Tiger Times Volume 50 Issue 6

NEWS BRIEFS

Advanced sports class successfully oraganizes recreational excursions

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Club funding process replaces Family Fun Day SIS develops changes to its current website Groove Korea features SIS in its upcoming issue

SIS implements early AP recommendation period

change \‘chānj\

(v.) to undergo transformation, transition, or substitution; to pass from one phase to another

VOLUME 50 | ISSUE 6 | FEBRUARY 2019 | TTONL.ORG

Tiger Times

Editorial

In being word-aware

By Dawn Kim and Jeremy Nam Co-Editors-in-Chief Do words and their definitions have the potential to change?

According to novelist Gloria Naylor, absolutely; according to her, “Words themselves are innocuous; it is the consensus that gives them true power.” This aphorism can work both ways, with everyday words morphing into slurs and vice versa. Others, such as Leonard Pitts of the Miami Herald disagree–Pitts in particular argues that “contrary to popular belief, [the n-word] does not diminish with use” meaning epithets and the profanity they possess does not go away simply because we mean them to. In fact, an effort to “reclaim” such phrases may only lead to the user continuously insulting themselves.

From an early age, we learn of the everyday potential of words. We learn about their power to reveal, commend, antagonize, incite, rouse, and argue. Mastery of rhetoric behooves a healthy dose of opportunity; some of our best communicators and leaders benefit greatly from this skill and mature into some of our strongest MUN delegates, debaters, and HSSC members––a demonstration of words’ power to promote positive change. But words aren’t always used to promote and appreciate.

As expressions transform and adapt to an evolving society, they can also become slurs that besmirch and demean individuals as well as ethnicities, ideologies, mental conditions, and sexual orientations. These terms, no matter how small, have immense power; words written and spoken in the spaces we use every day have the power to make people feel paranoid, unwelcome, and vulnerable because the expressions target something that defines them.

In an age where political correctness is prevalent, it is important that we consider the weight that epithets can carry and indeed, not throw them around haphazardly. It is doubly important for SIS students, as we live in a unique bubble; are largely ethnically and ideologically homogeneous, and yet we speak primarily using English; the language of a different nation. A significant number of us may occasionally use affronts without fear of repercussion simply because we are not surrounded by the races and ethnicities that such slurs are targeted toward.

As international students, we are headed for education in the Western world; just because we can say things in our Korean-American cultural bubble without much consequence doesn’t mean we should.

Some individuals may argue that choosing to embrace such insults, instead of singling them out as terms that should be forbidden, strips the expression of its profanity. As freethinking individuals entrusted with the freedom of speech, we should take it upon ourselves to answer these specific queries: What are we hoping to communicate, and are we doing it accurately? Do we give power to epithets by singling them out, or treating them as you would any other term? Well, before we even think about pulling out a thesaurus or engaging in a 20-minute discussion on the implications of a single term every time we speak, we first need to learn to take a moment and consider the purpose and intention around the thoughts we voice – something we don’t necessarily do in the status quo.

Returning to Naylor and Pitts, whose words should we accept? While the answer may be subjective, we encourage our readers to use the two opposing viewpoints as a launchpad for reflection.

After all, as students who operate in a linguistically Western but culturally Korean atmosphere, it is imperative that we consider the words we use in the context of a global consensus beyond a local one.

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

2

VIEWPOINT

Tiger Times December 2018

Facebook announces social media merge On Jan. 25, Facebook announced plans to merge the company’s social media services — WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook Messenger—into one integrated messaging platform. The move will bring together over 2.6 billion users shared across the three platforms, raising questions regarding monopolization and privacy. The tangible benefits for users are unclear, and this decision only appears to tighten Facebook’s grip on both the social media industry and on consumer data.

Although WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook Messenger operate under Facebook, all four social media companies essentially compete with one another as separate services. In this competitive atmosphere, messaging services made by companies such as Google and Apple have emerged and gained respectable market shares. However, by combing these multiple platforms and thereby forcefully merging user-bases, many people will shy away from competing messaging services provided by companies such as Google or Apple.

As people continue to use the merged Facebook platform, many users using alternate messaging services will also most likely switch over due to a lack of users in alterative services. This creates a vicious cycle in which the large

user-base of Facebook only gets bigger, which prompts losses in the user-bases of other companies, paving the way for a social media monopoly.

Not only is Facebook increasing its users, but it is also putting the privacy of its consumers in jeopardy. Perhaps the greatest logistical obstacle for Facebook is the issue of data-sharing across the three platforms. For example, WhatsApp encrypts its messages while Messenger and Instagram do not. The reason encrypting messages is important is because it offers greater privacy to users yet simultaenously makes it harder to detect fake news and illegal activity online. Coming off an investigation regarding its misuse of consumer data in association with Cambridge Analytica and also a failure to suppress fake news during the 2016 US presidential campaign, it is questionable whether Facebook will be able to address the same issues that plagued the social media service in an expanded platform that is harder to monitor. How Facebook will maintain the privacy and security of their 2.6 billion users under uniform policies also remains a question yet to be answered.

There are two main ways to address this issue: governmental intervention and consumer awareness. Unless the US

government takes steps to break up the merger or prevent it from happening altogether, it will be extremely difficult for any other messaging service to arise and compete with the merged service. Investigations by entities such as the Federal Trade Commission would be effective in measuring the extent of Facebook’s monopolization of the industry while also providing the justice system with evidence to actively break up the merger. Alongside governmental intervention, consumer awareness is also essential. Consumers should be wary of the new policies of the merged platform and consider using alternative platforms of communication such as Hangouts, Google’s messaging program.

By doing this, competitiveness in the market would increase, and at the same time, users would also be able to enjoy the seamless integration of Hangouts in Google programs, such as Google Docs.

The future of the social media industry is still undecided, but one thing is clear: without actions from both the government and consumers, companies will tailor the market to their own needs, even if it means establishing monopolies through anticompetitive practices.

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 obscene, libelous, or invades privacy. We refrain from publishing material that creates a clear and present danger or the immediate material and substantial physical disruption of the school.

Tiger Times Staff Paper Editors-In-Chief Dawn Kim Jeremiah Nam

Website Managing Editor Kate Lee

Website Editors-in-Chief Junie Ye Joon Kah Hannah Kim Paper Managing Editor Kirsten Huh

Production Editor Amy Jungmin Kim Graphics Editor Yejune Park Photo Editor Jocelyn Lee

Social Media/ Marketing Directors Fiona Cho Eju Ro Copy Editors Youngseo Jhe Andrea Kwon Sia Cho Chris Lee Layout Artists Claire Lee Youngjin Park

Erin Lee Emily Oh Graphics Artist Lynette Kim Photographers Angela Choe Lauren Kang Michelle Ahn Reporters Emily Bae Teddy Cho

Andie Kim Jimin Lee Andy Yoon Brian Ham Eric Hwang Jiwon Lee Christopher Shin Thomas Song Jr. Joanne Yang Adviser Mr. David Coleman

Viewpoint Feature: Integrating digital education into exisiting curricula How should our education evolve to reflect changes in our society?

How does online education adapt to the needs of a diverse range of students?

By CHRISTOPHER SHIN Sophomore, Staff Writer

Downloading the latest software update on education

Reopening Kaesong Industrial Complex key to prosperity and peace Three years ago, the South Korean government ceased operations of the Kaesong Industrial Complex, the last vestige of inter-Korean economic cooperations, in response to North Korea’s nuclear and long-range missile provocations. The possibility of resuming operations at the shuttered complex reemerged as one of the potential measures the U.S. could take to compensate the North for dismantling its nuclear facilities. However, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump failed to reach an agreement at the recent Hanoi summit that ended on Feb. 28 due to a significant gap in expectations on both sides.

Former Liberty Korea party leader Hong Jun-pyo and Bareun party lawmaker Lee Eon-ju are a few among thousands who claim that the creation of the complex drove South Korean companies out of business. Despite significant dissent and allegations amid efforts to revitalize the industrial park, such claims are mere assumptions with no objective grounds nor evidence. According to a report released by the Kaesong Industrial District Foundation (KIDF), the 120 tenant companies at the complex sourced their raw and subsidiary materials from some 3,800 South Korean suppliers.

This reveals that the complex results in business opportunities for Korean companies contrary to driving them out of business. In addition, this report also found that the complex further benefited the South Korean economy by creating

Tiger Times

and maintaining over 80,000 jobs annually. Economic benefits in previous years were not a form of unilateral aid, rather they were mutual, contributing over $2 billion annually in trade for both Koreas, according to the Korea Times. Such benefits would only contribute new vitality to the economy and political relations of South Korea.

Resuming operations at the complex would provide relief to some of South Korea’s economic challenges, including the decreasing competitiveness of the manufacturing sector, sluggish domestic demand, and unemployment. According to a report published by the KIDF, the vast majority of tenant companies still plan on returning to the complex due to its overwhelming economic advantage.

According to Statistics Korea, North Korean complex employees, all of whom have between 5 to 10 years worth of job experience, had an average monthly salary of $168.50 as of 2015, appreciably lower than Vietnam’s $261.70 and China’s $647.90. South Korean companies can take advantage of this cheap, yet simultaneously experienced labor, making investing in the complex an enticing business opportunity.

Even though South Korea’s economic engagement with the North will remain restricted to research and development until U.N. sanctions are exempted or lifted, reactivating the complex would only improve inter-Korean relations, leading to the North continuing to adopt special preferential measures and proceeding

with denuclearization. The North could be further incentivized to ease political and military tensions in Koreas in order to gain access to economic activities in the complex.

We can only look forward to the complex returning as a catalyst for cooperation and peace for both the peninsula and the world. As a setting where some 50,000 North Korean employees heartily worked for over 125 South Korean companies, the revitalization of the complex would not only allow South Korean companies to profit off of exports of raw goods and the creation of jobs but also from employing foreign labor that is fluent in Korean, educated, and skilled for remarkably low wages, all while providing North Korea with a source of currency. However, it is necessary to implement a number of measures for reactivating the complex. Such measures are not limited to legal and institutional safety mechanisms aimed at preventing the complex from closing again and policies ensuring funds are not mishandled.

Perhaps the National Assembly could enforce regulations requiring the state to compensate losses incurred during a suspension of inter-Korean cooperation projects to lower risks companies and investors face and ratify inter-Korean agreements to prevent legal uncertainty caused by legislation in the North and South being applied on a selective basis.

By EMILY OH Sophomore, Staff Writer

3

S

ince the dawn of the industrial revolution, western education has been associated with a “factory-model” schooling, treating students as citizen widgets to be crafted and polished in service of society. To be sure, education has evolved over the past 150 years into what we know today as a system consisting rising early in the morning, studying and learning content from textbooks, physically congregating in buildings, and completing homework. Much like factories, schools run all manner of children through predetermined “assembly lines” called classes at a steadfast pace. Just like an industrial complex goes through periodic safety inspections, these factories go through yearly checkups to see whether Pythagorean theorems, iambic pentameters, and/or historically significant names and dates are fully understood before producing, in theory, molded intellectuals fit to function and participate in society.

As we approach 2020, and with the coming of the Information Age and digital learning, this classic brick-and-mortar design has become suspect as the only (or best) model of education. All of a sudden, students can miss the school bus in the morning and still have access to quality, multivariable calculus curriculum in their bedrooms or in a coffee shop. Heavy textbooks have now been replaced by lightweight online accessible counterparts that students can carry any place they wish.

Not only is a calculator in virtually everyone’s pocket—amusingly challenging the ominous warnings of 20th century elementary school teachers—but so is a seemingly endless array of information accessible within the touch of a finger. So a question is raised: how should we adapt to this change; or rather, how can educational institutions take advantage of this paradigm shift to transform the opportunities they provide for their students?

To address these questions, it’s a good idea to analyze the hallmarks of a quality educational system. One such example is its ability to effectively adapt to students’ diverse, needs, learning styles, and capabilities.

Unlike factories, great schools are dynamic environments capable of adapting to the uniqueness of each students’ capabilities. Great schools employ teachers ready, willing, and able to meet the needs of students while maintaining rigorous academic standards and practicing effective methods of instruction. In contrast, traditional learning models group students together, many of whom may be of equal age but not necessarily able to learn at the same pace.

This inevitably results in some learners who thrive while others show deficits in mastering the material. In either case, both are impelled to move forward.

Gifted & talented as well as special needs programs seek to make learning more accessible to all students as these approaches aim to tackle both ends of the learning curve to make sure all are included. However, no matter how extensive, these programs simply cannot address the ever-varying methods of learning that modern students need to function best, as they still maintain a universal, time-based curriculum for the entire class.

This is where digital learning has emerged as a complement to the traditional classroom and its obvious limitations. We now have software and e-learning platforms that can instantaneously analyze student progress, strengths, and weaknesses, thereby becoming the specially customized “instructor”. While a teacher may be able to identify excelling and struggling students throughout the learning process in a classroom setting, that knowledge is often opaque and doesn’t necessarily get known until summative assessments. At this point, it is likely too late to go back and fix gaps in learning or the process would take longer for the teacher than it would have if the problem was detected earlier. However, digitized systems streamline this process by aiding teachers, streamlining feedback, and making their jobs easier. New waves in e-learning focus on tracking student work through specific concepts and provide useful formative feedback by pinpointing not only those who are struggling, but focuses attention on which

subjects and topics need attention.

In this sense, online learning attempts to go beyond familiar approaches found in traditional brick and mortar classrooms by not fixating on the amount of time a student spends learning concepts and skills, but turns the attention of learning toward skills, standards, and outcomes that demonstrate true understanding of the material. Online learning typically starts with reading articles and watching instructional videos that complement forthcoming lessons and can be paused, reviewed, or reread as many times as necessary to ensure what educators refer to as transfer, or real, measurable understanding. In this new, flexible and customizable e-learning environment, a student is free to move through material according to his or her individual learning pace. This is called asynchronous learning and is often accompanied by adaptive exercises and critical formative assessments that can also be repeated over and over until the learner truly grasps the material. Here, more-so than in a traditional classroom, online teaching and learning platforms can individuate, personalize, adjust, and provide instant feedback that suggests points the right way forward. What was previously thought to have been impossible due to the lack of teachers has come to fruition due to emerging hybrid e-learning platforms and technologies, such as Moodle, Google Classroom, Edmodo, Blackboard, and other virtual/online courseware.

The selling point of digital education is its focus on mastery learning rather than mere completion. In a normal classroom environment, mastery is tested with an assessment or project at the end of each unit, and as long as a student receives over 85 percent, he is deemed ready to move on despite potentially missing as much as 15 percent of the material. Even a student that receives an exemplary score—say a 95—is possibly moving toward new goals despite the potential gaps in his knowledge. As the concepts get more challenging, these small holes may ultimately accumulate and catch up to the

student, who hits a brick wall on his journey through education. Salman Khan, founder of Khan Academy, has explored this inexplicable phenomenon of learning by hypothetically applying the same notion to other aspects of life: say, homebuilding. According to Kahn, the traditional educational model is akin to giving a contractor two weeks to build the first floor, who completes the task with around 80 percent success: the foundation is roughly in place, but there are slight discrepancies from the blueprint. Nonetheless, he is tasked to move on to the second floor, which he also completes with roughly 75 percent success as an entire beam is missing from one of the walls. In this manner, he moves on to the third, fourth and higher floors until one day, the mistakes add up and the entire building collapses.

“People might say that we had a bad contractor or needed more frequent inspection, but what was really broken was the process,” Khan concludes. However, digital learning does not vary the destination of education— mastery—but modifies the time required to get there. Therefore, it would in theory eliminate these holes from gathering in the first place.w It is worth reiterating that digital education and new innovations in e-learning platforms are tools that best serve as supplements, rather than a complete replacement to “school”. An entirely transformed curriculum would raise problems for students not suited for digital learning and defeats the entire purpose of providing diverse learning options to meet the needs of every student. However, having online options as a reference to fill in the aforementioned gaps in learning will once again reinforce the idea of repeating a concept until you get it right, not until it is time for an assessment or new unit.

Through digital education, students are not treated as replaceable, cookie-cutter widgets that all need the same pace of guidance but as unique snowflakes that require unique attention and strategies to find their place in society.

By BRIAN HAM & JEREMY NAM Staff Writers

4

Tiger Times

NEWS

News Briefs

By Andy Yoon

January 2019

SIS implements early AP recommendation period

Junior, Staff Writer

Photo by ANGELA CHOE

SIS updates current website

In May, the SIS website will be updated with various changes to facilitate navigation on the platform. Among the numerous modifications that are to be implemented, the website’s organization will be altered. One section will be dedicated to marketing, enabling users unfamiliar with SIS to learn more about the school as a whole. A second section will address the specific needs of students and staff, containing links to, for example, the daily lunch menu, secondary library catalogue, and more.

Currently, the planning and implementation process of the new features are being carried out by Marc Montague, computer science teacher and Ed-Tech Coordinator, in collaboration with school website developer Finalsite.

“To be frank, the current website serves no obvious purpose and does not make users want to return,” Mr. Montague said. “Not only is the website rarely updated, but it is also very difficult to navigate through and contains big, unappealing blocks of text.

For several years, the task of upgrading the website had not been a priority, but the [leadership team] recently decided that it was time for a sea change.”

Club funding process replaces Family Fun Day

Due to the cancellation of Family Fun Day (FFD), the HSSC collaborated with the leadership team to devise a compensatory system. As an alternative to FFD, an annual event during which SIS clubs raise money to fund their yearly activities, the club fundingW process has enabled executives to transparently request specific amounts of money from the school.

“Club executives throughout SIS were very worried when they heard that FFD was going to be canceled,” said Jenny Oh (11), HSSC Junior Class Treasurer. “As an executive for NBHS [National Business Honor Society], a club that sends its members to biannual competitions, I initially thought we would not be able to participate in the Korean Business Competition (KBC) this coming spring. However, the club reimbursement process has alleviated any of these initial doubts I had that the club would not function properly.”

Groove Korea features SIS in upcoming issue

On Feb. 22, Groove Korea, an English lifestyle magazine based in South Korea, arrived at SIS with a journalist and camera crew to learn more about the school and its students. The magazine interviewed Michael Colaianni, Acting Head of School, and seniors Junie Kah and Eddie Ko, asking them questions regarding student life and the uniqueness of the school. In the March issue, which is now available, SIS is featured on four pages, as well as the back cover.

“I feel being featured on this magazine is very significant for this school,” Mr. Colaianni said.

“It puts SIS on the map. SIS is a great school, and I strongly believe that more people need to know.

Until now, we have been relying on word of mouth, which has indeed given us a wide range of students.

Still, Groove Korea will enable the school to advertise itself to the readers of this magazine and increase our appeal to potential students across the country.”

A

s second semester continues and the AP course recommendation period begins, students bustling from room to room with recommendation forms in their hands is a common sight.

The process of receiving teacher recommendations and course quotas remains the same. With sophomores limited to one and juniors limited to four AP courses respectively, those wishing to exceed the quota must submit an official appeal form.

“It’s stressful having to think about next year’s courses already.

However, it’s nowhere near as nervewracking and overwhelming given the earlier recommendation period and longer course selection period.

I most likely will and would have made better and more informed decisions last year under current circumstances,” said Soomin Kim (10). “ I plan on talking to current AP teachers as soon as possible to get some guidance and discuss which courses are best for me. I’m also planning to get recommendations for all of the courses I’m interested in, even ones I’m not planning on taking, just in case. I strongly advise others to do the same.”

With over a third of the high school student body absent due to

music festivals and international MUN conferences at the regular time of distributing recommendation forms, the administration moved all deadlines two days forward.

Doing so could potentially reduce schedule changes at the beginning of the upcoming school year by providing students ample time to contemplate and finalize their course selections. Both high school vice principal Gray Macklin and high school principal James Gerhard emphasized that students cannot be guaranteed their top course choices when they’re making last-minute schedule changes, due to class sizes and availability.

“Course registration wasn’t finished even by the end of May 3 years ago at SIS. However, since we now finish recommendations and registration before Spring break, it allows us to create sections of every class that are balanced in terms of the number of students.” said Mr. Macklin. “In addition to ensuring each course has a similar teaching load and provides similar experiences for students, it also allows us to address questions and issues before the semester ends as schedules are opened up on Powerschool before summer vacation begins. Students get a chance to take their summer

plans into consideration and talk to parents and others who may play a role in selecting courses.”

Although forms were due within a week and a half on Feb. 20, students were given a month to select their courses afterward, two times longer than previous years.

Though it may seem like a minor difference to some, a month is just what some students need. Teachers and administration staff alike hope students will take advantage of the earlier recommendation and longer course selection periods to plan next year’s courses responsibly.

“Students should take advantage of the earlier and prolonged periods and use the given time to reflect and think to ultimately make well thought out and planned decisions.” said Royce Wallace, high school counselor. “They should not only be taking their interests into consideration but also whether or not they’ll be able to handle the workload and amount of content in the classes they are interested in.

Be responsible – read through the course guide, and go talk to current AP teachers, counselors, and your parents in advance if necessary.”

By EMILY OH Sophomore, Staff Writer

The More You Know

Of diabetes and leopard tortoises

By Brian Ham

However, a deeper delve reveals some unique aspects of that distinguish it from the rest of the pack. The design is capped off with some inspiration from the leopard tortoises of Africa, whose uniquely shaped dome-like shells allow them to right themselves from any position, flipped or not.

Similarly, the pill, using gravity, will always face the right way despite the number of tumbles it will take on its journey through the human body. Once it reaches its destination, SOMA attaches to the stomach walls and delivers the necessary hormones through a small needle, then exits the body.

Because the stomach walls have no pain receptors, those with needle phobia will find SOMA a more feasible alternative. The next step for researchers after the discovery is expansion. Scientists hypothesize that once the procedure is proven successful and the manufacturing process is perfected, the same concept can be applied to other protein drugs.

Although the discovery alone creates waves through the scientific industry, it finds even greater importance when placed in the context of all the other technological breakthroughs inspired by its art and design.

In a community where students are often categorized as STEM or humanities-oriented, we easily forget about the countless ways the two subjects interweave and produce something unprecedented. As was the case for SOMA, nature is a huge ocean of inspiration for technological designs, whether it be swimsuits modeled after the sandpaperlike texture of shark skin or bullet trains shaped like a diving kingfisher. Inspiration also goes the other way; the music industry conducts extensive research on the scientific aspects of their products to increase their appeal to the audience. In Belgium, for instance, an entire new genre of music was created when a DJ accidentally changed the beats per minute of a song, completely changing the mood of the nightclub. The pace of a song, also known as its beats per minute, is regularly manipulated to increase commercial success; for example, according to a study from Brazil’s Federal University, the average tempo of popular songs in the 1940s all fell in the range of 117 to 122 beats per minute. Ultimately, SOMA indicates that there will forever be order in the arts and beauty in the sciences.

The 400 million people suffering from diabetes worldwide may have just discovered some newfound love for tortoises. Researchers at the Massachussetts Institute of Technology, in cooperaiton with Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s hospital, have developed a self-orienting millimeter-scale applicator (SOMA) which, for the first time, can deliver insulin portions orally.

Prior to the breakthrough, the only way patients could obtain the necessary dose of insulin was through multiple injections throughout the day, which not only resulted in biohazard waste but also user discomfort.

Ultimately, because people are usually unwilling to stab themselves three times a day— roughly 10% of the population even suffers from “needle phobia”—patient compliance drops. To combat this issue, SOMA instead incorporates capsule technology that can be swallowed like any other pill and autonomously finds its way into the digestive tracts.

At first glance, the technology seems just like another routine minor breakthrough in the medical field and nothing more.

5

Election controversy stirs Venezuelan political crisis

Since Jan. 10, a crisis concerning the validity of the 2018 election of Venezuela’s current president, Nicolas Maduro, has been unfolding. Last year’s widely disputed election was declared invalid by the opposition-majority National Assembly, which also claimed its leader, Juan Guaido, to be the official acting president of the nation in the status quo. Mass demonstrations have been held on both sides of the conflict and the issue has led to US intervention; the dispute concerning the stability of the country has ironically led to a greater threat to the sustenance of the nation as a whole.

“I read about the election controversy on the news while preparing for my Government & Politics class, and the claim against Maduro seemed valid to me,” said Brian Lee (12). “In fact, I was surprised last year when I heard that Maduro had been reelected just after his problematic term.”

Mr. Maduro was reelected on May 20, 2018, after his six-year presidential term since Apr. 19, 2013. According to the electoral commission (CNE), he garnered 68 percent of the votes cast, which unmistakably proclaimed him as the president of a second term. However, the public entered a state of great doubt, citing the performance of Maduro in the previous

term as one that should not be repeated.

During Maduro’s term, Venezuela suffered from hyperinflation, with the inflation rate increasing from 69 percent in 2014 to 2,688,670 percent in 2019. Furthermore, the country has continuously suffered from an immense rich-poor gap, food shortage, and rampant crime rates throughout Maduro’s presidency.

With these chaotic situations at hand and knowledge of previous cases of corruption in Venezuela, many began to believe that the election had been rigged.

“I don’t think the degree of opposition and controversy on the election is surprising,” said Soomin Kim (10). “Venezuela has a heavy history of corruption in government and the current situations of the nation add fuel

to the doubt against Maduro’s presidency.

Furthermore, had the election been legitimate, the result of the election and the number of people who oppose to it don’t correspond either.”

Maduro continues to maintain his stance that the election was indeed legitimate - that he thus deserves the rightful spot of the president.

Meanwhile, many citizens have also entirely given up hope for the improvement on the quality of life in their country, a majority of whom chose to migrate. In fact, for the past few years, 2.3 million people have migrated from Venezuela, leading to the closing of schools and hospitals and cuts in wages. Citizens express that whatever the turnout of the election is, no one is capable of fixing the nation - neither

Falcon nor Maduro. A lot of the citizens thus choose not to vote, failing to see the point in participating in the politics of a devastated nation.

“I do think the claims against Maduro by the National Assembly are legitimate,” said James Kowalski, high school social studies teacher. “Maduro’s government does not recognize the problems in Venezuela and shields themselves from the unemployment, food scarcity, inflation, and the millions of people that bleed out from the nation. Insofar as the protests remain peaceful and do not escalate further, I believe that support for the popular will of government and reforms against an antitotalitarian government is very important.”

Venezuela is currently going through extremely unstable situations. Although the controversies involving the election and the presidency may initially lead to a greater catastrophe, these steps are definitely needed to reduce corruption and potentially enhance the living conditions of the nation. Whether or not the election was rigged, issues in Venezuela such as hyperinflation and crime must be addressed quickly.

By THOMAS SONG Sophomore, Staff Writer

Snowball: City of Stars illuminates high school experience

PHOTO COURTESY OF J A E H O H W A N G Eugene Jang (11), Emma Lee (11), and Joe Kim (12) were seen performing onstage during Snowball.

In an effort to enliven the high school experience at SIS, the HSSC hosted Snowball, one of the most popular annual social occasions, on Feb. 9. With approximately 100 students and teachers at the party, Tiger Gym II bustled with energy and festivity throughout the duration of the event. Adhering to this year’s theme “City of Stars,” the HSSC arranged performances, installed decorations, and organized various activities for the attendees to enjoy.

“Inspired by the movie ‘La La Land,’ we tried our best to create a classy environment for this year’s Snowball,” said Minsung Kim (12), HSSC executive secretary. “For instance, we encouraged students to wear semi-formal attire and opened the event with Blue Note’s jazz performance. We promoted the event through posters and promotional videos on the HSSC’s Facebook page to encourage

students to come.”

Among the primary features that distinguished this year’s Snowball from the previous ones were the increased levels of collaboration between the HSSC and student-led clubs, including the NAHS, Blue Note, D$Q , and BPM. Together, they prepared a diverse range of activities, including singing competitions, open mic sessions, aesthetic photo booths, and delicious food, all designed to foster interactions among students.

“Everyone was bubbling with excitement during the performances,” said Angela Lee (11). “Also, a lot more people participated in open mic sessions than I had expected. I especially had fun with my friends taking photos and cheering along—these are moments that I would remember for a long time.”

The highlights of the event included the vibrant performances by D$Q and

BPM members. Whereas D$Q members focused mainly on dance, BPM members sang and rapped to popular beats. All of these artists contributed to the vibrant party atmosphere with their captivating stage appearances, which had been attained through long hours of practice.

In particular, considering that BPM was founded recently, Snowball served as a special opportunity for BPM to showcase their talents for the first time in front of a large audience.

“This year’s Snowball was an exceptionally memorable experience for me,” said Hannah Yoo (10). “As a BPM member, I performed ‘Stay’ by Blackpink with several others. I felt truly empowered when the audience sang along with me during the chorus. I am already looking forward to performing on stage at next year’s Snowball.”

In addition to these vocal and dance

performances, attractive decorations further vitalized the atmosphere. Prior to the event, the NAHS collaborated with the HSSC to decorate walls with paintings and design photo zones. The collective effort of the HSSC and various clubs garnered a largely positive reaction to these attractions from the attendees, students and teachers alike.

“Snowball is more than merely a school dance—it’s an elaborate social event that brings students together purely for fun,” said Peter Brodhead, HSSC advisor.

“The high quality of decorations and performances at this year’s Snowball amazed me. From a teacher’s standpoint, it was fun to see students enjoying themselves. Overall, I observed a great atmosphere.”

By JIMIN LEE Junior, Staff Writer

Last September, RM, leader of KPop boy band BTS, delivered a speech at the United Nations launch of a youth empowerment campaign. On his shoulders was the crushing weight of representing his nation’s music industry and his six fellow members standing beside him in nervous silence. Yet RM confidently urged young people to love themselves with a quote that struck a chord in many: “Today, I am who I am with all of my faults and my mistakes. Tomorrow, I might be a tiny bit wiser, and that’ll be me too. These faults and mistakes are what I am, making up the brightest stars in the constellation of my life. I have come to love myself for who I am, for who I was, and for who I hope to become.”

RM’s message of overcoming hardships to love oneself was meant for all of youth. But in addition to this universal message of his speech, the occasion of the speech itself carries historical significance: BTS is the first Korean group to speak at the UN. RM’s speech is, unlike any other UN youth empowerment speech, a milestone for South Korea’s development in that it is an unprecedented recognition of Korean culture at an international level.

Thus, though his target audience was all of youth, it is difficult not to draw connections between RM’s message and South Korea as a nation. In the past century since Samil Day, Korea has overcome the various political and cultural struggles to speak for itself like RM; its independence from Japanese imperialism, victory over dictatorship, and rapid economic growth out of poverty have led Korea to “loving itself” by proudly embracing its culture.

Historically, South Korea has often been under the dominance—whether officially or indirectly—of another more powerful country. During the period of Japanese imperialism from 1910 to 1945, Japan established its stronghold on Korea by essentially wiping out what gave Koreans the power of unity: culture. The war on Korean culture forced Koreans to abandon their language, names, and cultural landmarks like Gyeongbokgung, a palace symbolic of the Joseon Dynasty. Even after official independence from

Imperial Japan in 1945, South Korea struggled to achieve full cultural autonomy under the strong influence of the US—both culturally and militarily—for decades.

This historical context makes the development of Hallyu, or the international spread of Korean culture, particularly significant for the nation’s cultural independence. For the past two decades, South Korea has pushed this phenomenon to develop the nation’s “soft power,” or the power that a nation can hold through its image and spread of culture.

In fact, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, takes up 1.3 percent of the total government budget, reaching a staggering 5.92 trillion won according to YonHap News. This governmental backing of the cultural industry reflects the notable success of Hallyu in the past years.

KPop, specifically, is one leading sector of the global Hallyu wave, as evidenced

by BTS’s UN speech. But even before the BTS phenomenon, numerous KPop artists were gaining international audiences. For instance, “Gangnam Style”

by Psy became a symbol of modern pop culture, becoming YouTube’s mostwatched video at the time of its release.

The song reached Times Square on New Year’s Eve, the NFL, and the music charts on multiple Asian countries. Other than Psy, additional KPop groups like Girls’ Generation (SNSD) or EXO had established international fan bases as well. Leaving its history of Japanese and American dominance behind, like RM’s message, Korean culture seemed to be speaking for itself.

As with any change, there are critics who question this cultural development: do we really want a guy in a sparkly suit, singing about “sexy ladies” and dancing like a horse, to become the first and only image that comes to mind with South Korea? Does that not overshadow our more allegedly traditionally significant sectors like Korean food, history, or traditional music?

Though a justified debate, such a question should be considered with the broader implications of Hallyu in mind.

On the surface, the lyrics and image of “Gangnam Style” may not resonate

Independence through diaspora: The phenomenon of Hallyu

by Eju Ro

with what is considered traditional Korean heritage. However, the spread of KPop like this song also demonstrate the acceptance of Korean language and Korean ethnicity worldwide. In a market that is often dominated entirely by English songs or white artists, KPop’s success is a proud feat for even the more “traditional” cultural aspects of Korea.

Moreover, additional sectors of Hallyu like K-Dramas demonstrate a similar global appreciation of Korean culture.

Like K-Pop, these shows are all in Korean, featuring all-Korean casts and mostly Korean settings, thus immersing the audience in a fully Korean atmosphere. Several few popular dramas like Dae Jang Geum—an early trigger of the Hallyu wave that was exported to 91 countries—are historical fictions set in the Joseon Dynasty, displaying traditional aspects of Korean language, architecture or clothing through its setting.

Hallyu and the development of Korea’s “soft power” have fueled a modern independence movement for South Korea.

RM’s speech about embracing and confidently speaking for oneself is symbolic of South Korea’s cultural independence in this era of globalization. Amid the competing and merging crossroads of diverse cultures, Korean Hallyu has found its voice and continues to develop.

Korean cultural identity seems to be neither exclusively traditional nor exclusively modern; historical aspects like traditional cuisine or artifacts comprise only part of the multifold culture, and likewise modern pop culture like K-Pop or K-Dramas alone does not fully encompass the complexity of South Korean identity. The past, present, and future together create the dynamic shaping of culture and the nation’s embrace of this identity. Perhaps that is where RM’s message about his own journey resonates the most for South Korea: “I have come to love myself for who I am, for who I was, and for who I hope to become.”

겨 레

Independence through resilience: Korean culture on domestic grounds

by Christopher Shin

This month marked the 100th anniversary of Samiljeol, or the Samil Independence Movement of March 1, 1919.

Following nine years of colonization by Japan, 33 activists convened during this time to proclaim Korea’s independence from Japanese imperialism, leading to the creation of the Korean provisional government and Korean Declaration of Independence. Meanwhile, thousands of students gathered in Pagoda Park to shout manse, or “long live,” planting the seeds of what would become the Republic of Korea. These protestors were tortured and punished by the Japanese regime, and foreshadowed the difficultes and setbacks Koreans would face in pursuing national independence.

In the hundred years since Samiljeol, Korea has walked a long and rocky path: from provisional governments and dictatorships to the democratic overthrow of a president, or from impoverished colony to global leader of the technology market. The century-long timeline of Korea’s rapid climb is proof of the nation’s unwavering faith in hard work and perseverance that led to economic and political development.

Culturally, however, the movement for independence is and will always be a work in progress—it is the ongoing pursuit of what being Korean means.

During Japanese occupation, Korean culture was suppressed, as citizens were forbidden to speak the Korean language, mandated to change their names to Japanese ones, and lost national heritage sites to vandalism. Fast forward 100 years and now, perhaps for some, “Korea” translates to Psy, blaring EDM, and “Gangnam Style.”

For others, it signifies the deep-rooted nature of Confucian values, like bowing and jondaemal . The independence of South Korea, in essence, began with Samil Day and the rejection of Japanese cultural and political domination; yet a

hundred years later, the struggle for full cultural independence still continues.

A common misconception is that globalization and western influences dominate, and that Korean culture is falling into demise on the domestic front. For example, K-Pop draws many influences from American pop music, resulting in many similarities between the two. As demonstrated by borrowed melodies, the utilization of English, and even the way the artists are dressed, K-pop may not appear to be very unique from afar. Also, in the Korean language itself, many Korean words are replaced with English words, apparent in street signs, daily conversations, and the media. Overall, Korean culture may seem dependent, somewhat unsturdy, and highly vulnerable to external influences.

But all of these developments like pop culture, or the continuing of tradition and Confucian values despite foreign influences and globalization demonstrates the resilience and the independence of Korean culture.

As K-Pop idol groups have emerged onto the global stage and reached worldwide fame, it becomes easy to forget their importance to Korean youth.

Many may even see Korean bands as mere reformulations of their Western counterparts. However, BTS and Girls Generation are more than just rebranded versions of the Backstreet Boys and the Spice Girls. Korean idol groups are activists in their own right, using music as a medium to spread awareness of problems that plague Korean teenagers.

Looking beyond the playful and colorful music videos, K-Pop artists relay much more serious messages of academic stress and teen suicide. K-Pop is ultimately an amalgamation of upbeat melodies, flashy production, slick choreography, but most importantly, lyrics that speak to and resonate with the younger generation back home.

Another example of cultural resilience among Koreans is reflected in the cuisine. Largely in part due to the Korean War and US troops deployed during the time, Korea has seen a large influx of Western foods such as SPAM, as many leftover rations in the army were given out to poor Korean citizens. However, instead of consuming the processed meat in the same way as the US soldiers, Koreans incorporated SPAM into their own traditional recipes. In fact, many of these fusion dishes remain widely popular today, such as Budaejjigae, a stew made with kimchi, Korean pepper paste, noodles, and of course, SPAM. Not only has SPAM entered the average Korean kitchen, but it has also found a place in luxury gift boxes, commonly given to family and friends during holidays such as Lunar New Year. Koreans have taken another Western influence, SPAM, and have taken a unique twist on it. The canned meat has grown from a mere American surplus foodstuff eaten during times of abject poverty into a cultural icon of Korea, as both a food and as a gift.

Korean cultural independence is a dynamic, constantly changing pursuit.

Though Korea seems like it is politically stuck between global powers, being consistently dominated by forces such as the US, Korean culture on a domestic front is undoubtedly achieving independence in a myriad of ways. Tradition is well and alive, although it may undergo modifications in modern day with the development of new 21st century cultural factors on top of long-lasting traditions.

Korea has a stronger, more consolidated domestic presence due to this convergence of tradition and contemporary, and its fruit marks the Korean independence movement of today.

t h e

민 p 족 e o p l e

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LIFESTYLE

Tiger Times

March 2019

“Thank U, Next” allows Ariana Grande to reach new level of fame

After weeks of anticipation, award-winning singer Ariana Grande released her fifth studio album “Thank U, Next.” After the shocking death of ex-boyfriend Mac Miller and a highly publicized split with ex-fiancé Pete Davidson, the public expected Grande to lay low. However, the star surprised the public by coming back strong with an ensemble of outstanding songs on Feb. 8.

Before the release of her full album, Grande released its title track of the same name in 2018. Inspired by her recent breakup with Davidson, Grande lists past boyfriends in the song and thanks them for helping her grow as a person. At first

A

s many of the biggest stars in the music industry attended the 61st annual Grammy Awards, history was being made at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Specifically, many female artists were able to make their marks as many of them dominated the wins this year. With Alicia Keys as this year’s host, she made special appearances alongside former First Lady Michelle Obama, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, and Jada Pickett Smith, talking about the need for empowerment in music.

Kacey Musgraves won “Album of the Year” with her fourth studio album Golden Hour.

Cardi B became the first female rapper as a solo artist to win the “Best Rap Album” award for her second studio album, Invasion of Privacy. Although she was not able to attend, Ariana Grande won her first Grammy award for “Best Pop Vocal Album” with her fourth studio album, Sweetener.

R&B singer H.E.R. also took home two awards: “Best R&B Performance” for her song “Best Part” featuring Daniel Caesar, as well as “Best R&B Album” for her self-titled EP. Lady Gaga also won three awards, and

glance, “Thank U, Next” may seem like a revenge song to her ex-boyfriends for hurting her. Upon closer look, Grande’s wise message is clear. She gracefully announces that her priority for now is to love and build a healthy relationship with herself.

In contrast, Grande reveals her sassy side with the song “7 Rings” wherein she flaunts her wealth and claims that she can buy just about anything very easily. This song further emphasizes her break from relationships with men, as she claims to use money for herself and friends rather than boyfriends in the future. At a time that some people would call “rock bottom,” Grande still sees the good and takes away

Dua Lipa two. Dua Lipa also made headlines with her speech, stating that “females have finally stepped up this year,” criticizing the overwhelmingly male dominated awardees in previous years.

“I think that it is extremely important that female musicians are finally being treated with the same respect as their male counterparts, especially being that music is a medium in which everyone should be represented equally,” says Shelley Jeon (12).

“Being that music should be an area that has no boundaries, it is great to see various female artists getting the recognition for their talent and hard work.”

On the other hand, a number of male hip-hop artists also made a statement at the Grammy awards. Both Drake and Kendrick Lamar declined to perform at the awards show this year, despite being the artists with the most nominations. In addition, rapper Childish Gambino was a no-show, although he won four Grammys that night.

This boycott was due to the “mishandling of hip-hop” that the Grammys have struggled with for decades. However, Drake made a motivational speech when receiving

Jukebox Jewels

Jeremy Zucker

By JIWON LEE

valuable life lessons such as self-love.

The artist’s efforts toward overcoming such depressing moments by releasing two acclaimed songs earned her respect from fans and critics alike. More people grew curious to hear the rest of the album.

“Thank U, Next” includes 12 songs in total, such as “needy,” “imagine,” “bloodline,” and “break up with your boyfriend, i’m bored.” In less than two weeks of its release, the album reached No.1 on the Billboard 200 chart with the biggest streaming week for a pop album. In addition, “7 Rings,” “Break Up With Your Boyfriend, I’m Bored,” and “Thank U, Next” placed first, second, and third respectively on Bill-

board’s Hot 100 chart. This put Grande as the first artist since the Beatles to hold top three spots on Hot 100.

Overall, the album is receiving great love and admiration from fans worldwide.

Along with terrific vocals and music producing, Grande’s wise attitude in finding the good even in unpleasant situations garnered respect from the public. Yet, the sincerity with which she expressed her emotions and experiences may have played the biggest role in getting people to listen to her songs and show support.

Huawei, one of the world’s largest telecommunication companies rooted in China, is at the forefront of the imminent mobile innovation: 5G, or Fifth Generation.

With its versatile approach to the mobile industry, Huawei has launched multiple smartphone lines, laptops, smart watches, and other products much like its counterparts, Apple and Samsung. Amidst the raging trade war between US and China, Huawei has emerged as the front cover of the smartphone industry and is projected to overtake Samsung by 2020 despite blows on its international reputation by the US. Its rise, however, sheds light on the increasingly pervasive role of technology in the 21st century and sparks continued controversy on unprecedented security

risks at hand.

5G is the successor to its cellular mobile precursor, 4G, which is in the form of what we commonly known as LTE. According to Bloomberg, 5G can minimize cost while increasing device connections and energy saving rates, ending up being 100 times faster than 4G. By increasing transmission speed, this could allow us to watch and download a high resolution video in seconds, and stream virtually any online content without disruptions.

It is also expected to appease the growing demand for the “Internet of things”—an interconnected network of computing devices in everyday machines like refrigerators, kitchen appliances, medical aids, traffic lights, and even automobiles.

However, the technology comes with its equal share of risks. Though unsubstantiated, the US accuses Huawei of having ulterior motives when dominating the new 5G industry: global spying and invasions of privacy. The Financial Times states how Huawei may be called upon by Beijing to use data from its communication networks to spy on other nations, as

As the icy spirit of winter fizzles out and spring enters the scene, a hefty load of tests and summative assignments makes its unwelcome entrance along with it. Rising artist Jeremy Zucker, with his enchanting lyrics and chic, “vibe-y” beats, provides the perfect music to listen to in these stressful and depressing times. In a tiringly repetitive everyday situation, Zucker’s refreshing songs are a blessing to the exhausted soul.

Zucker launched his part-time career as a musician when he released his first EP, “Beach Island,” in 2015.

Although his first EP failed to garner much public attention, Zucker attracted the interest of American rapper blackbear through the release of his second EP,

Ever since Spam was introduced into Korea, the snack has become a staple of South Korean life. Included in a variety of popular dishes such as Spam Musubi, Spam Kimchi Fried Rice, and Spam Kimchi Stew, the canned pork meat is a common ingredient used to enhance the flavor of many Korean menus. In fact, Koreans also eat Spam on its own as a side dish, as it tastes savory without the support of other ingredients. For its relishing taste and ability to complement various Korean dishes, Spam remains as one of the most frequently consumed treats in South Korea.

“I think anyone who eats Spam will love it immediately,” said Amy Kim (11), a regular consumer of Spam. “For me, I enjoy frying Spam on a fry pan with oil and eating it simply with rice. I also love going to restaurants that sell popular Spam dishes like Spam Fried Rice, since these foods are both delicious and cheap.”

When Spam was brought into South Korea from the West before World War II, many Koreans began consuming this canned meat frequently because it was affordable and accessible during financially difficult times. While Spam is thus considered a wartime food low in quality by many around the world, it is regarded as the opposite in South Korea. Spam, having a savory taste and a diverse range of flavors including bacon and garlic, is regarded as a luxury food among South Koreans. Currently, in fact, the demand for Spam in Korea has continuously been high that South Korea is currently the biggest consumer of it outside the US,

By KIRSTEN HUH Senior, Staff Writer

and Fantasia. Jennifer Lopez also had a spectacular show; incorporating her Vegas flare to her Motown tribute. Various other artists, such as Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton, Travis Scott, and Cardi B performed as well.

Overall, this year’s Grammy Awards was particularly significant, in terms of self-empowerment and unity within the music industry. “Whether it is the male rappers boycotting for their beliefs of how rap and hip hop should be properly represented, or female musicians being equally acknowledged for their dedication in their craft, I think the Grammys this year was an important milestone into leading the music industry to where it should go,” says Jaejun Ku (12).

By JOCELYN LEE Senior, Staff Writer

“breathe.” After contacting via blackbear’s manager for a period of time, the two artists met up to produce Zucker’s single “talk is overrated” on his fourth EP, “idle.” The increased interest in Zucker’s music following the released of “idle” led major record label company Republic Records to offer him a record deal in 2017.

Born into an ordinary household in New Jersey, Zucker was first exposed to music through punk rock bands such as Blink-182, as well as mainstream artists such as Kinetics & One Love. He learned to play the piano and guitar when he was young and later formed a band with two of his friends in elementary school.

He played and produced for the band until he moved to Colorado to pursue a degree in molecular biology at university. Even during his time in college, Zucker continued his musical career by producing several more EPs. Zucker’s following increased dramatically after he decided to upload his songs onto Spotify, and now he even considers taking on a full-time career as a musician. Zucker’s works are unique in that they encompass a variety of music types. When asked to discuss his music’s genre, the singer argued

equipment in the international market.

Using criminal charges and pressuring European nations with diplomatic warnings, US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, has stated that US relations would be strained with any nation found to be using Huawei as a 5G outlet or endorsing its products.

Whether or not Huawei’s 5G technology poses a threat to cyber security and intellectual property is still open to question, but is an issue that requires dire attention and resolution.

Meanwhile, Huawei will continue to dominate the global 5G infrastructure with its geopolitical advantage and large population. While exterior pressures may have taken a slight toll on its success, the significant prospects of Huawei are expected to tip the scale in favor of China.

A complete ban on Huawei seems to be close to impossible, as the appeal of 5G technology is the next step of technological advancement for mankind.

By JOANNE YANG & ERIN LEE Juniors, Staff Writers

Why Koreans love Spam

Graphic by Yejune Park

History made at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards his award for “Best Rap Song” with “God’s Plan,” voicing that the awards themselves do not hold heavy value, as music is “an opinion-based sport.”

Surprisingly, the wave of K-Pop also arrived at the Grammys this year. K-Pop boy group BTS (also known as Bangtan Sonyeondan) attended the award show, being the first K-Pop group in history to do so. Not only were they nominated, but they also presented “Best R&B Album” to H.E.R. K-Pop boy group EXO Member Lay Zhang also made attended the show.

The Grammys is not only famous for their acclaimed awards, but also for the phenomenal performances that the artists put on. This year, Camila Cabello opened for the night, performing her hit song “Havana.” There was also a special tribute for the late music legend, Aretha Franklin, performed by Yolanda Adams, Andra Day,

Chinese companies under the new National Intelligence Law are required to provide any support requested by the Ministry of State Security. If these concerns are legitimate, millions of our interests are at risk as Huawei is the second largest smartphone maker in the world that sells products in over 170 countries.

On the other hand, Huawei continues to deny the allegations, as no government entity holds its shares and many of its products have already been open to commercial use. Because the consumerfocused enterprise is subject to extensive oversight by over 180,000 employees and thousands of partners worldwide, breaches of privacy would not go unnoticed. US accusations may stem from its “inferiority complex” and uneasiness of China’s growing global influence, as China would quickly overtake companies like Apple—the backbone of US economy.

Under the justification that it has national security concerns, the US is actively promoting an anti-Huawei campaign to prevent the release of Huawei-based telecommunication products and

against the idea of “genre,” stating that there are no tangible categories or boundaries in music. Nonetheless, he did acknowledge the influence of indie and electronic music icons such as Jon Bellion and EDEN on his music.

Zucker’s music offers a sense of emotional support that not many songs are able to convey. Plugging in a pair of earphones and listening to his songs on lonely, late nights will give you a sense of security that tells you that you will never be alone, no matter how much it feels like the world

is out to get you. In fact, the artist’s most famous single, “all the kids are depressed,” addresses youth depression in contemporary society in the hopes that the song will provide emotional support for teenagers suffering from such afflictions. To listen to Zucker’s latest works, head over to his Spotify or SoundCloud channels, and to learn more about his music, scroll through the YouTube channels of some of his co- writers such as Lauv and Chelsea Cutler, with whom Zucker regularly collaborates and publishes content.

9

according to BBC news.

“I just wish people would understand why we, Koreans, love Spam so much,” said Eric Hwang (11), an avid consumer of Spam.

“Westerners think of Spam as a food that is worthless and cheap, as it was eaten frequently by people during times of starvation. Yet, they probably think so just because they haven’t tried all of the delicious Korean dishes that include Spam such as Budae Jjigae, a Kimchi stew with Spam, vegetables, and ramen inside.”

In addition to being a popular food in South Korea, Spam is a common gift to give others during the Chuseok holiday. Cheaper than other presents and liked by almost all Koreans, Spam is considered an ideal gift by many; in fact, because this snack can be eaten any time, it is an extremely convenient treat people can eat quickly when in a rush.

Since Spam remains as a popular fast food among Koreans, around 213 billion won total was spent only on this canned meat during the Chuseok holidays, according to The Strait Times.

“I don’t really understand why Koreans regard Spam as such a special gift, especially when it is so common and cheap in Korea,” said Sue Choi, Algebra II and Statistics teacher. “I do admit, however, that I personally still like receiving Spam as a gift not only because both of my sons enjoy eating it, but also because it tastes better than most other ham products in Korea.”

By KATE LEE Junior, Staff Writer

10

SPORTS

Advanced Sports and Recreation students travel to to Gonjiam Resort

By MICHELLE AHN

O

n Feb. 11, students from the Advanced Sports and Recreation class went on a skiing field trip to Gonjiam. As a new class established this year, the class’s trip came as a surprise to many of the students. The students were to miss an entire day of school – for recreation.

The students left school immediately after first period. Accompanied by Mr. Young and Mr. Green, the class excitedly rode off an hour to the nearby ski resort.

Since it was a random weekday, not many people were on the slopes. The students were able to leisurely rent their skis and other necessary items without a hassle.

Thanks to the resort’s proximity to Seoul, the weather was nice and warm, unlike other ski resorts like Yongpyeong.

For lunch, the students met up at the

Tiger Times

February 2018

Play by Play:

Tigers fight hard aginst SFS Crusaders On Feb. 27, the varsity girls soccer team faced off against Seoul Foreign School Crusaders. While the match was only the second friendly game for the Tigers and still early in the season, both teams had a strong showing. The Crusaders showcased their aggressive and fastpaced offense, while the Tigers displayed tenacious defense.

cafeteria and ate a compilation of Korean junk food—fried pork, ramen, kimbap, and many others. With that, the students were once again ready to hit the slopes.

“It was a very fun trip because I was able to spend quality time with my friends outside of school,” said Brian Donjae Lee (12), a student of Advanced Sports and Recreation. “It was a rare experience that I never thought of getting as a student in SIS.” Although the students themselves had to cover all the expenses for the trip, they were more than happy to do so. Thanks to this opportunity offered by the school itself, the students were very pleased at this excursion from heavy academics and the consequent stress they always carried.

Moreover, the all-senior dynamic of the class made the trip seem like an award for their completion on college applications.

“As a rising senior, I’m really looking forward to taking the Advanced Sports and Recreation class next year,” said Yunseo Kim (11). “I see a lot of upperclassmen having fun outside of school every other day, and I feel like that is what I need during senior year to de-stress.”

As a new class, Advanced Sports and Recreation initially sparked a lot of curiosity amongst the senior class. While some were very excited for the course, others were initially skeptical about how the year was going to go. However, the class’s frequent bowling trips outside of school and other fun activities confirmed the success of this new addition to the Physical Education department. As a result of the many praises for this course, many rising seniors are looking forward to taking this course next year.

Second Half

First Half The Crusaders definitely had a strong start, showcasing efficient offense.

Through sharp passes and quick attacks, the Crusaders broke through the Tigers’ defense and scored a goal within the first two minutes of the game. The Tigers, however, were not discouraged. At the kickoff right after, Grace Ganus (10) and Michelle Ahn (11) coordinated, with Grace jumping over the ball, faking so that Michelle could kick up the field.

Grace then made it to the box two times, but the Crusaders piled on making a shot at the goal difficult.

The Crusaders then resumed their aggressive offense, taking two near-clear shots at the goal. The Tigers’ goalkeeper, Michelle Cho (10) blocked both shots, shutting down the Crusaders for the time being. The Crusaders’ onslaught continued. They attempted a low shot at

Kirsten Huh(12) takes a break from carving up the slope.

Photo by ANGELA CHOE

the right corner of the goal, but Michelle Cho slid and barely blocked the ball with her fingertips. Despite the Tigers’ sturdy defense, the Crusaders’ forward passed through a group of defenders to attempt another shot at the bottom-right corner.

This time the ball found its mark, ending the first half with 2-0 for the Crusaders.

Plans for venues post-PyeongChang Olympics take shape

C

elebrating the one year anniversary of the historically significant PyeongChang Olympics, “Again, PyeongChang” revitalized the spirit and patriotism of South Koreans on Feb. 8th. Under the slogan of “Passion, Peace & Prosperity,” people released 700 dove balloons into the air as a symbolic sign of hope for the future, while cultural performances including Pungmul, a traditional genre of Korean music, set the mood for the grand festival. The celebration continued passionately through the night in Gangneung, where figure skating events and K-pop concerts welcomed thousands of spectators to join in the commemoration of the successful sporting event. The ceremony’s vision to maintain the spirit of the Olympics calls for government initiatives to make the currently vacant venues conducive for local development.

“My experience at PyeongChang was one of the most memorable moments I had in my life,” said Elin Min (10), an avid sports fan. “It was thrilling to go and watch the intense ice hockey and skeleton games and take pride in my country.

From the joint parade in the opening ceremony to now, it is great to see how one sporting event can bring us all together.

The Olympics has many symbolic and cultural implications, and it is important for the government to preserve its legacy by maintaining the venues in positive and socially meaningful ways.”

In an attempt to address the pressing question of unused Olympic venues, the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism shared their plans to

Michelle Ahn (11) pushes up the field against a defender. PHOTO BY YOUNGJIN PARK

The second half started fast as Grace allowed the ball to fall back to Michelle Ahn who sent it past the Crusaders’ midfielders. As the Tigers’ pressured the opposing goal, the Crusaders’ defenders blocked a clear shot by Jessica Langham (12). Rebounding off the block, the Crusaders winger pushed up the field into the empty space, only to have the pass intercepted by Julie, allowing Lara Kim (11) to get into position to challenge her mark and push the ball further up the field. After the Crusaders regained possession of the ball, their forward broke through the line of defenders leaving Michelle Cho one-on-one.

create the PyeongChang Memorial Foundation on the peripheries of the main Olympic Stadium by 2020, using the surplus of $55 million from the games to do so. Korea had already demolished the Olympic Stadium, a pentagonal 35,000 seat arena, after hosting the opening and closing ceremonies. According to a report by the International Olympic Committee on Feb. 4th, most of the leftover PyeongChang venues would be readjusted to serve recreational, cultural, and athletic purposes for the local community. Kwandong Hockey Centre would be handed over to the Catholic Kwandong University, where it would be used by college students as a multi-sports and educational facility. The Gangneung Ice Arena—currently under renovation—is reopening for public use, while Youngdong College would host cultural exhibitions and seminars in its former training facilities. Other plans involving Alpensia Ski Jumping Centre, Alpensia Biathlon Centre and Alpensia Cross Country Centre are now under discretion of the Gangwon Development Corporation (GDC), which similarly plans to open them for public use and sports competitions to stimulate foreign and domestic tourism.

“There are definitely benefits of using venues for sustainable purposes,” said Mr. Tyvand, social studies teacher. “It depends on what type of venue it is, though. When you have bob sled tracks, it is difficult to find ways to economically sustain them because there are not adequate programs in Korea to turn them into training facilities, and can only be used to host regional competitions. On the other hand, ice skating rinks which are more popular and frequently used by youth, can be easily adapted for recreational purposes.”

The process of consolidating plans for

Against the odds, she decided to slide and catch the ball before the forward could make the shot.

Julie Jang (12) fought her mark for the control of the ball in the goal box, and successfully cleared it to the right to Grace. Grace sent the ball long with her first touch on the ball, into the penalty box. As Grace pushed further towards the goal, the Crusaders tripped Grace, earning her a shot at the Tigers’ first goal with a penalty kick. The shot, narrowly missed, hitting the crossbar. While Jessica attempted to regain possession of the ball, the Champions’ goalkeeper got to it first. The Crusaders’ forward retaliated with a counter attack, getting past all the defenders and strategically slid the ball into the right most corner of the goal, making it impossible for the goalie to save.

By YOUNGJIN PARK Junior, Staff Writer

Final Score Crusaders

5 - 0 Tigers

“Although the results of the game weren’t the best, I feel like this game was a great trial to show both the weaknesses and strengths of our team. From this experience, I am sure we will have a great season!”

- Michelle Ahn (11)

all venues is often time-consuming and undergoes heated conflicts of interest.

The residents of Jeongseon is advocating the continued operation of Jeongseon Alpine Centre, a skiing area located on the slopes of the Gariwangsan mountain, to bolster the growth of its regional economy. This is met with opposition by the Korea Forest Service (KFS) and the Ministry of Environment, which wants to destroy the venue and restore its naturally mountainous state in concerns of environmental sustainability and protection. According to Yonhap News, KFS already rejected the request to maintain the alpine center until 2023, and issued an order to consider the structure illegal if not destroyed in time. Though unlikely to find common ground, more negotiations are underway to resolve the tense matters, as the Gangwon officials continue to demand for shared economic costs totaling up to $95 million for rebuilding the forest. Meanwhile, other venues remain unconfirmed as well: Alpensia Sliding Centre, Gangneung Ice Hockey Centre, and the Gangneung Oval.

“Olympic venues are often designed and used to stimulate tourism, but there are other factors at play when government determines their use,” said Aileen Kim (10), MUN member. “Just as we demolished the PyeongChang Olympic Stadium, it is justified for the government to close down venues if it believes that the economic and environmental cost of maintaining it outweighs its potential benefits. Instead of spending more time on negotiations with the Jeongseon province, the government should finalize discussions on other venues and implement plans for them as soon as possible.”

By JOANNE YANG Sophomore, Staff Writer

11

Super Bowl highlights historic but declining Patriots dynasty On Feb. 4, the New England Patriots faced the Los Angeles Rams in the fifty-third Super Bowl. This year’s National Football League (NFL) championship game was the lowest scoring Super Bowl in NFL history, with the Patriots edging out the Rams 13-3. The high powered Los Angeles offense, second overall in the regular season, was held to a mere 260 yards in the Super Bowl and started the game with seven straight punts.

The defensive showdown remained tied until the fourth quarter, when Patriots quarterback Tom Brady broke the stalemate on a long 29-yard pass to tight end Robert Gronkowski. The breakthrough chunk gain allowed Patriots running back Sony Michelle to score the first and only touchdown of the game on the following play, giving the Patriots a lead they would not yield for the rest of the game.

“To say that it could’ve been more exciting is true,” said Jacob Lim (10). “However the lack of scoring did not take the competitive and tense nature out of the game. The game was close throughout, and it was interesting to see relatively explosive offenses grind to a halt in the most important game of the season.”

The game was highlighted by a clash of young verses old. Ram’s coach Sean McVay, who is currently the NFL’s youngest coach at 33 years old, made history by being the youngest coach in NFL history to lead his team to the Super Bowl. The Ram’s youthfulness continued on to the field, with third year quarterback Jared Goff becoming the fourth youngest starting quarterback in Super Bowl history at 24 years old. On the other hand, Tom Brady, who is even older than the Ram’s head coach McVay, broke his own record as the oldest starting quarterback in Super Bowl history, playing the big game at 41 years old. In addition, Brady and longtime Patriots head coach Bill Belichick had a combined age of 107 years old. This set a record for the oldest

photo the

quarterback-head coach duo in Super Bowl history.

“I think they [Rams] got outcoached,” said Jonathan Ames, history teacher and football fan. “The Patriots can reinvent themselves every week depending on who they’re playing. By watching game film for planning specifically against a powerful Rams offense that successfully defeated many opponents throughout the year, I think with two weeks to plan for the game Bill Belichick was able to really breakdown the strengths within the Ram’s offense. Can you blame it on inexperience? Probably, but in the end I think the Rams were just outcoached and outhustled.”

With this sixth victory, the New England Patriots tied the Pittsburg Steelers’ record for most Super Bowl wins in NFL history. All six of New England’s titles have come under the head coach and quarterback duo of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. The duo’s first championship came 17 years ago in a victory also against the Rams. Brady’s historic six championships is the most by an NFL player in the Super Bowl era, beating out Charles Haley’s five rings. Another Patriot, receiver Julian Edelman, also added to his Hall of Fame resume by winning Super Bowl most valuable player with 10 catches for 141 yards. A dominant team defensive effort by the Patriots, which consistently forced quarterback Jared Goff to make mistakes and throw a costly interception with less than three minutes in the game, also contributed to the New England victory.

“With this Super Bowl win, I believe Tom Brady is the greatest football player of all time,” said Eddie Choe (10), New England Patriots fan. “Brady now has more rings than anybody in the history of the NFL. He’s the Michael Jordan of football.”

By ERIC HWANG Sophomore, Staff Writer

of month

Severe microparticle levels not only cancelled two KAIAC soccer games in a row but affected the ability for athletes to practice on the field. To maintain their fitness and make use of their practice time effectively, the varsity boys soccer athletes including Brian Lee (9), Jefferson Lee (9) and Wonju Lee (9) engaged in a set of rigorous workouts in the fitness room.

PHOTOS BY LAUREN KANG (11)

12 SMALL TALK Big Deal

point an economics column

counterpoint

Should schools teach Shakespearean plays?

Shakespearean plays…

How to survive in a zero marginal cost economy

By Teddy Cho

From Luddites during the Industrial Revolution to Keynesian economics during the Great Depression, the prospect of machines taking over the job economy has been a perennial issue. The fear has only become exacerbated in the software age. Last year, Google Waymo began testing its self-driving technology on tractor-trailers in California and has been expanding its operations ever since. There are no deployment plans yet, but when these cars finally make it onto the roads, they will make shipping much cheaper. At the same time, millions of truck drivers will be looking for a new job. It is not just truckers: a recent study by McKinsey & Co. estimated that about half of current jobs could be automated using modern technology and predicted that 400 million jobs worldwide will be automated by 2030.

Set against the backdrop of constant developments in artificial intelligence (AI) technology, the picture seems clear: machines get smarter, thereby bringing more jobs within reach of automation. However, the truth is more convoluted and operates at a wider scope. We are automating not individual jobs but entire industries as we meet more of our daily needs by means of massively scalable software.

The Information Revolution brought about a fundamental sea change in manufacturing. Whereas traditional industries need heaps of capital to build factories and operate assembly lines, software production is a matter of copying a few files around. In software, the product design is the product. As such, unlike traditional products, the first model is expensive, but all the copies are virtually free. More importantly, companies can hire much fewer employees to function.

Economists call this phenomenon “zero marginal cost,” whereby companies add new users and revenue without spending more money.

In a world of an infinite supply of digital goods, what is happening to trucking today is the same thing that happened to Blockbuster, cashiers, travel agents, and dozens of other jobs: they are being replaced by pieces of software. For instance, think about how we share photos. In the 20th century, Kodak was the biggest name in photography; however, it could not survive the smartphone. Kodak filed for bankruptcy in 2011, four years after the first iPhone launch. Today, instead of manufacturing millions of canisters of film, we just use Instagram. It is a good app, but it is not that complicated, and throwing more programmers at it will not make it better. At its peak, Kodak employed 145,000 people. Instagram employs less than 500, and Instagram is worth a lot more money than Kodak ever did.

So, what happened to all those jobs? The shift did not come by virtue of some brilliant new film-making robot or groundbreaking AI. We just stopped using film.

It is not robots replacing workers, but zero marginal cost businesses replacing legacy industry. People argue whether this development is good for business or bad for workers; if you are a pessimist, it looks like the end of jobs as we know it. All the high-employment companies like Kodak lose out to smaller, smarter tech replacements. Production gets more efficient, wealth gets more concentrated, and unemployment goes through the roof.

But where pessimists see a future without jobs, optimists see a future without work. It used to take lots of labor to call a cab or get something shipped to your house. Today, it is easy. Businesses have found a way to serve lots of people with a single up-front investment, and that efficiency makes products cheaper for everyone. Some look at this trend and imagine a society where automation renders almost everything free. Technological unemployment could be offset by a vastly cheaper cost of living and social programs such as Basic Income.

The zero marginal cost economy is an inevitable future, and it is coming faster at us every day. Now is the time to think about how we can use it to empower us, but not overpower us.

… are those that were allegedly written by British playwright and poet William Shakespeare. Despite being first written and performed in the early 17th century, these plays are still included in English curricula around the world. High school students at SIS are taught up to four plays written by this single writer. … convey meaningful themes:

Reading Shakespearean works, students can learn valuable lessons that reflect the core of the human condition—timeless lessons that relate to everyone’s lives. Even centuries after his death, his plays speak volumes about complicated, universal concepts, including hubris, blind ambition, love, and fate. In fact, elements of postmodern politics are reflected in Richard III, while the presently controversial issue of gender roles is explored in Twelfth Night. Shakespearean characters also create strong connections with the audience; readers are able to easily identify with Othello’s envy, Hamlet’s despair, and Macbeth’s decline. Awe, delight, and grief are all feelings that are elicited by Shakespeare’s complex creations and resonate with students even today. Perhaps this is the reason Shakespearean works are globally identified as cultural classics and comprise much of the literary canon today: they truly transcend their time, and in doing so allow readers to see themselves anew.

… reflect the origin and substance of the English language:

Shakespeare’s works undeniably made a significant contribution to the development of the English language.

Although regarded as difficult by most students, Shakespeare’s writing reflects the roots of the very English words people use today; in fact, according to the Independent, Shakespeare is credited for inventing more than 1700 English words such as “addiction,” “inaudible,” and “manager.” As a result of his wordsmithery, even various phrases including “tongue-tied” and “forever and a day” were created. Such words and phrases that appear in renowned plays like Othello have been incorporated into the English language to the extent that students cite Shakespeare every day without even realizing it. By allowing readers to cultivate an improved understanding of English etymology, works attributed to him continue to serve as inspirational material for present-day writers both inside and outside the classroom.

By Sia Cho & Andy Yoon

The Symphony Orchestra performs Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture at the renowned Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria.

Photo by MICHELLE AHN

… are becoming increasingly irrelevant to students:

All meaningful writing—whether it be a book, play, or poem—sends significant societal messages that guide moral thinking. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch, who legally represents a mistreated African American man in court, emphasizes the virtues of valiantness and empathy. While Shakespearean plays do communicate similarly meaningful concepts to readers, they are of much less value to modern-day students. For example, the characterization in Romeo and Juliet is extremely unrealistic; teenagers are not as one-dimensional as Juliet, who commits suicide to be with a boy she had known for a matter of days.

In fact, performed on a stage for audience members of all social classes, most Shakespearean plays were written to entertain, not necessarily to be integrated into educational curricula for centuries to come. That is not to say that Shakespearean works be obsolete. Still, too much emphasis is placed on him, disproportionate to the values his plays teach readers today.

… need to be translated:

Most of Shakespeare’s works are undeniably difficult to interpret, as he used vocabulary and grammatical structures that are now outdated. Although English teachers claim that students must learn to read difficult texts, there is a difference between advanced and obsolete English writing. In other words, there is no practicality in learning the meanings of specific words widely used in the 1600s. Just as how Latin is presently taught only in specific academic settings, outdated English as used in Shakespearean plays should be a field of specialized knowledge, not taught to every high school student around the world. In the process of reading Macbeth and Hamlet, students are forced to depend on online websites, such as Sparknotes’ No Fear Shakespeare, that provides users with detailed modern interpretations of the play. Schools cannot expect students to read and learn from writing that is completely foreign to them.

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