them into a very limited category, depicting them as frivolous and incapable of deep thought or humor. It is an incomplete statement akin to saying that boys are only capable of caring about sports and nothing else: a surface-level observation that denies them the possibility of being a complex individual.

Though it is easy to brush off the meme as simple comedy, people should keep in mind that it ultimately validates ideas and allows them to exist without scrutiny. And misogyny, like all types of discrimination, is an idea that should never be validated under any circumstances. As Bates said, what begins as sexist jokes can easily escalate into extreme, hateful vitriol. People should always be aware of their beliefs and ask themselves why they find memes like “Girls vs. Boys” so compelling. Discovering the biases hidden inside themselves will allow them to have a more positive, objective view of others and lead a richer life. Maybe even one day, the meme known as “Girls vs. Boys” will become “Girls and Boys.”

Films to Live By

As the Latin saying goes, “Family is my reason to rise and my only reason to fall.” Family is our first step into the universe, the people we share things in common with, and at the same time, the ones we have to understand better. The film to be introduced demonstrates how family is a valuable part of everyone’s relationships, experiences, and lives.

The film “Everything Everywhere All at Once” takes the audience on a roller coaster of new universes filled with googly eyes, sausage fingers, silent rocks, an “everything” donut, and much more: a strange yet compelling combination. Under two unique directors—Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert—and an Asian-majority cast including Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, and Ke Huy Quan, this bizarre story unpacks the importance of familial love.

The story introduces a dysfunctional Chinese immigrant family with Evelyn Hur, a hardened and cold laundromat owner, Joy Wang, her rebellious daughter, and Waymond Wang, her lighthearted and kind husband. Evelyn struggles to accept Joy’s lesbian identity and solve her family’s tax troubles. At the same time, Evelyn’s husband, Waymond Wang suddenly demands a divorce. As her family faces all these struggles, Evelyn desperately tries to keep things under control.

Similarly, at least once in our lives, we all experience an uncomfortable reality that we may struggle to comprehend. But by exposing ourselves to the intimate experiences of others, we are able to come to terms with our struggles and transcend them.

For Evelyn, her story takes a turn when a version of Waymond, from another universe, tells Evelyn that she is desperately needed to save the multiverse from Jobu Tupaki, or the alternate version of Joy.

Evelyn then discovers her numerous identities scattered throughout the multiverse, exploring worlds in which she is an accomplished actress, a teppanyaki chef,

a kung fu master, and a rock in the Grand Canyon. Through the chaotic verse-jumpings, Evelyn comes to terms with her past sacrifices and decisions. In the same way, the sacrifices we sometimes need to make remind us that we make those decisions because of the love we faithfully follow.

Amidst the value of love that radiates throughout Evelyn’s discoveries, Waymond reminds Evelyn that “The only thing I do know is that we have to be kind. Please, be kind. Especially when we don’t know what’s going on.” Through this, Evelyn learns to be supportive of her daughter and to help Jobu Tupaki overcome her internal turmoil by fighting her with kindness.

Along with this, despite the numerous possibilities and dreams Evelyn and Waymond had to sacrifice in this universe, a successful version of Waymond expresses that “in another life, I would have really liked just doing laundry and taxes with you.” Thus, this portrays how the hardships we go through make familial love painful at times, but also memorable and cherishable.

As for herself, an independent and strong-willed mother, Evelyn is empowered through her different personalities as a mother, wife, fighter, and most importantly, a capable Evelyn who does not regret her decisions in life.

Just like Evelyn, we need to understand family members better, not just as family members, but as genuine individuals with their own struggles, internal conflict, and desires. Familial love is forever and sometimes we get to understand this message even in the most unconventional ways.

Carefully constructing a building model, Amy Cha (11) works to complete her Design II project.

Photo by Grace Lee

photo of the month

Rosa Suh, David Kim

Saewoong Ian Park

layout by David Kim