Tiger Times Volume 51 Issue 5

Editorial How dare we? by

Sia Cho & Andy Yoon editors-in-chief

We can now all let out a sigh of relief. In spite of societal advancements beyond our wildest imagination, the 2010s was indeed a turbulent and complicated time for many. It was the decade of ISIS, radical right-wing populism, and some of the worst migration crises the world has seen. In some sense, the worst is finally behind us.

Unfortunately, for most global issues, time is not exactly the best medicine—and this is never more true than it is for arguably the most contentious of them: climate change. In this age of perpetual crisis, this problem has considerably worsened yet stirred a global dialogue on climate action to an unprecedented degree. In the past year, a 17-year-old Swedish teen by the name of Greta Thunberg became the face of the movement, calling upon global leaders to take responsible action against what could devastate the livelihoods of millions.

Her message is clear: we are running out of time, we are not doing enough, and we can do more. By nature, she, to a certain degree, simplifies the complex issue of climate change to a single call for action, eliciting a sense of urgency and responsibility toward the issue for the public. However, at the same time, it is undeniably evident that the majority of her movement consists of rhetoric—and while impassioned speech does draw considerable attention to an important issue at hand, its impact admittedly falls short of concrete action. While one may argue that awareness is 80 percent of the battle, panic-rousing rhetoric alone may not be enough.

In fact, panic itself may be the least appropriate response that we could take in the current status quo. According to a 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, global temperatures will rise to a point of no return by 2030. Researchers predict that every half degree will introduce devastating effects to the world’s environment, impacting millions around the world in the form of destroyed coral reefs, wildfires, and the elimination of Pacific Islands due to rising sea levels. Recently, Australia has already faced extreme fires, hail, and other catastrophic disasters that have been linked to climate change, leaving 18 million hectares of forestland ravaged and millions of animals dead on top of severe human fatalities.

Thunberg’s call for action has never been more relevant. In her words, how dare we?

However, the assumption that purely raising awareness will lead to immediate action is misleading. According to 2019 Gallup polls concerning US climate action, 61 percent of respondents thought the country was doing too little, and 65 percent considered sacrificing economic growth for environmental sustainability a worthwhile tradeoff. Simply put, humanity is generally in agreement that climate change is a considerable threat to mankind; very few of us place credence in climate denial science, nor do we think no action should be taken. We instead need an overview of potential steps we can all personally incorporate into our lifestyles to collectively combat this ongoing crisis.

Overcoming D-day in 10 years will be dependent on the tangible action we decide to take as a collective. One such step is to call upon state subsidies for specific industries of climate research, not to petition the government to take climate action as a whole.

For instance, research and development into storage technology for solar panels and wind turbines could circumvent the challenges countries face with the so-called duck curve, which is the discrepancy of peak energy demand at night and energy production. Climate activists can take note of Brian Ham’s article about plastic straws, which account for less than a percent of the world’s plastic production, and call for more meaningful change in the average industry.

The 2010s was a decade about a fear for the future and longing for the past. Let solidarity, not divisive rhetoric, drive us forward in 2020.

2 VIEWPOINT Lawmakers ban Tada taxi service

O

by Sarah

Ju

n Dec. 6, 2019, the Korean National Assembly committee banned Tada, the recently controversial taxi service. Tada, run by the Value Creators & Company (VCNC), allows citizens to use their mobile phones in order to call taxis and carpool with strangers going in similar directions. Many users of this application claim it has numerous benefits, such as being cost-efficient and more convenient than other forms of public transportation.

Despite this, more recently, there have been disputes regarding the legality of the service, along with opposition from taxi drivers unaffiliated with Tada. It is said under Korean law that “no person who rents a commercial motor vehicle from a car rental business entity shall use such a motor vehicle for transport with compensation,” essentially meaning that it is illegal for rented vehicles to serve as

public transportation services.

This was where the problem arose, given that Tada rented all of their vans from Kia Motors, a Korean automobile company.

However, this issue of legality is clouded. Korean law also allows companies to provide drivers for rented vehicles with at least 11 seats—a policy implemented in order to promote the tourism industry— which Tada’s vehicles abide by. Aside from the question of legality, taxi drivers primarily objected to Tada because of the strong business competition it created in the industry. The application was gaining momentum in a continually advancing world, leaving the established taxi industry obsolete.

Taxi drivers started protesting against Tada around mid-2019.

When asked for the reason of their protest, many taxi drivers argued that it makes sense that they would feel strongly about preserving the career that they worked for many years. In that sense, it seems unfair for a new, legally ambiguous service to

suddenly advance in the status quo and take away opportunities from those that have been striving for this career through their lifetime.

On the contrary, the ban of the service can also be seen as unjust from a legislative standpoint, since Tada follows the rule stating that compensated transportation is permitted as long as the vehicle has over 11 seats. The government did not consider banning the service on the premise of this legal flaw until protests regarding the controversy sparked further conflicts. This demonstrates an increasingly socialist political atmosphere in Korea, which shows an unintentional undermining of the system of how the Korean government operates.

Recently, there seems to be much less acknowledgment of the upper class, when ideally, all positions should be considered.

Not only that, but an additional question should be posed: is it really in the hands of the government to halt the process

of economic growth for the benefits of a select few? Tada is a step forward, both technologically and socially, and it would be detrimental to the country for the government to deprive the nation of these future advancements due to mere objections.

While this recent ban may have temporarily delayed the issue, it is only a matter of time before more modernization will inevitably make its way into the taxi industry, and taxi driving occupations are likely to become impractical in a world full of artificial intelligence.

Instead of stunting future development, efforts should be made to encourage and assist in innovation. It is crucial to consider the forward steps to take rather than marching in place by dwelling on the things that already exist. The ban of Tada is not merely an issue of a taxi service, but also an indicator of the next determining factors of a morphing political and technological landscape.

Sajaegi allegations anger music listeners nationwide

by Emily

Sung

The top songs of summer 2019 on music apps such as Melon were drastically different in comparison to other years; charts that were usually filled with bright summer songs were instead full of ballads about sadness and breakups. The reason behind this was exposed

by Park Kyung, a rapper from the idol group BLOCK B, who posted a tweet on Nov. 24, 2019, calling out the specific names of six singers for allegations of sajaegi, or chart manipulation.

The tweet has now been deleted, while Park has been sued for defamation by the accused singers.

Sajaegi involves the mass streaming of music on a single device for the streamed songs to rank high on popular charts.

Once the songs are ranked high, the public starts listening to them, causing the songs to rank even higher, allowing singers to gain unearned fame. The majority of songs suspected of chart manipulation are relatively similar in style: a sad ballad about a breakup, extremely difficult to sing with high ranges, and from an unknown singer. Once all these conditions are met, the entertainment agency asks a streaming broker to manipulate the popular charts for their artist, and multiple phones and automated computers start streaming the song. Thus, graphs that show the progress of the song overtime on the charts are concrete evidence of sajaegi—songs climb up tens of ranks in a matter of hours.

Due to these illegal services, songs from unknown singers beat popular K-pop idols during their comeback, and snatched their chance to rank

high, which fueled allegations of manipulation.

Sajaegi scandals have existed for years, but Park Kyung’s tweet was a catalyst for the music industry and fanbase to turn against suspected songs of sajaegi, which started as early as 2010. Citizens made efforts to curb the extent of this issue, including creating a petition for the government to give adequate punishment for those suspected of sajaegi. There was even a TV show episode aired on Jan. 4 regarding sajaegi on the SBS Investigative Program “Unanswered Questions,” which featured interviews with various singers and agencies.

Experts explained how the streaming process works and how brokers are strict about what song they promote, hence the similarities between the manipulated songs. This helped the public change its opinion about the songs suspected of sajaegi; comments that used to be filled with praise about the song and how underrated

the singer is, shifted to hate comments about the songs, the singers, and how machines are not to be trusted.

The social backlash was even extended to innocent singers, who got accused simply because they were doing well on the charts. The rapper Changmo rightfully ranked first with his new song “Meteor,” but received hate from the public due to suspicions of manipulation. In response, he posted an angry Instagram reply, claiming his innocence. The group NU’EST was also accused of sajaegi with their song “Dejavu,” but assured fans that they were not involved. Tired of the continuous scandals in the music industry, public figures expressed their thoughts on sajaegi through various platforms. BTS members RM and Jin mentioned this issue on award shows, publicly calling out manipulation. IU, Sunmi, and Hyuna posted Instagram stories, openly criticizing songs suspected of manipulation. The

group Bolbbalgan4 refused to stand up and congratulate a singer who received an award with a song that rose to fame due to sajaegi.

The artists suspected of sajaegi have had their careers destroyed. Perhaps without manipulation, the artists could have slowly been climbing the ladder to fame. Many of them were also talented, with vocal skills like none other and the ability to produce songs that were publicly liked, but are now facing harsh consequences for their actions. Even after the scandals, some listeners hold the opinion that sajaegi is not a problem if the song is good, and that it is simply an opportunity to let many undiscovered gems become more well known to the public. However, this only means that numerous talented artists are currently begging to be discovered, and more opportunities and platforms must be opened to let this happen without the use of unfair means.

Tiger Times

February 2020

Tiger Times Staff

Tiger Times 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.

Volume 51 Issue 5 February Seoul, South Korea TTONL.org a free publication of

Seoul International School

Paper Editors-In-Chief Sia Cho Andy Yoon

Website Managing Editors Kate Lee Christopher Shin

Website Editor-in-Chief Eju Ro

Production Editors Claire Lee Youngjin Park

Paper Managing Editors Chris Lee Brian Ham

Copy Editors Eric Hwang Irene Kim Joanne Yang Jiwon Lee Graphics Editor Lynette Kim

Adviser Ms. Wendy Grant

Video Editor Andie Kim Photo Editor Lauren Kang Social Media/ Marketing Directors Emily Bae Emily Oh Layout Artists Ashley Kim Eddie Hahm Clara Lim

Reporters Alice Lee Joanne Yang Irene Kim Katherine Suk Jenny Seo Sarah Ju Emily Sung Sarah Baek Jennifer You Sunny Lee Sally Lee

3

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

Viewpoint Feature: Redefining the process of course selection Is the current curriculum giving students enough freedom to pursue their academic interests?

What has been done and what can be done to make this system more flexible for all?

Why course diversity matters

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by Katherine

Suk

ear the end of my freshman year, I was at a crossroads.

Along with the majority of my peers, I was expected to make a decision that would largely define my next year of high school--for better or worse. As a sophomore, I had to determine the AP courses into which I was going to enroll: AP US History, AP Biology, AP World History, or AP Computer Science.

Straightforward for others, it only reinforced the notion for me that high school was a time of truly grueling decision-making. It was nearly impossible to make up my mind, considering everything I had heard about the classes, ranging from the strictness of teachers to the difficulty of the end-of-year exams. Additionally, my selection would seemingly determine the academic path on which I was going to embark; it would be the first chapter of the narrative colleges would eventually read. Most importantly, however, what made the decision unbelievably difficult was that I was not particularly interested in any of the four subjects. I was certain that I wanted to experiment with the college-level workload AP courses had to offer. Unfortunately, I had four and only four options.

My difficulty with course selection has not been limited to this experience; it is a problem that applies to various aspects of the SIS curriculum. I am indeed not a certified educator, nor am I experienced in the realm of maturing teenagers.

However, perhaps it is time to call into question the degree of leeway students are provided at this school.

What would academic freedom sug-

gest for the intellectual pursuits of SIS students?

Let us first consider the overall framework underlying the SIS curriculum. Students enter high school with a series of distribution requirements they need to fulfill in order to graduate. Over the course of these four years, we are required to take six literature courses, two math courses, two science courses, three social studies courses, and two physical education courses. And as students proceed from grade to grade, they are granted more flexibility in determining which courses to take, enabling us to more creatively fulfill required credits prior to May of our graduation year. However, it is inherent in these guidelines that we can observe the first problem with SIS’ curriculum: an overwhelming emphasis on English classes. As an aspiring humanities or social sciences major, even I find these requirements restrictive.

High school and one’s early years in college are understandably intended to help students discover their academic and intellectual passions; as opposed to specialization, this is a time for experimentation with nearly all academic disciplines. Such requirements in and of themselves are not detrimental. On the other hand, while all academic subjects are made equal, some are more equal than others. In order to fulfill six English credits, SIS requires students to take one, if not two, English courses each year. And this is never more true than it is in junior year, when English 11 must be accompanied by either AP Language or Writing 11. An emphasis on English courses poses a slight problem to some colleges, whose

undergraduate admissions suggest students to take at least one math and one science courses every year, not to mention consistently learn a single foreign language for four years. Such a restrictive framework, to a certain extent, creates a disincentive against voluntarily pursuing one’s passions, such as the fine arts, in an effort to begrudgingly fulfill looming requirements.

Aside from the dos, there are nevertheless various don’ts, one of which is accelerated learning.

Ambition is somewhat characteristic of SIS students, which is the reason a number of them sometimes seek to skip academic classes, particularly those in the foreign language and math departments. However, currently SIS does not enforce a system that allows students to skip levels of academic classes. According to Gray Macklin, high school Vice Principal, there are, however, two special cases. First, if a student had attended another international school that used Chinese or Spanish as its primary language, through an interview, they may skip a world language class. Second, students who already completed Design 1, Design 2, and AP 2D are able to request to take AP drawing right away. Aside from these situations, students are unable to skip levels. For students who believe their current class is too easy-going, this system may restrain them from making a better use of their time through challenging themselves.

As a last example of SIS’ restrictive curriculum design, there are several courses that, for freshmen or sophomores, are considered off-limits. Take, for example, Contemporary Asian Studies, Govern-

ment and Politics, and Anatomy.

All three courses do not require a recommendation nor any specialized knowledge, but they are only available to juniors and seniors.

Ultimately, this ties back to the relatively restricted design of the SIS curriculum. As first or second-year students in high school, students are required to enroll in mandatory core classes, though these restrictions do gradually disappear over time. For the majority of one’s high school, students are not given due agency to fulfill their distribution requirements in ways they see fit. A course like Government and Politics perhaps may have been the remedy to my indecisiveness last May. What the school may perhaps need to do is to provide a curriculum that not only provides more freedom to select courses but most importantly also to facilitate the pursuit of students’ own intellectual passions. The author of the book A Sociological Philosophy of Education, Ross L. Finney, wrote “that the curriculum of schools should be in situations of society… By learning about the history of these institutions—what they are, how they came to be, how they operate, what they are likely to become, how one can take his part in them and by actually taking part in them so far as possible—the youth learns to take his place in our dynamic modern age.” Schools should provide an environment that gives students the agency to organically learn to “take one’s place in our dynamic modern age.” In broader terms, as society is continuously changing, the specifics and diversity in courses should continuously shift in a way that accommodates for individual

students’ needs and desires. The best type of education may require some idealism as opposed to purely structural, pragmatic practices.

Fortunately, the school is continuously attempting to make small modifications to the curriculum.

According to Mr. Macklin, the school is going to introduce and implement a new AP course next year. Even this single course hints at future additions to the total course options offered to students. Aside from the suggestions from the leadership team, there are more changes that could potentially be made. For example, one such change could be allowing students to fill up the credit requirements by themselves.

Instead of using the standard credit system as described above, a student may decide what classes they are going to take in order to fill up the minimum 25 credits. Such a measure will allow students to pursue their education in the direction of their interests, giving them a better opportunity to express themselves in the way they see fit to colleges during the application process. It is going to assist them to become more knowledgeable in the field they truly want to study.

Mandatory courses, restrictive scheduling, and lack of diversity in course selection has always been a concern to some students. However, looking more closely, SIS is already making minor changes, but there is nonetheless more SIS can do to provide a more flexible curriculum for the student body. Basic requirements should be set in stone by any school, but the path one takes should be individualized based on one’s own unique path.

4 NEWS Deadly Wuhan coronavirus strikes globally

News Briefs

by Jimin

Lee

by Jenny

SIS students attend THIMUN

Carying the flags of their delegations, students march down the aisle of the opening cermony.

Photo by Christopher Shin

10 students from SIS will travel to The Hague, Netherlands from Jan. 24 to Feb. 2 to attend the THIMUN conference, which is in its 52nd iteration this year. Since October, students have been meeting twice every week to draft resolutions and debate relevant topics. Through these sessions, students have familiarized themselves with the necessary skills.

“It is important that students articulate their views on crisis issues clearly and intelligibly,” James Kowalski, MUN advisor. “Additionally, they should be ready to participate actively and critique others’ arguments. Since THIMUN is a global conference, I hope that students take this valuable opportunity to make meaningful connections with people from around the world.”

SIS students compete in KAIAC forensics tournament Several students from the SIS speech and debate team participated in the upcoming KAIAC forensics tournament, which took place from Jan. 17-18 at YISS. Leading up to the event, students convened every Wednesday after school to hone their skills.

SIS placed 1st in debate and 2nd in speech, ranking 2nd overall.

“Besides attending meetings regularly, I watched videos of world-class debaters online in order to prepare for parliamentary debate,” said Sean Kim (10). “For extemporaneous speaking, I gathered as much news sources as possible to support my arguments. I focused on delivering my speech eloquently and presenting my thoughts in an organized manner.”

DSQ performs for SIFS at Hongdae On Feb. 9, SIS dance group DSQ will be performing at the Hongdae post theater.

The event, called Specialized Institutions Freestyle Sessions (SIFS), involves hip hop dance clubs from SIS, KIS, and several Korean foreign schools. Every year, these groups gather and put together an enjoyable show. While attendees mostly come by invitation, anyone can watch a recording of the performance on the official Youtube channel of DSQ , to be uploaded mid-February.

“Since December, we have been meeting regularly to prepare for SIFS,” said Jennifer Kwon (10), DSQ member. “We will be performing songs such as SOLO, Feel Special, ICY, and Me So Bad at the event. At SIFS, I hope to meet students from different schools who also like to dance and simply enjoy the performance.”

Seo

On Feb. 4, Chinese officials released a statement clarifying that 17,205 people have been hospitalized and isolated to quarantined facilities after experiencing symptoms of the new virus in the form of pneumonia. China reported that the people confirmed with the disease had experienced similar symptoms to the flu such as fevers, body aches, and breathing difficulties. On Feb. 3, Chinese authorities updated that the illness had claimed at least 361 deaths worldwide, igniting more fear from people all over the world.

“Because China and Korea are not that far away from each other, I think that is what is causing the panic and discomfort people are currently feeling,” said Andrew Jang (10), an avid follower of social relations.

“Updating the news every day, I know that health authorities stated that there is a current count of 15 affected people here in South Korea as well. Especially for dangers like viruses, I believe that every person has every right to still be frightened by how little is known of the disease. China should at

least take all actions in order to restrict the infection from spreading to other countries.”

However, this is not the first time China has faced such difficulties. For example, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) initially originated in China and killed around 800 people worldwide. In the past, China tried to cover-up the number of infected cases, causing skepticism regarding Chinese reporting on the new disease. SARS was first detected in street markets that sold seafood and meat, and it is suspected that infected livestock spread the illness across the world. Because of this, huge markets in China, such as the Huanan Seafood Market, had to be shut down, as there was a possibility that the coronavirus could belong to the SARS family. Furthermore, the new disease has appeared just weeks before China’s Spring Festival, where tens of millions of people visit China from all over the world, evoking more agitation.

“SARS left a strong memory, which is why many people are even more cautious and hesitant when hearing more and more reports on people who are diagnosed,” said Evan Kim

(10), a member of the MUN club. “Although I am sure the Chinese government is doing everything they can to stop the spread of the disease, a virus itself is almost impossible to catch and destroy. The only thing I think they can do right now is to restrict the virus from developing into an even deadlier one. I hope nations from all over the world can gather and use various platforms to gain attention among people who are willing to help.”

Chinese authorities have created various methods to prevent the virus from spreading even further, which are being put into action right away.

China has installed additional thermal imaging systems at airports to monitor passengers coming from Wuhan, and has also added more staff members to high-speed rail systems to check the body temperatures of people. In addition, the sales for masks and hand sanitizers in China have significantly increased. Many media platforms are comparing this virus to SARS, but while SARS killed around 800 people worldwide, the coronavirus is not considered deadly if treated correctly and with speed. However,

#WuhanSARS still remains trending on Twitter globally, in hopes of spreading hope and aid for the victims.

“What we can all do as common people collectively is to be aware of what the symptoms may be, and keep up on how it has been affecting people globally,” said Ms. Hu, science and anatomy teacher. “As an anatomy teacher, I believe that it is important to inform students about what kind of diseases are going around and why we get vaccine shots. Students should be informed of the herd immunity, which encourages vaccination, because getting vaccine shots not only protects ourselves, but others who are unprotected as well. A small thing we could all do is to be informed and if you are experiencing fever and pneumonia symptoms, it is crucial to be aware of it and to get it checked right away. People should maintain good hand hygiene and not come in close contact with people who are sick. Although daily lives will bring people into large areas with numerous strangers, it is probably best to stay away from crowded areas if possible.”

South Korea’s voting age lowered to 18

by Jiwon

Lee

Following a monthslong debate surrounding the national voting age, the National Assembly of South Korea has decided to extend suffrage rights to all citizens equal to or above the age of 18. As the last OECD country to make this change, proponents of the legal modification first addressed the matter in March of last year.

Formally signed into effect on Jan. 7, the law will provide a greater number of younger citizens with opportunities to express their opinions publicly and contribute to the nation’s governmental decisions.

“It is quite surreal to think that some SIS seniors are now eligible to vote in Korea,” said Albert Hong (11), Forensics member. “As students juggling the duties of their final year in high school and preparing for their first semester in college, many seniors have learned to manage their academic responsibilities maturely. However, being given the right to vote and contribute to the political direction of the nation is an entirely new set of responsibilities that students will need to learn to carry.”

Throughout South Korea’s history, students have often already made notable contributions to its political sphere.

For example, the Gwangju Student Independence Movement in 1929 significantly altered the course of the country’s history, and student contribution in the Candlelight Revolution during 2016 and early 2017 provided

immense aid in impeaching the late president Park Geun-hye.

When questioned if 18-yearolds could be trusted to make correct political decisions, supporters of lowering the voting age cited these examples as proof that 18-year-olds were indeed mature enough to be given the right to make their own political choices. Moreover, advocates pointed out how at the age of 18, Korean citizens are legally allowed to marry, work as a civil service official, take the driver’s license test, and join the military, yet do not have the option of voting for their political leaders.

“As a person who witnessed substantial student participation in the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye and the Hong Kong Umbrella Revolution, I feel as though the low-

ering of the voting age to 18 was a wise decision on the part of the government,” said Eric Yoon (11), Forensics member. “With the implementation of this new change, the younger generation have a greater say on the political stage of the country.”

Eighteen has always been the legal benchmark for a lot of things in South Korea, yet only recently has the voting age been readjusted to match this trend.

While this is certainly a big step in improving the South Korean legal system, some critics have voiced the opinion that Korea should have made this change faster. As the last of the OECD countries to have lowered the national voting age to 18, the nation faces a future with the hefty responsibility of altering their political system to match global trends.

“Compared to many other countries with similar levels of economic and social development, Korea was quite late in making this legal change,” said David Coleman, Director of Curriculum and Professional Development at SIS. “This is likely rooted in the Confucian system of age hierarchy on which some of Korean culture is based — that the younger generation should respect their elders. However, as we move forward in time, Korea is recognizing that younger people should also have a voice in society, instead of deterring them from doing so. By allowing the younger generation to become a part of the social contract, Korea’s society is beginning to look to young people as its future rather than holding tightly to traditions of the past.”

Tiger Times

February 2020

5

Tensions between US and Iran escalate

by Sarah

Ju

The world is currently in a frenzy due to the escalating tensions between the US and Iran. This conflict intensified in late December 2019 and further clashes arose after the US government assassinated Quasem Soleimani, a significant Iranian military leader, on Jan. 3.

As a response, Iran attacked US bases in Iraq, and now, the international community awaits the next response.

“I think that the US was countering what they felt was increasing Iranian presence in the Middle East, not only through their own armed forces but also through proxy forces,” said James Tyvand, social studies teacher. “That influence seemed to be growing, becoming more violent, and ever-increasingly threatening Americans. I think the US made what they considered to be a strategic decision to take out General Soleimani in an attempt to mitigate that growing threat. That’s what they said is their justification.

It fortunately seems to be tapering down a bit. I think if it was just left up to the US and Iran, tensions could increase and it could potentially get out of hand. I think that the US’s European partners need to influence the US to back off a little bit, and there should be an attempt to draw Iran back to the negotiating table, both on the nuclear deal and in greater economic and political cooperation. I think it’s really up to other nations to step up a little bit and play a prominent role because

if the US is left unchecked, it is possible that hostilities against Iran would just increase.”

There were various responses to these recent developments from Iranians and Americans alike. Following the assassination of Soleimani, many Iranians were enraged at the actions of the US, and hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in protest. However, after Iran retaliated by firing missiles on US bases, the people of Iran were furious. They felt as though their own government had lied to them, so they once again protested, but this time, against their own nation.

In anger, some ripped posters of Soleimani off the walls, and many refused to walk on the US flag in opposition to the government.

Meanwhile, supporters of the government burned flags of the US and chanted, “Down with the USA.” “I do understand the mixed sentiments regarding this issue,” said Jaeho Hwang (12), MUN club member. “I believe there are wrongdoings on both sides of the issue.

Throughout the history of these two countries’ relations, they have always had a lot of tension, but that doesn’t mean that they should fight with violence.”

Iran and the US have had a history of political strain between them, which is what caused the situation to intensify to this extent.

However, these constant attempts for one nation to outdo the other using violence reinstates a cycle of exploiting power in politics rather than facilitating useful conversa-

tions. These events have caused people to speculate about whether WW3 will occur, sparking online discussion, especially among youths. Through recent affairs, the US and Iran have now established that they will not hesitate to take action against nations who oppose them. This now poses the question of how the US will handle situations to come. It is widely known that the US also has tense relations with North Korea, and this sudden outburst of harmful events may hint at future conflicts with other nations as well. Despite the uncertain days looming ahead, countries should proceed with caution and strive to promote deliberation between nations rather than continuously seek to one-up the other.

“It is difficult to say how these nations should continue to move forward,” said Michelle Heo (10), MUN club member. “However, I think we should always keep in mind the importance of negotiation rather than trying to use extreme force. I believe that in political disputes, it often becomes an issue of pettiness rather than actual strides made toward peace. These nations should focus more on the big picture and strive for more amicable relations, at least for the benefit of the rest of the international community. I don’t necessarily think that World War Three is likely to occur, but with such conflicts intensifying, it is crucial that we keep an eye out for developments to come.”

the forbidden fruit truth in numbers

E

by Brian

Ham

very morning at precisely 7 a.m., this lethargic junior reluctantly forfeits his bed and begins packing for school.

In go pencils, pens, notebooks, and finally, an ancient computer charger that looks like it has survived several world wars; black and yellow electrical tape is desperately wound around its fraying strings and silver electrical wires are aching for escape. Every time it is plugged in, it guarantees a 15 to 30 percent chance of actually charging. From time to time, perplexed students always suggest a seemingly simple solution: “why don’t you just buy a new charger?”

In reality, even the simple act of acquiring a proper charger costs much more than expected.

For starters, it makes your wallet $70 lighter. But even apart from the price tag, as my five-yearold computer is also on its last legs and Apple’s charging ports change more frequently than the

seasons, buying a new computer will also require a brand-new charger.

This minor inconvenience is just a small microcosm of the reality of Apple’s technology.

Due to their fast-paced innovations, earphones lose their wires, phones lose their earphone ports, screens become larger and larger, and devices receive never-ending suffixes like XR, XS, and 11 Pro Max. Computers continuously get slimmer, and iPads now come with an assortment of customizers like Apple Pencils, keyboards, and the like. On one hand, an Apple-dominated world provides endless variety for a consumer.

From a different perspective, however, people who just want to settle down with a single computer are impelled to update to the newest models for earphones and MacBooks alike.

As SIS subscribes to the 1:1 laptop program, students begin owning a $2,000 device as early as third grade. Since a Macbook’s life span is roughly four years,

students attending middle and high school usually end up going through two MacBooks throughout their time here, meaning today’s high schoolers will have spent more than $1.5 million collectively by the time they have stepped off the graduation podium. This number does not include any of the other accessories that our school’s Apple ecosystem naturally leads students to purchase, such as iPhones, the $249 AirPod Pros, $399 Apple Watches, or $99 Apple Pencil.

(This list does not include the ridiculous $999 Apple expects customers to pay for a simple “Pro Display Stand.”) Many of these products are considered overpriced relative to other platforms that provide similar specifications, a phenomenon known as the “Apple loyalty tax.” For example, according to the Washington Post, the average price of an iPhone jumped from $635 to $898 while Samsung phones only hit $710 from the same starting point.

Despite the exorbitant costs, subscribing to the Apple ecosystem also comes with multiple advantages. One of the newest trends in SIS is studying with iPads, which allows students to take pictures of lectures, write directly on PDF documents, and save notes in an organized manner—well, as long as you have spent roughly $200 on the Apple Pencil and keyboard case.

Technology such as Airdropping allows for efficient transfer of content between Apple phones, computers, and other products.

Having uniform technology also makes troubleshooting easier, as students can help others with technical issues and also seek assistance from the I.T. office, removing distractions from the learning process.

It is impossible to slap a price tag on such intangible benefits, and one similarly cannot conclusively determine whether Apple’s

high costs are truly justified. This situation, however, certainly is reflective of the changing technology landscape—along with developments like 5G that connect a vast multitude of everyday devices, seemingly mundane objects like pencils or refrigerators will become computers of their own, requiring software updates and upgrades just like the sleek 13-inch screens sitting in front of SIS students.

Perhaps my stubborn attachment to my worn-out charger represents my stubborn resistance to succumb to this new era of technology and forking over even more money to the trillion-dollar company, but my efforts are futile; soon enough, my computer and charger alike will inevitably release their final breaths and I will be splashing thousands of dollars on a new MacBook, for better or for worse.

06 Friend or foe: North Korea in mass media

by Emily Sung A recent action blockbuster movie, “Ashfall,” is currently topping the Korean box offices. The TvN drama “Crash Landing on You” remains the most popular drama of January. Despite the intriguing plotlines and popular casts, both the movie and drama were subject to harsh criticism, with many viewers expressing discomfort regarding their extreme beautification of North Korea. The Conservative Party of South Korea has also recently accused the drama for violating the codes on national security, which was taken to the police and to the court as well.

The criticism is not unfounded.

The depictions of North Koreans in “Crash Landing on You” are cosmeticized at best and glamorized at worst, but also refuse to abide by accurate and authentic facts. Many North Korean defectors filmed reaction and review videos of the drama on their YouTube channels, drawing the viewers’ attention to specific unrealistic and widely improbable scenes in the world conjured by the screenwriters. They claim that the North Korea depicted in the show is far from reality and overexaggerated, portraying a fairy-tale version of what is actually bleak and dismal. For instance, refrigerators are given to almost every North Korean household in the fictional village, but in reality, many do not even know what refrigerators are and very few can afford one. North Korean soldiers in the drama eat steamy bowls of white rice, meat grilled on charcoal, and handmade noodles—definitely far from reality where soldiers must survive on very little food.

The beautification of North Korea in “Ashfall” was more subtle and nuanced, hidden in the overall storyline of the film, but nonetheless efforts were made to promote positive sentiments toward the North. The general plotline of this movie includes cooperative efforts between North and South Korea in a time of crisis. Some critics have commented on the movie’s borderline propagandistic scenes, claiming that they were designed

to encourage pro-unification sentiments and build consensus around President Moon’s friendly policies toward North Korea. Additionally, the character from North Korea is occasionally shown overpowering the South Korean military leader who does nothing but unsuccessfully beg and fight hopelessly to escape, portraying the South as weak and powerless against North Korean soldiers. The last scene has also triggered controversy as the North Korean character was illustrated as the hero, saving both nations and sacrificing himself in the process.

Especially during a time of public division regarding the nation’s stance on North Korean aid, such controversial mass media portrayals have faced more backlash.

Moon’s policies and visions regarding the relationship with the North are still widely contested within South Korea itself. Thus, any type of media or propaganda that might influence the citizens is risky. Furthermore, both the drama and the movie have had very high viewer rates, proving that their influence on the public is not minimal.

Although some might claim that people simply accept that this fictional world is only meant to be enjoyed as entertainment, dangers do exist. A large portion of the viewing population consists of children, who are especially easy to manipulate and influence. In addition, popular media plays a big role in shaping the public’s opinions toward certain issues. As the public views mass media without doubts on accuracy or realisticity, it is easy for their perspectives and opinions to shift. This is why mass media is a popular platform used in political elections, since the public is drawn towards what appeals to them, which candidates use to their benefit.

It is important to remember that North and South Korea still technically remain at war, thus delegating the fragile relationship between the two to an incredibly sober issue.

Division in th Korean Penins

07 President Moon sets positive tone for inter-Korean relations

by Joanne Yang

he sula Layout by Ashley Kim

There is a major discrepancy between Korean progressives and conservatives in their views on reconciliation with North Korea. Former presidents Park Geun-hye and Lee Myung-bak held that attempts to make peace come at the expense of national security and that North Korea has to demonstrate concrete action before concessions are made. They adopted a hardline policy by allying exclusively with the US as a deterrent against North Korean aggression.

However, current President Moon Jaein affirms that North Korea would be more willing to negotiate and make meaningful progress toward denuclearization when guaranteed security.

He positively describes Kim Jong-un as a “young and candid” strategist, according to the New York Times, and reminds South Korean citizens of their shared heritage with North Korea.

President Moon gained initially high approval ratings for favoring dialogue and peace. Convinced that an official declaration to the end of the Korean War is significant for security in the Korean Peninsula, he allocated immense political capital to inter-Korean meetings, family reunion programs, and military confidence-building measures. Moon has relatively friendly relations with Kim since both leaders agree to promote Korean nationalism and minimize foreign interference. However, his popularity is waning as his promises are met with North Korean resistance and US sanctions.

Denuclearization talks between North Korea and the US stalled, especially because Kim blamed the US for not following through corresponding measures discussed in the Singapore summit to guarantee its security.

While Kim urged the relaxation of sanctions in exchange for small steps toward dismantlement of nuclear facilities, President Trump is not willing to change his foreign policy without evidence of complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization. According to the Korea Herald, inter-Korean relations soured after Kim expressed his frustration with South Korea’s inability to resist US pressure and to address matters related to joint military exercises and sanctions independently. North Korea had ominously threat-

ened to send a “Christmas present” to the US—an implicit reference to the development of long-range missiles— and criticized South Korea for succumbing to foreign powers.

Despite the obstacles that the Moon administration faces, it set a similar tone of cooperation this year. On Jan. 7, President Moon expressed support for bilateral cooperation through frequent summits and inter Korean projects. According to the Korea Herald, he emphasized cultural engagement measures as part of his proposal, hoping to make a joint entrance with a unified team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, to co-host the 2032 Olympics, and to encourage North Korean athletes to compete in the World Table Tennis Championships and East Asian Weightlifting Championships held in South Korea. Other prospects include the creation of an international peace zone in the DMZ and the registration of the border as a UNESCO World Heritage Site to commemorate the complicated history of the countries and their cultural identities. President Moon also emphasized practical economic measures like linking Korean railroads and highways, stimulating tourism, and re-opening the Kaesong Industrial Complex, a jointly run industrial park where South Korean companies employ North Korean labor. These projects are driven to achieve a “peace economy” in which stable relations would propel economic growth in both countries.

Moon’s positive portrayal of Kim is still met with criticism, however.

Many skeptics believe that North Korea cannot be trusted given its history of violating international agreements regardless of economic incentives.

They presume that Kim does not have true intentions to denuclearize, but is using the negotiations as a political tool to change his image as an oppressive tyrant. Despite the criticism, President Moon’s progressive approach toward North Korean relations has brought unprecedented progress: Kim has made more concessions on his nuclear program and imposed a voluntary moratorium on nuclear tests. Moon’s optimistic view of North Korea may be the most viable solution to finally break the ice.

8 LIFESTYLE Studio Ghilbi announces production of two new films

by Irene

T

Kim

his New Year, Studio Ghibli, one of the most well known animation studios around the world, announced exciting news for its fans.

On Jan.1, the studio released a special message announcing that director Hayao Mazaki will be working on two new films in 2020. Ghibli also stated that the two movies are expected to be produced by the end of this year and that more updates will be coming soon for expectant fans.

“It makes me excited that Ghibli is planning to produce two new films this year,” Irene Jung (11) said. “I always loved their animations and drawings of some of the characters that come out in their movies. As a person who also draws and does art, I sometimes get inspiration from the studio’s well known movies, along with the inventiveness and uniqueness that their films all display. As a result, I am looking forward to their new movies since I want to see what new characters are going to be portrayed and created this time, and I know that Ghibli is very creative with their characters, making them come to life even though they are animations.”

Founded in 1985 by directors Hayao Mazaki and Isao Takahata, the animation film studio rose to fame for its creativity and prominent quality in filmmaking. Some of the greatest hits

by Ghibli consist of 1988’s “My Neighbor Totoro,”2003’s “Princess Mononoke,” and 2001’s “Spirited Away,” which won several awards at the 2002 Berlin International Film Festival and best animated feature at the 2003 Academy Awards. Since most of the studio’s iconic films were produced during the late 1900s and early 2000s, the news that there would be two new films by 2020 made it even more special for long waiting fans.

“Growing up watching movies by Ghibli, one of my favorite films was ‘My Neighbor Totoro’ and ‘Spirited Away,’” said Hannah Yoo (11), a great fan of Studio Ghibli’s movies. “I think that special characteristics that allow their movies to stand out are the unique animations that make me still remember some of my favorite scenes from the films. I have high expectations for the new films that they are planning to release this year because their movies have always had great quality with a strong storyline. I wonder what new and unique story that they will come up with.”

The announcement is also making fans to look forward to what voice actors would be involved in the upcoming movies. Many voice actors in the past have become famous for starring in many of Ghibli’s films: Rumi Hiiragi, Japanese voice actress, has won the best voice actor award in the Tokyo Anime Award for playing Chihiro, the main character in Ghibli’s famous “Spirited Away.” Studio Ghibli has not yet given any hints about what the new films will be about or characters, but it is expected that they will release further updates for thrilled fans.

Movie Review: Ashfall

by Jennier You

On Dec. 19, the South Korean action film “Ashfall” was released, and it subsequently gained much attention among Korean movie fans. Franchise Director Kim Yong-hwa has already received acknowledgement through his past works such as “Along With the Gods” and “200 Pounds Beauty”.

Furthermore, award-winning directors Lee Hae-jun and Kim Byung-seo made the movie more impressive content wise. Apart from the acclaimed directors, “Ashfall” also attracted a wide audience due to the popularity of its cast, which is comprised of Bae Suzy, Ma Dong-seok, Lee Byung-hun, and Ha Jung-woo.

This accessible cast enhanced the quality of the acting and made the movie more approachable even for those not interested in action films. Although some critics of the movie criticized the movie for its vague, unpredictable storyline, the general public enjoyed the movie, lauding its rising action, intensified climax, and unexpected plot twists.

“Even before I watched the movie, I already had extremely high expectations,” said Jennifer Shin (10), an avid viewer of action movies. “I had not seen any ratings or reviews of the movie in fear that too much of the content would be spoiled, but even without this key information, I figured that this movie would be

an interesting one to watch. ” Notably, “Ashfall” was set in the backdrop of Mount Paektu, an active volcano on the verge of eruption. Jo In-chang and Choi Ji-young, a typical South Korean couple expecting a child ,are faced with the looming threat of a natural disaster. Jo In-chang, the protagonist, is the leader of the special forces team advancing through North Korea to acquire nuclear weapons that could prevent the eruption of Mount Paektu. He even encounters a North Korean spy agent, Lee Joon-pyeong, along the way. The story unfolds as the two characters realize that they must collaborate in order to impede the eruption that could destroy both sides of Korea. The overarching theme conveys how both sides of Korea, although different in ideology, have similar mindsets— a message that has resonated with many South Koreans. In addition, the movie also contained quality CGI effects that helped enhance the visuals. Coupled with skilled acting, the movie succeeds in portraying the desperation and tension of the disaster.

“It was genuinely astonishing to see such amazing CGI effects in the movie theatre,” said Rachel Kim (10), movie enthusiast. “Nowadays, many filmmakers and movie producers incorporate these effects into their movies because they want to magnify the movie’s preem-

inence. I feel like this movie, in particular, really utilized these CGI effects well to make the situation look realistic for the audience to watch.”

Ashfall, a thrilling, actionpacked movie, had been predominantly successful. Although the movie has failed to capture worldwide attention, it gained much recognition within Korea.

Additionally, the movie content is suitable for all audiences adults and children alike. In particular, Lee Byung-hun’s compelling and realistic acting skills brought the movie to life. Hinting at the idealistic hopes for reunification, Ashfall portrays the North and South’s relationship as a

reconciliation even amidst all the recent struggles remaining between the two through this monumental mountain, Mount Paektu.

“The significance implied in the movie is remarkably deep and inspiring,” said Daniel Kim (10), movie fan. “I watched the movie purely for entertainment purposes, but was surprised after watching it because of the profound interpretation conveyed in all aspects of the movie.

Not only did the movie consist of skilled cast members, but also included life-changing decisions, lively action and comedic moments.”

SIS faculty and staff enjoy Christmas party

by Jimin

Lee

In celebration of Christmas, SIS faculty and staff gathered for a dinner party at Militopia Hotel on Dec. 6. Starting this year, staff members joined faculty members, adding to the festivity.

Several people also brought their children to the party, with Marc Montague dressed up as Santa Claus to entertain the kids.

“As a new teacher to SIS, it was a nice opportunity to dine and chat with both faculty and staff members,” said Mr. Alejandro Diaz-Andrade, Spanish teacher.

“I appreciated the positivity and friendliness at the event. Everyone seemed to have a good time, and the food was diverse and delicious. I felt like I was part of the entire SIS family.”

The highlight of the party was the performance voluntarily put together by faculty and staff members. To start off the show, Chang Hoon Song, member on the General Affairs staff, sang “Diana” by Paul Anka and captivated the audience’s attention with his soulful voice. Despite some nervousness, Mr. Song enjoyed performing on stage.

“This song is one of my favorite songs so I sang it in Karaoke a lot,” said Mr. Song. “Also, I referred to many Korean singers who have performed this song in numerous festivals in Korea. I am

Completing their last performance of the night, SIS teachers and staff wave to the audience.

grateful to have had this opportunity to share my favorite song with the SIS community.”

People reacted positively to Mr. Song’s performance. Other faculty and staff members also performed. Organized by Dorothy Banas and Hana Jeon, a group of faculty and staff members, including Nathan Warkentin, Sang Kyu Nam, and Hoon Jong Suh, danced to various songs.

Together, they gave an engaging performance that brought joy to the audience.

“It was nice to get out of my comfort zone and have fun without being too self-conscious,” said Mr. Warkentin, math teacher. “Through this opportunity, I got to interact with people whom I rarely see at school. The process of preparing for the performance was quite rigorous

photo by Staff

and challenging at times, but I believe we pulled it off pretty well.”

The addition of staff members enlivened the atmosphere of this celebratory event. The Christmas party was a special occasion for people from different departments of SIS to convene and get to know each other. Many people seemed to have a positive impression of the event overall.

Tiger Times

February 2020

Students' resolutions start off the New Year with growth mindset

W

by Clara

Lim

ith the arrival of 2020, countdowns and fireworks happened in many places around the world in celebration of the New Year.

People commemorated the first daybreak by bidding farewell to 2019 and welcoming 2020. This year was more special to many people, as it started up a new decade as well. New Year’s Day is a fresh start to become a better person and a chance to clear up some bad habits. To do so, people spend time on the first day of the year making resolutions. These often include behavioral changes and goals that one aims to achieve throughout the year.

“I write down a list of New Year’s resolutions at the beginning of every year,” said Ariel Ahn (10).

“Although it might seem like a waste of time for some people, it actually helps me to be in shape throughout the year. It motivates me to keep working, because it reminds me of things that I have planned to achieve. I feel like New Year’s resolutions are promises made to myself every year to be productive and spend my time wisely. This year, my resolutions are to stop procrastinating and host more exhibitions with my artwork.”

Regardless of possible benefits of New Year’s resolutions, they are not always effective. People often fail to accomplish their goals.

Although they are highly incentivized to change an undesired behavior and improve their lives over the first couple months, they become less motivated as time passes. Since it is quite challenging to get rid of bad habits that they have developed for a long

time, they get easily worn out and lose motivation. For example, the general trend of New Year’s resolutions amongst many students and teachers in SIS is reading more or exercising. However, many of these members end up picking the same goals in the following year, after failing to accomplish them.

“I personally think that effectiveness of New Year’s resolutions is questionable,” said Jennifer Shin (10). “My last year’s resolutions were to eat healthy and be more productive. I was able to keep up with them for a couple weeks, but ended up being fizzled out. I am aware of how rewarding it would be if such goals are accomplished.

However, I barely see anyone around me who manages to do so.

Many people even tend to forget what their New Year’s resolutions were by the mid-year.”

To avoid such failures, better strategies in creating New Year’s resolutions are required. For example, setting realistic and timely goals will lead to a greater possibility of succeeding. Instead of making simple and broad plans such as ‘waking up early’, record the exact time you need to wake up everyday. Goals should not be too lenient, but not excessively harsh. Moreover, establishing a way to remind yourself of what you aim to achieve will help you keep track of it. For example, writing your resolutions in your diary, hanging them on the wall, or setting an alarm on phone keeps you away from forgetting your goals, thereby increasing your chance of success. Following couple changes will bring a noticeable improvement in yourself and the level of accomplishment of your New Year’s resolutions.

9

"Haikyuu!!" finally returns with its fourth season

by Emily

Oh

After nearly four years of hiatus, “Haikyuu!!” returned with its fourth season, "Haikyuu!! To The Top". Following Karasuno High School’s Volleyball Club as they prepare for the National Spring High School Volleyball Tournament, the new season focuses on Hinata and Kageyama as they attend prestigious training camps hosted by powerhouse Shiratorizawa Academy.

“I’m excited to finally watch new episodes, especially after a criminally short third season that consisted of ten episodes,” said Aileen Kim (11), avid Anime watcher. “As long and frustrating the four year break was, it is understandable given that the average time to produce an animation

around 60 seconds is six weeks— Haikyuu primarily consists of elaborate motion graphics as opposed to rudimentary whiteboard animations.”

Although basic character designs are the same with regards to characters’ jerseys, there are various changes in the animation style in comparison to previous seasons that may be indiscernible at first glance. Given fuller and rounder features, characters appear younger than ever. Changes reflective of the characters’ growth are also apparent. In particular, characters grew in terms of body stature, with visibly thicker thigh muscles and broader shoulders.

Animators also paid close attention to the characters' eyes; Hinata’s once round and carefree now look sharper, reflecting how he

is more determined than ever. As for Kageyama, his once cruel eyes look softer and more of those of a composed assassin ready to deliver genius sets.

“As someone who has been following the Haikyuu franchise for years, I like the new animation style as it is far closer to that of the manga,” said Alan Kang (11).

“However, since everything looks perfectly in place and the characters have bulked up, the older animation admittedly was more smooth, expressive, and realistic.

It feels as though Hinata’s face has been drained of all of the character it previously had, having been replaced with a generic innocent and big-eyed protagonist one. His unique and fluffy hair has also been replaced with generic plastic-looking spiky hair with an upstanding apogee.”

In order to maintain and generate further hype for the new season, the franchise is also releasing 2 Original Video Animation (OVA) episodes following powerhouses in Tokyo—Nekoma High School, Fukurodani Academy, Nohebi Academy, and Itachiyama Academy—as they compete to play in the nationals. These special installments that feature exclusive content from the Tokyo qualifiers that has never been released in the magna series are set to air on Jan. 22.

“Although I haven’t watched the newest episodes yet and have heard mixed feelings toward the franchise’s changes, I am excited to get to it,” said Emma Im (10), volleyball player and “Haikyuu!!” enthusiast. “By extending its range of dynamic characters, friendships, and scenarios through releasing two OVAs, Haikyuu will only continue to ignite my passion for volleyball by capturing the intensity and beauty of each game.”

SIS seniors eligible for driver’s license examination

by Jiwon

Lee

Having just begun the last semester of their high school career, many SIS seniors are now eligible for South Korea’s driver’s license examination. The minimum legal age for driving an automobile in South Korea is 18, a notable two years higher than that of the United States. The examination is comprised of three sections: a written test, a driving course test, and a road test. The country’s driver’s license examination is notorious for being difficult to pass, and the driving course test is by far the most rigorous.

“Because I applied to an Australian university, I stopped going to SIS after the first week back from winter break,” said Alexis

Lee (12), recent high school graduate. “Because I still had some time before I began university, I decided to prepare for the driver’s license exam, because if I am able to pass the test in Korea, I do not have to retake it in Australia. One reservation I have about the test, though, is that the written portion requires significant memorization of Korean, a language that I am not very fluent in writing. Although English translated versions of the exam are offered at the testing center, the translations are rather bad, thus I decided to take the test in Korean. In this aspect, I feel as though the South Korean driver’s license exam would not be very convenient for foreigners to take.”

Not only is the driver’s license test difficult for non-Korean

speakers to take, but it has also seen much fluctuation in difficulty levels over the years, an issue that has posed another problem for test takers. The last major update to the testing procedure, which happened in 2017, raised the difficulty level of the driving course test so much that even some longtime drivers looking to renew their driver’s license failed the test.

Although continuous complaints had been made about this update to the license exam, alterations to the testing policy have yet to be made.

“I originally planned to take the driver’s license test in Korea before I left for college in August,” said Paul Kim (12), potential driver’s license test-taker. “However, after hearing that the Korean driver’s license test was significantly harder

than its American counterpart, I am considering postponing taking the test until I graduate college.”

On the same note, a significant portion of test takers have complained that the difficult driving course seemed to push people to attend “driving hagwons,” a vicious cycle where drivers are pressured to take classes to prepare for the demanding driving exam, and the driving exam is revised to be harder in order to accommodate the increasing skill levels of the testees. Several years after these complaints were first issued, this culture of going to external institutes to prepare for the South Korean driver’s license test is more prevalent than ever. Moreover, with SIS seniors now eligible to take the driver’s license examination, this

issue is one of many that they will need to overcome in their journey from high school into adulthood.

“For young adults, being able to drive equals freedom,” said David Coleman, Director of Curriculum and Professional Development at SIS. “With this freedom comes the responsibility of making good decisions. For SIS seniors, being able to drive will help them develop accountability for their choices.

While Korea does not currently extend the opportunity of acquiring a driver’s license to anyone below the age of 18, I believe doing so would further the cause of developing important responsibility in young adults.”

10 SPORTS Houston Astros get caught in cheating scandal

by Chris

Lee

On Jan. 13, the Houston Astros’ General Manager Jeff Luhnow and Manager A.J. Hinch were fired over their cheating scandal during the 2017 season. A report released by the MLB detailed that during their championship-winning season, the Astros used illicit cameras to decode the other teams’ signals, helping their batters anticipate how the baseball will be pitched. The Astros, in addition to firing two staff on the team, were forced to forfeit their draft picks for the next two years and were fined $5 million.

“As a fan of another team, I’m shocked that the Astros would use such tactics to win,” said Samuel Oh (12), Chicago Cubs fan. “Hand-signaling is a vital part of baseball, and it is the main method of communication between the athletes on the field. The fact that another team can break the encoded message means that they have an insurmountable advantage.

I hope that this instance will stop other teams from using tactics to gain unfair advantages.”

The Astros’ cheating scandal involved using advanced technology and a cunning signaling plan.

The Astros used spy cameras to film other teams’ practice sessions and games, learning the hand signs that pitchers and catchers used to communicate with each other. During the games, the team would use cameras again, filming the hand motions of the pitcher and catcher. Then, the staff and players would notify the batter what pitch was about to come by banging on the trashcan in the dugout.

“It’s almost frightening that a baseball team would use such methods to gain an advantage,” said Bryan Hur (12), Houston Astros fan.

“I remember being extremely excited when they won the World Series in 2017. It doesn’t seem real that their winning season was a result of illegal tactics. Honestly, even as an Astros fan, I don’t think that the Astros have any justification for their deeds. The Astros should be prepared to face any charges or consequences.”

As a result of the initial reports, commissioner Manfred conducted a massive investigation, interviewing the staff and compiling videos and documents on the Astros. The investigation led to even greater repercussions for the Astros because they revealed harassment of employees. Many baseball fans were split over the MLB’s powerful decision.

The MLB’s decision was one of the strongest the league had seen. Many welcomed the harsher punishments, viewing them as a step in deterring teams from cheating.

“As we get greater and greater technology that is capable of doing more and more things, we should be aware of how we use that technology,” said Daniel Lee (12), baseball fan. “There is a fine line between using technology to improve your team’s strategy and performance and using it for illegal purposes. As technology improves, the MLB will need to make clearer rules and impose harsher restrictions on illegal uses of technology.”

NFL approaches Superbowl Sunday

by Christopher

Shin

This past month has been an exciting time for the NFL. On Jan. 4, the league officially entered the playoffs, and along with it have come increased stakes, electrifying plays, shocking upsets, and heightened enthusiasm for football fans across the globe.

Only 12 teams had made it to the postseason, and after a series of hard-fought matches, the Chiefs have emerged as the champions of Superbowl LIV. However, their path to the Lombardi Trophy has been just as wild as the anticipation for the upcoming matchup.

“I have definitely enjoyed watching this year’s playoffs, as it has featured some of the most exciting football games in recent memory,” said Riley Kim (11), football fan. “The Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers were both talent-loaded teams led by rising stars at the quarterback position, and based on their performances in the postseason, I expected nothing short of an amazing Super Bowl.”

The first round of the playoffs, known as Wildcard Weekend, truly lived up to its name.

Although both of this year’s Super Bowl contenders secured first-round byes and were exempt from this round of the tourna-

ment, spectacular plays from the running back position made the series very exciting to watch.

For example, the sixth-seeded Tennessee Titans upset the thirdseeded New England Patriots with the help of star running back Derrick Henry, who rushed for a jaw-dropping 182 rushing yards against the perennial powerhouse on his birthday. The first round exit for the Patriots came as a shock to many, as the team has been such a dominant dynasty in the NFL during the last decade.

Another surprise for football fans was Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch’s announcement to come out of retirement to help his former team make a playoff run. During the Wildcard matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, Lynch was able to punch in a powerful touchdown right before halftime to establish a commanding lead that the Seahawks would carry to the end of the game.

“Although some of the best NFL teams like the Chiefs and the 49ers did not play during Wildcard Weekend, it was definitely the highlight of the playoffs so far.” said Jacob Lim (11), Seahawks fan. “Derrick Henry was a human highlight reel throughout the matchup against the Patriots, and it was awesome to see Marshawn

Lynch come back from retirement and relive his glory days as a power rusher for the Seahawks.”

Low-seeded playoffs teams playing at higher levels than expected has been a general theme of the playoffs, and the Kansas City Chiefs have also faced their own set of challenges when playing against teams such as the Houston Texans or Tennessee Titans. For example, in the Divisional Round against the Texans, the Chiefs allowed 21 unanswered points in the first

Play-by-play:

Tigers claim victory over Phoenix by

Kate Lee

On Jan. 15, the boy’s varsity basketball team brought home a victory from an away game with Korean International School (KIS).

The game kicked off with an exciting series of plays with KIS gaining initial possession of the ball from the opening tip and Eddie Choe (11) immediately intercepting the following pass and scoring an andone layup. After sinking this free throw, SIS started the game with a 3-point lead and high spirits. Soon after the layup, Alex Hyun (11) fired up a jump shot which swished through the basket. Following a KIS score, the SIS team rallied to play tighter defense on the opposing squad. Keeping up this high energy, SIS ended the first quarter with a significant lead.

“Starting from the beginning,

our team’s atmosphere was full of tension and excitement,” said Calvin Lee (12), varsity basketball player. “We hustled, played on tight defense, and made some amazing shots, which gave us a lot of confidence. I believe the first quarter of the game really decides the flow of the entire game, and I think we set that flow in a way that was advantageous to us. I am really proud of our team for accomplishing such great accomplishments even from the beginning.”

To kick off the second quarter, one of the KIS players charged into Eugene Jang (12) while making a layup, leaving him injured on the ground. After being swarmed by concerned teammates and opponents, Eugene was ultimately substituted out. Despite the loss of a key player, the team maintained their concentration and

continuously made jump shots and rebounds. The opposing team, however, started to make some progress as well. After running a pass-and-cut offense, KIS fired up well-positioned jump shots and three-pointers. However, even when the SIS team was struggling to make shots, they still managed to draw fouls and made many free throws, which contributed significantly to their end of the scoreboard. Alex made another amazing shot by dribbling past a clustered group of opponents, making a turn, and laying the ball up from (be more specific with the distance, like from the top of the key, or two meters, etc.

“The moment I got hit, I lost my sense of balance and fell to the floor,” said Eugene. “I felt the KIS player, Juno, fall on top of me, but I didn’t feel any pain at all, probably

quarter and looked like the game was already out of reach. However, sophomore quarterback Patrick Mahomes made a comeback in a spectacular fashion that would only be expected of a former MVP. Rallying his teammates together, Mahomes came out of the quarter strong, pummeling the Texans with 51 points resulting in a decisive 51-31 victory. Even in the Superbowl, Mahomes led his team back from a 10-point deficit, earning him the Superbowl MVP award along with the victory.

due to the adrenaline. I laid there on the ground for about a minute before getting up, and my face was still numb. Through my eyes covering my face, I saw my teammates huddled in the corner, discussing the inbounds play about to unfold and all of my nervous emotions disappeared — I knew they were still locked in and would stop at nothing to win the game.”

The second half started with SIS in possession of the ball. As soon as the game started, Aidan Kim (12) made a clean three-pointer which helped the team maintain its high tension energy. However, following the opponent team’s attack, SIS missed the rebound, giving a point to KIS. SIS would respond by continuing to make clean jump shots and three-pointers. Bryan Hur (12) especially took the shooting burden, connecting on a series of jump shots. In the fourth quarter, the KIS team launched a valiant comeback which significantly decreased the score gap. However, the margin made earlier in the game was so wide that, despite KIS’ best efforts, SIS claimed victory with a final score of 58 to 45.

“Last year, we had to go through a bitter loss in our away game at KIS,” said Bryan. “This made the entire team extremely nervous before the game. However, I think the nervousness and tension really made our teamwork and individual performance boost up. We were able to maintain the confidence produced at the beginning of the game throughout the entire game, and I believe that aspect contributed a lot to our success. This victory means a lot to us: a sweet victory after a bitter loss last year.”

Tiger Times

February 2020

Basketball triumphs in AISA tournament

by Sarah

Baek

Koester, coach of the team, and the varsity players fought hard against their first opponent, Yokohama International School (YIS), winning by one point. Later that day, the Lady Tigers scored a crucial victory against the International School of Busan (ISB), winning by 14 points.

As the first seed in their pool, the Lady Tigers started strong the next day by beating Korea International School (KIS) 45-19. For the well-anticipated championship game, SIS played against YIS. With a quarter left to play, SIS was down by six points. Although they caught up to tie the game with two minutes left, YIS scored a layup, and two free throws, ultimately giving YIS this year’s championship plaque.

“Seeing familiar faces each year brings upon a warm sensation that no words can explain,” said Michelle Ahn (12), a four-year varsity basketball player. “Competing with each other, but more importantly, supporting one another and

cheering teams on are memories that are unexchangeable for anything. While playing basketball there may be times when nothing seems to work out and your confidence falls to the bare minimum.

Remember that this is just a phase and once you overcome this wall, you will become a stronger person in all ways that you don’t expect. I will miss the thrill and energy of the school crowd coming out to watch our games and cheering us on with all their might. Such a level of support and love is one I will never be able to experience again in my life.”

Led by Timothy Munro, the boys varsity basketball team performed notably well, becoming the champions of this year’s AISA Tournament. Placed in Pool A with SOIS and ISB, SIS achieved two big wins, winning by more than 10 and 40 points. On the second day, SIS continued its dominance and defeated KIS by 22 points, propelling them to the grand championships. In a

well-contested battle between YIS and SIS, the clear top two contenders of the tournament, SIS took an eight-point halftime lead and extended upon that margin to finish with a final score of 62-49.

The victory was the boys varsity basketball team’s first AISA championship in five years, and they hope to continue their strong performance in the upcoming KAIAC tournament.

“Getting to interact with athletes from different countries where we get to know their culture, style, and more is one of the reasons why joint-school tournaments are so special,” said Alex Hyun (11), boys varsity basketball player. “I wasn’t sure until the last game on winning the championships because one team was very intimidating. However, everyone stayed strong and we were able to win in the finals, and as our school is hosting it next year, our biggest hope is to do as well we did this year.”

photo of the month

January was a busy time for winter season athletes as they participated in joint school tournaments. After returning from their winter break, student-athletes prepared for the AISA basketball tournament, which took place from Jan. 17-19. SIS hosted this year’s girls’ tournament for five other international schools from Japan and Korea, and the varsity boys basketball team traveled to Senri Osaka International School (SOIS) to compete in the Sabers Cup Basketball Tournament. Overall, both teams performed well in these tournaments as the girls finished 2nd, and the boys finished 1st. On the final days of each respective tournament, banquets were held for the coaches and players, and a few exceptional individuals received recognition for their abilities and dedication. Lauren Kang (12), Lynette Kim (12), Christine Kim (11),

Youn Hwang (11), Eddie Choe (11), and Alex Hyun (11) were announced as all-tournament players.

“This being my first international tournament hosted, there were many variables that had to be considered,” said Jonathan Ames, the athletics director. “The tournament itself was not the hurdle, but the small details were, including the homestays, coach’s hotel, flight details, bus pickups, and more. I would like the students to step outside their comfort zone when they go to different places because if they only stay where they are comfortable, then they are not going to come back as new people, new students, or new athletes. Winning is important, but the experience is equally as important.”

As the defending champions, the Lady Tigers’ mindset heading into the tournament was extraordinary. Bonded together with “NGUNNGU,” which meant “Never give up, never never give up,” Chris

11

Stepping forward infront of the crowd, winter sport atheletes celebrate their end to the season with the pep rally.

photo by Sunny Lee

12

SMALL TALK

Joanne Yang word of the month

Asian Representation Asian Representation. The growing demand for cultural diversity in entertainment industries is bringing attention to the idea of representation, or the portrayal of something or a group of people. Hollywood has long been criticized for the white-washing of its actors and a narrow—almost stereotypical—representation of Asians as timid overachievers. As pop culture and entertainment are accessible ways in breaking down barriers, there have been recent breakthroughs in the movie industry to incorporate diverse elements of Asian culture and globally acknowledge Korean works, facilitating meaningful progress toward ethnic inclusion.

According to the BBC, the first Hollywood production with an all-Asian cast, “Crazy Rich Asians,” generated excitement by hitting $26 million in its first week sales. Exploring social norms intrinsic to Asian cultures like filial piety, the movie portrays conflicts between collectivist and individualist ideals and family dynamics of Singapore’s elite. The film’s success in 2018

e hre

BROKE OUT?

BY CHRISTOPHER SHIN

WHA

ld War T

.. W T IF. or

With rising tensions between Iran and the US, there have been discussions, both humorous and serious, on the possibility of World War III. Following events such as the assassination of Iranian military general Quasem Solemani and missile strikes on US bases in Iraq, the Middle East has slowly been emerging as a potential powder keg that, some speculate, may explode into a global armed conflict. Taking into account additional rivalries between the US and China, along with the instability of the North Korean regime, a global war does not seem like a far-fetched fantasy in today’s hostile geopolitical climate. What if World War III broke out?

When examining the potential consequences of a third world war, arguably the most important point to acknowledge is the fact that nations are now equipped with weapons that can cause damage on an unprecedented scale. Unlike the slowly advancing trench warfare that claimed more lives through disease than bullets during World War I, leaps in technology have led to the creation of lethal arms that could wipe

out millions of lives within a matter of seconds. Stockpiles of thousands of biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons have been accumulating across the world, and if they were to be used in this war, millions of lives would be claimed and entire nations would be leveled.

A global conflict in the 21st century would not simply be limited to bombs or bullets either. With such heavy reliance on the Internet, acts of cyberwarfare could prove extremely devastating. For example, when looking back to the cyberattacks on Estonia in 2007, it can be easily seen that the nation was in a state of absolute chaos when it lost access to cellular networks, online banking, news websites, and many other service available on the Internet for multiple weeks.

With such various forms of destruction at the disposal of global superpowers around the world, there is no doubt that the aftermath of the war would be devastating. Economies would easily collapse, as global trade would cease to a halt and infrastructure would be destroyed. Currency values along with the stock market would also plummet as levels of distrust would rise to all time highs during such unstable and uncertain times. Political systems would also be likely weakened and even potentially overthrown as citizens grow their dissatisfaction toward their government. Most importantly, millions, if not billions, of lives would be lost as a result of the violence.

It is scary to even imagine the consequences of a third world war, but with the state of current events, it seems more likely than ever. While it is easy for some to simply brush this possibility off in the form of lighthearted memes on social media, the stark reality is that more efforts need to be taken to normalize peaceful relations to prevent the world from going down such a dark path.

influenced popular productions on Netflix like “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before,” featuring Vietnamese American actress Lara Condor, who was one of the few Asian women to be cast in a leading role of an American romantic comedy. The movie not only embedded subtle Korean elements like the fondness for the popular beverage Yakult, but also empowered Asian American teenagers by showing how the protagonist gains affection through her emotional maturity and intelligence.

Other noticeable progress in Asian representation include the unprecedented nomination of the Korean thriller “Parasite” at the Golden Globe Awards for the best foreign language film. The movie also recently won the top prize at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards and is nominated for six Academy Awards including Best Picture, overcoming language barriers and increasing Asian representation.

The representation of Asians also has optimistic prospects in Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU) plan to add superhero Shang Chi in 2021.

photo of the

month

“Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings,” a comic-based movie about a martial artist embarking on a mission to take down a criminal empire in China, would include elements of kung-fu and martial arts. Despite the intent of the movie to foster ethnic diversity, many critics complain that the depiction of the Asian superhero is offensive: he is the son of Fu Manchu, a notorious villain and an established symbol of discrimination against Chinese people.

Despite the overall trend of increasing Asian representation in the media, there are still many obstacles to overcome. Not only is there a limited pool of Asian actors, but those who are chosen are usually cast in minor and secondary roles. Movies also tend to lack authentic stories that represent a broad spectrum of nuanced experiences in Asian countries. Nonetheless, the increasing appreciation of Asian culture is gradually changing the nature of entertainment in positive ways.

Playing on their phones, Edward Lee (11) and Alan Kang (11) take a break in between debate rounds.

Photo by Emily Sung