Tiger Times Volume 56 Issue 1

Tiger Times Volume 56 • Issue 1 • September 2024 • ttonl.org

3 School News 2 Focus6 8 Extended Viewpoint10 15 HS Winter Concert

Freshman Late Night Culture of Korean education Politics of Sports

cover by Alex Lee

More outdoor education Bathroom Design Flaws

2 SCHOOL NEWS Tiger Times exercises the right to report on and editorialize all topics, events or issues, including those unpopular or controversial, insofar as they affect or interest the school, community, nation, and world.

We refrain from publishing material that advertises illegal products or services, is obsene, 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.

Tiger Times Staff Volume 56 Issue 1 September Seoul, South Korea TTONL.org a free publication of

Paper Editors-in-Chief Yoon Choi Jason Lee

Website Managing Editors Hannah Yi Danny Han

Production Editors Lucy Jang San Schwede Alex Jihwan Lee

Website Editor-in-Chief Eric Cho

Paper Managing Editor Eric Kim

Photo Manager Jason Shin

Seoul International School

New Club News Brief While clubs come and go every year, this year’s list of clubs has been especially lengthy, packed with eight new clubs — one of the highest in recent years. As the number reached 48 this year, clubs have especially struggled with finding an adviser from the 41 high school teachers. Below are some of the unique ideas and activities devised by them.

One club is the Society of Behavioral Psychology (SBP), led by Yeonjae Kim ’26. The SBP club offers volunteer opportunities at the Mind Care Institute of Korea, an English-oriented institute offering assessment and therapy for those with psychological disorders.

They also plan to raise awareness of mental health within the student community through informative activities like breakout rooms for its members.

“I think the club provides a really good opportunity to learn about psychology and spread awareness about mental illnesses,” Minseo Park ’26, SBP member, said. “We collaborate with outside organizations and I think it’s nice that we can help other people.”

Another new club is the Environmen-

tal Policy Project (EPP), led by Jay Choe ’25 and Danny Han ’25, with an initiative of publishing research papers specific to environmental issues. Allowing students to take leadership in their own research and providing them with journal publication opportunities sets EPP apart from traditional clubs.

“I created EPP because over the past few years, I developed a passion for environmental policy from my experiences in MUN, internships, and other opportunities,” Jay, President of EPP, said. “When we began our trial meetings, I was surprised by how many people demonstrated [their] interest for the club. Once official meetings begin and we have a final roster of events, that’s when I plan to launch our student [research] projects.”

The Law Club was revived this year by Jian Hong ’26. By featuring opportunities to participate in mock trials and writing and presenting on legal controversies, it cultivates critical thinking as well as general knowledge of the American legal system.

“After participating in the Law Club trial meetings, my interest in the legal

Multimedia Editor Jiah Hwang

Paper Social Media Manager Jian Hong

system and court cases increased significantly,” Hannah Park ’27, club meeting attendee, said. “Not only did we play a very entertaining game of jeopardy, but the presentation also provided a good picture of what we might expect in the future. It was a great experience, and I can’t wait to start presenting cases and possibly compete in a law competition in the future.”

The Pickleball Club led by Brian Ji ’26 is the only club actively playing sports at SIS. Pickleball is a beginner-friendly version of recreational racket sports, popular in the US. Now, students not affiliated with varsity badminton or tennis also have opportunities to get into related sports practices.

“The goal of the club is to promote pickleball within SIS and ultimately increase its popularity in Korea,” Brian said. “Club meetings are held in the table tennis area every Wednesday activity period. While it is more casual than varsity sports like tennis or badminton, hopefully it can still attract interest from the students as it is a relatively new sport in Korea. Weekly meetings will certainly help that.”

Website Design Editor Subeen Shim Website Social Media Managers Waan Choi Christie Hwang

Paper Copy Editors Jian Hong Carey Kim Yeonjae Kim Sean Kim Reporters Chloe Kim Carson Park Anders Christensen Jason Chung

Minju Chung Yumin Jeon Leah Kim Charlotte Kim Kayla Kim Catherine Ryu Hyunjoon Rha Jiwu Lee Joseph Lim Adviser Mr. Stephen Shifflett

Tiger Films, SIS’s production and film club, formerly known as Youtube Influencer Club, went through a renewal led by Ian Kim ’26. Together, the club has been active since the beginning of school, working on projects like back to school and HSSC promotional material.

“Although the club I was trying to make and Tiger Films had primarily different goals, we began to acknowledge that both of the clubs can somehow help each other,” Ian said. “While my club and I could provide them help with managing and directing in the field of both cinematography and filming, they could also help us with filming and video editing.”

With many new clubs and a surge of students interested in them, SIS has expanded its options for students with diverse interests once again this year. Be on the lookout for events held by these new clubs!

By: Jian Hong

Junior, Copy Editor

HSSC hosts Freshman Late Night

The HSSC hosted the annual Freshman Late Night on Aug. 16. Being the only recurring grade-wide event in SIS, the Freshman Late Night aims to familiarize the freshmen with the high school building and formulate bonds between returning and new students. It also provides a grasp of what HSSC does, informing and encouraging freshmen to apply.

“I would say that Freshman Late Night has just progressively gotten better with the years that have followed,” Yoonwoo Lee ’26, HSSC member, said. “Everyone was having fun, the food was good, and even the teachers got in on the fun.”

Despite the event overlapping with the fall sports tryouts, HSSC managed to navigate through by beginning with smaller-scale activities. Freshmen who were not a part of fall sports were organized into small groups to participate in stationed mini-games such as egg race, centipede race, and people quiz. Once the games were over, students gathered in the atrium for a karaoke session along with a time capsule event where they drafted a letter for their future selves to be opened when they become seniors. When the tryouts were over, the rest of the freshmen joined for a water fight on the green top.

Afterward, students changed into dry clothes and joined the HSSC members in the atrium where various foods and snacks such as chicken, ramen, and pizza awaited. The next agenda item was spin the bottle, an event many call the highlight of freshman late night.

Although there were objections in the beginning, students sat in a boy-girlboy-girl orientation, forming a circle in the middle of the atrium. The victim

layout by Leah Kim

was chosen by who the bottle landed on, who then picked a card from a deck including various exciting dares ranging from holding your partner’s hand while making eye contact to revealing your Instagram DM list. Amid the bustle of the event, HSSC members began to hide “treasures,” plastic buyo soda bottles, around the high school building.

After that, a modified hide-and-seek took place, where students had to find the hidden “treasures” while avoiding getting caught by seekers. The seekers were chosen discreetly, and once everyone was released from the atrium to hide around the school, the seekers returned to the atrium to obtain a glowing neon bracelet. When caught by the seekers, students had to come back to the atrium and win minigames such as cham-cham-cham to run freely again.

“The best part of the late night was spin the bottle and hide-and-seek,” Justin Chen ’28 said. “I remember when the seekers came near me but couldn’t find me, I felt a chill descend my neck.

The whole vibe made the experience extremely thrilling and fun. It was overall a great memory for everyone.”

As always, a multitude of challenges ranging from time constraints to communication problems had to be surmounted to host a successful event.

“Having to contact administrators as soon as school started and other limitations coming from the lack of time was the most difficult aspect,” Ellen Ryu ’25, HSSC treasurer, said. “There was limited time to submit work orders and creating public relations materials.

However, by utilizing our Instagram account, sending emails, and working during summer break helped us cover

Photo by Everlyn Chong ’26

up those limitations, which led to an overall successful event.”

Despite the success of the event, there were still some complaints about diversifying events. To further enhance the Freshman Late Night in the future, the HSSC members took time to discuss and reflect on the event.

“In upcoming years, I think we like to see more freshmen participate,” Megan Mannell, HSSC adviser, said. “One thing that we’ve talked about with that is

possibly moving the schedules so that it doesn’t interfere with sports tryouts, and just making it even more enjoyable for all the freshmen to get to know each other.”

By: Joseph Lim

Sophomore, Reporter

SCHOOL NEWS

New changes to AP exams In July of 2024, CollegeBoard announced that 28 of the 39 AP exams will turn digital in 2025. The decision to digitize the exams began with the SAT last year to increase security, accessibility, and flexibility. Subjects such as AP Psychology, AP Language and Composition, and AP US History have been fully digitized, while subjects such as AP Physics 1 & 2, AP Calculus AB & BC, and AP Biology have been modified to be a hybrid test where the multiple-choice portion of the test is digital, but the free-response questions are hand-written.

In addition, CollegeBoard’s curricula for a few subjects such as AP Physics were modified, affecting the school curricula.

All these changes have resulted in teachers changing their lesson plans, activities, and tests. For instance, many teachers are preparing students by practicing tests online, imitating the actual AP exam.

“In the AP Physics curriculum, they added a new unit, ‘Fluids,’” Glen Monaghan, AP Physics teacher, said.

“They also changed the order of the units to make it more teacher-friendly, which I appreciate. They also merged some units,

and now there is more content to cover in one year. They also changed the exam format so that there are no MCQs with multiple answers.”

While teachers had to adapt to the new AP changes, students have also had to alter how they learn and practice. From downloading Bluebook, the official AP test-taking platform, to doing in-class tasks on AP Classroom, students are spending lots of their studying time online.

“For AP Psych, the number of units in the course were greatly reduced, [moving] away from large amounts of memorization,” Woosung Choi ’26, AP Psych student, said. “I think this makes the course more interesting overall, as for example, learning the names of psychologists is less interesting than learning psychological theories that apply to our everyday life. I think the new changes are a positive direction for the course.”

As the SAT has previously switched to digital as well, many students have expressed their familiarity with online test-taking procedures and the tools provided on the platform. However, for

some students unfamiliar with the online format, this abrupt change has been confusing. Simultaneously, faculty members voice fears that the overwhelming digitization in studying for AP tests may be harmful to studying. “[Going digital is] financially beneficial for College Board, but it is ultimately detrimental to students because research has shown that students benefit from studying with analog, hard-copy texts and hand-writing their answers,” Chris Blendheim, AP Lang and AP Seminar teacher, said. “Students are put at a disadvantage if they have to do the annotations and highlighting in a digital way. Luckily, AP Classroom is changing their interface to mimic that of Blue Book so that it includes annotating features.”

On the other hand, sophomores, who are taking the AP test for the first time this year, have expressed different opinions on the new changes; as they have grown used to the digitization of learning, they found it to be more helpful to take the exams online. Because many were already familiar with the online testing programs, they

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believed it would make the tests easier.

“I think the digitization of the AP Exam will facilitate my test taking experience,” Gloria Kim ’27, AP Bio student, said.

“Growing up in this time and generation, especially since the COVID pandemic, we have become accustomed to technology, and taking the AP exam digitally will imitate the practice quiz banks that we use in class. I do not have any particular concerns–on the contrary, I am relieved to know that my test will be corrected by artificial intelligence; a set program instead of a teacher, eliminating all sorts of errors or bias.”

As the shift to a digital AP exam has been a change made to the AP in a long time, it has impacted students, teachers, and schools in various ways. Students have shown mixed emotions for this change; nonetheless, an adaptation was necessary in an increasingly digitized world.

By: Yeonjae Kim Junior, Copy Editor

SIS launches club trials For this year’s club registration process, SIS implemented a new system called “club trials.” During the three-week trial period, club executives introduced the club and its activities for the year. The trial period aimed to give students an opportunity to explore different clubs before deciding what club they want to commit to.

“I think club trials were a great way for us freshmen to get to know the different clubs,” Alex Lee ’28, active participant of club trial meetings, said. “Trial meetings definitely enhanced our understanding of what activities would be happening, and we also learned what clubs we might enjoy and what clubs we might not. I’d say some of my final decisions relied on these meetings.”

During the trial, students were encouraged to attend various clubs. By doing so, they could get a grasp on multiple clubs without having to join immediately.

“We prepared what to say, what to introduce, and what to show to everyone,” Joshua Han ’27, club mentor of United Youth Service Club (UYSC), said. “Preparation was mainly about considering what would attract more members, particularly freshmen, to join our club. We prepared Kahoot, slideshows, and engaging activities.”

This system was particularly helpful

for freshmen, who previously had little exposure to what each club does and often expressed that they could not make an informed decision. Previously, the only chance that freshmen could explore clubs was the club fair, which was limited due to time constraints. Despite these benefits, some have expressed opinions that club fairs are already an efficient method of introducing clubs.

“I visited the law club trial meetings, but I already chose what clubs to sign up for after the club fair,” Ethan Park ’28, active club trial attendee, said. “I think club trials were mostly helpful. It was definitely better than the club fair, but I already had an idea about where I wanted to go anyway. Club trials were great, but I just felt like there was no huge change for my decisions before and after the trials.”

While a noticeable trend in the past was that students would join larger, established clubs compared to smaller, newly formed ones, the trials have been crucial in tackling this. Many students, having little knowledge about new clubs, were pressured into joining clubs that seemed “legitimate” based on the number of club members. However, with the help of club trials, students have been able to access new and relatively less known clubs with much more flexibility.

Photo by Yumin Jeon ’27

As it is the first year of implementing this system, students have expressed varying opinions. It is unclear whether club trials will continue to happen in future years, but given the unique benefits of the trials, many students have hoped for the continuation of it just with some modifications.

“I’m hoping this system will continue in the future,” Woosung Choi ’26, president of Korean Animal Service Association (KASA),

How SIS has been beating the heat

This summer, South Korea has been experiencing record-breaking temperatures, with most days consistently reaching temperatures as high as 35°C. With over 3,000 Koreans experiencing heat-related illnesses in the past two months, it is crucial that fall sports athletes, who are especially vulnerable to the heat, take safety measures to prevent such health issues.

In response, SIS has been focused on keeping athletes safe from the heat.

For example, on days with temperatures exceeding 35°C, practices are held only indoors. For Cross Country — a sport that usually always had outdoor practices — this has meant more practices moved into the fitness center, while for tennis, TG3. Also, recently, Brandon Fraseur, the athletics and activities director, sent out an email to all SIS students giving recommendations on the best ways to stay hydrated throug out the season, such as drinking sufficient amounts of electrolytes.

“The unusually warm start to our school year has required sports and activities programs at SIS to adapt their schedules and practice plans,” Mr. Fraseur said. “Outdoor sports, such as tennis, cross country, and golf have had to adapt their practices to indoor venues. Moving indoors often means training for general fitness, but missing out on opportunities to build sport-specific skills. Due to these changes, student-athletes have the challenge of competing in their first matches and races with fewer repetitions on the court, course, and trails. We’re hopeful that the heat wave will break soon and allow more consistent time outdoors for our student-athletes.”

Even on days when athletes need to practice outdoors, the school still makes sure that students are keeping cool and hydrated at all times. For both the cross country and tennis teams, coaches provide students with ice packs and intermittent or extended post-practice breaks to prevent

heat-related illnesses and dehydration.

“I feel like the summer heat is making our practices much more challenging, as we have to take frequent breaks to hydrate ourselves and to prevent our body from becoming overly fatigued from the heat,” Nabin Won ’28, varsity girls tennis player, said. “Some of our practices and matches were also canceled because of the temperature, further hindering our team from reaching our full potential.”

While the school has been spending much effort into preventing heat-related illnesses, it is essential for students to individually follow precautionary measures as well. To prevent dehydration, students need to replenish body water lost during activity.

Students should always carry a water bottle containing fluids like water or ionic beverages like Pocari Sweat. It is suggested that athletes drink fluids at least thirty minutes before they play and every fifteen to twenty minutes during practice.

said. “Club trials helped us present ourselves to more people. One thing though, is that the duration is a bit long and takes away our actual meeting time. But things can be changed for the better, since this was our first year doing trial meetings.”

By: Leah Kim

Sophomore, Reporter

“I feel like the heat has impacted us greatly due to the fact that we have to miss practice sometimes because of the heat,” Jen Park ’28, varsity girls tennis player, said. “To always make sure I am properly hydrated throughout practices, I always bring a big water bottle to practices and games.”

Although the school has been following regulations set by the government and athletics director, some students have still complained about SIS’s overly limiting measures.

“I think the summer heat is not an issue at all; it has rather been quite a disturbance for our tennis season as today we were unable to play at Humphreys,” Woosung Choi ’26, boys varsity tennis player, said.

“Objectively the summer heat has gotten worse, but in my experience it is not that bad.”

By: Chloe Kim Junior, Reporter

4 KOREA NEWS Police bust largest university drug ring On Aug. 5, the Seoul Southern District Prosecutor’s Office arrested dozens of university students for the mass use and trafficking of illicit drugs. Founded in 2021 by a Yonsei University graduate and a master’s student at KAIST, the drug ring was composed of many students from prestigious universities such as Seoul National University and Korea University. In order to gain membership in the drug ring, students were personally interviewed by the club president and chosen based on their physical appearance, wealth, and family background.

With drug-related arrests rising from 10,400 to 17,000 between 2019 and 2023, the increase in drug use in universities amid Korea’s “War on Drugs” has raised concerns about the effectiveness of current drug policies and social issues

contributing to its expansion.

“I was really scared seeing all students from prestigious universities coming out as affiliates of a drug ring,” Yool Choi ’26, Korean news viewer, said. “I haven’t seen such extensive drug networks get busted in a long time. It was very surprising to see all these university students known for being academically studious and ambitious having their pristine reputation ruined. This just shattered the notion of Korea being a drug-free country.”

Similar to the Nth Room Incident in 2019, which involved illicit trafficking, the drug rings— informally called social clubs or the “insas”— have also exploited the texting platform Telegram to avoid detection. Telegram’s features such as chat encryption and self-destructing messages made it an ideal platform for

Corporates purchase subway station naming rights from Seoul Metro Seoul Metro announced on Aug. 12 that Seongsu Station will be renamed as Seongsu (CJ Olive Young) Station from October for the next three years. The company’s name will be included in Seongsu Station’s subway announcements and entrances, a move that adds on to the growing trend of corporate-purchased naming rights in public areas.

“I was a little bit surprised at first because I did not really realize Olive Young was a big landmark of Seongsu,” Hyoyoung Nam, regular visitor of Seongsu, said. “I later learned that they are opening a new store there, so I thought it made sense. I’m not sure about how effective this would be because I never really experienced any subway stations named by specific companies.”

In an auction lasting from Jul.25-Aug.6, Olive Young bid 1 billion won for the naming right in an attempt to advertise the upcoming launch of its largest store at the tourist hotspot Seongsu, an amount much greater than the starting bid of approximately 300 million won.

During the auction, the highest bid among corporations that have passed the naming auction review committee’s approval was given the final naming right.

In the same auction, Gangnam Station’s naming rights were purchased by HaruPlant Dental Clinic for 1.11 billion won, the highest bidding price so far throughout naming auctions, largely due to the station’s presence as one of the largest pedestrian traffic areas in Seoul.

“I think the decision effectively advertised not just their new store but their brand as a whole,” Jason Kang ’27, business enthusiast, said. “When you look at other examples such as the Galaxy Station in Malaysia, subway stations are a good idea to bring exposure.

No matter how big a company is, there is always going to be a way to increase your exposure.”

Naming rights auctions are quite common in Korea, as seen with the Kia Champions Field in

layout by Yeonjae Kim

Gwangju and the Samsung Lions Park in Daegu. However, subway station auctions are relatively new, starting in 2016. The addition of companies’ names on entrance pole signs and voice announcements, set to be implemented in October, marks a new development in naming rights.

Prior to the auction in July, Shinhan Card bought the naming right of Euljiro 3(sam)-ga Station in 2022 and Woori Financial Group spent 650 million won for Nonhyeon Station in the same auction. With the addition of Seongsu, Gangnam, Yeouinaru, and Sangbong Station in the recent auction, Seoul Metro has now sold naming rights to a total of 38 stations.

For Seoul Metro, the naming rights auction serves as a strategy for financial recovery from pandemic losses, which have accumulated to around 17 trillion won of loss and a net loss of 517.3 billion won in 2023 due to decreased public transportation usage. With the selling of naming rights, Seoul Metro gained a revenue of 28 billion won as of 2023. This revenue, however, accounts for only four percent of its earnings from additional business expenditures aside from subway fares.

Critics claim that in contrast to internal changes such as fare hikes, the commercialization of subway station names has impacted more than the subway system itself, becoming a promotional strategy for private companies; however, it is also harming the public nature of subway stations. In response to the criticism, Seoul Metro limited the auction to businesses located within 100m of the subway station.

“If this issue was still being debated, I would have some second thoughts about it,” Hailie Lee, Seoul resident, said. “But since the naming rights have already been approved for several subway stations, I think we will just have to come up with some regulations to maintain its publicity.”

BY: Minju Chung Sophomore, Reporter

large-scale drug trafficking. The “insas” purchased drugs from dealers for $73 each and then sold them to their club members at double or triple the price, buying more than $12 million worth of drugs in 2023 alone.

“It’s concerning seeing so much illegal activity on a basic message app I use on my phone,” Sean Lim ’27, Telegram user, said. “After using Telegram for a few years, I did see some drug dealing advertisements but I don’t see a problem innately associated with its anonymity policy. I think it’s the government that has the responsibility to stop criminals from exploiting Telegram.”

Members of the social club took drugs including ecstasy, LSD, methamphetamine, and psilocybin in hotels, clubs, and amusement parks, going as far as

carrying drugs in their luggage on trips to Thailand and Jeju Island. Specifically, the club’s president is accused of violating the Special Acts on Sexual Violence Punishment by hitting club members several times with wine bottles and threatening them with using sexual intercourse videos filmed during their group meetings. With police investigations being unable to pinpoint the source of the group’s drug imports, the university drug ring bust highlights Korea’s lack of infrastructure when it comes to regulating drugs at a national level.

“I think it was an eye-opener for some of the social issues plaguing Korea today,” Minsung Choi ’26, an immigrant from Peru, said. “South Korea is always celebrated in the media for being one of the most drug free countries and best

policies. I keep asking myself, how stressed are these university students to turn to drugs as a form of escape? It makes me question if the Korean emphasis on academics and success is too much for some individuals to handle.“ In light of the arrests, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced its expansion of its K-12 drug prevention education program to encompass college students, in universities such as Korea University and Chosun University.

Through interactive activities and drug education, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety aims to raise awareness of the harms of drug consumption and abuse, discouraging drug consumption.

BY: Carson Park Junior, Reporter

North Korea reopens for tourism after five-year hiatus

North Korea officially announced plans to open up its borders to foreign tourists in December. Five years ago, the government shut off their country in an attempt to avoid the COVID-19 pandemic. This closure on Jan. 22, 2020, cut off essential imports of foods, crude oil, and textile imports. This led to food shortages and a loss of around $175 million by April 2021. In response, tourism has become a new source of income, with Kim Jong-Un and the government seeking to boost financial gains.

Traveling to North Korea appears to be gaining popularity, as travel companies partnered with North Korea like Koryo Tours and KTG issued statements saying tourists will be able to visit the northern city of Samjiyon starting in early December. In preparations, the city has been undergoing significant development such as adding a revamped airport, a renovated resort, and new railways and hotels for the tourists. Beijing’s Koryo Tour also announced the country’s capital Pyongyang and hinted at other cities as a potential tourist destination following the borders’ reinstatement.

“Considering how weak their economy is and the lack of stability due to the country being ruled by one person, I think that tourism would make a bad reputation for North Korea,” Kevin Kim ’27, global

affairs enthusiast, said. “A lot of the time they tend to fake things, such as how schools or jobs run or the fact that they have access to the internet. So, I think that tourists could expose this fact.”

Tourism in North Korea is tightly controlled by the government, with all visits organized by state-run tourism bureaus like the Korea International Travel Company (KITC). Before the closure in 2019, data accumulated from the visitors found that the majority were Chinese, with around 120,000 tourists visiting the country in comparison to the 5,000 Westerners. In addition, North Korea implemented measures such as only allowing tourists to visit specifically prepared sites like the Masikryong Ski Resort in order to maintain the country’s image.

While most nationalities are welcome, South Koreans have been banned, and America has banned the use of their passports to travel to North Korea since Sept. 1, 2017.

“I see why Kim Jong-un would ban South Koreans, but it still hurts because at the end of the day we were once a unified nation,” Hailie Lee, South Korean citizen, said. “Therefore, I think it was more of a political statement he was trying to make; but historically and culturally speaking, I think that we should be able to have a better relationship, because it would allow the two nations to

diplomatically share our opinions and live life with a common goal.”

The reopening of North Korea’s borders to tourism also raises significant security concern, particularly revolving around the nation’s strained political relations. While the increase in foreign tourists may offer economic benefits, it also risks reigniting international tensions between nations critical of North Korea’s human rights record and nuclear ambitions. The tourism revenue could potentially fund the regime’s controversial activities such as propaganda, public deception, or the tightly controlled nature of tours which prevents meaningful cultural exploration of the country.

“I personally do not see any value from going to this country,” Sean Chung ’27, travel enthusiast, said. “I believe that the journey and system of traveling to such a controversial country is way more complicated than going anywhere else in the world. Maybe it is ordinary people who are curious and not very informed about North Korea who want to visit the country. Furthermore, North Korea wants to control soft media power through tourism to influence things like journalism, media, and shape how others view the country.”

BY: Yumin Jeon Sophomore, Reporter

GLOBAL NEWS

Prime Minister of Bangladesh resigns amid violent protests

Astronauts of the Boeing Starliner stuck in the ISS

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh resigned on Aug. 5 after thousands of protestors stormed her official residence. The storming began as peaceful demonstrations by the citizens against a quota system for government jobs escalated into violent clashes that challenged her authority.

In light of these intense protests, Bangladesh’s death toll has been sharply increasing, subjecting the country to a dangerous phrase.

“I think the protests are interesting because they have already happened in the past with the authoritarian government of Bangladesh,” Kevin Kim ’27, politics enthusiast, said.

“The protests are also pretty terrible considering that they are the longest government blackout that has ever happened in history.”

University students initiated the first wave of peaceful demonstrations in early July, fueled by opposition to the reinstatement of an old quota system for civil service jobs by the country’s government. The system reserves a large portion of government jobs for descendants of those who fought for Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan.

Because the roles are linked to job security and higher pay, many believe that most of the

The Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft malfunctioned on June 6, leaving US astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams stuck while docked on the International Space Station (ISS). NASA planned the mission to be an eight-day flight to the ISS and back, but their operation was extended indefinitely by a series of helium leaks and malfunctioning thrusters; the ship went idle for more than 80 days. The Starliner can only sustain its crew for a maximum of 45 days in outer space, so the ISS has been supplying the ship with energy.

Realistically, the Starliner can not depend on the ISS forever. And despite a history of many postponed return dates, NASA insisted on the two pilots’ safety, claiming that the situation would not end up escalating to a life-threatening degree. But now the astronauts will stay beyond the atmosphere until 2025, and one of the first things the two pilots did in outer space was to throw out sanitary clothes.

“I would think the engineers are at fault,” Carolina Paglialunga, self-proclaimed NASA follower, said. “They are the ones that know all the details and I was surprised that they kind of didn’t prepare for these kinds of problems. But I think the astronauts are gonna be fine, they are prepared to work in space for this long. The only issue we’ll be concerned about is any other technical failures that may happen in the missions. Space travel is risky.”

The warning signs were present early on. The first orbital flight test of the Starliner took place on Dec. 20, 2019, where the object was to dock with the ISS and return safely, similar to the actual mission. There, the vessel’s internal clock malfunctioned,

positions should be based on merit instead, especially with the pace of job creation slowing in recent years.

“I think the quota system is pretty corrupt because most of the government high-rankers are already descendants of the people who were involved in the independence movement from Pakistan,” Donghyun Kim ’25, avid political news reader, said. “This basically allots more spots of government jobs for their children, so it seems very nepotistic.”

Even after the government scrapped the quota system, the movement grew massively as the authorities responded in an increasingly harsh manner.

They deployed police forces and paramilitaries, locked down schools and colleges, shut down the internet, and imposed a nationwide curfew to contain the protests. However, counter to the government’s intentions, the brutal crackdowns exacerbated the anger of the protestors and led to more bloodshed. One particular protest in late July resulted in over 200 people dead and 10,000 arrested. Following this event of government brutality, the protests evolved into violent clashes that called for the resignation of the country’s Prime Minister.

“I think the escalation of the Bangladesh protests is justified

Riots spread across the UK On July 29, three young girls were killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed event.

The offender was identified as a 17-year-old, but what the public saw was different; social media posts falsely claimed that a Muslim refugee was responsible for the attack, leading to speculations that this was a terrorist attack. The suspect in question was neither an asylum seeker nor a Muslim but was born in Wales, and had no religious motives.

The speculations quickly turned to violence following a vigil that took place for the girls in Southport, Great Britain.

Rioters began throwing weapons such as bottles and bricks at a local mosque and set fire

because the main leaders of this movement, Bangladesh students, are actively oppressed by the government,” Sean Chung ’27, AP World History student, said. “This shows that they are willing to rise up and fight against the corruption of the government in order for greater social change to be made.”

With the 15-year rule of Sheikh Hasina coming to an end, Muhammed Yunus, a Nobel laureate and microfinance pioneer, was chosen by the protestors to assume the role of the country’s former Prime Minister. Muhammed Yunus is one of Bangladesh’s best-known citizens, who Sheikh Hasina considered a political threat for years. As an interim leader, he is faced with the task of restoring order in a country plunged in political violence and instability.

“The implications of the Prime Minister’s resignation is that the government has essentially failed to fix their problems and left the country in complete chaos,” Jay Yoo ’28, World History student, said. “As a result, I think the future of Bangladesh has become uncertain as of now because there is no guarantee that the interim leader will be able to save Bangladesh from this crisis.”

BY: Jason Chung Sophomore, Reporter

to police vans. Soon after the riot, the police found that the rally had been organized by an anti-immigrant group including members of a disbanded farright group on the platform Telegram, a messenger app known for its security and proliferation of extremists.

“With the sheer amount of legal and illegal immigration, most prominently so after the Syrian civil war, there are some immigrants having difficulty assimilating,” Chris Blendheim, politics enthusiast, said.

“There’s going to be cultural conflict. When the economy’s already bad and people see that their way of life, culture, and livelihood is under threat, that can contribute to fear and

violence.”

The attacks quickly spread beyond Southport, reaching cities across the United Kingdom like London and Manchester. Rioters launched coordinated attacks on mosques and hotels that housed asylum seekers while also looting stores and setting fire to areas like libraries. More than 100 police personnel were wounded and the conflict escalated when counter-protesters clashed with the rioters.

“The Nationalist Party in the UK called Reform gained momentum after getting a few seats in the House of Commons,” Robin Ibbotson, UK citizen, said. “They especially gained support from more right-wing

and anti-immigration voters, so I think that was the background for the issue. There was already a bit of a boiling under of nationalist sentiment and ongoing issues with immigration the last couple of years.”

In response to the growing violence, the police have taken swift action. More than 1,000 arrests have been made, with the police also considering levying terrorism charges. The newly appointed UK prime minister, Keir Starmer, has publicly condemned the far-right protesters and promised strong action against the rioters. The British government has also been collaborating with social media companies to remove false information about both

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leading to a failed first attempt. Fortunately, the ship managed to return intact, leading to a second orbital flight test on May 19, 2022. But it wasn’t until 2024 that human boarding was approved, despite having a defective framework. The delays were significant, costing Boeing $125,000,000 to mend for all the lost time. People debated on who these malfunctions should be attributed to.

“This can not keep happening,” Kai Yannakakis ’28, space enthusiast, said. “But I don’t think it’s very premature that issues like this come up, because it’s still very important for us to explore space. You never know if something bad happens and we need the technology. I think it’s more of the fault of people who make sure everything’s perfect for launch, and not the engineers.”

Aug. 27 was a major turning point when it was announced that SpaceX would officially take over the rescue.

Their ship, the Crew Dragon, will be used for the rescue mission, which will not happen until next year. The Crew Dragon has already successfully traveled to the ISS. “Boeing failed their mission, so if SpaceX takes over, then it’ll make them look better,” Jaeho Lee ’27, follower of SpaceX, said. “My opinion on SpaceX is pretty neutral, but Boeing should obviously try to reinforce their technology. I mean, they have competition with SpaceX. This could make SpaceX more valuable than other space travel companies.”

Despite all complications, NASA expects the astronauts’ safe return next year.

BY: Hyunjoon Rha Sophomore, Reporter

the stabbings and the riots.

“I think it’s pretty hard for the government to take immediate action,” Joonho Kim ’26, global news enthusiast, said. “I think because it’s a large spectrum of conservative groups involved in the riots, it’s more difficult. But I hope the government finds a sustainable solution before the riots get worse.”

As the riots continue across the country, many are closely watching to see whether authorities can regain control of the situation and how Starmer will address the riots.

BY: Carey Kim Junior, Copy Editor

6 SPORTS In a recent report by the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO), data revealed that the number of fans has grown massively in the past few years. The 2024 KBO season has beaten their record for the most fans in a season. As of Sep. 2, approximately 9.23 million fans have attended this season’s games and that number is on pace to surpass 10 million total by the end of the season. Such findings made fans conclude that there was an increasing necessity to make stadiums more sustainable.

“This year, baseball is very popular among people that I know,” Daniel Jung ’28, a KBO fan, said. “It’s been much harder to get tickets this season than in

the previous years, meaning that stadiums are full more often. One reason that people go to watch baseball games is because of the food that they provide.”

Along with the increase in fans, there has been, inevitably, a similar increase in stadium waste. In 2021, stadiums generated around 34 million tons of waste. Yet, only 4.5 percent, or 1.5 million tons, of the waste was recycled properly.

To combat this, in 2023, the KBO created the Voluntary Agreement for a Baseball Stadium Without Disposable Items. This policy attempted to ban disposable cheer supplies, cups, and other items that created large amounts of waste in stadiums.

Korea’s top badminton association falls under controversy An Se-young, the Korean gold medalist in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games badminton women’s singles event, returned to Korea on Aug. 14 with both her medal and complaints about “poor player management” regarding the Badminton Korea Association (BKA). An’s claims of mismanagement stemmed from her experiences with injuries and personal sponsorships.

According to An, after severely injuring her knee following the Hangzhou Asian Games in September 2023, which required her to take a few weeks off the court, the BKA told An to play despite the pain. Similarly, when An sprained her ankle during the Olympics on July 14, the BKA did not take appropriate action to treat her injury.

“Mistreating [An’s] injuries is definitely not what the BKA should have done,” Kristina Kang ’25, varsity girls badminton player, said. “This is especially since An Se-young is one of the most valuable players in the team. After this, I wish that players and their injuries are treated better so the players can get the rights they really deserve.”

An’s claims about the mishandling of her injuries led to the BKA receiving widespread criticism from the public.

However, another point of contention was that the BKA prevented An from sporting her personal sponsorships during competitions—something that An expressed discomfort with.

“The organization is obviously trying to make money with sponsorships, but it’s being done at the expense of their athletes,” Ross Atkins, varsity boys badminton coach, said.“There needs to be a middle ground. With less global sports like badminton, the Olympics is the one time that badminton athletes have a lot of people watching them, so I do feel like they should have the opportunity to earn some money from personal

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sponsorships.”

With a less globally popular sport such as badminton, it is harder for players to earn money as opposed to players of more popular sports. As such, the BKA restricts its players from sporting personal sponsorships due to the belief that doing so could hinder team unity and decrease overall team sponsorships.

However, the BKA responded with differing narratives. For instance, the BKA claimed that An chose to continue playing even after her injury in the tournament in Hangzhou, despite An claiming that she was unable to play.

Moreover, whereas An said that the BKA was dismissive of her injury on July 14, the BKA said that they flew in a doctor of An’s choice from Korea to Paris to treat her injury. The BKA further claimed that they intentionally kept silent about An’s injury to avoid revealing her injury to her opponents.

Currently, both the BKA and the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism (MCST) are investigating An’s claims, with the BKA having started their investigation without conversing with An. The investigations were launched quite rapidly in the wake of a unique case, as the issue of the mistreatment of athletes is rarely in the limelight. However, An’s case poses hope for some that such mistreatment will be addressed more openly in the future.

“I think that An’s case shows that a lot of athletes are being mistreated and that this is not an issue that is being highlighted enough,” Russell Jin ’26, varsity boys badminton player, said. “Recently, as she has spoken out, this issue has become more prevalent, so I hope that other athletes will be inspired to speak out more about this issue as well.”

BY: Charlotte Eunseo Kim Sophomore, Reporter

Furthermore, many teams this year such as the KT Wiz have begun to use recyclable items within their stadiums. The Wiz have also performed a KT Carbon Neutrality Project along with KT, resulting in them placing food waste bins within the stadiums to follow through with the project.

“I think that it has been a very good decision by the KBO and teams to take action on making baseball stadiums sustainable,” Jason Kang ’27, a fan of the KBO, said. “Baseball stadiums are one of the largest producers of waste in the industry and oftentimes, the waste cannot be recycled either. Furthermore, not only does it show benefits for the environ-

ment, it shows the dedication of the teams to bring a sustainable future to the league.”

In other leagues such as Major League Baseball (MLB), the largest and most influential league to the KBO, actions for sustainability had already been taken. In the MLB, the endeavor to make an environmentally friendly baseball field has existed for much longer than in Korea. Starting in 2008, the MLB has awarded the Green Glove Awards to the most environmentally sustainable stadium and constantly promotes sustainable methods.

“I think that in general, recycling and sustainability is a larger part of life in Korea than

in the US,” Lindsey Hagen, a KBO fan, said. “Recycling in Korea is a lot less complicated than how it works in the US and is a key reason as to why the process would work better in Korea and develop further into the future.”

Although there are some areas that the Korean league excels at, it is important to note that the league is still behind the major leagues in many other areas in becoming sustainable. Thus, to accommodate the new era of Korean baseball’s popularity, the 10 teams and their fans must work to make the sport environmentally beneficial.

By Jiwu Lee

Paris Olympics: Remembered for the blunders

The 2024 Olympics took place from July 26-Aug. 11, in Paris, France, causing great excitement across the world; Snoop Dogg’s opening and the addition of new sporting categories all contributed to the anticipation and enthusiasm for the Paris Olympics. However, the high expectations also came with great disappointment due to several blunders and controversies. Various incidents, including countries being misrepresented by incorrect national anthems, names, and symbols, gave rise to many people being offended.

The Olympics was rattled with controversy even before its official opening because of concern over the poor water quality of the outdoor swimming venue, the Seine.

In protest, many people joined the “Paris Poop Protest,” hoping to save athletes from getting sick. Although the Seine was approved by the Olympic committee, athletes were still concerned about their health due to the dirty conditions of the Seine, leading to the men’s triathlon event eventually being canceled.

“There are more health concerns related to the swimming events because swimming in the Seine was illegal,” Sarah Kim ’26, girl’s varsity swimmer, said. “Even if you’re careful, there’s always a chance you’ll accidentally swallow some of it [the water], and that could expose you to all sorts of bacteria, viruses, or even chemicals. It’s not just about

performance, but also about staying healthy and safe.”

Furthermore, the Olympics themselves featured several blunders. For instance, South Korea was announced as North Korea during the opening ceremony, which offended South Koreans and led to the Olympics board officially apologizing. Similar mistakes were made in other events as well; during a basketball match between South Sudan and Puerto Rico, as the South Sudan team entered, Sudan’s national anthem was played instead, causing confusion. Athletes viewed the mistakes as disrespectful to their country, as South Sudan had only recently become independent from Sudan.

“The IOC and Paris had plenty of years to prepare, and the Olympics is the biggest competition between all nations with much passion and respect towards each other,” Timothy Ro ’26, Olympics viewer, said. “It’s simply crazy that those mistakes actually took place, especially the ones like South Korea being announced as North Korea, considering the tension and history between the two nations. I hope the next Olympics in LA will be of better quality.”

The opening ceremony also drew claims of it openly mocking Christianity. One of the performances portrayed Leonardo Da Vinci’s painting “The Last Supper,” but with drag queens, a transgen-

der model, and a singer dressed up as the Greek god of wine. The Olympic committee was forced to apologize to Christian and Catholic groups, as they believed this performance was showing disrespect to their religions. While some religious groups were offended by the performance, others believed that blasphemy was a part of their freedom of speech and that it shared messages of inclusivity.

“It seems as though they were really attempting to show French culture, but it also shows that they don’t understand French culture,” Tyler Castano ’25, Christian, said.

“Still, any relation to the Last Supper or Christianity was, in my opinion, purely coincidental. Even being Christian myself, I don’t understand how that display at the Olympics is enough to cause such an uproar. Christianity is a revolution, not a gossip magazine.”

Despite the many achievements athletes have accomplished during the Olympics, the controversies and incidents were a big part of the games as well. Many viewers focus on the results of the events, but it is important for people to pay attention to the entire process, especially during events as influential and significant as the Olympics.

BY: Yeonjae Kim Junior, Copy Editor

LIFESTYLE

Electric vehicle fires raise safety concerns

On Aug. 1, a Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle caught fire in an underground parking lot of an apartment building in Incheon.

The fire damaged 140 vehicles and injured 20 residents. Soon after, another KIA electric vehicle caught fire in a parking-lot tower in Chungnam on Aug. 6 and a Tesla electric vehicle burned itself in Yongin on Aug. 11.

“As I’ve seen from the news recently, I’m scared that electric cars that are all around parking lots have the potential to explode and damage multiple people,” Minho Chun ’27, apartment resident, said. “I think securing the safety of the electric vehicle manufacturing process is important for the development of the electric vehicle industry.”

Korea’s National Fire Agency reported that electric vehicle-related fires have increased from 24 cases in 2021 to 72 in 2023, a concerning sign for a country that is one of the most avid consumers of electric vehicles. Last year, 9.3 percent of newly purchased vehicles in Korea were electric ones. Currently, consumers are demanding mandatory disclosure of battery suppliers from electric vehicle companies.

In response to the recurring electric fires and increased public concerns, on Aug. 25, the government announced an elec-

tric vehicle battery certification program. Additionally, several apartments have banned electric vehicles from their residential parking lots. The government is also considering implementing a measure that restricts electric vehicles with a charge rate of 90 percent or less from entering parking lots in public areas.

“I think that electric vehicle owners would be disappointed at the government if they were to implement such a policy,” Aaron Choi ’28, electric vehicle enthusiast, said. “Electric vehicle owners would find this inconvenient as they would have to constantly find parking space elsewhere. It is also unfair for them since other people with non-electric vehicles are able to enter the residential parking lots, when they are paying the same expenses and living in the same space.”

The wave of electric vehicle fires has discredited the environmentally friendly appeal of electric vehicles and therefore the market for such vehicles.

Korea’s top second-hand car sales platform K Car reported a 184 percent increase in used electric vehicles listed for sales, an increase triple the number of sales prior to the recurring fires in August.

“I think the number of electric vehicles for second-hand

sale will increase,” Jihu Koo ’27, electric vehicle enthusiast, said.

“I think fires will become major concerns for EV purchasers in Korea because of the immense risks involved in EV charging ports, especially ones in residential buildings.”

Some citizens have been attributing the accidents to one’s decision to purchase electric vehicles instead of battery makers. In contrast, electric vehicle owners express disappointment toward parking lot usage restrictions, claiming that acting upon the government’s encouragement of environmentally friendly decisions is coming back to them as a disadvantage.

“I understand the government’s approach because fires are hugely disruptive to residents,” Megan Mannell, concerned resident in Korea, said.

“But in terms of what it could do instead, maybe it has to be on the companies to prove that this is safe and the burden does not have to fall on the individual consumers. Companies need to think more about the long term.

‘What is going to happen to the batteries after several years of use?’ is maybe a question that we do not have the answer to yet.”

BY: Minju Chung Sophomore, Reporter

Charli XCX’s ‘Brat’ starts trend A viral trend called “Brat Summer” has taken over the internet this past summer. The trend was named after artist Charli XCX’s eighth studio album “Brat,” which was released on June 7. A brat, as Charli XCX defines it, is someone who is “a little messy and likes to party.” Trend-followers have also been seen donning lime-green clothing and merchandise, mimicking Brat’s album colors.

This definition of brat has become an internet aesthetic.

For those unfamiliar with the term, an aesthetic is an umbrella term describing the general principles of a movement. The followers of “Brat Summer” seek to emulate this aesthetic and empower women and other social groups. Charli XCX herself is an outspoken advocate of feminist causes, and this trend may be an extension of that.The trend reached its zenith when Presidential candidate Kamala Harris was endorsed by Charli XCX on X, formerly Twitter.

“It’s a way of connection, it’s a way of having fun,” Alaina Ramey, Charli XCX fan, said. “I think that in a society that tries to make us all the same, ‘Brat Summer’ tells us to be unique and defy social expectations, and to be fun and silly.”

“Brat Summer” is different from previous social media trends. Many social media influencers cultivate prim and proper personas online and hide away any perceived imperfections. Examples such as the clean girl aesthetic and the recent demure trend come to mind. However, the “Brat” trend subverts the stereotype by embracing the messier side of people. That breakaway from tradition may be a possible reason for the trend’s popularity.

“It’s 2024 and things are changing,” Audrey Kim ’27, music lover, said. “I feel like so much of what’s been happening in the world is so strict. Maybe

BTS’s Suga under scrutiny after drunk driving incident Min Yoon-gi, a member of the K-pop group BTS who goes by the stage name Suga, was investigated after his blood-alcohol was revealed to be over the legal limit when he reportedly fell off his e-scooter in Seoul on Aug. 6, arousing significant public outcry.

After traveling for about 500 meters, Suga was found by the police lying on the ground near Yongsan District’s Nine One Hannam apartments. His breathalyzer test conducted after the accident revealed his blood-alcohol concentration was 0.227 percent, significantly higher than the legal limit of 0.08 percent.

Under Korean traffic laws, drivers with a blood-alcohol level of over 0.2 percent can receive a prison sentence of two to five

years. In Suga’s case, while drunk driving on an e-scooter carries similar penalties, the law for e-scooter prison time is not yet confirmed. So far, he has only been fined and revoked his driving license.

“As of now, an electric scooter falls under South Korea’s definition of a car and his blood alcohol levels also show he was intoxicated, so Suga should be punished accordingly,” Jay Yoo ’28, member of the SIS Law Club, stated. “If anyone else had committed the same crime, there would not be as much debate to let the person go free. Law calls for equality, but the government should also consider the public backlash.”

On Aug. 7, Suga posted an apology on their communication

platform Weverse, stating that although nothing and no one was harmed during the accident, he is extremely sorry for his irresponsible actions and will ensure that it will not happen again.

Shortly after Suga’s apology, reports claimed that Samsung Electronics, which has partnered with BTS since February 2020, is reconsidering its brand ambassador contract with him, as promoting someone involved in a social controversy poses significant risks to the company.

While Samsung has not taken immediate action to remove Suga from advertisements—since their contract is with BTS as a whole— Samsung Germany has already deleted promotional photos of Suga from their official social media accounts.

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Furthermore, Suga has been receiving mixed opinions from BTS’s fanbase, “ARMY.” Korean ARMYs are upset with international ARMYs who believe Suga should not have apologized, stressing that even minor legal violations should be taken seriously. This has sparked a heated debate, with some arguing that Suga’s actions have tarnished BTS’s image and calling for him to leave the group.

“Because of this issue, Suga’s reputation was seriously ruined, and although it is in a year when BTS comes back, I think it is best for Suga to leave the group,” Irene Lee ’27, K-pop fan, said.

“If he reappears in the group, I think people will criticize BTS as a whole.”

Meanwhile, most of the global

this trend is an opportunity to be free.”

Another possible explanation for the trend’s popularity is conformity. Although “Brat Summer” celebrates individuality, it is still a social media trend, which means it thrives through shared experiences among users.

“It gives people a sense of belonging if everyone is doing it,” David Yeo ’28, pop music lover, said. “Especially at SIS, where people are fairly active on social media, not participating in trends can lead to people feeling left out.”

Presidential candidate Kamala Harris’s campaign has also engaged with the trend, after Charli XCX posted the message “Kamala IS brat” on X. Despite the word’s ineffable nature, the Harris campaign has taken it as a compliment, even going so far as to change their X banner to “Brat” green with “Kamala hq” in black text.

While some may dismiss the gesture as an attempt to appeal to Gen Z voters, it still underscores the emerging influence that Brat, and internet trends in general, have had on social and political issues.

“Being from the US, I think people like humanizing political people because a lot of politics is very depressing in America,” Ms. Ramey said. “Using trends like this can make it fun and can make that person seem a lot more relatable.”

“Brat Summer” is a reminder of how the internet can shape culture and society. Its unique message of individuality and freedom has found many fans agreeing with it. Some may call it just another fad, while others see it as a valid means of self-expression. Regardless of which it is, “Brat Summer” may not be one we forget yet.

BY: Anders Christensen Sophomore, Reporter

fanbase has defended Suga, arguing that his apology was unnecessary and criticizing the Korean press for its harsh treatment of idols, suggesting that the response was disproportionate and that his apology should be considered sufficient.

“As a K-pop fan in Korea, I believe that the international fans should be more mature when dealing with these controversies, especially if it deals with the law,” Yegene Hwang ’27, avid social media user, said. “I do not understand why international fans take issues concerning law so lightly.”

BY: Catherine Ryu Sophomore, Reporter

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FOCUS

Sports: An arena for preserving neutrality in a divisive world

By SEAN KIM ’26 In an era where divisiveness has been increasingly visible in various aspects of society, sports in the form of entertainment can unite millions of fans into a community. Through sports leagues like the NBA, Cricket, and Premier League, sports can and have historically served as a universal form of entertainment and community bonding that transcends borders, cultures, and backgrounds.

However, when politics enters the arena, many fans view it as a violation of the sanctity of sport’s role: to be an opportunity to bond with friends and strangers and escape from the conflicts and stress of daily life. So, when athletes and teams promote political messaging through their expansive media platform and coverage, some find it to endanger the role of sports as a neutral ground.

For instance, the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 following George Floyd’s murder, where games were boycotted to draw attention to racial justice issues, certainly raised positive awareness and important conversations about social justice. However, it also disrupted the core function of sports as an escape from political tension. While fans, in general, may support Black Lives Matter, other issues, like the Israel-Gaza War, presidential endorsements, government regulations, and social rights can be a divisive point between athletes and fans.

Historically, however, sports have always intersected with politics. High-profile moments like Tommie Smith and John Carlos’s Black Power salute at the 1968 Olympics or global boycotts against South African apartheid are examples of how sports can be a powerful platform for social change. Yet, for many

layout by Kayla Kim

fans, casual or dedicated, the merging of politics with sports undermines the very essence of why they tune in—to be entertained and on common ground with their peers and family.

Some argue that keeping politics out of sports ignores the potential for athletes to drive societal change. Nevertheless, sports are fundamentally an entertainment medium, and their primary purpose is to provide joy, excitement, and a sense of community.

Allowing politics to infiltrate this space risks alienating a portion of the fan base, for when fans feel that their escape is being co-opted for political agendas, often, it diminishes their enjoyment and connection to the sport.

“The current political climate, especially in the United States, is deeply polarized,” Ryan Lee ’26, volleyball and F1 fan, said. “The middle ground has become almost non-existent, with many feeling pressured to pick a side. This polarization mirrors what is increasingly happening in sports when political messages are introduced. It threatens to turn an inherently unifying experience into yet another battleground for societal conflicts. When athletes and leagues engage in political activism, it can foster a sense of exclusion rather than inclusion. Fans who simply want to enjoy the game are instead confronted with political messages, which may lead to frustration and disengagement.”

One of the more controversial political actions recently involves Colin Kaepernick’s protest against racial injustice by kneeling during the national anthem.

While his act of protest sparked conversation about systemic racism, it also polarized NFL supporters, with some feeling alienated and even abandoning their

support for the NFL and Kaepernick. Additionally, Kansas City Chief’s Kicker Harrison Butker’s recent comments on women’s rights and their role in society were interpreted by many as misogynistic, leading to uncomfortable tensions between him, his teammates, and NFL fans.

The blending of sports and politics not only impacts the viewer’s experience but also carries financial risks for teams and leagues. Sponsors, for instance, may withdraw support if they feel that the political stances taken do not align with their brand or customer base.

Keeping politics out of sports is not about restricting athletes’ freedom of expression but rather to preserve the unique nature of sports as a transcendent form of media. Sports have the power to l relief by reducing stress and anxiety and offers a safe space to express emotions. Watching a team win or correctly predict a game’s outcome can boost self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment.

So, in a world increasingly divided by politics, generational gaps, and differing backgrounds, ultimately, sports should remain a place where people, regardless of their political beliefs, can come together to share in the excitement and passion for their team or game.

While the societal impact of athlete activism has potential, the primary role of sports is to unify rather than divide. There are numerous platforms for raising awareness and advocating for social and political causes; sports should not have to bear the burden of being one.

FOCUS

How athelete activism is shaping national conversations

By KAYLA KIM ’ 27 In July of 2023, at the world championships in Milan, Ukrainian fencer Olga Kharlan found herself at the center of an unexpected international controversy when she refused to shake hands with her Russian opponent, Anna Smirnova. The refusal of this traditional handshake became a focal point for the broader conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Critics decried Kharlan’s actions, arguing that politics has no place in sports and warning that it could further entrench animosities.

However, such criticism overlooks a crucial reality: Kharlan’s small gesture could not have created more division in the political dynamics of a full-blown war.

Instead, her action renewed global attention to the ongoing conflict, which had faded from headlines due to its prolonged nature, bringing people into discussions about genocides, humanitarian tragedies, war, and peace. Kharlan’s act served as a reminder that sports can be an essential platform for expressing perspectives on, criticizing, and garnering support for the most pressing issues of our time.

The incident highlighted the challenges of maintaining neutrality in sports amid geopolitical conflicts and raised questions about the relevance of traditional sporting etiquette in the face of real-world tensions.

It forced the international sporting community to confront the complex issues simmering athletes and global politics.

Kharlan’s action culminated in a poignant moment at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she clinched a bronze medal in individual sabre fencing. Her victory became a powerful symbol for Ukraine, transcending sport to embody the resilience of a nation under duress. “It’s special because it’s for my country. It’s for people in Ukraine, it’s for defenders, it’s for athletes

who couldn’t come here because they were killed by Russia,” Kharlan said after her win.

However, Kharlan’s stand was not the first to be criticized for bringing politics into sports. Seven years earlier, Colin Kaepernick, then quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, kneeled during the national anthem to protest against racial injustice. This became a flashpoint in America’s ongoing struggle with race, patriotism, and social equity issues.

“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black people and people of color,” Kaepernick said at the time, setting off a firestorm of debate. Critics decried his actions as disrespectful to the flag and the military, while supporters lauded his courage in using his platform to highlight systemic racism.

Yet this act of protest, seen by some as deepening the nation’s racial divide, may have done more to unite Americans in confronting long-ignored injustices than any political speech or policy initiative in recent memory. Kaepernick’s knee touched a nerve in a country already raw from racial tensions, forcing uncomfortable conversations nationwide. But as the initial shock waves subsided, a growing chorus of voices from diverse backgrounds began to engage with the uncomfortable realities of race relations, not necessarily in agreement, but in a shared willingness to confront these difficult truths.

The narratives surrounding athlete protests, whether in the context of racial justice or geopolitical conflicts, often reveal, rather than exacerbate, deeper tensions within societies. Historically, movements for social change have often been met with similar criticisms, often seen as disruptive. However, Kharlan’s and Kaepernick’s activism challenges the notion

that calls for justice are inherently divisive. Instead, it highlights a paradoxical truth: actions that initially seem to polarize can ultimately foster a more inclusive dialogue about justice and equality.

The key to this transformation lies in the inclusivity of these movements—whether they invite participation from a broad spectrum of society. Much like other pivotal moments in civil rights history, recent protests by athletes have opened the door for diverse voices to engage, fostering a sense of collective responsibility and action.

While Kaepernick’s protest was rooted in the struggle against racial injustice in America and Kharlan’s actions emerged from a geopolitical conflict, both incidents underscored the power of sports as a catalyst for broader societal discussions. In both cases, sports transcended its traditional boundaries, forcing people to confront uncomfortable truths about their nations.

In both cases, sports served not just as a backdrop but as a primary driver in bringing these critical conversations to the forefront.

As we move forward, it is crucial to recognize this unique potential for sports to unify rather than divide. By embracing its role as a unifier, the world of athletics can continue to be a powerful force for positive change, bringing in people together not just in celebration of athletic achievement, but also in pursuit of a better world.

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10 FEATURE

New Teacher One interesting thing about me is my proficiency in Cuneiform, the first writing system in the world originating from Mesopotamia. I love learning new languages in my free time and have studied five dead languages and 5 modern languages so far. When I was a freshman in high school, I asked my history teacher if I could teach my classmates a lesson about Medieval life and fashion and I’m excited to continue my passion for social studies here at SIS. If I were an animal, I would be a cat—I’ve always identified with cats, and I find their curiosity to match my personality. I’m looking forward to getting to know the students here, expanding my skills as a teacher, and being a part of this amazing community!

Kesley Ajango, Grade 7 Social Studies

I’m originally from Phoenix Arizona and I love any type of Mexican food. In my free time I watch American football, volleyball, and play video games like Hearthstone. I’ve always loved math and had great teachers that inspired me to teach the subject. If I were an animal, I would be a sloth—no particular reason, they just make me smile. An interesting fact about me: I didn’t get my passport till I was 35, and I’ve been ranked legendary in Hearthstone a few times!

Andrew Michael Sydow, High School Math

My spirit animal is the panda—I’m playful, but I can be serious when needed. I’m passionate about scuba diving with whale sharks and listening to music, which is why I’m often seen wearing headphones. I enjoy exploring the different sounds of each country, especially classical and jazz. I’ve always been curious about languages and how they shape our societal interactions. One interesting thing about me is that I have a super multicultural family with siblings in the Middle East, Europe, and back in Columbia. One thing I’m looking forward to doing here at SIS is being part of this international community, where teachers and students with various cultural backgrounds all interact together and share culture.

Natasha Restrepo Carmona, High School Spanish

In my free time, I enjoy traveling, exploring new places, and socializing. I’m looking forward to teaching Physical Education and Health and believe it’s important for kids to understand how their bodies move, even if they’re not athletes. One interest I have is watching sports like American football, hockey, and basketball. And if I were to describe myself as an animal, it would be a flamingo. They’re bright, colorful, and fun animals.

I’m from St. Louis and I’ve been to Antarctica. My favorite dish? Definitely tacos!

Christina Thalhuber, Physical Education

layout by Jian Hong

FEATURE

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Feature I love travel, reading, history, and economics, and I’m a big gamer—mainly on console. I enjoy a wide variety of games, from first-person shooters like Destiny to RPGs and arcade classics.

Initially I planned on selling insurance, but my history professor encouraged me to take a different path and told me I’d be a good teacher. I’m excited to be here at SIS; the students’ engagement makes me want to up my game and keep improving. My spirit animal is a Llama because I’m really chill and calm, and some students even call me the ‘Dillyllama.’ I’m not big on spicy food, but I love a good pizza or barbecue beef.

James Dillhoff, High School Social Studies

I enjoy working out and trying out new sports like climbing and wakeboarding. I also love exploring new pastries in bakeries. I’ve always had a passion for many subjects, especially history, psychology, and social studies. I enjoy teaching the humanities because it feels more like telling and understanding a story rather than just memorizing facts. The community here is warm and supportive, and I appreciate how the students are self-motivated when it comes to grades. My favorite animal is the elephant—as elephants are cute on the outside but are strong, passive, and protective on the inside.

HyoYoung Nam, High School Social Studies

I love movies and films, especially thrillers, mysteries, and comedies.

I like reading anything I can get my hands on and love cooking. I always wanted to be a teacher growing up and decided to teach English because of my passion for books. If I were an animal, I would be a wolf—I’m loyal to the pack, and I just love wolves in general. One interesting thing about me is that I read 106 books last year. When it comes to food, I love pasta with any sauce; I’ll eat them all. I really appreciate how friendly and welcoming everybody is, and I’m excited to get to know all the students and get involved with the forensics program this year!

Alaina Ramey, High School English

I love Middle Eastern dishes, cooking, and coffee. I also like to hike and read in my free time. I decided to teach choir because of my own high school experience—my music teacher, Mr. Music, made choir the best time of the day and inspired me to pursue a career in music. I’m looking forward to teaching choir, getting to know all the students, and getting involved in our school’s musicals! And if I had to choose a spirit animal, it would be an owl because it possesses leadership and produces a lovely sound.

Mary Kate Maney, Music BY: Carson Park Junior, reporter

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MULTIMEDIA/POLLS

Songs of the SUMMER

For most people, summer is often associated with a song, smell, or particular experience. One example of this is the popularity of the tagline “Song of the Summer,” used by small artists and renowned performers alike. For SIS students, this involved pop songs like “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter to hip-hop music like “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar. Find out more about songs they have chosen to be representative of their summer.

Bonfire - wave to earth: “I enjoy the song because it conveys a very uplifting mood that pushes me to persevere through the day. It feels so nice when I play shuffle on my Spotify and the song coincidentally plays. I would say that I recommend this song to any and all individuals because it’s such a nice song.” Wave to earth is a Korean indie rock band of three members with a sold-out North American tour. - Yunmi Ishida ’28

Superpowers - Daniel Caesar: “I enjoy this song since its lyrics are meaningful and the overall tone of the song is soft and very mellow. I would recommend this song to others who enjoy Daniel Caesar’s music or anyone who likes soft romantic music.” Canadian singer songwriter Ashton Dumar Norwill Simmonds goes by Daniel Caesar when producing music in the genre of R&B and soul.

- Claire Park ’27

Summertime Magic - Childish Gambino: “The summer vibe the song carries is just sensational. I could listen to it continuously and it would just remind me of the ideal summer. It’s a good song for people who really wanna feel alive during the summer.” Childish Gambino, actual name Donald Glover, was an American hip hop artist with a diverse discography. - Terry Seong ’25

Berlioz - Wash my sins away: “I like the song because it has a relaxing atmosphere. It’s kind of a mixture between classic jazz and house music, and the sounds are really pure. It makes you feel like you’re at the beginning of a road trip. I would recommend the song for anyone who likes to listen to songs without lyrics, even if they aren’t particularly into jazz.” Berlioz is the name of a musical project made by producer Jasper Attlee, specializing in acoustic jazz-house music without lyrics.

- Woosung Choi ’26

November Rain - Guns N’ Roses: “The song is 9 min long and includes various dynamics (good soft melodies, loud climax etc) so there’s no time to be bored when I listen to this song, it’s like reading an adventure book. I’d recommend this for people who kind of got tired of listening to similar contemporary music or are interested in electric guitar.” An American hard rock band, Guns N’ Roses, emerged from a conjoining of two local California bands. - Claire Baek ’28

Haze - LUCY: “I loved it because of how the lyrics depicted life in a romantic and beautiful way. The melody matched well with the vibe of the song too, which made it overall pleasurable. I recommend this song to all the people who truly follow their nangman in life.” Formed from a televised Korean talent show, LUCY is a four member all-male band, active since 2019.

- Joseph Kim ’25 BY: Chloe Kim & Jian Hong Juniors, Reporter & Copy Editor

layout by Yoon Choi

MULTIMEDIA/POLLS

13

New hair, new tee, new haul do you see?

On the first day of school this August, students entered campus with anticipation, nervousness, and determination for the upcoming new school year. As new students and new teachers enter high school, many wish to leave a good first impression. Along with renovations made to the school, such as the new bleachers and gatehouse, many students also switched up their wardrobes, devices, school supplies, and more over the summer, ready to start anew.

“I bought the Mizuno Wave Momentum 3 volleyball shoes, and they are Orange-colored because it fits the school spirit–people can just know from my shoes that I am part of the SIS community. I bought the previous version a few years ago, but I loved the cushioning and design of this one, so I had to buy it. With these new shoes, we are going to be tournament number one and conference number one this year.”

- Liam Lee ’25

“Because those items are inaccessible in Korea, I had to buy everything in America while I could. I wanted to start off the school year with a happy mindset, so I spent over $1000 at Sephora for lip products and perfumes and bought five jelly cats. I bought the jelly cats because they are very therapeutic and are helping me get through my junior year.”

“Since it was my first time in America in a long time, I shopped at places like Brandy Melville. I got new clothes because ever since middle school I really wanted Brandy clothing, and I feel like everyone in Korea wants Brandy because they’re not in Korea. I had the opportunity to buy clothes after waiting in a really long line, so after I bought it, I felt really happy, and I think it makes me feel a lot more presentable in the new year.”

- Christie Hwang ’26

- Ellen Park ’26 “I like to keep my locker useful and versatile since it’s like my home away from home, which is why I stocked it up. I like to always keep snacks like gum and granola bars in my locker in case me or any of my friends are hungry. I also keep magnets of all sorts on the door of my locker so that I can put important papers such as my schedule and US history notes. If anyone needs a snack or anything else, even a bandaid, come to my locker anytime!”

- Sarah Kim ’26

“My brother has been wanting to adopt a dog for a while so my mom finally agreed. He’s very cute and very smart, and I’m happy because whenever I’m doing assignments late at night I like to chill with him and do work, although playing with him while working is a bit distracting. But sometimes it helps me focus so there are benefits and drawbacks. Either way, schoolwork is more endurable now so he is a helpful presence overall.”

- Peter Yoon ’26

“As a middle schooler, I always got a checklist of things I needed for the new school year, so I thought I would receive an email, but no email came. When I finally got the information on what I needed, I had little to no time to prepare. I ended up doing a quick haul at my local stationery store–I bought 2 binders, 4 notebooks, 3 packs of graph paper, 7 erasable pens, a few highlighters, correction tape, Prismacolor colored pencils, and charcoal sticks. I really had to resist buying more items because if I did, my wallet would have been empty.”

- Lauren Lee ’28 BY: Yeonjae Kim & Carey Kim Juniors, Copy Editors

14 VIEWPOINT Editorial Seniors, get your discipline diplomas

by Jason Lee and Yoon Choi

editors-in-chief As the new school year begins, all high school grade levels enter new territory. Freshmen take their first leap into senior high, sophomores get their first stab at AP courses, and juniors take on a colossal workload in their first year as upperclassmen. Still, the grade that seems to receive most of the spotlight is the senior class.

As leaders of most clubs, sports teams, and events, and as inhabitants of the capacious second-floor lounge, seniors have effectively become the “big dogs” of campus. In our hands lies the liberty of being the oldest in a culture that heavily prioritizes seniority, the ability to make a huge impact on the rest of the student body, and the duty to represent SIS’s reputation.

Yet, we seniors seem to not have gotten the memo that newfound—and massive—responsibility now rests upon our shoulders. The class of ’25 has already been scolded numerous times for instances of inappropriate behavior. We have been reported for unsportsmanlike conduct in KAIAC sports, rebuked by Mr. Macklin for leaving the senior lounge an unkempt cesspool of food and trash, and reprimanded by Ms. Edwards for publicly tracking peers’ early action college application aspirations.

We get it—ribbing rival schools at matches is hilarious, and we would be lying if we said that we weren’t ecstatic about the many privileges that come with being a senior. But we’re no longer the starry-eyed freshmen who can claim innocence behind the cover of “We didn’t know any better.”

We’re not even the juniors who can get away with delaying schoolwide assemblies by singing “Stan”

by Eminem anymore. Such irresponsible behavior is probably improper at any grade level, but it is especially unbecoming for what is supposed to be the “role model” senior class.

Of course, we seniors aren’t incompetent. Having been conditioned by countless hell weeks and all-nighters, we are able to maintain individual responsibility within the classroom. Still, even though many of us have become prudent planners and articulate academics, these practices should no longer constitute the full extent of our self-discipline.

Although we likely won’t attend weekly club meetings and solve WeBWorK on time once April rolls around, it is still critical that we continue to develop self-discipline outside of the classroom for life beyond high school. This type of self-discipline, unattached to academic outcomes, will be a necessity for our lives after graduation. This time next year, many of us will be starting our first year as legal adults at college. We will no longer have people to wake us up at 6 a.m., do the laundry, or help clean up after ourselves. We will be entirely on our own.

We know that some of our volleyball opponents can’t seem to stop loud-mouthing; we know that seniors barely have enough mental energy to be thinking about being good role models when college applications and insurmountable AP workloads already flood us. We know what it’s like to be in your shoes because we’re in those same shoes.

Nevertheless, we as fellow seniors are the ones who have to attend an ad hoc assembly that takes up our office hours whenever a peer messes up, or risk losing certain privileges like access to the senior lounge when others neglect their responsibilities.

We don’t need to—nor do we want to—receive the same scoldings over and over again.

So, to those who refuse to take responsibility and improve—even if you don’t care if Mr. Macklin sends six paragraphs of admonishment through Google Classroom, your peers do. And quite frankly—for your own sake and ours—you should start caring, too.

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 Charlotte Kim

DNC Convention: A coastal city party and a missing campaign core The 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago featured Democratic delegates officially nominating Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Governor Tim Walz, as their official presidential ticket nominees in front of thousands of donors and attendees. A four-day event considered more commonly a formality than a necessity, the DNC is an opportunity for various Democratic factions and influential figures to present unified support for their presidential candidate and Democratic ideals.

Already facing skepticism around their mishandling of President Biden’s campaign, which had resulted in an implosion amongst fellow Democrats, this year’s DNC was an opportunity for Harris and the Democratic Party to clarify past mistakes and answer voter’s concerns about her 11th-hour change and vague policy positions.

Additionally, it was an opportunity to reintroduce Harris, one of the most unpopular Democratic presidential candidates in 2020, as a competent, prepared, and knowledgeable leader. Frequently criticized as an inexperienced, far-left, identity politics-based Vice-President selection, Harris and her allies also had the opportunity to present a thought-out, clear, and unified policy platform. Such actions could have effectively drained out complaints of suspicion and questioning regarding her Presidential agenda.

However, most policy-centered speeches only reaffirmed their support for widely popular political beliefs like abortion rights and universal healthcare

while failing to articulate concrete policy blueprints toward resolving voters’ top concerns, especially about immigration, inflation, and crime.

“The DNC spent the majority of the time criticizing Trump and Project 2025, but they failed to address the numerous policy questions that the American people have,” William Park ’26, neutral political observer, said. “It’s a democratic national convention where you talk about politics, not some random frat party. There are so many issues that the Biden administration and the Democratic Party need to answer, but they are not and instead playing a vibe game.”

This year’s DNC featured a slew of notable singers and media stars, from Oprah Winfrey and Stevie Wonder to Steve Kerr and notable TikTokers. However, the DNC’s excessive focus on “vibes and joy,” as many in the media have described it, while successful in electrifying the Democratic base, failed to address or appear as relatable to many Americans, especially swing voters. From concerns about putting food on the table to the war in Gaza, the DNC ignored, at times blatantly, voter’s concerns. For instance, mass Palestine-Israel protests were held outside of the event and drew parallelisms to the 1968 mass protests over the Vietnam War. More notably, over 30 Democratic delegates withheld their presidential nominee vote and participated in the protests, but such actions only resulted in the exclusion of policy answers on the War on Gaza by Democratic leaders.

“Unless the Democratic Party makes a

Underconsumption-core: Sustainable?

From showcasing recent thrift store purchases to proudly announcing having worn the same three T-shirts on rotation for seven years, many TikTok and Instagram users over the summer have flaunted how little items they have or how long they have kept certain items. The absence of the usual large clothing hauls and the newfound online appreciation of reusing few items that people already have are a testament to the rise of “underconsumption-core.”

“Underconsumption-core,” reminiscent of previous movements such as minimalism, is a trend that encourages individuals to purchase only what they need, resist buying into social media trends, and live sustainably despite prevalent consumerism. While the trend is a positive response to the normalization of overconsumption as well as socioeconomic pressure and environmental concerns, whether this trend is here to stay is unclear.

“These days, there’s increased awareness about climate change and global warming,” Hyunseo Yoon ’25, sustainability advocate, said. “Also with waste issues

especially with clothes and plastic, I think people are more on the lookout, and trying to contribute even in small ways. I think that underconsumption being a trend helps draw more attention to those issues and help people contribute in their own ways.”

The accumulation of waste pollutes the biosphere, impacting the air, soil, groundwater, organisms, and public health. For instance, the degradation of plastics and textiles leads to the release of dangerous and potent chemicals into the soil and groundwater. As chemicals enter rivers, lakes, or other bodies of water, they harm aquatic life. Also, water pollution harms communities whose livelihoods are contingent upon local water sources, as contamination causes illnesses and reduces crop yields.

Especially considering that pollution is on the rise, therefore negatively impacting our planet, individuals must develop ways to counteract hyperconsumerism—something that “underconsumption-core” may contribute to. However, whereas this seems to imply that “underconsumption-core” is

concerted effort to reach out to a broad demographic of Americans, they risk fueling the perception that ‘coastal liberal elites’ are running the Democratic party,” James Kowalski, neutral political observer, said. “And if that happens, where does the average Wisconsinite or Ohioan or Kansan have a home in a party like that? If they want to live up to their ideal of inclusivity, then they need to walk the walk, not just talk the talk.”

The DNC was exactly reflective of Harris’s campaign, full of joy and energy but lacking in policy substance, and this is the direction that the Democratic Party has decided to go with, perhaps justifiably so. However, this election, like many, will be decided by a handful of swing state voters, and many of these electorates are focused on policy questions.

As the Harris-Walz campaign enters the last two months of campaigning, the lack of press conferences and interviews, along with a still vague policy platform, is increasingly sending a message of ambiguity and unsteadiness to voters. From questions on how Harris will address some of the biggest issues and questions about the country, her policy positions, and the current White House administration, voters will have to wait for those answers until the next presidential debate on Sept. 10, the first to feature Kamala Harris and Donald Trump facing off.

by: Sean Kim

Junior, Copy Editor a beneficial trend, many are skeptical as to whether the trend will last.

“Honestly, I think movements like [“underconsumption-core”] are good, but I’m not sure if people will continue to practice underconsumption,” Alex Kim ’25, self-proclaimed minimalist, said. “There have been similar movements in the past such as minimalism that just didn’t stick with people, and I think it won’t be too long before something related to over-consumption becomes the next big trend.”

Minimalism’s failure may be attributed to the fact that many are financially unable to get rid of some items. Living with fewer items in store is a privilege, as only people with the affluence to repurchase those items when needed may afford to do so.

Whereas one of minimalism’s shortcomings is that it encourages throwing existing items away to make way for fewer items, with those items being of both higher quality and a certain simplistic aesthetic, “underconsumption-core” is able to mitigate such a shortcoming, as it encourages people to use what they already have.

This limits not only the amount of items that people purchase, but also the waste that they produce from tossing away items as well.

Regardless of whether “underconsumption-core” will last, its presence marks an important change in the significance of trends and how they contribute to consumption patterns. Indeed, social media has distorted people’s perception of what consumption should look like. Through the media, individuals are exposed to ephemeral trends—many of which they may be pressured to buy into, regardless of whether they need yet another commodity. In a world that is suffering from waste-related issues, individuals should take action to limit the effects of overconsumption. Ultimately, whether or not “under-consumption-core” is yet another temporary internet-born phase, the trend still poses a step forward in an era marked by hyperconsumerism. by: Charlotte Kim

Sophomore, Reporter

Tiger Times September 2024

15

Viewpoint Feature: SIS bathrooms, adorned with beautiful wood finishing and picturesque mirrors, seem about as pristine as one can get. However, each of the bathrooms’ main doors weighs relatively little, making it so that unless users go out of their way to carefully close the door all the way shut behind them, it will slowly drift open again. Worse, three of the seven men’s bathrooms are designed so that passers-by can see the urinals from the hallway when the door is open, putting your and your peers’ bathroom usage on full display to those outside. Yikes.

In what ways is the high school bathrooms’ design flawed, and how does it affect student privacy?

How can these bathroom privacy issues be fixed? What steps have the school taken to solve them, if any?

Party poopers: Buzzkill bathroom design flaws SIS bathrooms seem about as pristine as one can get. They have beautiful wood finishing on the stall doors, toilets with flushing power like jet engines, and spotless mirrors with picturesque backlighting. In fact, our bathrooms are so nice that taking restroom mirror flicks has—perhaps a bit disturbingly— become a staple of many students’ social media photography feeds. But look closely at the background of those Instagrammable pics, and you might spot the bathroom’s main door ajar.

Worse, through that crack, you might catch a glimpse of someone outside passing by. Yikes.

The main high school building has 14 total student bathrooms, comprising two men’s and two women’s bathrooms on each of the first through third floors, and one men’s and one women’s bathroom on B1. Each of the bathroom’s main doors weighs relatively little, so the door won’t close all the way (and will slowly creep back open) unless the door is firmly pushed 100 percent into its frame.

Of the seven men’s bathrooms, the three of them that are closest to the elevator on each floor are designed so that passers-by can see the urinals from the hallway when the door is open.

So, unless users go out of their way to carefully close the door all the way shut behind them (which, alas, male users generally do not), it will slowly drift open again—putting your and your peers’ bathroom usage on full display to those outside.

“Yeah, the bathroom door problem

bothers me,” Isaac Lee ’25 said. “One time, I was using the bathroom on the second floor next to Profe Caro’s room. When I started using the urinal, I realized that the door was kind of open behind me. Suddenly, two girls walked past the bathroom and looked inside from the hallway, and we even made eye contact. I was obviously super embarrassed. It’s lowkey their fault for looking inside of the bathroom, but it’s also a design problem that the urinals are fully visible from the hallway when the [bathroom] doors aren’t shut.”

While this issue is still widespread, it has not gone entirely unnoticed by SIS’s administration. In the last school year, the facilities management team installed an automatic door closer in the B1 men’s bathroom after privacy complaints.

“The reason we installed the automatic door closer on the B1 boys’ bathroom is because a lot of elementary school students were looking into the bathroom as they were passing by on their way to the cafeteria,” a member of the facility management team who wished to remain anonymous said.

“That made people using the bathroom uncomfortable.”

While this fix is a promising first step, it has not addressed concerns across the other bathrooms in the high school. Still, the B1 example provides an actionable and proven precedent to rectify the privacy situation—to install automatic door closers in all the other bathrooms.

Men’s bathrooms, besides the one

on B1, were supposedly not fitted with automatic door closers because no formal complaints were made. Hopefully, this viewpoint article changes that.

“It appears that no improvements were made because no user complaints were received,” an anonymous member of the facility management team said.

“If we receive any other complaints regarding [the bathroom doors not closing], we will certainly consider making the necessary improvements.”

It is worth noting that this issue seems less pressing for women’s bathrooms. Interviewing students around campus for this article, I found that users of women’s bathrooms were generally far less likely to complain about open doors. This may be because women’s bathroom users use closed stalls that cannot be seen by onlookers outside (as opposed to urinals), or because women are generally better about carefully closing the bathroom door behind them.

“I think the girls are better about closing the doors more than the boys, since I’ve never really had a problem with [the doors] being open,” Jenny Park ’26 said. “But even though I feel like we all consciously try to close the door, it might be hard to do properly sometimes when you’re in a hurry. If the doors are open, though, it’s still uncomfortable for girls too because you might be able to hear people using the bathroom from the outside.”

Those skeptical of installing automatic door closers may also question

the costs involved. However, installing door closers is unlikely to incur a disproportionately high cost. Most automatic door closers on the Korean online market, Coupang, cost around 20,000 won to 30,000 won.

“The total cost of installing an automatic door closer in one bathroom, including labor and materials, is approximately 250,000 won,” an anonymous member of the facility management team said.

This estimate would mean that installing automatic door closers in the three most flawed men’s bathrooms would cost roughly 750,000 won. While this cost is not insignificant, when it comes to protecting the privacy of adolescent students in a place as private as the restroom, the benefit surely outweighs such cost. Even for inadvertent onlookers in the hallway, seeing a schoolmate using a urinal or hearing someone on the toilet is viscerally disturbing. Ultimately, if budget permits, all student bathrooms across the high school should have automatic door closers so that all students’ privacy is protected equally.

Until the necessary fixes are implemented, restroom users should be more mindful of correctly closing the door behind them, especially when others are using the restroom. If you fail to practice that common courtesy, the bathrooms’ design flaws aren’t the only party pooper—you become one too. by: Jason Lee

Senior, editor-in-chief

16 SMALL TALK Point

Counterpoint

By Sean Kim and Charlotte Kim

Cultural representation in audiovisual media…

refers to the portrayal of various cultures, identities, and ethnic groups in TV shows, commercials, and movies. Recently, the media has focused on diversifying casts and stories to better reflect diverse groups and cultures, with proponents arguing that this focus helps break down barriers and integrate underrepresented communities. However, critics of this approach, who dub cultural representation as going “woke,” argue that media content that focuses on diversity and inclusion sacrifices quality and accurate storytelling, leading to poorly produced content and failed projects.

photo of the

month

Striding through a crowd of applauses, Lauren Lee (9) and the varsity girls volleyball team celebrate a victorious rally against APIS Photo by Hyunjoon Rha ’27

#trendingnow: Very demure

By Minju Chung & Leah Kim Please read this article demurely.

Take a moment, slow down, and enjoy the beauty of modesty.

“Demure”—previously a seldom used word to express calm and modest demeanor—now appears frequently on TikTok and spread to other social media, such as Instagram. The trend started with content creator Jools Lebron, who advised her followers to be presentable and demure at work instead of showing up looking like Marge Simpson. Her satire intended to emphasize the expectation of women to act humble and reserved.

The trendsetter posted videos of advice along the same lines, suggesting to live by a casual aesthetic, like smeared foundation on one’s tops or Taco Bell refried beans stuck in one’s hair instead of rushing to put layers of makeup and mindlessly showing up late. Her catchphrase rapidly spurred interest from Gen Z, a generation obsessed with expressing luxury without showing off.

“I’ve heard of this trend several times, and I’ve definitely seen it a lot on Instagram these days,” Ethan Park ’28, active Instagram user, said. “I’m not sure what it means or when exactly this started, but one day, demure just started popping up in my feed so much.”

This phenomenon—the sudden appearance of a random, unfamiliar term—has become a frequent internet occurrence. Some well-known instances would be slang such as “sigma,” “rizz,” or “Fanum tax,” each word with its respective meaning.

Although the terms themselves are widely recognized and used on the internet, it is difficult to find posts explaining the origin of such words.

Similarly, “demure” is the new trending slang word, with a sudden appearance and a lack of clarification of its roots.

“I just got a 100 on my geometry homework quiz,” Nabin Won ’28, demure student, said. “But I’m not running around

layout by Lucy Jang

or bragging about it. I’m just sitting down, smiling, and taking a sip of Earl Gray tea. Very demure, very mindful.”

Generally, many creators and influencers, typically female, have expressed their willingness to join the trend by posting content about being “demure” in mundane situations. For instance, a reel shows a female influencer describing her situation at school, not participating in class discussions, as “very demure and very mindful.”

Others share how to demurely make the viral cucumber salad or post their demure outfits of the week. Eager to attract Lebron’s fans and fit into the trend, several companies, such as Netflix and Verizon, have already engaged with promotions featuring “demure.”

The widespread trend, however, is criticized in that it goes against the original nuance of the word “demure,” a subtle luxury and beauty.

Some also claim that as TikTok trends move more and more quickly, the hype for “demure” will also diminish, adding to the graveyard of dead trends that no one can recall.

“I’m running for the HSSC right now,” Selina Lee ’28, demure HSSC candidate, said. “Well, I could be going around the high school building, yelling at my friends to vote for me, and forcing people to upload my posters on Instagram. But guess what?

I’m only putting a few of my posters on the wall. Very organized, very demure, very cutesy, very mindful.”

Being demure is not about hiding, but rather about finding comfort in simplicity and embracing a casual yet subtle aesthetic in mundanity.

While some have started to comment or post that they are “sick of this trend,” a common reaction among TikTok trends, “demure” already seems to be on the lips of the current generation. It is perhaps the most fitting word to start autumn, a crispair season to say goodbye to brat summer and pull out demure sweaters.

…is beneficial for minority groups when done properly

…hurts producers and studio profits and image

In the past, when Western media primarily depicted cisgender, white, and heterosexual actors and characters, many struggled with feeling seen and heard in pop culture. However, modern-day media, particularly in the West, is helping people of minority groups, particularly children and adolescents, realize that they are not alone through cultural representation efforts.

What people see on the big screen greatly influences their perspectives. Children, for instance, are particularly prone to being influenced by the media as they are adapting to the world around them. Furthermore, children, particularly adolescents, may have low self-esteem, which may be amplified by being unable to see people like themselves in the media. Such low self-confidence may be exacerbated by the feeling that their cultures and their physical features (which are inextricably linked to their heritage) make them unable to adhere to Eurocentric standards.

Being unable to see people like themselves on the big screen can cause children and adolescents to internalize these negative sentiments.

However, when people, especially children, of minority groups see people who share the same roots as them in the media, this can help them to feel pride rather than shame. For instance, whereas many looked down upon Disney’s 2023 live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid” for its seemingly forced diversity, with 52.3 percent of the film’s box office earnings being from the US, many young African-American girls loved that they could see a part of themselves in a Disney princess.

Not only does representation help minorities feel appreciated—it also helps break down stereotypes. For example, Marvel’s “Black Panther,” set in the fictional African kingdom of Wakanda and featuring a predominantly Black cast, counters institutional bias while also redefining Black culture.

In the film, Black people are not defined by Eurocentric stereotypes— their culture and heritage are instead praised.

Ultimately, when done right, cultural representation provides a platform for the dismantling of prejudices and for minorities to see themselves on the big screen—one out of many steps that society should take towards becoming more accepting of people, regardless of their identities.

“Go Woke, Go Broke.” This phrase is frequently mentioned by both fans and movie critics when describing many recent films and TV shows, and frankly, the facts back this statement. From coveted franchises like Star Wars, Marvel, and Lord of the Rings to lesser-known one-offs produced

by Disney and Pixar, recent high-budget films have been doing poorly at the box office—a trend that many attribute to the excessive focus on diversity, inclusion, and equity (DEI) in modern media.

“Some of my favorite franchises have been producing disgustingly terrible movies because of their ‘woke’ agenda,” Joonho Kim ’26, avid movie watcher, said. “‘Mulan,’ ‘The Little Mermaid,’ ‘Acolyte,’ ‘She-Hulk,’ ‘Ms. Marvel,’ ‘Captain Marvel,’ ‘Wakanda Forever,’ ‘Lightyear,’ ‘Turning Red,’ and ‘Rings of Power’; there are too many examples of iconic studios and their franchises that ended up bombing all because they chose to go ‘woke.’”

Many of these movies and TV shows previously cited had well-funded budgets, with the Acolyte having the highest per-episode expense at $180 million for eight episodes while movies from Pixar and Marvel all had budgets upward of $200 million. However, poor audience acceptance and lackluster reviews resulted in the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars while oversaturating the market with well-known franchise productions.

Critics may argue that the poor performance of such movies was due to writing and production issues unrelated to diversity efforts. However, it is no coincidence that movie studios that are shifting away from DEI initiatives in their movies are thriving.

These movies include “Deadpool and Wolverine,” “Inside Out 2,” and “Dune 2,” all movies that have earned rave reviews and over $700 million in revenue.

Therefore, diversity must not be incorporated just for the sake of it. Instead, quality and storytelling production must be prioritized because evidently, efforts to continue pushing a “woke” agenda will continue producing profit losses and failed projects.

…can be helpful or harmful depending on how it is done.

While cultural representation on the big screen may help people of minority groups feel heard and valued, when representation is superficial and forced, it can be counterproductive in reaching a wider audience bases, leading to severe profit losses. To circumvent such poor and damaging efforts, it is important to focus on the quality of the production while creating a diversity of projects that accurately depict various cultures and identities instead of forcing people into roles that are not best representative or accurate of their skills and background. It is only then that individuals, regardless of their backgrounds, may display their own truths on the big screen.