Volume 1 Issue 2: 2022 November Issue

spirit

MOURNING ITAEWON

OCTOBER 29TH, 2022

Tragedy struck the nation when a crowd crush killed more than 150 people in Itaewon’s first unmasked Halloween festivities in three years. Turn to page 16 for more information about the tragedy and methods to avoid another.

FEATURE CULTURE

First, we would like to express our deep sorrow for the victims of the Itaewon tragedy, which took the lives of many who deserved more. You can read more about what happened on October 29, and what to do if you find yourself in a similar situation, on page 16.

November is a month of transition. It’s the month between Halloween and Christmas, a month during which the leaves change and fall. In its honor, we’ve dedicated much of this issue to transitions: flip to page 25 to read about how our Crusader athletes are returning to pre-COVID norms, page 23 to see how the freshman class of ‘26 is adjusting to high school life, page 21 for a take on how the Frieze Art Fair is transitioning to Seoul, and page 11 to learn more about the recent turbulent changes in UK politics.

Be sure to check out pages 5 and 8 as well: in this busy period of pre-December assessments, you may find some valuable study tips and advice on recovering from burnout. Finally, November is also a month of thanksgiving. See what your friends and teachers are grateful for on page 15, and say thank you to someone you love.

Hang in there, SFHS! Christmas break is almost here.

Your EICs,

Editorial Policy

The Spirit is the official student-led news publication of Seoul Foreign High School. All issues of The Spirit are published digitally through ISSUU. Selected articles are also published digitally on the website. This is the November issue and second publication of the 2022-2023 school year. The Spirit is a student publication and may contain controversial matter. Opinions expressed in the newspaper are not necessarily those of Seoul Foreign School’s faculty, staff, or administration. Students and editors are soley responsible for the content of this student publication.

Contact Information:

If you wish to contact any member of the staff with opinions, you may email thespirit@seoulforeign.org. All letters must be signed; anonymous content will not be accepted.

The Spirit strives to correct its errors. If you wish to make any corrections or clarifications in this or past issues, please contact thespirit@seoulforeign.org.

Dear Crusaders,

Kate Choi

William Kim

PHOTO BY OLIVIA SUNG, YENA KONG

BY IRENE CHO | PHOTOS BY LAUREN SONG

It’s a hard fact that IB requires students to study for passing grades. And if there’s one thing that I learned in my four years at SFHS, it’s that studying for long periods of time is not equivalent to a better grade. As many people say, “work smarter, not harder”. Thus, here are a couple of scientifically proven study methods and my honest two cents that may allow you to be more productive during your study sessions.

This is a fairly common study method where you study for 30-minute intervals and take a 10-minute break in between. Studies say that this is a great way for students to feel less overwhelmed with the amount of work that they need to complete as they can memorize new content in chunks rather than all at once. Personally, I can’t study like this. One needs an immense amount of self-control to pull this off. During the 10-minute break, once I’m on my phone, scrolling through Instagram, I will spend the next 20 minutes glued to my phone. But for people with better self-control, interval studying may be fit for you!

This study method is a fight against procrastination. Instead of pushing off studying a week or even days before your test, you might find it less stressful to cover the reviewed content a couple of times after you initially learned it to ensure that you thoroughly understand the concept. A 2014 study conducted by Allison Preston states that this study method may allow you to become better at remembering the content because reinforcing the memories makes them stronger. It also helps understanding future content to become easier as well. I tend to use this study method for biology while doing my mandatory Kognity textbook reading and have found this habit effective for memorizing chapters of information as it creates a sturdy base for future content.

I don’t exercise at home, so I have no prior experience to give my opinion on this study method. However, multiple studies have suggested that exercising even 20 minutes before your study session may improve concentration, energy, mood, and memory from the increased blood flow to the brain and increased production of endorphins and proteins. If you find it difficult to concentrate while you study, this habit may be something you should try out!

This habit is a give or take. I use it to study psychology and biology because physically re-drawing pictures by hand helps me memorize diagrams. When planning out SAQs and ERQs in psychology, or essay questions in biology, I always make sure to write down the content on either a notebook or iPad to test my memory and to figure out what key information I am missing. For more problem-solving-based courses like physics and math, I find that rather than rewriting notes, it’s better to solve multiple problems to understand how to use and apply concepts. Nevertheless, if you are forgetting key rules and formulas, it may help to rewrite them by hand as studies suggest that retrieving the information from your long-term to short-term memory through rewriting allows you to memorize such content easier.

Science suggests that the way you read text on paper is different from reading words on a screen. In fact, some even say that using screens requires more repetition to remember the information you just read. This may be your sign to grab those heavy IB textbooks and use them when you study. Admittedly, I do not use these textbooks myself. Nonetheless, when I study, I make sure to print out my notes so that I can annotate and revise them. I can reaffirm that based on my experience, reading on paper does seem more effective than reviewing my notes on the ipad. For those who use electronics to study, why not give this a try?

5 WAYS TO PREPARE FOR

ILLUSTRATIONS BY YEONJAE LEE

With winter comes many different things you need to prepare for: colder weather, warmer food, thicker clothes, and so much more. Without further ado, here are some ways to prepare for the oncoming snowy season!

SFS has many sports prepared for the winter season: basketball, wres tling, swimming, table tennis, and cheer being the five featured activities. Table tennis is one of our school community’s most recent sports, established just last year! And with last year’s seniors gone and a new group of freshmen in high school, this season is sure to be an exciting one. For our athletes, make sure to stay hydrated and eat well.

As we transition into colder weather, you might want to consider preparing a few items to keep you set for winter. Tucking an extra heat pack or two into your pockets is always a nice way to keep your hands warm. Gloves, ear muffs, and scarves are never a bad option when going outside!

We have numerous holidays scattered throughout the next few weeks to look forward to. At the start of November, we had autumn break (continued from October) from the 1st to the 6th, and our winter break this year will start on the 17th of December and end on the 8th of January. Remember, holidays are a time to relax.

With the drop in temperature, you should check your closet to see if you have appropriate clothes for the winter, and if you don’t, consider buying a few extra jackets to keep yourself warm. While temperatures are still alternating, it might be a good idea to gradually dress in more layers before transitioning completely into the thick sweater zone. Drastic changes in temperature are never good for the human body, especially during flu season.

Winter depression is a very common phenomenon and happens between autumn and winter due to decreasing sunlight. In order to steer clear of winter depression, go outside to take walks—with the cooler weather, this could be a lot easier to do—or doing some recreational activities at home. Also keep in frequent contact with your friends and family during any breaks we get from school as well: staying social is a nice way to keep your mental health in check.

REKINDLE YOUR FLAME

BY GRACE CHO | ILLUSTRATIONS BY OLIVIA JUNG

If you think burnout sucks, you’re not alone: burnout happens to most of us. In fact, it’s something that everybody will experience at least once in their lives. As the name implies, burnout usually feels as if your energy or motivation has completely “burned out” from within. Although there’s no explicit method of entirely getting rid of potential burnout in the future, it’s crucial to understand ways to live with it. The following tips may help you cope during a time of burnout as the school years gradually get more rigorous.

TAKE A BREAK

As school becomes busier, significant amounts of school-related stress factors will build on top of each other. This accumulation of stress will intensify as you balance countless assignments, extracurriculars, and social life. It’s important to let your brain and body take periodic rest breaks: stretch, take a bath, do your skincare routine, go outside, take a nap. These kinds of brief self-care breaks allow you to refresh and recharge, so you have much more motivation to get back on

track and slowly chip away at the mountain of stress you had before.

SET GOALS & BOUNDARIES

Sometimes, pulling all-nighters and over-perfecting assignments that could’ve been finished hours before is just impossible to avoid. Although those habits aren’t the healthiest, procrastination and perfectionism are qualities that can’t easily be erased. But by making a clear objective for the day, maybe 2 tasks today and 3 tomorrow, allow yourself to avoid panicking over all those unsubmitted tasks at 1 am. By using organization tools like Notion, todo lists, and even the Reminders app on your phone, you’ll be able to feel much more relaxed with a clear, structured overview of the work you need to complete.

STAY SOCIAL

Although parents may disagree with this one, it’s crucial to maintain a social life. This means that going out to meet friends when you still have work to do may help you! Interacting with others lets us take a step back and focus on the real world. Simply being in another person’s presence and not thinking about your stress can help you feel more inspired and energetic once you come back to those tasks. However, it’s vital to keep the right balance between your social life and your workload. In the end, you’re the one accountable for the quality of your work—so be sure to understand when you should meet others and when you shouldn’t.

There are plenty of accessible resources online to help you tackle burnout even further. The most essential thing, regardless, is discovering the right burnout-managing routine that works for you. Burnout is bound to happen to us, whether we want it or not. At first, it’ll be challenging to overcome these difficulties, but with the right help, you’ll be able to tackle them one by one and rekindle the flame that was once burned out.

NEWS BRIEF

The world spins pretty fast. Here’s the news you need to know.

*All information as of October 28.

BY ALEX KIL, HADAM CHE, AND OLIVIA WASMUND PHOTOS BY AL JAZEERA AND NIKKEI ASIA

ALEX JONES AND THE SANDY HOOK CONTROVERSY

Alex Jones, the influential American conspiracy theorist, was ordered to pay $965 million in damages by a U.S. jury to the families of victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School Massacre. On Infowars, Jones’ fake news radio show, he claimed that the mass shooting was as “phony as a three-dollar-bill” and that the family of the victims were “crisis actors” (NYT). It seems that his claims that the infamous Sandy Hook shooting—in which 20 children and 6 educators were murdered was a hoax—finally crossed the line. These lies caused serious emotional distress to the families of the victims, as they suffered death threats and harassment. Sued for defamation, Jones was ordered to pay nearly $1 billion for his irresponsible statements across his media platforms.

RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR: HISTORY, UPDATES, OUTLOOKS

The Russian invasion of Ukraine began on February 24. After the annexation of Crimea in 2014, this marked the first major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War. While both countries are suffering major losses, civilian casualties as well as severe destruction of national heritage are concentrated in Ukraine.

After over eight months of conflict, the prospect has shifted, with Ukraine’s army far outlasting the prediction of most military analysts. The country saw significant success in September, reclaiming over 8,000 km2 of territory in the northeast, including the cities of Izyum and Kupiansk, Russia’s main supply hubs. Experts perceive the Russian military’s retreat from these two regions as a sign of Ukraine’s possible impending victory. Currently, Russia holds approximately 20% of Ukraine’s territory. Although the future of the conflict remains unclear, it seems that, for now, Russia’s ambition has been limited to seizing Ukraine’s east and south regions.

PROTESTS IN IRAN: THE UPRISING OF IRANIAN WOMEN

Thousands of protestors line the streets in 80 cities across Iran, chanting and waving discarded hijabs, the headscarves required for women by the Islamic laws of the Iranian government.

On September 16, Mahsa Amini, 22, died in police custody after her arrest in Tehran for allegedly wearing her head covering too loose, violating the country’s extreme dress code (NPR). Authorities insist Amini suffered a heart attack, but family members suspect police brutality was the cause of her death. An unprecedented number of Iranians across class and ethnic lines turned out in solidarity.

While outrage over Amini’s death sparked the flame, a tanking economy, and the stifling restrictions that prevent basic freedoms for Iranians led protestors to torch local police stations and vehicles (NYT). These nationwide protests are unlikely to reform the theocratic government, but discontent with the regime is now uncovered, just like the strength and courage of the Iranian women.

LIZ TRUSS “A QUITTER , NOT A FIGHTER ”

It’s been a turbulent year for British politics.

On September 5th, Mary Elizabeth Truss was declared Prime Minister of Britain, winning the vote of 172,000 Conservatives to replace Boris Johnson, who resigned on July 7th (BBC). Johnson’s time on Downing Street was riddled with controversy and poor performance: Partygate—when Johnson broke his own pandemic protocols by holding lavish parties—and an alarming rise in cost of living across the country.

Conversely, Truss promised to continue the Thatcherite tradition in office, emphasizing the value of a small government, a free market, and low taxation. Truss pledged to revive Britain’s economy and to move the country away from a minimal growth, high tax socialist democracy. Her ambitions won the hearts of those angered at a state that “robbed” half of their income (The Economist).

Importantly, her entrance brought an air of optimism into Downing Street, especially after the scandal-ridden term of her predecessor, Johnson. Her cheerfulness struck a chord among the radical right, promising a new dawn during what British citizens and experts alike viewed as an era of the country’s declining sunset.

However, contrary to such high expectations, the Truss adminis-

tration had the worst start in British history. A statement by Kwasi Kwarteng, Britain’s then Chancellor of the Exchequer, drove many economists to fear an economic crisis. He revealed the administration’s plan to cut £45 billion ($48 billion) in taxes, alongside shortterm measures to capping energy bills for households and businesses and making Britain a net energy exporter. While these policies had already been expected, their magnitude and vague details startled international markets. More alarmingly, this led to a slump in bond markets, raising the cost for

borrowing money and limiting financing for the administration’s proposed policies (The Economist).

In just the first few weeks, Truss and her new administration befouled their own reputation through poor performance, such as escalated inflation rates and an unstable economy (CNBC). Consequently, Kwareteng was fired from his position with the Exchequer on October 14th. Six days later, Truss herself resigned from her position as Prime Minister, claiming “I came into office at a time of great economic and international instability… I cannot deliver the mandate on which I was elected by the Conservative Party. I have therefore spoken to His Majesty the King to notify him that I am resigning as leader of the Conservative Party” (Reuters).

Britain now is facing a third prime minister in two months: on October 25th, former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, was declared the new leader of the Conservative Party and the new Prime Minister of Britain. Sunak has a lot on his plate. He needs to rescue Britain’s fiscal credibility, suppress inflation, and end conflict and crisis apparent in the Conservative Party. Sunak declared, “The United Kingdom is a great country but there is no doubt we face a profound economic challenge….We now need stability and unity and I will make it my utmost priority to bring our party and our country together” (The Economist).

BY ALEX JUNG | ART BY LEA YOU

A THIRD TERM & A TIGHTENED GRIP

On October 16th, the National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) assembled for its twentieth session in Tiananmen Square for a week of speeches and meetings. The Congress, which convenes every fifth year to choose new leaders, review last term’s progress, and set out future domestic and foreign policy goals, affects global markets and alliances.

Xi Jinping, China’s president since 2013, opened the gathering of the 2000-plus members by reiterating the CCP’s priorities of national security and economic development (Bloomberg). Xi also strongly defended his zero-COVID policy, emphasizing China’s success at limiting mortality and the pandemic spread. It was also clear from his words that Xi views the West, primarily the United States, as a threat and broadly warned that

Xi lauded his government for “ending the chaos” in Hong Kong, where the mostly peaceful protests in May of 2020 calling for democratic reforms, were met with brutal military force (Al Jazeera). Since then, the Chinese government has tightened its grip over Hong Kong. Xi also condemned outside interference in Taiwanese affairs, after a visit in early August by the U.S. House of Representatives Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, who became the highest ranking official to visit Taiwan in a quarter of a century (Japan Times). At the time, the White House bristled at the Pelosi visit, but since President Biden has voiced the U.S.’s security commitment to Taiwan.

The self-governing island of Taiwan, known as the Republic of China since 1912, is 100 miles off the coast of southeastern China with its own history, culture, and political objectives. During the 1990s, Taiwan transitioned from a military dictatorship to a multi-party democracy with universal direct elections. Almost 80 percent of those born in Taiwan since that time—myself included—hold an exclusive Taiwanese identity, with negative views of unification with China. Taiwan remains the only democracy in the Chinese-speaking world (Washington Post).

The Communist Party Congress is nothing but a facade of democ-

racy, as its members are loyal supporters of Xi and dissenting factions are not represented. This year’s Congress, besides the usual pomp and circumstance, “re-elected” Xi for another presidential term. No other Chinese leader has held a third-term since Mao Zedong, who founded the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in 1949. This break from historical norms represents China “moving into a new era”, according to Yun Sun, a senior fellow of the East Asia Program, as Xi shifts from a primarily domestic agenda to a global one (NPR). Xi, unlike his predecessors, has taken an aggressive stance towards the U.S. On paper, the U.S. complies with the One-China policy, recognizing the PRC as the sole legal government of China. However, it maintains “strategic ambiguity” around the issue of Taiwan’s sovereignty. Biden’s position—along with the oppression of the Uyghurs in Western China and Xi’s crackdown on any semblance of Hong Kong autonomy—has increased tensions between the two countries.

When Xi first assumed power, there was hope that Xi would become a reformer, but those hopes have not been realized. Instead, world powers must face the difficult truth that China is becoming increasingly nationalist, authoritarian, and repressive under Xi and represents a significant geopolitical security challenge.

BY OLIVIA WASMUND

ART BY ERIN KIM

IMAGE FROM KYODO NEWS

WON TUMBLES AGAINST US DOLLAR “ULTRA STEP”

The U.S. dollar price has simply gone out of control. For the first time in 13 years, the U.S. dollar has soared to over 1,400 won (Seoul News). The main reason behind the increase is the “ultra step,” an economic term unique to South Korea that refers to the U.S. Federal Reserve Board (the Fed) increasing the interest rate to 1.00%. But what led the Fed to do so, and what are the consequences for South Korea?

The Fed has an interest in keeping U.S. inflation stable, and its decision to raise the interest rate reflects that goal. In recent years, inflation—rising prices of goods and services— has been key in driving interest rates up. Interest rates are a key factor in determining how much money U.S. citizens spend:

when the interest rate is low, spending increases, but when the interest rate is high, people spend less with borrowed money to avoid paying higher returns.

Currently, the U.S faces huge inflation, which could lead to the loss of the U.S. dollar’s purchasing power if left unchecked. Therefore, in order to deal with the ongoing inflation, the Fed decided to increase the interest rate, hoping to decrease the demand for goods and services and in turn, to decrease prices as well. Unfortunately, though the Fed’s

Unfortunately, though the Fed’s decision may have been the right call for America, it has caused various side effects elsewhere around the globe.

decision may have been the right call for America, it has caused various side effects else-

BY ALEX KIL ART BY CAREN KIM

where around the globe, including in South Korea. Because increased interest rates have led many to invest in the U.S. dollar, it has grown much stronger at the expense of other currencies, like the Korean won.

A crucial issue is that the rise of the U.S. dollar has increased the prices of goods globally. For example, the prices of Korean staple foods such as kimchi and ramen have increased about 10% to prevent losses caused by the increase in dollar price (Seoul News). Furthermore, as Korean businesses were already suffering major losses due to the effects of Russia’s war in Ukrainian, this means that businesses will find it challenging to survive.

The Bank of Korea hopes to increase its interest rate to match the moves by the Fed, but this strategy may not be enough. If the South Korea central bank does not find an effective response, an economic crisis may result (Bloomberg). Therefore, an effective solution must be determined— quickly.

(AGREED!)

Soora Koh. Nothing more needs to be said. She's the best.

MS. CHI

Just submitted my college apps!

Grateful to be going through the pandemic in Korea!

There is a myriad of things that I am grateful for: my loving family, friends, and the life that God gave me. However, without a question, out of everything in life, I am mostly grateful for music. It's important for us humans to eat, hydrate, and breathe, but music is my main source of living, wether it is creating or listening. It is a notable pursuit and necessary to sustain life. Music provides me the lust for living my life to the fullest, appreciating the beauty in the little things, and my love for life, people, and God.

TAEWON CHOI (12)

what are we grateful for?

My Seniors... they make me laugh ALL THE TIME. I can't say that their lack of deadline meeting skills never frustrate me, but 99% of the time, they bring me nothing but joy. It has been an honor to survive the month of October together!

MS. CHI

I'm mostly grateful for my friends, since they're the reason my life isn't a complete mess right now.

I’m grateful that I am loved

Sleeping 11 Hours.

The HS Counseling team for accepting me just the way I am!

MS. CHI

I'm most grateful for my sister because she always inspires me to be a better person.

OLIVIA WASMUND (9)

10.29 2022 MOURNING ITAEWON

• Itaewon’s 2022 Halloween celebration became a tragedy when massive crowds in the streets— made up of an estimated 100,000 people—led to a deadly crush.

• Over 1,700 emergency response forces were dispatched to the scene, struggling to reach the injured as they navigated heavy traffic and crowds.

• As of November 15, the number of casualties stood at 158. Over 100 were in their 20s. 5 were in high school. 1 was in middle school.

STAYING SAFE IN CROWDS

In any crowd: note exit locations. Be aware of crowd density—if you’re being pushed towards your neighbors, the crowd might be too dense. If you find yourself in a crush:

Don’t scream. Save your oxygen and tilt your head up to access more fresh air.

Stand “like a boxer,” as NYT puts it. Keep one foot ahead for stability; keep knees loose for agility. Create space by holding your arms in front of your chest.

If you drop something, don’t reach for it. If you fall, stay on your side to protect your chest if people fall on you.

Don’t move against the crowd. When you can, try moving diagonally to its edge to exit.

Sources: The Guardian, The New York Times, CNN, The Korea Times

“IT FELT LIKE THE SKY WAS FALLING. WHAT TO DO ABOUT MY CHILD? WHAT TO DO ABOUT MY CHILD?” - CHOI SEON-MI, MOTHER OF DECEASED PARK GA-YOUNG (19), ON HEARING OF HER DAUGHTER’S DEATH

FRIEZE TAKES ON SEOUL:

BY ALICE CHUNG | PHOTOS BY ELLA CHUN

With the September launch of the world-famous contemporary art fair Frieze, the significance of Seoul has formally been recognized in the global art scene. Frieze, which started off as an art magazine, held their inaugural Frieze fair in London in 2003. Since then, they have expanded their presence with openings in both Los Angeles and New York. In their recent efforts to introduce Frieze to Asia for the first time, the 2022 fair was held in Seoul, South Korea. Frieze art fairs have a colossal impact on a country’s art scene. Within minutes of the opening, many artworks were in-

stantly swept away by demand for sales; in fact, the competition between art collectors is so heated that most art galleries require reservations from buyers prior to the exhibition.

Collectors from all over the

various artistic genres. So why did Frieze choose Seoul over any other Asian country, such as Singapore or Japan? Upon closer inspection, we can see that Seoul’s sales within the art industry have more than doubled in the past few years, from 419 to 922.3 billion won, not to

world came to Seoul for the sole purpose of attending this weekend-long event, showcasing its popularity and value. Compared to other art fairs, Frieze stands out for its emphasis on inclusivity and diversity within its selections. With more than 100 international galleries taking part in the Seoul edition, art enthusiasts have the opportunity to visit a highly diverse exhibition of

mention that Seoul has also rapidly expanded its soft power and influence over recent years. With the constant increase in popularity of K-pop, K-dramas, and K-fashion, Korea’s entertainment industry has taken over the media in the global sphere. To showcase this, Frieze collaborated with many A-list Korean celebrities like G-Dragon and RM, who have actively expressed their in-

A NEW BEGINNING

terest in art.

Considering the grand introduction of Frieze’s new chapter in Seoul, the event has been marked as the second most-influential Frieze fair ever held. According

to say that Frieze lived up to my high expectations. Stepping into the fair, I was immediately drawn in by the lively ambiance created by all the beautiful artworks.

their excitement about Frieze’s annual return to Seoul. Despite the numerous foreign galleries that dominated sales and captured the media’s attention this year, it is expected that more local Korean artists will be put in the spotlight in the next few years.

to Frieze’s chief executive, Simon Fox, Frieze Seoul was able to bypass past Los Angeles and New York fairs in terms of sales and engagement with galleries. Highlights of the fair included works of the timeless Pablo Picasso himself, such as the “Girl with a Red Beret and Pompom (1937),” attracting a busy and admiring crowd in no time.

I was lucky enough to attend this event myself, and it is safe

From one perspective, one may argue that the busy atmosphere takes away from the peaceful experience of focusing on the art itself. But I contend that it rather helped me to fully immerse myself in the authenticity and beauty of an art fair.

The opening of Frieze has ultimately piqued interest in how Seoul’s future will continue to impact the artistic community. Many have already expressed

PICTURED PIECES

Untitled (TV & Stone), Park Hyunki

Untitled, Lee Kwang Ho Wave, Jinran Kim Mokha, Kang Kang Hoon Unknown, Lee Gwiyoung

Patron’s Home (Seoul), Andy Dixon

D A H M E R

A REVIEW

BY ALICE CHUNG | ART BY ASHLEIGH KIM

Given that every single video on my TikTok page was about Jeffrey Dahmer, my curiosity peaked to find out what the hype was all about. You may also have heard about the latest Netflix series, which dominated the global charts in no time: “Dahmer—Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.” The original series based on a true story, follows the events of the infamous serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer and his rise to murder.

Alongside Ted Bundy and John Wayne Gacy, Jeffrey Dahmer, also known as the Milwaukee Monster, stands as one of the most disturbing serial killers to have ever existed. Not only was he responsible for the death of 17 men and boys, but he went as far as dismembering their bodies and engaging in cannibalism. While numerous true

crime documentaries and films have previously addressed the Jeffrey Dahmer and his murders, the new series is unique in that it represents the details on a whole new level, replicating scenes almost identical to the real events. As much as the show can be applauded for its accurate portrayal of Dahmer and his upbringing, it has also received a substantial amount of backlash for its insensitivity.

The series moves back and forth between milestones in Dahmer’s life, in which we witness the brutal murder of each victim. The episodes not only delve deeply into the disturbing murders of each victim but we also are exposed to their personal struggles and family situations. Thus, the show becomes heavily personal to the victims, necessitating respect to their privacy. To make matters worse, none of the victim’s families were informed about the show’s production. Viewers have expressed their shock and outrage at the production’s irresponsible approach to the series’ making, keeping in mind that victim’s families and friends had to wake up to the internet erupting over the loss of a loved one. Victims’ families were quick to respond, claiming that the show was “retraumatizing” with so much media attention focusing on Dahmer’s violence prior to the show airing.

Other criticism leveled by the public is that the series evokes unnecessary empathy for Dahmer. Looking into his troubled childhood, viewers have expressed their sense of empathy for Dahmer and their belief that he deserved better. Some have even said that he should be forgiven because he appeared to show genuine remorse for his crimes. Others, on the other hand, have voiced their anger at the lack of thought put into the public’s words. There have been a number of insensitive comments about the show ever since it was brought to attention that may almost be as disturbing as the show itself. People have stated that they find the character of Jeffrey Dahmer rather attractive and charismatic—Gen-Z surely knows how to push beyond the limits.

This begs the question of whether these shows are ethical, as they motivate false empathy for inexcusable acts for the purpose of creating entertainment. Yes, Dahmer did not receive the necessary support as a child and was frequently neglected by his family and peers; maybe there could have been ways to prevent him from committing his crimes. But, let us remember that his lack of self-control cost the lives of many innocent individuals. Under no circumstances can this fact be changed, dismissed, or justified.

Here are some key (and disturbing) scenes from the popular Netflix show: Dahmer and his male manequins

Dahmer with his friend, Tony Hughes Bones dissolving in acid

Mystery meat...

Dahmer’s interrogation

SOURCE: MENSXP.COM

A TRIBUTE TO ROBBIE COLTRANE

BY INA CHOE | ART BY OLIVIA JUNG

generations.

Although he was most widely known as the half-giant Hagrid, he has made several appearances in other notable works, including the James Bond series, the British drama Cracker, and National Treasure. His legacy has touched many actors, including, of course, the cast of Harry Potter. Daniel Radcliffe spoke warmly about his encounters with the actor, saying, “Robbie was one of the funniest people I’ve met and used to keep us laughing constantly as kids on that set.”

“Robbie is just perfect for Hagrid because Hagrid is a very loveable character, quite likable, quite comic,” the author said. “But he had to have— you really do have to sense—a certain toughness underneath, and I think Robbie does that perfectly.”

“Yer a wizard, Harry,” uttered by none other than Rubeus Hagrid, marked the beginning of Harry Potter’s journey in the Wizarding World. The beloved half-giant played by actor Robbie Coltrane embodied the same warmth and kindness as the Hagrid represented in the Harry Potter books and movies. Coltrane passed away on October 14th, deeply saddening his family, peers, and the wizarding community. Although Coltrane may not be with us, his legacy and memories will live to inspire and comfort us as well as future

Coltrane was an influential role model for the many young actors on the set of the Harry Potter franchise. Actress Emma Watson, who played the fan-favorite character Hermione Granger, said that Coltrane made it a joy for her to play her character. She delivered a heartwarming message saying, “Robbie, if I ever get to be so kind as you were to me on a film set I promise I’ll do it in your name and memory.”

Time and time again, Coltrane proved what a perfect Hagrid he was, not only because of his acting but also because of their similarities. Author of the Harry Potter series J.K. Rowling said that Coltrane was an immediate pick for the character.

The whole world paid tribute to Coltrane’s passing as they honored the legendary Rubeus Hagrid. His quote from the Harry Potter reunion this year was posted on the pillars in a train station in the United Kingdom, reading, “The legacy of the movies is that my children’s generation will show them to their children, so you could be watching it in 50 years time, easily. I’ll not be here, sadly, but Hagrid will.” Actor Tom Felton also posted this quote on his Instagram, with the caption “Raise your wands.” His caption seemed to inspire the wizarding fandom as Universal Studios Orlando attendees rose their wands and Hagrid’s signature pink umbrellas into the sky, in remembrance of both the beloved character and the late actor.

As Hagrid once said, “What’s comin’ will come, an’ we’ll meet it when it does.” So instead of dwelling on his passing, let’s raise our wands (and pink umbrellas!) to celebrate the legacy of Hagrid and the joy Robbie Coltrane will bring to audiences forever.

KIM HA SEONG

WRITES HISTORY

BY JUNGJIN KIM | PHOTO BY KOREA JOONG ANG

season, when the Padres looked to replace Kim with another shortstop. Even though Kim showed his great potential when playing in the KBO, Korea’s baseball league, many doubted his ability to succeed in the American MLB.

interview with ESPN, “Kim has performed admirably this season. Considering he was filling in for a player, what Kim has done is simply unbelievable. I would say that he is the heart and soul of our defense.”

Kim Ha Seong’s rise to stardom is nothing short of a Cinderella story. When he signed with the San Diego Padres in December 2020, few expected him to have as much of an impact as he is having this season. He was initially a backup shortstop for Fernando Tatis Jr., who had been a consistent starter for the Padres. His stats did not look too promising before this

This season, Kim put those doubters to rest, as he became one of the central pieces in the Padres’ playoff run. It all started when Fernando Tatis Jr. was suspended for 80 games following a failed performance-enhancing drug test. As his backup, Kim was handed the keys to the shortstop position and he promptly delivered. His performance has been meteoric. This year, Kim batted .254 on average, which is on par with the league batting average. What is more eye-catching than his batting average, however, is his impeccable fielding. He has been nearly perfect from the field, making only eight errors the entire season. This accounts to a fielding rate of 98.2 percent—a fielding rate of this caliber means that Kim made the correct play 98.2 percent of the time the baseball was hit his way.

All of this amazing performance has turned even his most fierce critics into his fans. The Padres manager Bob Melvin said in an

Yesterday, the MLB announced that Kim was nominated for the National League Golden Glove Award for the shortstop position along with two other players: Dansby Swanson and Miguel Rojas. The Golden Globe Award is given to the best defensive player in each position. Although all three of these players have similar defensive statistics, many analysts are predicting Kim will win this award considering his significant improvement this season. If Kim ends up taking home the Golden Globe trophy, he will be the first Korean player in MLB history to do so.

Many Korean batters have tried to leave their mark on the MLB stage before, but very few have made it to the extent that Kim has in this season alone. Kim has become not only an essential piece for the San Diego Padres, but also a national hero for Korean baseball.

Musicals are back– the normal way! With the long-awaited re turn of in-person theater at SFS, students, teachers, and parents flooded the seats of the Lyso overflowing with excitement.

coat was the gateway to a new generation of energetic and committed actors on set. As director

Mrs. Moon puts it, this year’s musical has “a lot of new” with the departure and arrival of many talented actors and musicians.

Despite facing a few hurdles in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic, our high school actors and actressmanaged to pull off a

This year’s actors faced a daunting challenge of performing with a smaller cast size. Students were “hungry in developing their ability” and were “an agent of change,” often covering many different roles for the production, Mrs. Moon points out. Students in this production prepared “for every audience” and were determined to restart after the two years of empty theaters with a bang. Along with this extra effort, cast members also fought against the muffling of voices through masks which made speaking and singing a lot more difficult than usual. Performers had to learn the art of “acting with eyes” to project emotion rather than voice, a turnaround from tradition. Even with all these challenges along the way, the dedication of the director, cast members, and behind the scenes workers brought the SFS community together for another highly acclaimed performance.

[ STORIES FROM THE SET ]

BY ROYCE IN | ART BY TARYN KIM | PHOTOS BY HO YOO

This year’s audi tion process began with heavy anticipation. For Erin Son (12), who played the narrator for Joseph, being a senior made her “cherish the moments...even the most nervous moments.” Beginning her acting career at SFS in 7th grade, this final musical was a goodbye to her middle and high school performing career. The scenes where she was able to “[deliver] the story for the character” were valuable experiences in her theatrical career and ones she hoped to replicate in the production.

Lead actor Tyler Yoon (11), who played Joseph, states that Mrs. Moon “has a way of making

you feel at ease,” even during auditions. For many cast members, the auditions were their biggest challenge. Being able to portray one’s skills in their best possible condition brings about a mix of pride and disappointment, as well as incredible nerves and anxiety. However, it also “doesn’t hurt to mess up,” according to Tyler, who played comedy and character roles before trying out for the musical. Even without any experience, in Mrs. Moon’s eyes, “whoever comes is meant to be” and she works her hardest for every production to match her visions.

After months of preparation, though, came the final perfor mances, the end of a cycle that required so much effort from ev eryone involved, including those in the pit band to members of Crusader Live working be hind the stage. This year’s performances were different for all cast members, espe cially those who performed for a live audience for the

first time. To Erin, “the energy comes from the audience” and “being a lead in front of an audience comes differently.” The presence of a crowd feeds actors on stage with the energy to perform and showcase their best talent.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was the perfect embodiment of a redemption story. With Mrs. Moon’s goal to “[liberate] through forgiveness,” the community and actors united to create a highlight of the year. As Mrs. Moon’s final year here at Seoul Foreign School begins, the cast and students are eager to be a part of such a memorable performance.

COVID-FREE SET TENNIS

ARE BACK! CRUSADERS

BY ROYCE IN | ART BY ERIN KIM

As the height of the pandemic comes to an end, so too has a very successful fall sports season. However, as covid restrictions have lessened in the past few months, athletes have been able to travel across the country and even internationally to compete. One may say that the Crusaders are back. We say it’s about time the Crusaders dominated the athletic scene once again!

The tennis teams made a comeback to the post-pandemic athletic scene looking strong and

The volleyball teams were also back this year, with new faces and skills being seen by live audiences in the bleachers. According to Ju Seong Park (9) of the boys varsity team, the game has certainly “gotten a lot more advanced” compared to his middle school years. While traveling internationally in Japan, the team

The cross country team made a return this year with a roster bigger than ever before, with over 65 runners participating. While stuck on campus last year, players were only

commmited. Varsity girls player Seohyun Choi (11) says that commitment and perseverance are crucial qualities that players have had to adopt this season. “[The team] practices on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.” Even on holidays or faculty work days where most students enjoy the chance to relax, the team was on campus, practicing. All this

faced opponents of extremely high playing ability, which strengthened team bonding as athletes had to collectively adapt to completely new standards. Ju Seong says his favorite memory from Japan was moving around the city on the subway, as he felt that “the atmosphere was quite different.” “Volleyball

able to “compete against [themselves],” Mr. Kosh says. Now, however, they are back to physical races along with the addition of an international race in Guam. According to Heather Kwon (11), in Guam, runners encountered “courses and weather conditions that were really new to the team.”

effort, however, pays dividends. At times where “[her] point determined whether [the] whole school would win or lose,” Seohyun was appreciative of all the training she put in keeping her skills refined. To Seohyun, this season “built lots of memories” and she is excited by all the extraordinary moments the team can reminisce about.

VOLLEYBALL

is a joyful experience [to have]”, Juseong states, and he hopes all players will never forget this season.

From running beside teammates at school and submitting times in virtual meets to now running alongside rivals and competitors, players have “had to rethink and relearn how to compete,” according to Mr. Kosh. By “having faith in [their] workouts,” runners this year have not disappointed.

2026 FRESHIES ARE FRESH IN! FRESHIES IN!

BY MIRIM SUH | ART FROM CANVA

It’s already been over thirteen weeks since school started—whoa! As for the freshies, we’ve been busy settling into high school life, meeting new people, discovering interesting clubs, finding our favorite lunch entrees, scouting the best lobby couches, and more.

Being a freshman can be tough. High school is notorious for its hectic lifestyle. Although we have finally escaped the Middle Years, we must now face so many choices. These choices may consist of how we organize our free time, what we do during study periods, or even what we decide to purchase at Crave’s cafe. In order to find out how the freshmen are adjusting, I have sought out students incoming from the middle school, the British School, and schools outside of SFS.

Minori Taylor (9) has attended the British School for eleven years. Minori mentions that she’s incredibly “excited to experience the high school lifestyle everyone talks about,” as well as develop more as a person. Despite the enthusiasm, however, she does admit that high school life seems a bit “nerve-wracking”, especially when balancing school work with social life.

Amelie Lewis (9), also from the British School, looks forward to the prestige that comes with being a high school. “Being a highschooler means that you’re cool and not having to wear a uniform

makes it even cooler”, she says. But being free from our daily navy/grey or red/beige outfits is both a relief and a daily dilemma. One one hand, having the ability to wear your own clothes feels more mature. Having no uniform means going through the process of choosing an outfit that would be considered a ‘swag-fit’ from our friends.

High school is all about freedom, even with our schedules. “high school has given us more freedom during classes and breaks compared to my previous school,” says Sara Veise (9), who’s joined the SFS community this year. She does express a caveat, however. “Freedom is good, but too much freedom can be hard to manage,” she says. Regarding the new lifestyle, some of the ‘freshies’ have been able to integrate into the highschool community through the arts.

Both Minori and Amelie were excited about musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The upcoming high school musical has provided a great opportunity for many of the freshmen to bond with upperclassmen in the cast and crew. “Getting involved so early on in the year definitely helped introduce me to a lot of older people. I felt

they were really scary when I actually them but they’re actually really nice,” says Amelie.

The recent SFHS community events have also helped introduce freshmen to school spirit. Eugene Han (9) states, “I enjoyed the pep rally because we could come together as the whole highschool. It allowed me to experience the highschool spirit and vibe.” Sports have encouraged previous middle school and British School students to come together and finally bond as the class of 2026.

Honestly, we’re pretty stressed. There’s still a lot to figure out and I guess that’s part of living the high school life. Criteria A, B, C, D, MYP, DP, IB… we’re choking on the alphabet. But overall, the class of 2026 seems to agree that freedom is good and we need to learn to make our own choices. Welcome to high school life, class of 2026!

FEATURING ARTS FEATURING ARTS

The Efforts Made For The Unknown

Romin Oh (12)

FEATURING ARTS FEATURING ARTS

Aileen Chen (11) Apex Predator

FEATURING ARTS FEATURING ARTS

Ella Chun (11) Perspective

AUTUMN COURTESY: ELLA CHUN (11) PHOTO FEATURE

for where your treasure is there your heart will be also