Tiger Times Volume 55 Issue 7

2 SCHOOL NEWS

Students create competitive Brawl Stars team

On Feb. 25, an Instagram account named “sis_varsity_brawlers” was created, soon following SIS students’ accounts on the same day. Created by Waan Choi ’25, the “varsity Brawl Stars” team has gained much attraction in the past few weeks. The creation of the team came at a very fitting timing, with Brawl Stars—a popular multiplayer online battle game published by Supercell— taking over the phones of many students.

The team mostly consists of juniors,

as the initial roster was based off of a junior-only group chat that frequently played the game together. Though the competitive Brawl team primarily consists of one grade, it also includes a number of players from different grades. An acceptance into the team requires a combination of skill, amount of trophies, and overall dedication to the game.

The formation of the team piggybacks on trends from the Brawl Stars teams of notable international schools including

Times Staff

SFS, YISS, and CI. Similar to that of the SIS competitive team, these teams also have student-led Instagram accounts that parody official sports accounts. They post game results, rosters, schedules, and even trash-talk other teams online.

“We decided members generally from a sign-up form,” Jay Choe ’25, member of varsity Brawl Stars team, said. “We used the profiles of each member on Brawl Stars and saw their performances in games as well as their trophies and ranks. There are now a total of 20 members, with 3 starters and 2 subs.”

Due to this mini-league formation, SIS has already started participating in “pre-season” friendly matches to gain experience. The team’s first friendly was against YISS, where SIS secured a 5-0 victory. It then followed that performance with another 5-4 victory against the same team. For now, the competitive Brawl Stars team remains solely as a piece of entertainment for students, placing the inter-school competitive nature into an online game.

“I am very excited for the season to begin,” Sean Kim ’25, varsity Brawl Stars bench member, said. “My favorite

MUN members attend UNISMUN

From March 5-10, 16 MUN Club members as well as chaperones James Kowalski and Angela Campbell flew to Hanoi, Vietnam, to attend the United Nations International School MUN (UNISMUN). The conference, which took place from March 7-9, is hosted annually by the United Nations International School of Hanoi, and is one of the two mandatory international conferences for club members. In this iteration, over 300 delegates from four different countries participated.

Arriving two days in advance, attending members were able to experience the culture of Vietnam, as they toured the streets of Hanoi. Included within their itinerary were street food tours, a visit to the Ho Chi Minh museum, and a water puppet show, which is a traditional Vietnamese art form.

The conference began on March 7, marked by an opening ceremony, which many applauded for being different from other conferences—traditionally, an opening ceremony would be held in an auditorium with all the delegates in one place, listening to a few guest speakers as well as the organizers give a speech.

“One memorable thing UNISMUN did differently than other conferences I’ve been to was to not have one keynote speaker during the opening ceremony, but to have different guest speakers visit each committee before the opening ceremony even began,” James Kowalski, chaperone, said. “In my committee, SDG-5: Gender Equality, we were fortunate to have Jane McGee, UNIS Head of School, and Laura Fernàndez Abad, Deputy Head of Mission of Spain to Vietnam, come talk about their experiences as women in leadership.”

The 11 committees tackled issues ranging from the responsibility to protect Sudan in the Security Council to more general ones such as the question of the right to privacy in the Human Rights Council. The specific topics each committee dealt with was determined by the committee’s parameters established by the United Nations.

“I was the delegate of the United States in the Reform Security Council,” Keanu Park ’25, MUN Club member, said. “We debated on topics such as the issue of regulating non-traditional security threats and the issue of the relationship of Israel and Palestine. I thought that the Israel and Palestine conflict was an interesting topic because many member nations were directly opposing one another. As the delegate of the US, I was in support of Israel, which brought heated debate between nations that support Palestine.”

To prepare for the debate, delegates researched and formulated a resolution and a formatted paper containing potential solutions on their respective topics. As delegates are representatives of certain countries, they came up with solutions that matched their country’s stance—even if that did not reflect the delegates’ personal beliefs.

Throughout the three days of debate, the first day was allotted to lobbying, where delegates who had similar stances wrote preliminary resolutions. The second and third day were solely focused on debating those resolutions with all the countries within the committee, making speeches either for or against and creating amendments which sought to improve the quality of

brawler is Grom, so I expect to use him very frequently throughout the season. I also will be very updated on the game’s new patches and updates (i.e. Brawl Talks) so that we can have a competitive edge for the season.”

Despite having started as a lighthearted joke, the team has gained significant eminence amongst students, especially underclassmen who wish to associate with the cohort. For instance, underclassmen are aiming to start so-called “JV Brawl Stars teams.” Hallways are also filled with students “training” for the alleged tryouts.

“After coming across the varsity Brawl Stars account, we were inspired to create a girls varsity, because we really wanted to play in a team even if we had less trophies than most of the people in the varsity team,” Leah Kim ’26, creator of varsity girls Brawl Stars account, said. “I think it’s pretty fun to play Brawl Stars against other girl teams because it really feels as good as winning a sports match when you win the Brawl.”

By: Yoon Choi Junior, Copy Editor

the resolution. Throughout the two days, after rigorous debate sessions, delegates voted on whether or not the resolutions should pass. And while some did pass, others unfortunately did not.

UNISMUN ended on March 9 with the closing ceremony held in the school gym. During the closing ceremony, chairs made short individual speeches, briefing over their committees, and the secretariats displayed committee TikToks which each committee had made.

“UNISMUN as a conference was really

wonderful,” Angela Campbell, chaperone, said. “Our students were well-prepared and this gave them a chance to really shine… The trip itself was [also] very smooth… My life as a Chemistry and Physics teacher is sometimes really busy, and being in a demanding club was not something I agreed to do lightly, but I am glad that I did it.”

By: Eric Kim Junior, Copy Editor

Photo by Jian Hong (10)

RALLY REPORT

The last two issues of Rally Report covered both the struggles of the varsity boys basketball team and the miraculous KAIAC tournament upset they pulled off, as well as the struggles the recently-formed varsity track and field team will face this year. But unlike the two teams who have been defined by their struggles, the badminton boys’ and girls’ varsity team feature an experienced and confident group of players that are determined to enjoy the season and develop close connections.

Last year, the badminton team swept all three competitions, receiving first in the KAIAC Conference, Championship, and at AISA. However, several key players left as seniors last year, and while the current team still remains highly competitive and has the potential to sweep all three awards again, many of the players on the team have felt the

pressure of last year’s success. However, instead of focusing on the season’s results, both badminton teams have made it a focal point to develop the younger team, build inner-team relationships, and have fun.

“The story of this season has been to keep the title as both KAIAC and ASIA champions, but it has been tough to play up to those expectations,” Elena Kim ’24, captain of the girls badminton team, said. “But this pressure has only brought us closer together and strengthened our support for one another, it’s a very wholesome and familylike feeling.”

Unlike most other sports, the success of the badminton team is dependent on both genders. The scoring system accounts for both teams’ matches, and some games have mixed genders competing. This makes it imperative that

both the girls’ and boys’ teams are developed, something that many schools struggle at compared to SIS.

“This team is synergistic, everyone plays their part, and the bonds between teammates are very strong,” Brian Ji ’26, varsity boys badminton player, said. “But it’s the adaptability of the players and their willingness to sacrifice for the team that makes us stand out to other schools whose girls and boys teams might not have a good working relationship. If that particular day we have a weak mixed doubles match, players who are usually a part of a more prestigious tier are willing to move over, regardless of their gender or their feelings.”

Regardless of this year’s result, many players feel that this year’s seniors marks the last of the old guard, heightening the importance of developing the younger team. While it is rare to

see upperclassmen have a genuine willingness to mentor younger players, the younger players’ dedication and willingness to learn, combined with the upperclassmen’s love for the team and the game, has expedited their growth and success.

“If I could use one word to describe this team, it would be dedicated,” Coach Atkins, head coach of the boys badminton team, said. “This team, from our best singles players to our alternates, are dedicated to improving and happily spend extra time practicing their skills. Every player puts the team ahead of their self-interests, and what I’m most proud of is that some of the more experienced senior players often take the time to support the freshmen and help them develop, making the community spirit of this team wonderful and the future of it bright.”

Admin invites expert to speak on professional development

On March 1, SIS invited Dr. Johnmarshall Reeve to host its faculty professional development day. While students enjoyed a day off from school, teachers and administration learned from Dr. Reeve’s seminar on autonomy-supportive teaching from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Dr. Reeve is an educational psychology scholar focused on student motivation, engagement, and teaching. His research, rooted in self-determination theory, examines how autonomy-supportive teaching practices enhance student motivation and learning outcomes. Dr. Reeve’s scholarly publications have contributed to an academic understanding of children’s intrinsic motivation within educational settings.

“As a researcher, I do experiments and studies to try and make practical, evidence-based recommendations for teachers,” Dr. Reeve said. “My years of experience basically boil down to researching what works, what doesn’t work, and so on for things like student engagement, teacher satisfaction, and teacher efficacy… We then go to schools like [SIS] to share that evidence so that the school can apply that understanding of phenomena to how they approach their teaching strategy.”

The seminar included around four and a half hours of lecture by Dr. Reeve, split up by around two hours of “how-to”

skill-based workshops where teachers practiced how to encourage unmotivated students in hypothetical scenarios. One such scenario required teachers to imagine how they would involve a clearly apathetic student in their class. Dr. Reeve would then provide constructive criticism of the teacher’s strategy based on their response.

“Dr. Reeve presented a lot of helpful research on what we can be doing better as teachers so that students can understand why we’re covering what we’re doing in class,” Megan Mannell, English department teacher, said. “That way, we can hopefully get students to focus less on the extrinsic motivations for why they’re in class but instead be more genuinely engaged with the content.”

However, some feel that students at SIS tend to focus heavily on their grades and the colleges they aim to attend at the expense of showing genuine interest in learning. That is, some students prioritize quantitatively performing well on exams rather than valuing the knowledge and skills they can gain from classes along the way. While students aiming for good grades can lead to spontaneous bursts of effort in the lead-up to an assessment, Dr. Reeve cautioned that this mindset could lead to an overall lack of real engagement in class.

Art students travel to Italy

From Mar. 24-31 during Spring Break, art students went on a trip to Florence and Rome, Italy, to explore rich visual art and architectural history. The trip allowed students to visit important museums, landscapes, and cultural sites relevant to the country.

Photo by San Schwede (10)

“I’m going to Italy for a senior trip with my friends and to experience many of my favorite AP Art History artworks and architecture in real life,” Joyce Kim ’24, AP Art History student, said. “I’m very excited to spend an entire week abroad with my friends, and I’m especially looking forward to tasting authentic Italian pasta and gelato. I’ve been to Italy before, but not with all the art history knowledge I’ve gained through AP Art History. Hopefully, this trip will help me better understand ancient architectural history and review some works before the AP exams in May.”

Students visited cultural landmarks such as the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pantheon, and Trevi Fountain. The trip also involved quick art workshop classes in outdoor art and cooking. Traveling from Florence to Rome, students visited popular museums and were able to see the countryside.

“There were international art-related trips pre-COVID, but this will be the first one in at least 3 years,” Hannah Ireland, art teacher said. “Art trips have sometimes been combined with other subjects like literature. This year the focus is on art, architecture, and its history.”

Although the art trip was not held last year due to a lack of participation, this trip was highly anticipated by the students who signed up as a chance for more diverse learning experiences. Its novelty made it a new feature for this semester—one of many changes happen-

“It’s pretty common at SIS to see kids that take really hard classes just because their consultant or parents told them to, so they don’t even try at all for that class,” Keanu Park ’25, said. “For those kids, it’s honestly really unlikely that they’ll do things like homework or focus in class.”

In his lecture, Dr. Reeve addressed the challenges of teaching in Korea’s results-oriented academic culture. How-

ever, his research concluded that “students in practically any global classroom benefit from autonomy-supportive teaching.” Teachers are thus now better equipped to push their students toward success after improving their education strategy.

By: Jason Lee Junior, Copy Editor

ing this year to all classes. As a result, considerations such as hotel arrangements, tour companies, airplane tickets, amongst other considerations must be taken into account.

“I’m not a fan of the long flight, but I view it as an experience that will really only come once in a lifetime,” Eunbin Macklin ’25, Ceramics 2 student said. “I’m excited for what’s to come and what I will learn. I think the art trip will expand my knowledge around the world of art, given that I know very little. I have to start finding inspiration for what I want to make anyway, and Italy is a great place to start. Learning about art up close in such an enriching environment is great, but to experience a new culture, along with the opportunity to get to know my peers better, is something that is very new and thrilling to me.”

This trip marks a special treat for

students—international or school trips are rare for regular classes, much less AP courses.

“Personally I’m excited to be going to Italy because it’s my first time but I also feel a bit nervous because I never went to a different country without anyone I’m completely familiar with,” Leah Grace Kim ’27, art student said. “I am excited about going on the trip as a freshman, since I think that the sooner I learn things about art the better, however, since that would make me the youngest person attending the trip, I feel a bit like I might not understand things as well as everyone else. But I still think that attending as a freshman definitely is somewhat exciting for me.”

Sean Kim

By: Jason Jihoon Shin Junior rEportEr

Photo by Jason Lee (11)

4 GLOBAL NEWS

Chaos goes down at Hanteo Music Awards

Startup company Hanteo Global held its annual awards ceremony at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza on Feb. 18. The Hanteo Music Awards is a K-Pop festival awarding groups based on categories such as Best Performance, Global Artist Award, Best Album, Best Artist, and others.

Some nominated idols included Aespa, Zero Base One, and Ateez.

“I have heard of this show before, but I’ve never personally been to this exact award show because it is not as big of an event as Melon Music Awards or MAMA awards,” Minju Chung ’27, K-pop fan said. “I only like the K-pop group NCT, so I was not interested in the show after finding out that they were not coming out in the show.”

While many fans attended the

ceremony to watch their favorite K-pop idols, the festival quickly took a turn for the worse when one of the fans in the standing area defecated in their pants. After the event, attending fans noted that the odor permeated throughout the whole stadium.

Fans also criticized Hanteo for selling more tickets than the stadium could fit, resulting in a tightly packed standing area. Fans in the back continuously pushed toward the stage to get closer to the idols, crushing and suffocating many at the front. While the security guards pulled a few fans out of the pit, many were still experiencing difficulty breathing.

“I think the staff that organized the event are at fault for the issues that happened,” Lucy Park ’26, Ateez

Doctors protest against government plan to increase doctor quota

As of Feb. 27, over nine thousand of Korea’s 13,000 medical interns and residents have gone on a strike against federal plans to raise the number of trainee doctors accepted in universities. This walkout led to a severe staff shortage in various hospitals, resulting in several hospitals having to turn away their emergency patients.

“My dad participated in the doctors’ protest,” Noella Shin ’27, daughter of an optometrist, said. “He’s against the colleges admitting more students, and I also agree with the protests. It is necessary because it is the citizens’ way of showing their opinions. My dad isn’t going to shut down his hospital, but he is still against the new policy.”

The government’s plan to increase the number of trainee doctors by 2,000 from the current 3,058 was made to tackle the shortage of specialists in crucial healthcare sectors. The government saw this as necessary to better balance the country’s doctor-to-patient ratio, which is one of the lowest in the world. Korea has a ratio of 2.6 per 1,000 people, while, in contrast, top-ranked Austria has 5.5 doctors per 1,000 people.

However, many doctors have said that medical universities cannot handle the increased admission of students and that the plan would be ineffective in resolving the doctor shortage in key, low-paying fields such as pediatrics and emergency departments. Yet, critics say that doctors are protesting for the ulterior motive of eliminating greater competition and lower income.

“My uncle definitely does not agree with the plans,” Wongyeom Yang ’25, nephew of a college hospital optometrist, said. “He told me that the current university system does not have sufficient faculty able to teach basic preliminary medical classes. The problem isn’t that we don’t have enough doctors, it’s that we don’t have enough doctors in specific fields. Not a lot of people are

fan, said. “I think the main issue for this event was that there were way too many people in one space. This often happens in Korea when artists and staff overbook their concerts. It was really disorganized, as even the idols were concerned about the fans. The organizers should have sold less tickets and made the area larger. They also should have stopped the event in the middle since there were so many issues.”

After the event, many fans uploaded the chaos on social media, posting pictures of the feces and videos of fans being saved from the overfilled crowds. One fan uploaded a photo of their bag and pants covered in feces, complaining about her experience. Although the alleged per-

petrator of the defecation posted an apology letter on X, formerly known as Twitter, the user later on apologized and confessed that it was just a hoax.

“If I were part of the crowd, I think I would’ve been really upset for paying for an expensive ticket, but having a horrible experience,” Timothy Ro ’26, Aespa enthusiast, said. “This was definitely not the idols’ fault as they were trying to help the fans get out of the pit, and make fans take a step back to create more space. Overall, this was the organizers fault for overbooking the event.”

Many idols were also seen making disgusted faces and covering their noses while sitting in their seats and delivering speeches. Idols were also constantly worrying about the fans,

as they could see fans getting crushed. Although the security guards were called out on online platforms for not working hard enough to keep people safe during the event, fans that attended the event praised the security guards and managers of the idols, as they were seen trying their best to keep everyone safe.

“I heard that the girl defecated in the crowd due to the lack of security and support,” Ryan Lee ’26, a Hybe intern said. “This is definitely not the idols fault and instead, the security’s fault because they did not let people get out of the area, which ultimately led to someone having an accident.”

BY: Chloe Kim SophomorE, rEportEr

File leak exposes China’s support for hackers

going into cardiac surgery, general surgery, and fields that are considered risky.”

Although thousands of doctors have attempted to resign, many hospitals have not accepted resignations and instead issued returnto-work orders. In addition, the government is responding by threatening those who do not return to their jobs with suspension of their medical licenses for a minimum of three months and further prosecution in the future.

“While I understand the importance of healthcare professionals expressing their concerns, I believe there are alternative channels for dialogue between the medical community and the government,”

Jisun Choi, school nurse, said. “A balance should be struck to address the concerns of doctors without compromising the immediate health needs of the public. Addressing the preference of doctors for high-salary departments over essential care areas requires a comprehensive and collaborative effort from healthcare institutions, policymakers, medical schools, and the broader community.”

Because only 294 strikers have returned to work as of Feb. 28, the government has extended the working hours for public medical institutions, opened emergency rooms at military hospitals to the public, and given nurses legal protection to conduct certain medical procedures typically performed by doctors. A public survey published on March 5 by the Yonhap news agency shows that around 84 percent of South Koreans support the government’s plans, and 43 percent said striking physicians should be sternly punished. Yet, as the government and protestors remain at odds, hospitals will continue to be unable to perform major surgeries and provide medical care for those in need of treatments.

BY: San Schwede Junior, rEportEr

On Feb. 18, an anonymous user leaked a trove of data on GitHub, a code-sharing platform, that exposed the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) illicit conspiracy with private hackers. Various government sectors, including the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of State Security, funded hackers to obtain classified information from foreign governments, companies, and even Chinese citizens. While there had only been theories and sparse evidence of misconduct in the past, many point to the released documents as sufficient proof of China’s violation of international law.

“That is surprising, but I think it doesn’t deviate too much from what I was expecting,” Haven Cha ’26, 6-year resident in China, said. “I remember this one time we were learning about governments and our teacher was wary of saying anything bad about China. In China, there were just a lot of restrictions on a lot of things like the internet, Google, and Youtube. We were oftentimes aware of their surveillance.”

At the center of hundreds of state-supported hacking companies was the security firm I-Soon, which the documents detailed most often. I-Soon allegedly received at least $15,000 from the Chinese government to access Vietnam’s traffic police website and nearly $278,000 to amass their citizens’ personal information from social media websites.

The leak also revealed numerous

other instances of cybercrimes that implicitly point to an eight-year effort to install surveillance within China and in the private databases of Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, India, South Korea, and others. Additionally, the leaked files disclosed conversations between the CCP and hacking companies, complicit government entities, and the specific methods for achieving cyber-espionage.

“I know that for a number of years, China has been trying to beat the semiconductor race,” Tyler Castaño ’25, avid follower of China’s modern development, said. “I think that this is something that South Korea probably should’ve seen coming, just because of the heightened tensions between China and Korea. I don’t think there is a real risk for South Koreans. China’s not going to do anything meaningful. Although they have the information, I think they’re all bark no bite.”

Many were shocked by China’s sophisticated hacking capabilities. The leak divulges the hacking companies’ ability to track the location of iPhones and access personal Outlook email accounts. Furthermore, on one account, I-Soon even boasted about breaking into Pakistan’s counterterrorism unit and Thailand’s government databases.

While there were initial doubts about the authenticity of the leaked documents, cybersecurity experts, including John Hultquist, chief analyst of Google’s Mandiant Intelli-

gence, have verified their legitimacy. To the international community’s condemnation, the Chinese government has remained silent, claiming they are investigating how the documents were leaked.

In response to the leak, many have voiced fears over their devices and their governments being breached. While the data emphasizes how individuals within China were subject to privacy violations, others have argued that the leak may not encompass the entirety of China’s cyberespionage efforts. However, the international community, including the victim governments, has yet to issue a public statement. Experts claim that governments fear becoming enemies with China, which is why they are waiting for China to act first.

“Countries are letting China get away because of economics,” Steve Nave, Asian Studies teacher, said. “China is too intertwined with the world economy that unless there’s something major, we’re not going to challenge them. I still believe they should be punished. There definitely should be some kind of action. There should be sanctions. What China does with the information they got can disrupt global politics. The United Nations should do something but given the structure of the UN, it’s pretty difficult.”

BY: Eric Kim Junior, Copy Editor

layout by Eric Kim

Google rescinds AI Gemini over inaccurate image results

Google Gemini, an AI image generator, was rescinded from public view on Feb. 22 after the program was criticized for producing historically inaccurate and racially offensive images. After taking down Gemini, Google publicly apologized in a blog post for its programming, stating that its intentions were solely to include a range of ethnicities in its images to better represent the diversity of its users. Some of the images in question include ones of a female Pope, African-American Vikings, and Asian Founding Fathers of the US.

“I think companies should prioritize historical accuracy over diversity because when people use reverse racism to recast historical figures, you alter the truth and kill all credibility,” Hyeonhong Chang ’26, former user of AI Gemini, said. “AI is known to amplify racial and gender stereotypes in its prompt responses, so Google’s attempts to subvert those issues by having a wide range of race results are based on good intentions, but ultimately only add to long-standing racial bias problems.”

Google Gemini is based on the Imagen 2 program, which uses training data containing a large corpora of pictures and written captions to produce the “best” fit for a given prompt. The final response is all prob-

abilistic, however, as AI uses its training data to predict the next word in its response or to produce an image.

“Google Gemini has no concept of the content it’s producing, it’s just smashing together pixels and themes that probabilistically seem like they fit,” Nathan Warkentin, common user of AI websites, said. “I would guess that the training data that Gemini uses is ultra diverse, so naturally, racially diverse images are produced. Vice versa, if Google had trained Gemini with exclusively white images, then they would have only produced images with white people. So it all depends on the training data.”

While some see the historical inaccuracies in Google Gemini as unintentional and a correctable system error, many, including conservative-leaning figures such as Elon Musk, Jordan Peterson, and Ben Shapiro, have accused Google of implementing pro-diversity bias in the programming of their products in an effort to advance a liberal agenda. Other criticisms include those regarding the inaccurate and misrepresented information from Gemini, making it a source of misinformation.

“Since ChatGPT was released in late 2022, conservatives have accused tech companies of advancing a liberal narrative through the programming of

AI responses, in the same way they have accused social media platforms of favoring liberal viewpoints,” Anders Christensen ’27, concerned AI user, said. “Whether this is true or not though is hard to judge, as the training data used by Google isn’t public knowledge.”

One possible solution previously used by AI companies has been to implement system-level code guidelines that focus on accurately representing the diversity of the world’s population instead of creating guidelines to combat racial stereotypes. However, progress in fair representation is still limited because AI image tools are typically trained on data scraped from the internet and therefore primarily refer to the limited perspectives of the United States and Europe.

“I think the advancing of stereotypes and bias in AI images is unavoidable because of racist intuitions sewn into human data,” Anders said. “But I think we can avoid these situations by requiring users to write specific descriptions of the images they are requesting for, including the race of the person they want to generate so that the AI site itself can avoid any racial intuitions in its training data.”

BY: Sean Kim SophomorE,

rEportEr

LE SSERAFIM’s new album faces controversy

In February, the K-pop group LE SSERAFIM found itself under heavy public scrutiny over its latest album, “EASY.” LE SSERAFIM is currently one of the most popular K-pop groups in the world, with over 8.2 million followers on Instagram and over 14 million monthly listeners on Spotify. However, the group has been criticized for the music video of the album’s titular song, “EASY.” Additionally, some critics said that songs from the recent record plagiarized other artists’ music.

“My favorite K-pop group is LE SSERAFIM and I absolutely love them, and I honestly don’t know why a lot of fans got mad at that music video,” Sungwook Kim ’25, devout LE SSERAFIM fan, said. “It’s really not that big of a deal compared to what people are making it out to be, though… On God’s green Earth, that music video was the best thing to ever grace my eyes.”

Much of the controversy began when fans criticized the group’s wardrobe in the ‘EASY’ music video for being too revealing, given that a church was one of the locations in which the video was shot. Many claimed that showing too much skin in a sacred place of worship was culturally insensitive and disrespectful to the religious institution. This ultimately resulted in the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS), one of South Korea’s largest television broadcasters, opting not to allow the music video to be played on their channels.

“When I first saw the music video I was like ‘ummm, why are they filming in that church dressed like that,’” Chloe Cho ’25, Korean pop-culture enthusiast, said. “I read online that a lot of other artists also filmed in that

Goodbye Fu Bao: Korea mourns the move of Fu Bao

On March 3, lines of padding-covered Koreans waited from 3 a.m. to bid their farewells to the beloved giant panda Fu Bao. Starting from March 4, Fu Bao prepared for her April 3 relocation to the National Giant Panda Conservation and Research Center in Sichuan Province. Preparations include health examinations and mandatory quarantine, which aligns with the procedures of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

“I really like Fu Bao because I think she’s really cute and lovable,” Seungmin Jeong ’26, avid Fu Bao fan, said. “I’m obviously pretty sad, but I think it’s more important to think about Fu

Bao’s life in the future. Even though I’m worried because I know how well she lived in Korea, I’m sure she’ll be treated well in China too.”

Fu Bao was born in Everland to Le Bao and Ai Bao in 2020 as the first giant panda born in South Korea. Le Bao and Ai Bao are also leased pandas from China that arrived in South Korea in 2016. The parents will return to China in 2031.

Before leasing Fu Bao, Samsung C&T Corporation, the company that runs Everland, signed a contract with the Chinese government to return Fu Bao before the age of four. China usually leases young pandas up to four years old because they fully mature and begin to seek

mates at that age. Similarly, the new panda twins Rui Bao and Hui Bao, also born between Le Bao and Ai Bao, will return to China in 2027 once they turn four.

“I think it’s nice to have pandas around the world so people can get a chance to see them and conduct studies or research without traveling far to China,” Vanessa Cui, Chinese citizen, said. “Sadly, I didn’t get a chance to see Fu Bao before her return, but I heard there will be twins coming, and I look forward to seeing these adorable pandas in the future!”

As Fu Bao’s days in Korea came to an end, Everland allowed for more public exhibitions. Previously, visitors

could only see Fu Bao during afternoon viewing hours, but, from March 1, Fu Bao was open to visitors during all operating hours. Everland also live-streamed Fu Bao’s last day. Additionally, Everland’s Panda World plans on screening a video homage to Fu Bao in its theaters twice a day, and Everland is also considering holding a farewell for Fu Bao on April 3.

“As a resident of Yonggin, I feel like it’s really nice that they’re trying to let Koreans view this precious panda,” Eddie Chu ’24, self-proclaimed animal lover, said. “It’s a valuable experience because it’s her last time in Korea. I think it’s great for the public and the Everland authorities.”

church as well ’cause fans were trying to justify the video, but I still feel like it was just kind of unnecessary.”

The K-pop group has also been embroiled in accusations that their music may not be entirely original. Critics have scrutinized LE SSERAFIM for drawing too closely from existing musical works by prominent artists like SZA and Doja Cat, bordering on plagiarism. Notably, critics have argued that a song on the album titled “Smart” plagiarized the recent hit pop song “Water” by Tyla. As a result, some commentators have begun to dissuade fans from listening to the group’s new record, citing its seemingly repetitive and bland qualities.

“I feel like a lot of fans are overexaggerating the controversy around the new album,” Peter Yoon ’26, avid K-pop fan, said. “Even [Tyla] said online that she has no problem with LE SSERAFIM’s new songs, which is good because the songs honestly don’t even sound similar at any point.”

LE SSERAFIM and their managing company, HYBE Entertainment, have yet to formally respond to any criticisms. However, recent dialogue regarding cultural sensitivity and creative originality may force the girl group to publicly address the concerns raised, such as through apologies to their fans and the broader music community. As this situation evolves, it serves as a reminder that even for ultra-popular artists like LE SSERAFIM, those in the entertainment industry are never immune to criticism and controversy.

BY: Jason Lee Junior, Copy Editor

To remember Fu Bao, her caretakers and Everland also hosted a “Remember and Support Fu Bao” initiative, decorating Everland with Fu Bao-related decorations and crafting things like bamboo dolls for Fu Bao.

“I was quite sad to hear that Fubao is leaving Korea,” Dom Min ’27, panda enthusiast, said.

For many including myself, Fubao was a reason for visiting the zoo at Everland Theme Park. Although Fubao’s iconic presence will be missed, I look forward to meeting the two new baby giant pandas at Everland.”

BY: Carey Kim SophomorE, rEportEr

by Jian Hong (10)

Wearable technology: Better world, better health?

In the age of the “fourth industrial revolution,” characterized by rapid technological growth, the media has often presented contradicting views on wearable technology and its impact on health. While often associated with phrases like “unlocking the potential” and “revolutionary,” wearable technology has also been met with health concerns that continue to stay valid in discussions against such development of technology. As with any change, some people remain wary, expressing concerns about wearable technology’s speed of development and their implications. Humans, they argue, may become far too dependent on technology, harming their health due to overuse and addiction.

Health concerns regarding wearable technology are in no sense new; they have existed since its first invention in 1961 by MIT professors Edward Thorp and Claude Shannon in the form of a small computer worn on the waist or shoe. Since then, wearable technology has become far more accessible and affordable for the average consumer, all while simultaneously becoming more diverse in form. With a variety of products ranging from smartwatches to VR headsets on the market, over one in three Americans use wearable technology, and the industry recently reached a market size of over 156 billion dollars in 2023. Samsung released a new Smart Ring, and Apple recently released the Apple Vision Pro, which allows for an immersive 3D experience.

Wearable technology is also increasingly playing a larger role in health. Over the next 22 years, this market is predicted to grow to over $190 billion. Pioneering this progress are devices like the Apple Watch, which tracks heart information and blood pressure,

and devices like the Fitbit, which tracks calories burned throughout the day. Such new technologies have empowered the general public to pursue optimal fitness, easing the transition to a healthier lifestyle.

While some are readily accepting such new wearable technology, some still hope to stick to traditional healthy lifestyles.

“I think all that data about your sleep cycle and heart rate are only valuable information when you know what to do with it,” Niko Lambert, health enthusiast, said. “I think that none of that technology will ever replace good, old-fashioned living habits like exercising and having a healthy diet. I think that wearable technology can play a role in giving us information and data, but it’s up to us to understand and interpret that data and apply what we learned from that data to help us lead healthier lifestyles.”

Apple has been testing its Vision Pro to track users’ facial expressions and eyeballs to potentially diagnose stress-related diseases and has also been looking into the use of infrared technology to detect early signs of heart failure and other diseases like dementia. Additionally, the Vision Pro has also been tested to be able to oversee patients in hospitals, as well as serve as a mental health consultant and provide mental therapy. The new Samsung Galaxy Ring will also use technology to track users’ sleep cycles, activity levels, and even stress levels to give users a “Vitality Score,” going so far as to suggest methods to alleviate stress or other health issues.

However, the traditional view that wearable technology may negatively impact people’s health is not necessarily unwarranted. Even in mainstream movies like the

By CAREY KIM (10)

aforementioned “Wall-E,” in which humans regress to an infant-like state and remain wheelchair-bound due to the overuse of technology, concerns regarding technology’s effects on human health are a prominent theme. The concerns reflected in the movie no longer seem alien; reflecting on the lives of modern Gen-Z-ers, people often choose comfort over any kind of active movement, embracing an increasingly sedentary lifestyle. This can be observed in everyday behaviors like choosing cars over walking and ordering delivery food.

Studies also reflect similar sentiments; according to research by the National Institute of Health, a clear correlation between screen time and the chance of obesity is evident. With increased technology use, less physical movement follows, causing parts of our body to deteriorate, disrupting bodily balances to increase susceptibility to conditions like obesity. Longer time spent with screens can also lead to eye strain, which often leads to symptoms like headaches and nausea. Technology has also been proven to interfere with our sleep cycles and the quality of sleep itself, as the light emitted from our screens impedes necessary stages of sleep. With new technology releases landing on shelves every week, the train for wearable technology seems unstoppable. It is now humanity’s responsibility to be wary of this new technology and educate themselves on how to use it to its full potential to help achieve healthier lives. Striking a balance between traditional principles of pursuing health to prevent overreliance on wearable technology is necessary to avoid falling further into the vicious cycle of a sedentary lifestyle.

layout by Yoon Choi

Wearable technology: New products, new future

From Feb. 26-29, the Mobile World Conference Barcelona—an annual trade fair showcasing innovations to the mobile communications industry—was met with a wave of excitement regarding one genre of products: wearable technology. The augmented reality glasses specifically caught the attention of many innovators, allowing people to see virtual images displayed atop their regular vision.

AI’s rapid ascent to domination over the daily lives of many seemed a reality only possible in science-fiction films. Movies such as The Matrix, Ender’s Game, and Ready Player One introduced people to an idea of a virtual world, glorifying technology and its impacts and hinting toward a future with augmented realities. To many, this imagined world may very well be on its way to existence.

Wearable technology finds its earliest origins in the 1960s, starting with a shoe outfitted with a timing device to predict a ball’s position on a roulette. However, it is only recently that such inventions have caught the attention of the public due to their potential in impacting users’ daily lives. While the shoe merely aided ball games, new products such as the Apple Vision Pro appeal to a wider audience, with the potential to seamlessly blend into anyone’s reality.

The main advantages of wearable technologies are their convenience and efficiency—it allows the user to do daily activities effectively, sometimes even without using their hands. For example, the Mega Quest Pro, which allows people to use AR technology, has been helpful in the workplace; engineers, electricians, and doctors use this technology to view documents and blueprints while operating on patients, installing lights,

By YEONJAE KIM (10)

and designing infrastructure. As wearable technology develops, people look forward to improving time management and completing tasks with higher proficiency.

The technology also eases the burden of various daily activities. In fact, playing sports and working in harsher environments have become less dangerous. Wearable technology helps people check their heart rates, speed, distance, and time to determine their limits and abilities—all during activity. Checking heart rates is also important as it can save lives.

In 2013, three soldiers died in the Brecon Beacons during a training session due to a heat stroke. In light of such events, devices such as the Oura Ring have been developed to measure body temperature, thereby preventing people from going to the extreme when it comes to work or physical activities.

However, wearable technology has not always been popular. Past items such as Google Glasses were criticized because they did not look like normal glasses. This led to people being less interested in the item. As fashion trends continue to play a major role in society, unattractive items have little place in people’s lives. Similar to how unwearable accessories are not bought by most people—many often cite their concerns about how strange they would look strapped with large devices such as the Apple Vision Pro.

The designs are the least of people’s concerns, however. Wearable technology is generally very expensive, but people expect it to be a reasonable price so that everyone can experience a new life. Google Glasses also failed for this very reason. They not only were more expensive than other products but also fell short of consumers’ functionality standards, as they could

not replace phones and their functions. The glasses were also met with privacy concerns, as they were able to record video and audio without users’ awareness.

This led to people also seeing much room for improvement in protecting users’ right to privacy. In a survey conducted by PriceWaterhouseCoopers International, 33 percent of wearable device-buyers have reported that they do not use the devices often due to privacy issues. With a significant number of users for wearable technology, it should ensure the safety of the users.

“Me and my dad both have an interest for new technology, so we both wanted to experience new technology for gaming and new computer systems,” Joey Chun ’23, tech enthusiast, said. “I bought the Oculus 2 from Meta for entertainment. My expectations were not that high at first, but after using it I realized it was so much better quality than the cardboard VR boxes. With the continuous new releases of VR tech, I can picture myself in future doing work not by computer but by VR.”

With increasing hopes to actualize imagination, heightened market competition and expectations for quality technology are evident. Virtual reality headsets from Meta Quest were one of the first devices that expanded such dreams: it allowed people to experience a new world for entertainment and educational purposes. People hope that wearable technology will continue to develop in this direction and perhaps even replicate the 4D immersive universe in Ready Player One, believing that, one day, society will be able to connect through the metaverse. This will enhance communication and engage with more diverse environments, opening up a new future full of different realities.

8 STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Joseph Kim journeys through his performances and passion for music

“Music is my way of communicating with others,” Joseph Kim ’25, said.

Whether it be rapping to G-Dragon (GD) songs in his MP3 club performances or composing his own tunes in his free time, Joseph is known as the icon of music at SIS. Although Joseph may seem like any other student who enjoys singing, music is a deep passion that he has carried with him for a long time. With the influence of his parents at a young age, Joseph mainly claims that his knowledge and interest in music stems from the environment he grew up in.

“My mom does music too, so music was always something that came naturally to me ever since I was a little child,” Joseph said. “I grew up in an environment where music was very common, so it has always been a medium for me to express myself and communicate with people in a different manner just like a language.”

Although Joseph accredits his mother, a professional flutist, as his earliest source of inspiration

layout by Lucy Jang

and for providing him with valuable life lessons throughout his childhood, he also acknowledges the impact that other fellow artists had on his approach to stage performances.

“I always say my biggest muse and inspiration is my mom,” Joseph said. “I’ve learned a lot from her about professionalism when it comes to music and life in general. But when it comes to performances, the first person that comes to mind is GD because compared to before when I only cared about my vocals during a performance, GD inspired me to put more effort into stage presence.”

Joseph’s interest in music has also led him to participate in music-related school events.

In particular, Joseph has made a name for himself through his MP3 performances, performing various iconic songs such as “BangBangBang” by Bigbang, “Good Boy” by GD and TAEYANG, and “Christmas Tree” by V for SIS students and faculty. By sharing his voice and musicality with the school community, Joseph has

not only engaged the SIS population through his energetic shows but has also evidently grown as a performer.

“The audience is the main thing I consider when preparing for my performances at school. I always try to think of what kind of songs or gestures the audience would enjoy. I know that everybody is very stressed out from school, so I just want my stage to be something that people can mindlessly enjoy.”

On top of performing, Joseph also composes his own songs. Joseph initially followed a structured process of choosing a theme, writing the lyrics, then matching the tone. However, as he wrote more songs, he began to work with what came to mind first, whether that was the lyrics or a particular melody.

“At first, I always used to focus on the overall theme and message I wanted to give to the audience,” Joseph said. “But now, the melody sometimes comes to mind first, and I write lyrics on top of that. As I said, music is just a way of communicating

with others for me, so I think of my music as more of an artistic way to speak to my audience.”

Although Joseph has not hosted an independent show yet, he has had his fair share of experiences with large-scale concerts. When his producing teacher recommended him to feature as a rapper in another student’s song, he was enthusiastic about the opportunity provided to him. Later, Joseph was given the opportunity to perform the song as a guest artist at his teacher’s concert.

“It was quite a small stage, maybe around 100 people,” Joseph said. “But it was so great to meet many great people, especially those who work in this industry and make a living out of it. I was able to learn a lot about how they prepare for these things, how they treat music and stages.”

With the gratitude he has that stemmed from the love and support his mother provided to him, Joseph hopes to become someone who can help others, especially those who have

a dedicated passion. Joseph claims that he wants to lend a helping hand to those who are working to pursue their dreams and goals.

“I always say that my dream is to be a muse,” Joseph said. “Like my mother is a muse to me, I want to be a muse to other people so that I can help them in many aspects of their lives, even if that is not necessarily music. I want to stay close to music in the future whether or not that means having a job in the field. I’m not sure yet about my future, but hopefully, I will pursue music in one way or the other.”

With his devotion to music, Joseph has become a recognized figure in the school community. Joseph not only seeks personal growth through his musical journey, but also aims to influence others positively, just like how his mother did.

BY: Lucy Jang Junior, rEportEr

Photo by Carey Kim(10)

Where are the freshies?

Many club executives and advisers have noticed a significant decrease in the number of freshmen in their clubs. While some popular clubs, such as the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Habitat for Humanity (HFH), and Mu Alpha Theta (MAT), have a large number of new underclassmen members, many other clubs have few to no ninth-graders in their ranks. This phenomenon has resulted in many asking one simple question: Where are the freshies? Many club executives and advisers have noticed a significant decrease in the number of freshmen in their clubs. While some popular clubs, such as the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Habitat for Humanity (HFH), and Mu Alpha Theta (MAT), have a large number of new underclassmen members, many other clubs have few to no ninth-graders in their ranks. This phenomenon has resulted in many asking one simple question: Where are the freshies? Many club executives and advisers have noticed a significant decrease in the number of freshmen in their clubs. While some popular clubs, such as the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Habitat for Humanity (HFH), and Mu Alpha Theta (MAT), have a large number of new underclassmen members, many other clubs have few to no ninth-graders in their ranks. This phenomenon has resulted in many asking one simple question: Where are the freshies?

“I think that there are about 15-20 freshies in FBLA. I think this is mainly because most students in our grade have their careers set on business, so they are very interested in learning more about this topic. I joined FBLA because I like the idea of how we can compete with the business ideas we create, get criticism, and learn and grow in this field.” - Serim Kwon ’27

“I think that it is very disappointing that there are not more freshmen in the clubs I am advising. I think next year we need to specifically target incoming freshmen to join clubs. Korean Service for Foreigners (KSF) would be the perfect club for rising freshmen as it is a chance for them to get closer to teachers. The problem of the lack of freshmen in our club is also an issue we must address next year.” - Steve Nave, advisor for Korean Service for Foreigners

“I am currently participating in no clubs at all. During activity periods, I usually use this time to go out to the field to play soccer or go down to the gym to play basketball with my friends. When I have a test during fourth period, I study for my exam and get ready for it. However, the main reason why I currently do not take clubs is because I am leaving this school next year, so there is no reason for me to try hard in a club.” - Ray Roh ’27

BY: Chloe Kim SophomorE, rEportEr

The fallacies and facts of club favoritism

by Junseo Lee

editor-in-chief

South Korea is often considered by historians and citizens alike as a nation built on corruption and nepotism. From Park Chung-hee’s deregulation of massive conglomerates and the close ties between Park Geun-hye’s administration and Samsung, much of the nation’s economic success in the 90s and early 2000s could be attributed to federal organizations turning a blind eye to corporate oligarchies and the profits generated from their success.

Strangely enough, a similar argument could be made for the current state of SIS clubs, albeit on a far smaller scale.

The idea that cozying up to current executives and advisers is a direct pipeline to club leadership positions remains a pervasive strategy, as does the creation of dozens of executive roles with nondescript purposes to pad up the leadership team’s resumes.

At a superficial glance, this trend may seem positive—why shouldn’t students who work hard to maintain positive relationships with their club’s leaders be given a promotion? Does the thin spread of executive positions over a large population of the student body not benefit all those involved?

But just as Korea’s rampant nepotism in the late 20th century led to long-term instability and severe economic inequality, this perceived notion of how club executives are chosen has only worsened the SIS club environment, emphasizing club politics over genuine commitment and fulfilling the purposes of the club.

With the rapid onset of new regulations promised by Mr. Del Vecchio to standardize the executive selection process, students and advisers alike must work to ensure that their procedures are fair and aligned with the purposes of the club.

While these new policies target student-based executive decisions by requiring advisers to have the final say in these selections, this solution will only be effective if advisers are actively engaging with the club members. If advisers are not a regular part of club meetings, discussions, planning, and events, it is highly unlikely that they will know each club member well enough to make an informed decision, ultimately deferring to the new student-based selection committee’s recommendations.

Of course, students have a major role to play in ensuring these regulations remain effective as well. Current executives must recognize that an equally important skill for those in leadership positions is the ability to distinguish genuine commitment and talent from mere kowtowing and flattery. By understanding that they hold no obligation to provide executive positions to any specific underclassman, current execs will be able to develop this skill while also ensuring that their clubs will be run by those with intrinsic motivation and talent that will support the club’s goals.

However, what is often just as large of a problem as club nepotism is the use of this phenomenon as a scapegoat. Students must recognize that not every executive was chosen based on the whims of the current executives, nor is there a massive conspiracy to prevent them from attaining every executive position they could want. Ultimately, with both current and new check-and-balance mechanisms, selections for club leadership will often trend toward fairness rather than outright favoritism.

Only by reducing this cynicism regarding executive positions can the SIS community attain a growth-oriented mindset to break free of these phenomena as a whole, striving for a club atmosphere made up of a diverse array of clubs catering toward an equally diverse array of interests, largely undistinguished by ideas of prestige, exclusivity, or club politics.

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

The South Korean ‘manner hand’—still conservative?

Heated debate has ignited on online platforms over a video of Fendi fashion designer Kim Jones placing his hand on K-pop idol An Yu-jin’s waist. As an ambassador of Fendi, An was invited to the Milano Fashion Week from Feb. 20-26, where she took the photos with Jones.

Western nations, such as the US and most European countries, have become more accepting of public interactions like public displays of affection. Despite this being a normalized gesture in Western culture, older Koreans have still largely been unable to adapt to the idea of intimacy in public. This is because of the traditional Korean “manner hand” culture, which emphasizes avoiding unnecessary contact with one another in public, making it harder to shift mindsets to be less conservative in Korea.

“If she is okay with it, people shouldn’t be outraged,” Steve Nave, Asian Studies teacher, said. “While I understand the sentiment, if they already knew each other, boundaries are already established between them, and people should mind their own business. It is perfectly appropriate to care about how men treat women, so I think there needs to be change in a society that values respectful and appropriate behavior towards women.”

The persistently conservative aspects of Korean society can largely be attributed to Confucian beliefs—most Koreans have grown up valuing principles of respect and morality, leading many to believe that doing something that might cause their elders discomfort is wrong. Although many older Koreans view physical touch

in public as inappropriate, in an age full of constant interactions between people of different beliefs and nationalities, Koreans must learn to be less resistant towards outside cultures and disregard taboos on PDA. Not only did the extreme reactions of netizens to Jones and An’s interaction cause internet commotion, but Jones also received numerous hate comments claiming that he was harassing her, placing An in an awkward situation.

Although Jones had posted many photos with other celebrities, often with him placing his hand on their waist, there were no hate comments towards this action. The other celebrities he took photos with all seemed to be American or European, revealing the uniquely Korean nature of the criticism delivered after seeing Jones touch An.

However, it is important to note that most of the comments targeting Jones were from older, traditional Koreans who have grown up under the “manner hand” culture. Although the “manner hand” culture is a core component of Korean culture, it is stagnating Korea’s progress away from outdated social norms. In fact, despite the anger expressed by many older Koreans toward Jones, younger Koreans who have been exposed to both Korean and Western culture through social media and in-person relationships held different opinions.

“I think the designer was overreacted [to] by the current community,” William Park ’26, Gen Z Korean, said. “All the Korean culture minds have conservative aspects to it. Considering that the designer is married, I don’t think his actions should be considered as inappropriate or sexual. It was probably just an action of friendship, and it just turned out to be an accident.” In nations that are less conservative when it comes to public behavior, such as the US, physical touch is considered normal between people who know each other; for instance, acts such as hugs and kisses sometimes happen naturally even between those who have met for the first time. On the other hand, Koreans have developed more formal and respectful habits such as giving or receiving objects with two hands and shaking hands with two hands. These gestures have become very normalized in Koreans’ daily lives, as there is an overwhelming emphasis on the importance of manners, especially to the elderly. However, this etiquette in Korea has established boundaries in relationships, preventing the formation of a society.

Ending China’s mildang with pandas

Fu Bao, a baby panda born in Korea in 2020, is anticipated to return to China in early April. As the first Korean-born panda, Fu Bao served as not only a tourist attraction at Everland’s panda exhibit but also an adored national icon. Many have expressed sorrow at her scheduled departure, questioning whether or not it is possible to extend the lease period or receive Fu Bao again in the future. However, with the Chinese government being unresponsive, others have raised concerns over China’s mildang of pandas, otherwise known as “panda diplomacy.”

Panda diplomacy refers to China’s use of pandas as a soft power, achieving favorable diplomatic results through non-hostile means. While panda diplomacy diminished over the years, especially with the pandemic, 2024 has seen a surge in panda leases and returns actively administered by the Chinese government—hence the revival of the term, “panda diplomacy.” Fu Bao is no exception.

Following the joint signing of a memorandum on protecting the environment in 2016 with Park Geun-hye, Chinese President Xi Jin Ping gifted Ai Bao and Le Bao, Fu Bao’s

parents, to Korea. During the meeting, President Xi mentioned leasing pandas to Korea as a symbol of their newfound bilateral ties. The return of Fu Bao, which is part of China’s breeding program requiring all pandas that reach the age of four to be given back, can be seen in a similar context: to reinforce China’s authority while simultaneously laying the groundwork for the next potential lease.

While this strategy has proved conducive to forming friendly ties, this mildang diplomacy emphasizes political supremacy as its main focus, reducing pandas to merely a means to an end. Not only has panda diplomacy thus been controversial and condemned internationally, but it is also incompatible with ecological efforts to sustain endangered populations. Since 1990, giant pandas have been listed as “endangered” for nearly two decades, and only in 2016 was their status updated to “vulnerable.” However, this change does not mean the animal population has substantially increased: the decision was made primarily due to more reservations being constructed even though the population only rose from 1,114 pandas-

Deep-rooted Korean traditions have established strict hierarchies, preventing different age groups from bonding more closely. Due to Korea’s homogenous society, it has led to xenophobia continuing to persist; the stagnant population has also led to more serious problems such as a decrease in birth rates, As Korea globalizes, Koreans must make an effort to accept worldwide trends that surpass country borders; until then, Korea will continue to lag behind with its conservative ideals.

from its “endangered” status to 1,184 pandas. For animals that face potential extinction, it is standard protocol that they be protected only for their pre-adult years and reintroduced to the wild under supervision once they reach adulthood. At the end of the day, environmentalism strives to create self-sustaining populations, not human-dependent species. But due to their utility in successfully fostering diplomacy, pandas have been under strict management of the Chinese government: reintroduction efforts have been scarce, with only 11 pandas having returned to the wild since 2003.

“China’s looking at pandas as an object for their economy,” Ellen Ryu ’25, Fu Bao fan, said. “So rather than focusing on what pandas need as animals, like reintroducing them back into nature and how Fu Bao is in a good environment in Everland, China is taking back Fu Bao just because of their selfish desires. This is not thinking about what the pandas need as living animals. The status change also seems like a fraud, because that small of an increase should not count to an actual upgrade in their status. I feel like we should pressure them to actually make positive changes.”

It is important for the international community not to succumb to China and face them head-on despite their status as a superpower in addition to their monopoly in various sectors. Providing China an exception to international law and standards due to their power sets the precedent that other violations could be overlooked if the country in question is strong enough.

“I guess they’re trying to foster a good relationship so it’s understandable,” Sylvia Lee ’24, former Asian Studies student, said. “But I think this needs to be fixed. Panda’s living in one environment is probably best for their living. But if they’re going to go back and forth and China is not providing the best environment that pandas actually need, it is problematic. China using the pandas just as a tool for economic or political purposes should be fixed to an extent.”

by: Yeonjae Kim SophomorE, rEportEr

by: Eric Kim Junior, Copy Editor

Peer mentor programs: Mentoring or pressuring?

Every freshman has questions when they enter high school: how harsh is grading in high school? What clubs should they take? How do they deal with friends in different classes? The oft-spoken answer has always been to ask an upperclassman—and who better to ask than your very own Peer Mentor?

While answering these questions and providing guidance should be what Peer Mentors are about, it has become evident that the program has much room for improvement.

“I barely met my mentor, even though there was a lot for me to complete,” an anonymous freshman, frustrated with the Peer Mentor program, said. “Many of my friends share the same feelings, but it’s hard for us to try and get around high school without much help, and the peer mentors don’t do much, despite what the school tells us.”

It is worth acknowledging that many efforts have been made to improve the program in the past two years, holding more recreational sessions for mentees and assigning projects in various methods to mentors. Contrary to its original purpose, the Peer Mentor program has instead pressured freshmen to help seniors complete their Peer Mentor assignments, such as sending proof of communication and completing self-reflection forms, rather than encouraging them to reach out to their upperclassmen for advice and guidance. Although some upperclassmen have acted as dedicated and enthusiastic mentors who are willing to actively help out their underclassmen, many have been shown to lack the same zeal.

The problem is simple: mentors do not feel the need to get to know their mentees or spend the time to help them when they are already busy and preoccupied with their studies, which is further exacerbated by burnt-out seniors. This may also be because there is a fundamental disconnect between the past experiences of seniors and freshmen, as seniors have mostly forgotten their experience from three years ago and are too preoccupied with topics like college admissions, grades, and prom to be able to relate. Another contributing factor is changed curriculums, teachers, and classes, which often makes upperclassmen’s advice outdated for current freshmen.

One change to mitigate the problems with the Peer Mentor curriculum is to implement more rigorous standards for choosing mentors, which could better determine those who are likely to commit time to their relationships with underclassmen. This can be achieved by primarily selecting junior year mentors who are less likely to give up during second semester, or implementing an interview process as well as teacher recommendations to gauge students’ attitudes in interpersonal relationships. Asking current freshmen for recommendations on who would be a helpful mentor may also add a student perspective on the selection. Such an in-depth process will not only be better at determining good mentors, but also deter those who are not as committed from signing up in the first place.

Another change is to emphasize completing assignments less by requiring

more facilitated meetings and anonymous feedback forms instead. The counseling department had previously assigned required meetings and mandatory recordings—a step in the right direction—but crafty students have still managed to avoid having real discussions by doing the bare minimum for explaining the topic. Though grades could still be based on mentor-mentee communication, mentors should be required to send out anonymous feedback forms and reflect on the feedback they receive. These meetings can be accompanied by specific themes to guide the discussion or activities that discuss concerns and questions on a shared form.

Allocating meetings to more specific topics might also be beneficial. Though many current upperclassmen wonder why freshmen are noticeably absent in their club ranks, one reason why freshmen struggle to sign up for the ‘right’ number of clubs might be that peer mentor meetings are largely sporadic. Having meetings primarily concentrated during the first few weeks of high school and even the last few weeks of eighth grade may benefit freshmen’s ability to adapt and foster an early, meaningful relationship.

These changes would give room for mentors and mentees to focus on actual meetings and discussions rather than creating superficial relationships where seniors focus on completing the assignments. A peer mentor program should not be a simple free-for-all that upperclassmen take when they have good grades and a good reputation—to

Viewpoint Feature:

How much has your peer mentor helped you? The answer for many current freshmen, is “not much.” Amidst friendly meetings, regular discussions, and written reflections, only one thing is missing—genuine connection, arguably the most important.

What are some ways to truly foster this connection?

How can students voice their opinions on changes necessary for success?

only shirk their responsibilities once second semester arrives.

In fact, the true purpose of a mentoring program was to help the transition of those first entering high school.

“If there is a disconnect at this point of the year, that students don’t feel comfortable enough to reach out, then we as counselors and leaders and peer mentors need to reassess what we can do all throughout the year,” Nydia Hernandez, high school counselor, said. “I think the idea of the peer mentor program is about consistent support throughout the entire year and we would like for it to be a give and take- both we offer the help, and ninth graders reach out also - it’s also our goal that they feel comfortable to reach out.”

The counselors have also acknowledged the lack of awareness at the moment when it comes to students struggling with the Peer Mentor program, something that should be taken into further consideration for reflecting with students on how helpful the program was.

Although these changes may decrease the number of peer mentors, the quality of mentors should be prioritized over the quantity when it comes to considering the efficacy of the program itself. By taking the initiative to improve the program for the 24-25 school year, peer mentors and mentees alike can look forward to building stronger relationships across grades.

by: Jian hong SophomorE, rEportEr

Ask the Alumni

By Jian Hong & Yeonjae Kim

In stark contrast with the blooming flowers and warming weather, students’ minds often fill with more worry than joy in spring. While the start of this season symbolizes new beginnings and hope for most, it also represents the start of a student’s dreaded journey to studying for their AP tests.

Although AP test scores have no impact on GPAs, many maintain their competitive mindset as they take these exams, aiming to get into their dream college. Particularly because the AP exam covers all concepts learned throughout the year, there is even more pressure to study harder.

To get 5s on the exams, students work to find their own methods and habits for studying. As with most students, the tendency to procrastinate is a constantly looming threat, and thus developing effective study techniques is necessary.

I would go through a lot of problem solving. For these subjects you have to start way in advance in order to get the core skills. If you continue to take notes and listen in class, it shouldn’t take too much time to study for the exams.”

“My very first AP exam was AP US History,” Rachel said. “I feel like a lot of these questions though we all go to like hagwon for a lot of them, but it’s also making sure to review content that you specifically are having trouble with in your own time. For APUSH especially, I prepared a lot; I did a lot of practice exams and I made notes for all the periods.”

The ONIYOON

By Yoon Choi

With the Tiger Times application process officially underway, many applicants and students may wonder: How do I write a good Tiger Times article? Well, this article will teach you exactly that.

First of all, never use an academic tone. The third-person point of view that is used in most writing and so solemnly taught by SIS English teachers is boring. Throw it away, and make your writing as interesting as possible. Make sure to use personal pronouns, common slang, and leave spelign mistakues thorouhgout.

Secondly, directly state your opinion as much as possible. We want to see your bias and personal morals all throughout the article. It’s even better if you just downright say which side of the political spectrum you are on, since that will obviously improve the clarity of your argument and writing. Whether the article is about politics, sports, tech, nature, or any other newsworthy topic, your opinion should be the first priority. People can get boring information from other news sources anyway. Tiger Times is a publication where students can freely voice their opinions on whatever they like, with absolutely no repercussions from the administration.

When collecting information for your global news articles, I advise you to read from the most obscure sources that you can possibly find.

The New York Times, The Washington Post, and other renowned newspapers are subject to wishy-washy, ordinary opinions that have no flare. Tiger Times articles should be interesting, not informative. Good sources of information that offer various perspectives can include The Onion,

Wikipedia, and X (formerly known as Twitter).

“Googoogaga,” Eric Cho ’25, Tiger Times Online copy editor, said. “I like eating cheese with pickles on the weekends. My favorite basketball player is Joe Biden.”

For school news articles, make sure that you don’t get information from anyone that is relevant to the topic, and write the shortest articles possible, leaving out key details. I mean c’mon, who really wants to sit there and read about another MUN conference? And arguably the most important tip for Tiger Times, make up all your quotes and make sure their content is completely irrelevant, like how I did above. Bonus points if you interview another staff member from Tiger Times!

Finally, if you do get into Tiger Times, never listen to your editors or any feedback from teachers. As I said before, your opinion matters most, and no one else’s. If your editor, Mr. Shifflett, Mr. Macklin, or Mr. Delvecchio attempts to give you feedback on your article, make sure to reply with “Nuh-uh.” Then, hop on Brawl Stars in class because Brawl Stars is life. Not only will such measures really help improve the paper and your writing, but they will also leave a phenomenal impression on your staff and the administration, setting you up for success in the publication. For additional tips and tricks on improving your writing, the best resource is reading other journalism. You should definitely emulate great writers like Tucker Carlson and the Chinese Communist Party. Good luck on your journey to Tiger Times!

“In my sophomore year, because I only had one AP exam to take, I started preparing a lot in advance, taking previous exams, understanding concepts, looking at CollegeBoard’s rubrics, and more,” Evelyn Choi ’23, alumnus, said. “I would say I really started preparing for the exam around winter break. As I moved up grade levels and my number of APs increased, I learned to prioritize which ones I needed to spend the most time on, and I focused on my weak spots more than trying to memorize every single detail for every subject.”

“For my AP courses, I took AP Biology, US History, Seminar, Research, Psychology, Language, Literature, Spanish, and Calculus AB,” Rachel Yoon ’23, alumnus, said. “Some tips for taking the AP exam are, honestly, I feel like with the exams all you got to do is make sure that you’re not nervous and pace yourself well. I mean obviously, if you do a lot of practice exams, you kind of get used to how much you pace and your time. I think you want to give yourself enough time so that you’re not scared of running out and having to rush at the end, so definitely pace yourself.”

Contrary to what many believe about the short study period, there are many opportunities to start early preparation for the AP test, but people do not start until April. Technically, students are able to start studying from the first semester, but most students do not prioritize their APs during this time. Although starting early is not necessary, some subjects require lots of practice and understanding to perform well on the test.

“For humanities subjects, such as AP US History, I would go through all of the concepts the day before. I have a white board, and I would go through all of the concepts and see how they link to each other,” Evelyn said. “For science subjects, such as AP Chemistry or Calculus,

While studying for the test is the priority, maintaining a healthy mentality is also important. Without the correct, stable mindset before the test, it would most likely be hard to get the best results. Especially in junior and senior year, finding the right amount of time to study for the AP exams is important in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

“I wish I knew that on the day of the exam, I just need to trust the work I put in throughout the year and focus more on calmly performing the best I can,” Eunice Rhee ’23, alumnus, said. “Being aware of my workload and calming down to trust myself should really be a priority.”

“Because you spent the entire year preparing for your exam, I would definitely not stress about cramming last minute and just trust that all the work you’ve put in will come to fruition,” Evelyn said. “Of course, last reviews can be helpful, but remaining calm and having faith in yourself really helps you overcome the test anxiety to an extent and perform as well as, or even better than, you usually do!”

Although preparation is important, test-day habits are also a crucial factor in determining a student’s performance. Some students go as far as to believe in superstitions such as wearing their “lucky” clothes and eating certain foods.

“I usually just spend a slow morning and try to calm down my nerves,” Eunice said. “I double-check to make sure I have everything I need and that I’m wearing comfortable clothes. I think my clothes are really an important part of the test day routine.”

Although trying to study for the AP exam may be very stressful at the time, it teaches students how to prepare for long exams based on cumulative content—a benefit that may be more apparent when taking college courses. In fact, some alumni have felt that the AP exams required more work than college exams.

“Content-wise, most of the AP courses are pretty similar in difficulty with college-level courses,” Eunice said. “But unlike what most expect, I’d say that there’s more pressure for AP exams than college exams.”

During Pi Day, middle schoolers were given the opportunity to “Pie” the faces of their teachers.

Photo by Kristina Kang (11)

photo of the month

layout by Jason Lee