Tiger Times Volume 51 Issue 6

Tiger Times Volume 51 · Issue 6 · February Issue · TTONL.org

For the third time in the 21st century, South Korea has been under siege by a deadly disease outbreak. Novel Coronavirus is taking the world by storm, impacting thousands across East Asia and hundreds in even the western hemisphere. With the Moon administration distributing masks, conducting the world’s most tests on citizens, and cancelling schools nationwide, only time will tell whether we will overcome this health crisis within the next few months.

Editorial From peacekeeping to peacemaking by

Sia Cho & Andy Yoon editors-in-chief

It was 1933. A vote was held about Japan’s invasion of Manchuria, and the committee unanimously decided that this attack was not only unconstitutional but also at odds with the ideals of the League of Nations. Indignant about the decision, Youke Matsuoka stood up and signalled the rest of the Japanese delegation to exit the quarters.

Within one or two years, Germany and Italy followed suit. And World War II commenced.

In 2020, the international community is now governed by a myriad of regional and global organizations, most notably the United Nations. It aligns all member states toward common goals—poverty alleviation, environmental preservation, and measured economic growth. However, in 2020, conflict still abounds in the global community, in spite of the UN’s diligent efforts to write resolutions and send task forces to prevent fatalities. With an increasing number of countries promoting nationalist and individualistic rhetoric, current events beg the question: can the UN truly prevent conflicts and give rise to cross-border reconciliation?

Currently, the sheer number of UN peacekeepers deployed around the world amounts to more than 78,000 soldiers in more than 14 war-torn nations.

Such envoys are tasked with one mission: to maintain international peace and security. In practice, however, transforming societies engaged in wars is a greater challenge than we can possibly perceive.

In fact, this is exactly what concerns a large body of academic scholars: the UN can only keep peace, not make peace. As of now, the existing literature on conflict resolution states there are several reasons wars end. For one, some scholars argue that negotiation involving female diplomats is more likely to succeed. Other studies find that ceasefires are more likely to materialize the second time they are proposed; in other words, if you do not succeed the first time, try again. Most importantly, however, wars end when one side abdicates, for the harms of continuing the conflict overwhelmingly outweigh benefits. Simply put, most wars end when one side loses unconditionally.

Take Syria, for example. An ongoing civil conflict that has devastated more than 700,000 lives and has ravaged the country, the Syrian civil war has been the main battlefield for the UN throughout the past decade. Despite the lack of cooperation with the Syrian government, the UN is continuing its efforts to redraw Syria’s constitution—yet, this attempt is far down on the list of futile endeavors that the UN has taken to mitigate conflict in the Middle East. In previous years, the UN’s efforts have been ineffective in Libya and Yemen, along with four failed attempts in Syria. And yet, all of these territories had one thing in common: there was no peace to keep in the first place.

However, the UN’s incapacity to end conflicts is not limited to wars that are embroiled with military involvement. After a series of successful negotiations with President Moon Jae-in, his northern counterpart could not agree with US demands for total denuclearization and decided to continue with short-range and long-range missile tests. It is a chicken-and-egg situation; either sanctions must be lifted by the US or North Korea should forsake its plan for partial denuclearization. However, with neither of them willing to give in, they are at a deadlock. And the UN has demonstrated no authority whatsoever to facilitate a compromise.

Before turning their attention to global conflicts, the UN may need to address structural flaws that pervade the inner working mechanisms of the organization. Specifically, the UN protocols pertaining to the balance of power such as veto power and the complexity of the resolution voting procedure may hinder efforts to take effective action.

Likewise, wars cannot end if the involved parties solely rely on third party platforms to resolve their conflict. If two countries that are radically opposed to one another are inherently unwilling to make peace, relying on cross-border negotiations to do so may be a dangerous proposition. Rather, uplifting the national obligation to maintain political peace in spite of individualistic desires may be the first step that should be taken to reconciliation.

Perhaps only then could the transition from peacekeeping to peacemaking be made.

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VIEWPOINT

School cancelled due to novel coronavirus threat

by Irene

Kim

With rising concerns regarding the deadly coronavirus, schools have proceeded to cancel upcoming events during the school year. For example, this year’s varsity cheerleading and basketball KAIAC trips were both cancelled due to concerns about the virus, along with other international events such as the National Honor Music Festival, planned to have been held at Seoul Foreign School.

Moreover, international trips such as BEIMUN, the annual MUN conference at Beijing,

have also been completely cancelled due to the rampant spread of the coronavirus in China.

Such cancellations of preplanned events on the part of the school can be seen as actions well- taken to ensure the safety of students. School events in which numerous students gather together in one area have high risk, since the coronavirus has been found to be highly contagious, and can spread through even just simple bodily contact with an infected individual. Although many students have been disappointed by abrupt cancel-

lations of yearly events, this decision is the best choice that the school can make to prevent the virus from threatening and spreading among students.

Due to the epidemic sweeping through China and killing hundreds of people in total, schools across Hong Kong and China have shut down for weeks in order to prevent further dangers. Likewise, as the number of the infected has been continuously increasing just over the past weeks in Korea, the government decided to order all schools in the country to shut down for two weeks. However, more

than 5,000 citizens were confirmed to have the virus, and the situation did not seem to alleviate; as a result, shutdown for Korean schools extended to March 23. All KAIAC schools, which includes SIS, have also met together to decide on what date they would shut down until, and SIS officially concluded that school would resume after spring break on the 30th.

The decision that SIS made to extend the school shutdown date until after spring break can be seen as being reasonable and considerate of the current situation with the coronavirus in Korea. With the epidemic spreading to almost all parts of the country including areas near school, it is a rational choice to close down when the virus is heading to reach its peak in March, with hundreds of patients being confirmed almost each day. Although closing school for almost a month may be concerning for students and parents regarding classes and summative assignments, teachers have already been prepared for the e-learning system. Through virtual learning, students are taking their usual classes virtually just as they would at school, which is serving the job to resolve concerns about their learning. Moreover, teachers are continuing to come up with ways to summatively assess their classes virtually, granting the same opportunities for students to raise their grades as they would in actual classes.

Novel coronavirus fake news spurs ethnic discrimination

O

by Jiwon

Lee

ne of the most frequently-discussed topics in current news, the coronavirus has swept fear into the hearts of many, particularly those residing in southeastern Asia. While the number of deaths and the disease’s highly contagious nature has made alarming headlines across the globe, another disturbing feature of the virus that has also been brought to attention is the amount of fake news that it has been generating.

Spurred on by the growing concerns of the disease’s growth, large amounts of fake news about the coronavirus outbreak appeared widely on social media platforms such as Facebook, Baidu, and Twitter.

Ranging from news that products made in mainland China may be infected with the virus to rumors that drinking bleach will help cure the virus, many anonymous sources on the Internet have been spreading fake news—much of it racist— concerning the recent issue.

Extensive efforts have been

made by governments to take down these fake news articles, with heavily-impacted countries such as Malaysia and Singapore even using legal enforcement to counter the effects of false information; Malaysian police even arrested six people for spreading fake news about the coronavirus last month, a rightful response at a time that the World Health Organization has defined to be a “global health emergency.” In fact, Malaysian health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad commented that the onslaught of fake news as a result of the coronavirus was leaving a more drastic impact on the country than the virus itself.

False information is particularly detrimental in a state of crisis in that it can cause unnecessary panic and confusion among the public; thus, countering the fake news quickly at its source is an appropriate method of coping with the growing problem.

While governments and social media giants have continuously made appropriate precautions against the growing onslaught of fake news, Internet users should also remember that it is

ultimately their responsibility to gauge the credibility of the information they come across on the Web and act accordingly.

While the spread of the fake news itself is a worrying development of the situation, the increasingly racist connotations that the false information have been taking on have also raised red flags. These racist remarks have become a common trend among these fake news stories, with many aimed at blaming the Chinese and their traditional practices for being the cause of the outbreak. Discriminatory comments include jabs at Chinese traditional eating habits, as the supposed origin of the virus was the Wuhan Seafood Market, where scientists deduce that the disease may have leaped from either bats or snakes to humans. Described by newspaper company Business Insider as a “breeding ground” for diseases, the market’s rampant illegal trade of exotic animals, as well as the unsanitary practices of its vendors, have been blamed for contributing to the global crisis.

Although reevaluating cul-

tural customs in order to prevent similar future happenings is justifiable, the commentary surrounding this situation has often walked a thin line between critical and racist, and sometimes is downright false. Moreover, while efforts have been made to identify the origins of the coronavirus and precaution methods against it, the prevalence of fake news has hindered the process of conveying this information to the public. In a time when quick thinking and immediate action may directly contribute to the saving of more lives, putting out the metaphorical fire with as little damage as possible is more important than pointing fingers, especially when the evidence on which these accusations are based on is at best fickle. To combat against these unfortunate happenings, both the government and media networks could strengthen their fake news penalty processes, and individuals should also learn how to properly identify sources of false news to adequately filter inaccurate information about the coronavirus.

Tiger Times

February 2020

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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 7 February Issue 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

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:

Reconsidering our choices in school clubs Are the current options of clubs giving students enough freedom to pursue their interests?

Should students choose clubs to follow their passions or academic studies for college?

Pursuing passions outside of the academic realm

W

by Sarah

Ju

hat makes you special?

I—as well as the student body around me—have no doubt pondered this question for hours, whether it be on the way home from school, lying in bed, or wailing on the floor of a certain ninth-grade biology teacher’s classroom. While this one question plagues us throughout our high school career, ultimately, the answer is simple: the zealous passion we hold for a particular subject. In order to follow these passions, we partake in clubs to gain fruitful experiences that enrich our learning while simultaneously showing potential colleges the defining characteristics that make us who we are. These clubs, while they do not define us, greatly assist us in developing our character and exploring our areas of interest.

However, despite the countless opportunities open for the student body, we often see a recognizable discrepancy between more popular clubs and comparatively smaller clubs in the SIS community. For instance, popular community service clubs such as Global Issues Network (GIN) or Habitat for Humanity (HFH) have around 50

members, while other less academically oriented clubs such as Glee Club or Gender and Sexuality Awareness Club (GSA) have significantly fewer members. Some may attribute this to our school’s culture of academic competition and rigor. A college-driven mindset often compels SIS students to believe that they cannot afford to “waste” time on more self-expressive clubs that are unrelated to their college application. Furthermore, some students generally pick clubs based on perceived ability to attain an executive position within the club. Therefore, when surrounding peers all seem to herd to popular academic and community service clubs to secure future accomplishments, it can be quite challenging to diverge from that trend. We can often see in our school community that there is a tendency to associate certain clubs as more essential and prestigious on college applications.

Within the walls of SIS, keeping up with the standard and ensuring that one excels academically is deemed one of the most crucial factors in paving a path to success, leading to a perpetual cycle of keeping in line with the norm rather than pursuing real ardor toward a creative interest through various clubs.

Not only that, but this phe-

nomenon is also exemplified in the formation process of the clubs themselves. While clubs should be an outlet for students to interact with those with a common passion, they may often merely serve as a few extra lines written on college applications for those who create them. Is establishing a club truly a feat to be applauded if the creator feels no connection with its cause in the first place? Clubs should be channels for students to explore their genuine curiosities. However, students frequently shy away from establishing unofficial clubs with the notion that because they are not formally acknowledged by the school, they serve no real purpose.

With this mindset, the only message being sent to the rest of the student body is that hobbies and interests should not be pursued unless they can attract future success.

Additionally, we can also associate the cause of the overwhelming popularity of some clubs to social networking. Undoubtedly, students are most likely to be drawn to clubs that their friends participate in, thereby seeking clubs as a means through which they could expand their social horizons. Thus, students are led to mostly rely on word of mouth regarding what clubs to

sign up for. This is also in part due to the lack of information about the options available to them. While it is true that during the transition from eighth grade to high school the school mandates a high school orientation in which club executives are to present what they do to the rising freshmen, many argue that this orientation, by only giving clubs a few minutes to explain what it is that they do, does not provide sufficient information for students to make such a defining choice for their high school careers.

In order to dismantle this cycle, the school and club executives can make efforts to better inform students about which clubs are available to encourage an informed decision—not for a line on their college application, but for the opportunity to delve into their interests. For instance, the leadership team can aim to better communicate with the students the existence of the page on the SIS website detailing the names and functions of the school’s clubs.

Most importantly, however, besides administrative technicalities, in order to overcome the culture of flocking to certain clubs, there should be a greater emphasis placed on the necessity for passion rather than selecting the so-called

“optimal” choice for college. While it is not easy nor completely feasible to undo SIS’s ambitious culture that has been in place for years, it is important to realize that one’s passion should not be neglected and thrown away in exchange for academic success. In fact, non-academic interests that aren’t widely deemed prestigious at SIS can be more effective in appealing to colleges if said interests are genuine. Such activities can present a unique, more authentic version of students rather than detracting from their academic résumé, which is what some members of the student body may believe. We as students must deviate from the idea that numbers and executive positions define us; after all, in terms of academic achievements at a prestigious school, we are not vastly different. What distinguishes us—not only in the college admission process, but also as individuals—are our distinct passions, and there is no better way to chase them than through clubs.

Therefore, when you once again are inevitably caught in that existential question of what makes you special, realize that perhaps it is your ability to pursue the passions that make you special.

4 NEWS News Briefs

by Emily

Sung

Confucianism discussions held in SIS

Growing divisions over Israeli-Palestinian peace settlement

by Jiwon

Photo by Emily Bae

On Feb. 11, the first seminar style discussion group was hosted by vice principal Gray Macklin and social studies teacher Michael Silber. These sessions were held to emphasize the importance of Confucianism in the SIS community and educate students on the true values of Confucianism. The teachers hope to spread awareness among the student body regarding Confucian ideals and gain valuable insights from the discussion.

“Mr. Silber and I are trying to host conversations contextualized around different aspects of Confucianism as an ethical system,” said Mr. Macklin. “We want to emphasize that Confucianism is an important concept in SIS, especially to students only believe that Confucianism is simply bowing or not talking back. By initiating discussions, we hope to promote positive behavior in this school.”

Snowball gets postponed after months of diligent preparation Snowball 2020: Lucid Dream, an event originally planned to take place on Feb. 8, was officially delayed due to safety issues concerning the Coronavirus. This year’s Snowball gained attention from all grade levels as it was announced that it would be held in a different venue after years of being held in Tiger Gym 2. Announcements are yet to be made regarding future plans of Snowball, and the student council continues to try its best to rearrange the event with the students’ safety as a priority.

“The members of the HSSC are very disappointed that Snowball was postponed,” said Yeji Kim (10), sophomore council member. “Snowball 2020 was supposed to be very special as it was planned to happen in an outside venue and many wanted to attend. A lot of preparation was put into planning the event from scratch, but the unfortunate postponement delayed the showcase of our efforts. Right now, we are simply hoping for the virus to die down for Snowball to actually happen.”

Academic Quiz Team continues to excel On Jan. 30, the AQT hosted a teacher vs. student quiz tournament during activity period, showcasing their skills by winning against the teacher team. Despite the team’s confidence that they would be able to do well at the tournament, due to its cancellation, it now simply has to wait for another opportunity to display their prowess as a team.

“The cancellation of the February tournament came as a big blow to the Quiz Team,” said Sean Kim (10), Quiz Team member.

“Although this was somewhat expected, it was still a big let down as we have been preparing a lot by having meetings during office hours and activity period and were sure that we would place well.”

Lee

The Israeli–Palestinian has been a long-standing international issue since the early 20th century, when, after 1500 years in exile, the Jewish people sought to reclaim their ancestor’s land and consequently came in conflict with the Palestinians living on the contested land. In an effort to put an end to the conflict, US President Trump announced an Israeli-Palestinian peace plan on Jan. 28, which was then reviewed and unanimously rejected by the Arab League. While making some concessions to the Palestinians, the proposed plan also asked that they accept Israel’s occupation of the West Bank territories, an action that is in violation of international law as well as the terms of the agreement signed into effect at the Geneva Convention. Moreover, Trump’s Middle East peace plan was decided entirely without Palestinian representation nor consent, leading to Palestinian officials criticizing Trump for being biased in favor of his Israeli diplomatic partners.

“For Trump’s Middle East peace plan to actually work, an approach that takes into con-

sideration the opinions of both sides and satisfies both parties needs to be taken,” said Paul Kim (12), former MUN member.

“Without such endeavors, his plans to end the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian issue will be fruitless. A resolution that either side finds unsatisfactory will do nothing to resolve the tensions in the disputed territories.”

Trump has notably made other pro-Israel decisions in his past presidential endeavors, such as moving the US Embassy from the city of Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in 2017, recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and having his Jewish son-in-law, Jared Corey Kushner, take charge of the Israeli-Palestinian peace plan.

Moreover, major historical US policies that have further antagonized the Palestinians include recognizing Israel’s claims to the Golan Heights and declining to endorse a two-state solution to the two nations’ disputed territory issue.

“Trump’s past actions concerning the issue over the disputed territories in Palestine have been somewhat unfair, and the US has also historically been swayed in the favor of erecting a permanent

Jewish state,” said Eric Yoon (11), Forensics club member.

“While a large portion of the international community has voiced its concern over the lack of Palestinian representation in laying out the groundworks for the terms of peace to put an end to the Israeli-Palestinian issue, Trump’s actions have not reflected these opinions. Moreover, the legality of reinstating a Jewish state in a territory occupied by a preexisting country has also been put in question, yet these points have not been taken into consideration when drafting the Middle East peace settlement.”

In the ever-growing presence of a global disagreement, it is crucial that the solution comprehensively encompasses the opinions of all sides. While the establishment of a Jewish homeland is an internationally supported issue, it becomes more difficult to do so when an entire demographic of people are under the threat of being displaced for the sake of creating a Jewish homeland. For the presented solution to create long-term peace, the Jewish people must find a way to coexist with the Palestinian people.

“It is important for people to

understand that simply because someone is Jewish it does not mean they are automatically a Zionist,” said David Coleman, Director of Curriculum and Professional Development at SIS. “Zionism is essentially the belief that a Jewish state must exist in the territory defined as Israel. Anti-Zionists are those who disagree with this belief.

As a person of Jewish heritage and a supporter of a Jewish state, my personal complication arises over the possible displacement of another people for the creation of this Jewish state. While I do believe that Israel has a right and reason to exist by virtue of the United Nations, I also think that a twostate solution is the only possible resolution to the ongoing conflicts in the region. The difficulty of enacting a two-state solution, however, is overcoming the lack of trust between the Israelis and the Palestinians. To my understanding, some Israelis are convinced that allowing the Palestinians to keep a plot of land inside Israel will lead to their eventual takeover of the entire territory. However, the methods that the Israeli government is using to prevent the Palestinians from retaining their territory is, by all accounts, unacceptable. I hope that the two peoples, Jewish and Arab alike, will eventually cooperate to produce a peace that involves trust, agreement, and good will.”

Brexit leaves United Kingdom unanswered questions

by Ashley

Kim

The discussion on Brexit, which refers to the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union (EU), has been ongoing and sparking debates.

However, on Jan. 31, UK officially announced its leave from the union and entered the implementation period. The international community is hesitantly waiting for the ramification of decisions regarding regulations and future relationships.

“I can’t believe that Brexit is actually taking place,” said Wendy Kang (11), Forensics member. “As it struggled to make its first step for years, I think this public announcement from the UK has definitely shocked a lot of people around the world. To the UK, this will be their turning point where it will determine how their government and their relationship with the other nations will look like in the future. It will be crucial for governments to negotiate a plan as soon as possible.”

Until the implementation period ends Dec. 3, the United Kingdom will be allowed to maintain its trading relationships with other nations under the rule of the EU. Even though there is not a lot of change, currently, this year will be a time to regulate a new set of free trade agreements. It is crucial to make an agreement during this period since the UK might end up without a deal, meaning that tariffs will be applied to trade goods

and will eventually lead to disrupted borders.

“In recent days, the UK has been showing a lot of will to shape their government in a way to attract more major businesses and investors,” said Janice Park (11), Forensics member. “I think it is interesting that the UK is planning to open 10 new free ports when Brexit is officially over. I think they are boosting communities to attract businesses that will increase employment rates and investments for the whole country. This is to prevent a major collapse of the government if Brexit fails to come up with a fair trade system. Overall, the Brexit, I believe, in some ways, can be both detrimental and beneficial for the nation’s development.”

It is also critical for Britain to sort out Brexit in time because there will be no additional extension of the implementation period. In addition, Europe is currently its most important trade partner that helped the country become the center of the global market. Furthermore, the UK’s split has been causing trouble in their businesses as well. Many major businesses have been threatening and announcing that they will be moving out to another country due to the split. Keeping in mind that Brexit will possibly make Britain’s economy smaller, it will be important for them to negotiate a new plan soon.

“Brexit has raised quite a bit of confusion among both the U.K. and its former EU part-

ners,” said James Kowalski, AP Seminar teacher. “Not only in terms of how to proceed with the process of exiting the EU, but how to reestablish economic and political relationships will remain fraught for the foreseeable future. It is unfortunate that Brexit has been short-sighted and reactive throughout, and fueled in no small part by nationalism. Despite what some Britons may consider being a stronger, more independent stance for their country now, I think the U.K. will, in reality, enjoy less leverage for securing new trade agreements for itself, thus weakening its international significance. Needless to say, I’m skeptical for Britain to gain any benefits.”

Tiger Times

February 2020

by Emily

AP Research students share findings

Photos by Lauren Kang

Oh

During office hours and activity period on Feb. 19-21, AP Research students presented their year-long projects in the Atrium. Featuring projects exploring a diverse variety of topics ranging from examinations of South Koreans’ bias towards North Korean and unfamiliar accents to lab-based investigations into making long-lasting cosmetics only using natural preservatives, the presentations garnered great attention from students and faculty alike.

“The presentations are more of a research fair in which students share their findings through friendly, informal interactions,” said Michael Silber, AP Research teacher. “The purpose of the presentations is twofold: it gives students a chance to celebrate and share their research with the community, and it also provides them with invaluable feedback on their research methodologies and lines of reasoning. It also gives students a chance to do something special with their research, especially since there are topics that will be particularly meaningful to SIS students, such as an examination of International School curricula as a form of neo-colonialism.”

Having interviewed strangers, read through countless academic journal articles, and met with expert advisors on a weekly basis over the course of a year, AP Research students were beyond excited to be inching closer toward wrapping up their AP Capstone experience. Consisting of two yearlong courses focusing on developing students’ analytical skills and ability to conduct research, form evidence-based arguments, present, and collaborate with other students as opposed to teaching subject-specific content, the AP Capstone system proved to foster inquisitive and reflective learners better prepared for college academics.

“I am thrilled to be presenting something I have worked on for such a long time and something I am passionate about,” said Suzie Choi (12),

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AP Research student. “I am equally nervous as my research is about creativity education in SIS, and I am worried about how actual educators will view my conclusions. As demanding as the Capstone system was, it taught me how to manage my time and solidify plans before diving into a task: Regardless of one’s major, research is an integral skill in order for students to stop simply learning but applying and creating something. Most importantly, AP Research helped uncover confidence in my academic career. I was able to produce something, something small yet new that can contribute to the relative field. This outcome from the course really helped me view myself as capable of thriving in academics after high school.”

Future AP Research students are already putting their skills to the test by working on demanding tasks in preliminary course, AP Seminar.

Investigating topics from a diverse range of subject areas, writing research-based reports, and giving presentations both individually and as part of a group, AP Seminar students are slowly but surely accumulating the skills they will need in order to survive yet another year of even more demanding tasks and research.

“As excited as I am to be conducting entirely independent research on a topic I am interested in, I find the tasks awaiting us in AP Research quite daunting,” said Ji Sue Shin (11), AP Seminar student. “The research and writing we have done so far is nowhere near as rigorous as the 5,000 word essay awaiting us in the months to come, and I’m not entirely sure as to whether I’ll be able to generate a viable research question on my own, as most of the work we do in AP Seminar is guided by stimulus sources provided to us by both our instructor and the College Board.

Either way, seeing upperclassmen passionately present their findings on various avenues of research was incredibly motivating.”

Parasite rocks the film industry truth in numbers

by Brian

Ham

As Tiger Times draft deadlines approached this issue, I was strangely less panicked than usual; I sat relaxed in front of my computer, ready to crank out another routine 600-word article lamenting the lack of diversity at the Oscars. Then, in a flurry of mixed emotions, I learned that Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite had brought home an unprecedented four Oscars, including the coveted Best Picture, breaking the 92-year streak of English language films sweeping the top honors.

Parasite’s “Bongslide” can be seen as a culmination of the Oscars’ recent efforts to redeem themselves from the #OscarsSoWhite controversy that made the headlines five years ago. In a 2014 survey, the Los Angeles Times found that 76 percent of

voters were men and 94 percent were white, showing clear bias within the selection process and providing a nearly insurmountable barrier for films that break the mold to be recognized for their efforts. To their credit, the Academy certainly made progress in reversing this trend. Perhaps the farcical mix-up between Moonlight and La La Land three years ago overshadowed the fact that the Best Picture went to a groundbreaking and genre-defying film that refused to conform to the “Oscars movie” style.

Of course, the Oscars are nowhere near perfect in terms of including racial and gender diversity. No women this year were nominated for the Best Director role, and apart from Parasite, the Best Picture nominees were predominantly white and male.

Furthermore, none of the actors from Parasite were nominated for

a prize, which was unsurprising given that 95 percent of the acting nominees were white.

Parasite had already won the Palme d’Or from the Cannes Film Festival last May, but this win was especially significant given that the Oscars are generally seen as the gold standard for judging movies. But why do they hold such a reputation in the first place? Voters usually have faith that the famed golden statuettes will be awarded to the most deserving films and actors, with this trust perhaps stemming from the fact that the voting process involves more than 8,000 members and century-old traditions from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Each of those 8,000 distinguished actors, directors, writers, or other qualified members are required to have “achieved distinction in the motion picture arts and

sciences,” criteria decided by years of experience in the field, previous honors, and screen credits.

Despite such daunting guidelines, the voting process is not as streamlined and objective as it appears. On Feb. 10, Leslie Jones, one of the voters for the Oscars, tweeted that “[voting] didn’t take long cause there are no black people on it. So I voted for @CynthiaEriVo and abstained from the rest of the voting.” Additionally, some even admit to not watching the films before voting, perhaps the absolute basic requirement necessary to make any sort of judgement; two anonymous voters in 2014 revealed that they selected Twelve Years a Slave without viewing a single second of the film. Earlier in January, Stephen King also noted how there is no way to verify that all 8,000 voters watched the roughly 60 films that

are usually in serious contention to receive nominations.

There are others who make their decisions based on questionable criteria. For example, movies that do not fit the usual Oscars mold are often shunned, such as Adam Sandler’s Uncut Gems this year and Jordan Peele’s Get Out. Others may decide to exclude certain genres altogether or have preferences for specific stylistic elements. However, one can argue that this diversity in what voters prioritize makes the holistic result more accurate and is in a way necessary; regardless, any controversy surrounding the selection process should not take anything away from Parasite’s accomplishments and efforts, and the future looks bright for other foreign language films hoping to make it on the international stage.

“

Celebrities take a step beyond “he” and “she” Jenny Seo

pronouns has ignited much controversy in the

transgender pronouns and dispel some normalized

competed in the 1977 US Open as one of the first

media, especially due to the disagreement between

stereotypes.

male-to-female athletes to represent for trans-

people sensitive to the usage of certain labels

gender people in not only tennis but also sports

and others who are careful not to offend those who

Jager, better known by her channel name Nikkietu-

as a whole. Before her transition, Richards was

are considered different in society.

torials, came out as a transgender woman on Jan.

a successful player as a male but was told by

14 and expressed her desire to be called using

her many tennis coaches that she was not skilled

medalist and father of the famous “Kardashian-Jen-

female pronouns. Currently, the channel has an

enough to go pro. After several years out of the

ner clan,” came out after transitioning into a

enormous count of 13.2 million subscribers, and

sport during which she struggled with her sexual-

woman in 2015, society immediately showed mixed

as a result, her video titled “I am coming out”

ity, she finally made the decision to undergo the

feelings. Within the broader transfolk community,

came as a vast shock for most viewers, quickly

sex-change procedure and stepped onto the court

Caitlyn Jenner was criticized for how long it took

making headlines––especially since she kept her

once again. However, as she started to play on the

her to cast out the use of “male identity” and

true identity hidden from the public for 11 years.

women’s circuit, criticism was all she received,

prefer to be referred to by female pronouns. As

Despite this, various YouTubers and subscribers of

with many expressing their anger by accusing her

expected, the transgender community was critical

the channel were quick to accept her story, with

of deliberately trying to play against the gender

of the situation, disapproving of the fact that

many leaving positive comments and encouraging

that would be easier to win against. Denied the

she was not able to let go of the “fake” identity

words.

chance to enter the 1976 US Open was the least of

she had been living with her whole life. However,

the harsh backlash she received, she took this

she also had several supporters like transgen-

the transgender community, the issue is still as

situation all the way to the New York Supreme

der actress Laverne Cox from “Orange is the New

contentious as ever. Aside from homophobes and

Court. Ultimately, she was able to play in the

Black,” who tweeted her excitement about Jenner’s

traditionalists, some accuse transfolk of using

1977 US Open, where she lost against Betty Ann

coming out, and former President Barack Obama, who

their transitioned identities to upload stories

Stuart, but won her rights as a female transgender

acknowledged the courage it took for Jenner to

on social platforms as a way of self-promotion

athlete.

share her story.

and self-marketing, taking advantage of what the

audience and society want to see. Even among

m

Renée Richards made history when she

Although many still receive harsh back-

When Caitlyn Jenner, an Olympic gold

Recently, in fact, YouTube star Nikkie de

PRONOUN NOT FOUND

Transgenderism in the entertainment in-

Despite recent widespread acceptance of

lash for their nonbinary identity, the process

dustry has seen a recent surge in publicity, one

supporters of this social cause,

of coming out and declaring one’s gender identi-

of the most significant examples being “RuPaul’s

struggle to grasp why people need to “come out”

ty is becoming more common in the entertainment

Drag Race:” an unapologetic reality show where

in the first place when gender is simply a social

industry. Pronouns like “zie,” “sie,” “ey,” “ve,”

drag queens compete for the title of “America’s

construct. On the other hand, as modifications

“tey,”

next drag superstar.” The desire to put transgen-

are being made to the English language vis-a-vis

television, reserved as gender-neutral pronouns

derism out in the light and bring it to mainstream

pronouns in an attempt to welcome diversity, it

for transgender people who do not want to be iden-

American entertainment quickly became a reality

is also a step forward for the acceptance of a

tified as a specified gender. The rise of these

with the popularity of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,”

community still considered foreign in the status

types of changes exemplifies society’s perception

and the show’s Emmy Award further cemented its

quo, especially in the sports and entertainment

regarding new groups of diverse people beginning

rise. Within the show, transgender and non-binary

industry. Although there are still those who are

to lean toward a more liberal stance in many parts

people are shown using unfamiliar pronouns such as

unsupportive, the public has come a long way since

of the world. Meanwhile, more people are express-

“zie,” “sie,” “ey,” “ve,” “tey,” “e,” and more.

Renée Richards, showing approval toward nonbinary

ing themselves in unique ways as more complica-

With transgender people calling others by their

ideas, which ultimately challenges basic social

tions concerning their references are sparked.

own desired pronouns on national television, the

norms that have been deeply ingrained in society.

The continuous debate on the usage of transgender

public carefully began to open up to these new

and “e” are becoming acknowledged on

some continually

P PRONOUN

PRONOUN

“ ???

Non binary pronouns finding their way into judicial systems Sunny Lee

On December 2019, a transgender worker

Lawsuits claiming violation of rights

and fame. Since 2005, Indian passport application

sued Nike for 1.1 million dollars for the “allow-

because of pronoun misuse have been increasing.

forms already offer three gender options: male,

ance of gender identity-based harassment.” Accord-

So far, some people have been successful accus-

female, and eunuch. Some Indian languages such

ing to the lawsuit, computer engineer Jazz Lyles,

ing someone for misgendering such as the case in

as Sanskrit have pronouns for three genders. With

who prefers the pronouns they/them/their, was

West Point High School. Peter Vlaming, a former

social movements advocating for the recognition of

discriminated against by Nike and the Mainz Brady

French teacher at West Point High school, was sued

three genders legally, On April 15, 2014, the Su-

group. The engineer allegedly was repeatedly mis-

when he instructed students to not call a female

preme Court of India recognized the third gender.

gendered by coworkers. Starting from 2016, public

student by male pronouns. The court decision was

However, with the absence of misgendering laws,

recognition of transgender rights have started to

on the side of the students, when the firing of

the misgendering cases are being neglected.

become more prominent, as it was made possible to

Vlaming was mandated. On Feb. 13, the federal

change their legal sex to non binary in numerous

court dismissed a lawsuit by a state professor who

has not reached Korea, yet. The Korean language

countries such as India and Australia. The group

advocated for his freedom of speech to call people

distinguishes genders by referring to “he” as geu

of people who prefer non binary pronouns, contrary

by his choice of pronouns not what the other

and “her” as geunyeo. Korean laws do not enforce

to popular opinion, is not limited only to trans-

wants. However, judge Susan J. Dlott made it clear

its citizens to use such pronouns. In fact, there

gender people; there are many others who prefer to

that misgendering is not free speech.

is an absence of any laws regarding this matter

not be labeled as a specific gender because of the

in Korea. However, public support for inclusive

feeling of being categorized against their will.

centered around educating students regarding this

pronoun usage has also seen light in Korea, with

issue,” said Tim Gardes, school librarian. “When

prominent South Korean company Samsung supporting

approved by US governor Jerry Brown. This bill was

I worked in California, there was this act called

the use of gender-neutral pronouns by including

introduced by State senator Scott Weiner in 2017

the Safe School Act, which was established for the

he, she, they, and zie, a gender neutral pro-

and is now a regulation by the State Department of

purpose of fostering a climate where all students

noun in the third person point-of-view, in their

Public Health of Health Facilities. It states that

could feel safe, academically, socially, and emo-

banner during the Samsung Developer Conference

those who “willfully and repeatedly” refuse to use

tionally. Literally forcing students to memorize

Oct. 2019. It is unsure if the act was represen-

the appropriate pronouns in retirement or housing

the list of pronouns would not be necessary since

tative of the entire country, or possibly a show

institutions can and should be punished. Cali-

students might be socially pressured to do it

put on for brand image, but the action suggests

fornians were shocked to hear that it is possible

rather than using it with their free will. As so-

that the company was inclined to embody a more

to be punished for referring to someone with a

ciety starts to recognize those pronouns more and

liberal political stance in the face of conserva-

word that does not correctly reflect the gender

more, people will follow the footsteps naturally.”

tive South Korean norms. While Korean society may

with which they identify. Physicians started to

take a longer time to fully implement the usage of

watch out for their word choices because of the

starting to recognize people with a gender-neu-

inclusive pronouns, Korea is definitely following

fear that they would be sued for using the wrong

tral preference. Indian group Hijra is one of the

the footsteps of the trend.

pronouns.

biggest third sex types in terms of population

PRONOUN NOT FOUND N NOT FOUND In October 2019, Senate Bill No.219 was

N NOT FOUND

“I think the role of schools should not

Other countries around the world are

*G E N

The trend of gender-neutral pronoun usage

layout by DE R P R O NOclaire U N S lee

8 LIFESTYLE Samsung releases 5G tablets

A

by Sally

Lee

fter successfully launching its new 5G smartphones last year, Samsung has continued to progress forward, at last developing a tablet with 5G mobile connectivity: the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 5G. The S6, the world’s first 5G tablet, was released on Jan. 30 in South Korea, and its unique features met the high standards consumers expected after the success of the 5G smartphone. Some of its most outstanding features have been its 10-15 inch screen, 128 GB storage, and Dolby Atmos sound, but its usage of 5G networks has been the most impressive of all. Not only has 5G sped up the internet connectivity of the S6 tablet to 2 Gigabits per second, but it is predicted to bring great transformations regarding the broader Korean economy and other social elements such as entertainment and health. This tremendous development has pushed Samsung ahead of its industry rivals, encouraging the constant growth of new technological advancements.

“I was first interested in the tablet because of its unique design and color,” said Jennifer Shin (10) technology enthusiast. “However, now that I know more about its features like the screen and the speaker, I am really looking forward to buying it. Sometimes, people are attracted to new products because they are just new, not better, but this tablet actually upgraded from the previous design. Providing 5G networks will definitely help Samsung grow more customers.”

In 2019, over 6.5 million Samsung 5G phones were shipped worldwide.

Contributing to 53.9% of the global 5G market, Samsung expanded its range of products and continuously improved its sales throughout last year. In fact, with the release of 5G tablets, Samsung is expected to have another successful year, boosting the overall profit and total sales of Galaxy Tab. Some estimate that over 540,000 tablets will be shipped this year and possibly 1 million next year, proving 5G tablet’s potential positive impact on Samsung.

“The release of a tablet that utilizes 5G technology is a huge step for Samsung,” said Xavier Kim (10) who is looking forward to the new network.

“For the time being, customers in Korea looking to purchase a new tablet will immediately turn to the new 5G tablet from Samsung with all the newest technologies implemented. From a global standpoint, I think it is huge for South Korea as a country to release the first 5G tablet. The race to become a society that runs on 5G has been the latest goal of many developed nations, and South Korea has certainly become the front runner in the competition.”

Galaxy 5G tablets speed up internet speeds to 2Gbps. However, that is not the only reason why there is a high estimate for tablet sales this year. The S6 tablets are anticipated to improve the quality of entertainment, providing various advanced technology that can reduce latency in games and videos. Not only is its influence limited to entertainment, but it also reaches a variety of fields. Some predict that usage of 5G tablets will increase efficiency in all jobs that use technology. Others claim that 5G capabilities will help develop more advanced autonomous vehicles and drones. With these benefits, more and more industries are implementing 5G networks to improve their productivity.

Adaptions of classics fascinate young generations

N

by Sarah

Baek

ovels that are centuries old are still loved by young readers, and one way that these classics maintain their popularity is through modern dramatic adaptations.

Since the 1950s, Little Women, written by Louisa May Alcott in 1868, has been adapted into seven different movies and television series, with the most recent being Greta Gerwig’s 2019 adaptation. In addition, the dystopian novel The Handmaid’s Tale, written by Margaret Atwood in 1985, was produced into a 2017 Netflix series. These variations have helped raise interest in classic literature and create new fans long after the original creation of the source material.

“I like watching the adaptations of classics because it gives me a different feeling from when reading it,” said Yulee Chung (11), enthusiastic literature and humanities student. “For me, reading those novels is almost like a virtual experience of how the 19th-century people lived. I depend on my imagination to visualize the characters, setting, and everything else, but when

I am watching these stories, I enjoy interpreting the director’s input into how he or she brings classic literature into live-action.”

But over the years, screenplay writers and directors have used varied methods to increase the appeal of classic literature. For instance, one popular version of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, starring Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting, was very close to the original work. On the contrary, the 1996 adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes, depicted a much different story that blended the director’s interpretation with the original work, which provided an intriguing modern twist to a classic story.

This generational appeal was also demonstrated in 2013’s “The Great Gatsby,” also by Baz Lurmann, which with the passage of time and exponential growth of film production scales, audiences have paid close attention to the use of technology to add depth to variations of centuries-old classics. Regardless of whether they stay true to the original, teenagers may want to see their favorite classic in

live-action at theatres.

“I believe that it depends on what kind of adaptation it is, but most times they tend to succeed in remaking an old piece that attracts a large audience and tells the same story through a modern lens,” said Meehee Park (12), drama student for numerous school productions. “The characters and general storyline should stay consistent in order for the adaptations to stick with the audience and deliver the story’s message in a frank manner.

Additionally, for cinemas, I feel it’s necessary for them to create new content and theatrical work, and keep a fine balance between remaking old works and creating original stories also.”

Adaptations can also serve to project modern issues onto classic literature, movies, and other forms of media to create more relevant interpretations.

As such, classics are adapted in response to the time period in which the adaptation is made.

For instance, the director of the 2019 “Little Women” proclaimed the film to be a unique role model for girls. With the rise of the feminist movement, “Little Women” may be indicative that

more women are now taking charge of a historically gender-biased industry, and revising narratives to portray a feminist angle. Although the adaptations change depending on what cultural aspect it aspires to convey, many classics have certain qualities that make them loved by the audience regardless of how old they are, presenting several universal and timeless lessons to the audience.

“The reason why classics are timeless is that those classic pieces of literature ground us in a common narrative,” said Jesica Terbrueggen, English teacher.

“Especially to me, it’s like the responsibility to make sure that my daughters know these common narratives and cultural narratives that are foundational for sharing about romance, extravagance and more. Lastly, classics take an important role in our human experience because they have a foundational place for the collectivism that we create and share. Collective belonging that we have within our generation is identified through classics, and those extend beyond generations.”

Artists see remarkable success at Grammys

by Jimin

Lee

The 62nd Grammy Awards took place on Jan. 26 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Grammy Awards, presented by The Recording Academy, recognizes remarkable musicians every year. Among others, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, Lil Nas X, and Lizzo were nominated for the major award categories, generating excitement in the audience. In the end, Billie Eilish won five awards: Record Of The Year, Album Of The Year, Song Of The Year, Best New Artist, and Best Pop Vocal Album.

“Billie Eilish’s music exists in multiple genres, which is why I believe it appeals to such

a big audience,” said Whitney Meininger, high school music teacher. “Though I would say her music is not necessarily pioneering, I do think the production quality of her music is impressive. It gives a distinct electric vibe to her music.”

This year’s ceremony was characterized by remarkable performances from artists such as Ariana Grande, Camilla Cabello, and Latin superstar Rosalía, and above all, Alica Keys’s tactfulness and composure as the host for the show. In her opening speech and performance with Boys II Men, Alicia Keys paid tribute to Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and all those who had passed away earlier that day in a tragic helicopter accident.

“I think the Grammys went smoothly this year thanks to Alicia Keys, who was very professional throughout the ceremony especially in light of recent events,” said Christine Lee (12), viewer of the Grammys.

“I enjoyed watching the program on the television; even though I was not physically present at the event, I felt united with the artists through their music.”

BTS made history once again by being the first South Korean act to perform at the Grammys.

The band joined Lil Nas X on stage for the song “Seoul Town Road,” a rendition of “Old Town Road” featuring BTS’s leader and main rapper RM. In their performance, RM made a play on the word “homie,” which sounds

similar to a traditional Korean farming tool called “homi.” Nevertheless, some fans expressed discontent that BTS was not nominated for any of the awards despite their impressive accomplishments.

“BTS representing Korea at the Grammys was very inspiring since the Grammys are internationally renown,” said Eunice Rhee (9), a supporter of BTS. “Still, I was a little disappointed that BTS came out for such a short amount of time on the screen. While their performance at the Grammys this year was definitely a memorable moment in their career, I hope that BTS receives more nominations in the future.”

Tiger Times

February 2020

9

Rising perceptions about new hanbok gyoboks

by Jennifer You

Recently, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism introduced the idea of “hanbok gyoboks’ for students. These “hanbok gyoboks” are defined as school uniforms modified as a modernized form of hanboks, or traditional Korean dresses, and have been created jointly with the Ministry of Education. Hanbok gyoboks have gained much attention in Korea. In fact, the Korean Minjok Leadership Academy, one of Korea’s most highly prestigious independent boarding high schools, uses hanbok gyoboks. Although the innovative idea has yet to be adopted by many schools, many have seriously considered making the change.

In addition, hanbok gyoboks also received a diversity of responses on social media after the Korean

government’s announcement, with some approving the government’s pragmatic tactics of reviving the Korean culture while others criticized the unconventional attire.

“There are both positive and negative aspects of wearing hanbok gyoboks,” said Zoe Lee (10), a student who attended a Korean school for seven years. “From the perspective of students, they may be against wearing such attire because they prioritize their own fashion styles.

According to my personal experiences, students really like to express their own fashion style in their unique ways. Wearing hanbok gyoboks could potentially limit this, to an extent. Still, this is a prominently crucial step for students to reimmerse themselves into Korean culture.”

However, the unconventional

nature of hanbok gyoboks has raised certain difficulties. Because of the difference in manufacturing compared to more conventional styled uniforms, there are difficulties in maintaining these hanbok gyoboks.

Also, these uniforms are more impractical for outdoor activities, making them uncomfortable for students during recess or leisure time.

“There are two prominent sides about the insights about hanbok gyoboks,” said Matthew Mazzola, a teacher in the Department of General Arts. “I recognize that these uniforms are promoting traditional Korean culture, which is a positive aspect of these hanbok gyoboks. However, on the flip side, students love to express themselves, especially teenagers. They enjoy expressing themselves through clothing. Being

an art teacher, I think that expression is important. Therefore, the negatives should also be taken into consideration while delving into this topic.”

On a more positive note, the resurgence of the Korean tradition could also open up many doors for awareness to be spread both locally and internationally. Hanbok gyoboks sparked much attention because the hanbok is commonly regarded as an important Korean artifact that depicts Korea’s heritage and customs. These hanbok gyoboks allow both students themselves and onlookers to reflect upon Korean culture and grow more interested in the topic. Furthermore, this obscure clothing that was once irrelevant had been brought back into the conversation through the modernized version of hanbok

clothing.

“Uniforms are one of the main representations of the school,” said student Jung, an accepted freshman in the Korean Minjok Leadership Academy. “I strongly believe that our school inherits the Korean tradition for wearing these hanbok style uniforms, and I am truly honored to wear this uniform on a daily basis.

Since not many schools provide students with hanbok style uniforms, some think they are outdated.

However, since our school aims to keep their traditions and also help students become global citizens, people now think our uniforms are fashionable. I am generally excited and have high expectations because school uniforms combine with the schools’ general image and further reinforce the school’s reputation.”

Movie review: The Man Standing Next

O

by Clara

Lim

n Jan. 22, director Woo Min-ho’s The Man Standing Next was released in South Korea. The movie is based on a true story that begins 40 days before the assasination of the former president of South Korea, Park Jung-hee. The film opens with the now exiled, former Korean Central Intelligence Agency director Park Young-kwak, who testifies against the South Korean government at a US hearing. Expecting to gain trust from President Park, Kim Kyu-pyeong makes a plan to murder Park Young-kwak, and succeeds. However, Park Jung-hee keeps his eyes on the ball instead of supporting Kim Kyu-pyeong, as he is afraid that Kim is going to be a future threat to his power.

Growing more nervous over time, Kim Kyu-pyeong decides to get rid of Park Jung-hee. By showing the conflicts among the governors trying to take power at that time, the film allows us to understand the possible intentions and causes of the assasination.

“I heard a lot about the movie before it was even released,” said Ariel Ahn (10), fan of the film. “I was looking forward to watching it, because although the assassination of 1979 was a huge issue that was highly controversial, detailed information regarding the incident has not been revealed. Moreover, since the incident happened about 15 years before I was born, I had no way of knowing how and why it happened. After watching the movie, I feel like the movie was highly informative and interest-

ing, thereby allowing me to learn about the history of Korea in an easier way.”

The Man Standing Next has re-initiated the discussion not only about the presidential assasination, but also who Park Jung-hee was as a president. Park Jung-hee was a politician and a general of South Korea who became a president through a coup d'état. He is known for having strong ambition for the development and industrialization of his country, thereby contributing to the Miracle of Han River, a term that describes the economic boost of South Korea. However, opinions about him are highly controversial because he was in complete control of media and the military during his presidency. It has been over 40 years since his assasination took place, but it is still considered as a

sensitive topic to discuss.

“I got the feeling that many people were able to know such a hidden piece of history because people were discussing the actual incident, Koreagate, and the implications of that event,” said Sean Kim (10), a viewer of The Man Standing Next. “Due to the movie containing many political aspects, people with varying ideologies probably interpreted the movie in varying ways, which lead to the different opinions and interpretations. There are inevitable parts of the movie that were fictionalized due to the movie being a movie instead of a documentary. However, I think the movie is still highly objective, since it portrays the event in a way that is not opinionated.”

Despite the fact that it has only been a couple days since its release,

The Man Standing Next is already running first on the Box Office.

There are many factors that contributed to its success, including its breathtaking scenes and miscellaneous plot. Most importantly, the movie deals with the incident that people remember and experienced.

Not only was the assasination of Park Jung-hee an incredibly pivotal moment in the lives of many Baby Boomers and Generation X’ers, but it is also a key turning point in modern Korean history. Moreover, despite it being a controversial event, characters are viewed realistically and objectively, instead of being embellished based on personal political opinions. Each one of them is portrayed by great actors that absorb the viewers into the plot.

10 SPORTS Legends and newcomers excel at Australian Open

by Eric

Hwang

T

his January, the 2020 Australian Open balanced a combination of familiar veterans and new rising stars. 15-yearold American phenom Coco Gauff bested the likes of Venus Williams and Naomi Osaka. Venus is one half of the legendary Williams sisters, who have a total of 30 Grand Slam singles victories, while Naomi was the world’s third ranked female player and defending Australian Open champion prior to her defeat.

Gauff ’s Cinderella run would be cut short by eventual tournament winner Sofia Kenin. Kenin, who was never well known prior to the 2020 Australian Open, was an underdog in her own right, surprising fans by winning it all as a no. 14 seed.

“It’s simply amazing to watch players like Coco Gauff,” said Riley Kim (11), varsity tennis player. “I can’t believe that someone who’s younger than me can be dominating at major, Grand Slam tournaments. She would be a freshman at SIS. Can you imagine a freshman tennis player beating Venus Williams? It’s crazy. Being a tennis player myself only make me appreciate and respect her more.”

On a more familiar note, superstar Novak Djokevic won his 17th Grand Slam tournament, continuing his historical dominance at the Australian Open. The men’s tournament was decided by an intense, five set match between 26-year-old Dominic Thiem and the eventual victor Djokevic. With his 17th Grand Slam victory, Djokevic now

pulls closer to his longtime competitors Roger Federer and Rafeal Nadal, a trio often considered the greatest triangular rivalry in tennis history. Federer currently holds the record for most male Grand Slam victories with 20, while Nadal follows with 19. Djokevic’s opponent, Dominic Thiem, has shown potential in his own right. Thiem has previously reached two Grand Slam finals at Paris and outplayed the aforementioned Nadal in the Australian quarterfinals. Although he struggled at several tournaments in 2019, his Australian Open performance may indicate a return to form.

“Wonderful, isn’t it,” said Ricky Green, varsity boys tennis coach.

“I don’t know if there’s ever been an era before where there’s been

3 just battling it out to win all the majors. I like the fact that the Grand Slams are different surfaces as well. The Australian Open is hard court, Wimbeldon is grass, and the French Open is clay… Nadal wants to keep the rallies long. He’s very fit and puts a lot of topspin on the ball. For instance, on clay, when the ball hits the ground, it travels slower because of the friction with the clay. This really helps the more athletic players and those with better groundstrokes like Nadal.”

In the women’s tournament, Sofia Kenin bested Garbine Muguruza in three sets to claim her first ever Grand Slam title. Kenin was a dark horse candidate for much of the tournament, entering as the no.

15 globally ranked player. Her victory at Australia would propel her

Kobe “Black Mamba” Bryant leaves permanent mark on basketball history

by Katherine

Suk

On Jan. 26, a Sikorsky S-76BB helicopter crashed in Calabasas, California, killing nine passengers, including Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna.

Kobe Bryant, also known as “The Black Mamba,” is considered one of the most prolific basketball players in NBA history, with four All-Star Game MVP Awards, two NBA Finals MVP Awards, and one regular-sea-

son MVP Award. Additionally, Kobe played in five championship games and 18 All-Star games, indicating a rare blend of longevity and success.

He even scored 60 points in his last game before tragedy struck. Kobe Bryant, one of the most celebrated players in the NBA, left the public and NBA players in grief after his sudden death. Many changes are also being made in the NBA to honor Kobe’s death.

“Kobe Bryant proved in the court

that he was not just a regular basketball player, he was much more than that,” said Richie Kim (12) a varsity basketball player. “He was an inspiration, a person most people looked up to, including me.

However, we looked up to him not only because he was a great and legendary basketball player but also because of his attitude outside the court. His lifestyle outside the court changed many people’s lives.

I thought that Kobe Bryant’s death

was some of the worst news I had ever heard. I cried every time I heard his name because he was the person I really looked up to.”

To honor Kobe’s death, NBA teams intentionally took turnovers in the form of 24-second and 8-second clock violations in games.

24 and 8 were the two numbers Kobe wore during his NBA career, making these violations special.

Many players currently wearing 24 or 8 on their jerseys are changing

to the world’s seventh rank female single’s player. At 21-years-old, Kenin is currently the highest rated American woman in international rankings, surpassing Serena Williams. She will also be the youngest American woman to debut in the global top 10 since Williams in 1999.

“Watching Kenin play was stunning,” said Yulee Chung (11), varsity tennis player. “Everyone likes an underdog story, and Kenin was this year’s underdog. Every point Kenin scored was thrilling because you knew she earned every swing.

She wasn’t supposed to make it to the semi-finals, much less win.

Whenever you watched her play, it was an indescribable feel-good narrative in the making.”

their numbers to also honor Kobe’s death. In addition, the #girldad movement went viral after Kobe and Gianna’s deaths in honor of the notoriously proud father of four daughters. Fathers all around the world posted videos and father-daughter pictures with the caption #girldad on social media.

“After Kobe Bryant’s death, it is undeniable that I started to appreciate him more,” said Elin Min (11), a varsity basketball player. “All of the accomplishments and lessons he left behind are able to be looked up upon, such as his perseverance and ‘Mamba Mentality’. Not only was Kobe Bryant himself inspiring, but his daughter Gianna Bryant was also a rising star I looked up to as a young player myself. I appreciate their hard work and I believe more people should recognize their accomplishments and admirable qualities.”

Another major response to Kobe’s death has been petitions to change the NBA’s logo to an image of Kobe. For decades, Jerry West’s silhouette has been used in the NBA logo, but after Kobe’s death, the public created a petition to change the silhouette to Kobe. The participation rate for this online petition has reached over 2 million people. If this petition had succeeded, it would have been a historical moment in NBA history, as the league’s logo has remained unchanged for over half a decade.

Unfortunately, this petition did not pass. It is difficult for the NBA to suddenly change its logo as it is their signature image on a global scale, and would impact their brand, merchandise already made, and many more. Even so, the petition acted as another way to honor Kobe’s tragic death.

“I personally expected the petition to not work out,” said Morgan Miller, economics and government politics teacher. “I don’t think the NBA can make changes based on current events since their logo is already a recognizable brand.

Not only that but as great as Kobe Bryant was, I think the impact he had during his carrier was both positive and negative. Since there are controversial opinions based on him as a player, changing the face of NBA to Kobe was questionable.”

Tiger Times

February 2020

Sports

Photos of the Month

11

Photo by Emily Sung and Lauren Kang

12

SMALL TALK

Privacy

Joanne Yang word of the month Privacy. Defined to be the state of being free from observation or disturbance from others, privacy is an endearing right of citizens to keep their relationships, political beliefs, and personal lives confidential. Despite the different levels of emphasis on it due to cultural and individual differences, privacy has particularly significant implications in the digital age. Due to the advent of technology like social media sites (SNS), there are growing concerns of big data companies collecting consumer information without consent and selling it to third parties which exploit users with targeted advertisements. Recently, the development of 5G and the widespread implementation of facial recognition has provoked controversy for infringing on the privacy of individuals.

5G is the successor to its cellular mobile precursor, 4G, which is in the form of what we commonly known as

LTE. According to Bloomberg, 5G can minimize cost while increasing expansive device connections and energy saving rates, increasing transmission speed of up to 100 times and enabling downloads of high resolution videos without disruptions. Despite its apparent benefits, 5G raises serious questions on privacy; this is because the technology was designed to meet the increasing demand for the “Internet of things”— an interconnected network of computing devices in everyday machines like kitchen appliances, traffic lights, and automobiles. Due to the shorter range of wireless 5G signals, mobile carriers can have access to precise locations of its users while cyber intruders could easily eavesdrop into conversations or track people tuning into content shared via 5G. In the global context, US lawmakers expressed concerns of Chinese tech giants like Huawei using data from its communication networks for espio-

nage. According to the Financial Times, such accusations originated in China’s new National Intelligence Law, which requires companies to provide any “support” requested by the Ministry of State Security. If these concerns are legitimate, millions of consumer interests are at risk as Huawei is the second largest smartphone maker in the world, selling products in over 170 countries.

Additionally, facial recognition technology is also being criticized for undermining consumer privacy. The technology, without knowledge or consent, could identify people by name and sell their personal information to advertisers or even the government.

In a 2015 Illinois lawsuit, Facebook was sued for violating the biometric privacy law by collecting facial data from photos shared via its platform with Tag Suggestions, a software that suggests and matches names of people in photos. According to the New York

Times, Facebook has recently settled the case by paying $550 million to Illinois users and agreeing to provide clearer notice about its software for additional permission. Despite more safeguards, many critics still note how the company manipulates consent by implying that users would be more safe with the service turned on. Since these concerns surfaced five years ago, enhanced technological capacity with the 5G could further exacerbate these problems.

THE NOVE . . .

F L TI

H ED EAC

ONAVIRUS R R O C

Africa?

BY CHRISTOPHER SHIN

It seems that every hundred years since 1720, there has been a pandemic. In 1720, it was the Bubonic Plague, which ravaged through Europe claiming thousands of lives. In 1820, it was the Cholera outbreak in Asia that killed and infected thousands more. In 1920, it was the Spanish Flu, the deadliest pandemic in recorded history, infecting over 500 million and killing 100 million. Now in 2020, it is the coronavirus, threatening to spread to all continents of the globe. While it has already spread throughout Asia, the Americas, and Europe, a notable exception without any reported cases has been Africa. What if coronavirus reached Africa?

While many nations have shown relative competence in diagnosing and quarantining victims of coronavirus, many health officials have shown their concerns with Africa’s preparedness and ability to deal with the virus. Many communities in Africa do not even have access to safe drinking water, let alone state-of-the-art health facilities needed to combat coronavirus, and the continent’s inability to address disease epidemics has been shown multiple times throughout history. For example, during the Ebola outbreak that started in 2014, West African nations such as Guinea, Libera, and Sierra Leone struggled to even find enough cots and hospital space to treat victims of the disease. These nations were heavily dependent on international aid, and their lack of self-sufficient health system

resulted in delayed responses, worsening the outbreak as a whole. A coronavirus outbreak in Africa would most likely see a delayed response and be poorly contained.

Given the lack of medical infrastructure, health officials from the World Health Organization have already speculated on the scale and scope of a potential coronavirus outbreak in Africa. What is even more concerning, however, is that this hypothetical may already be happening in the present moment. According to Marc Lipsitch, an epidemiologist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, a large number of Chinese laborers work in Africa and they may have already served as a pathway for transmission. Considering Africa’s general lack of diagnosis centers and communication networks to publicize mild cases, multiple cases of coronavirus may have simply gone undetected in the continent.

By examining the potential consequences of a coronavirus outbreak in Africa, it becomes overwhelmingly clear that the continent is anything but prepared for a deadly disease outbreak. However, it is not a time for nations to simply stay complacent and wait in despair. The international community as a whole needs to band together and assist in the funding and implementation of preventative measures. Health is not an issue to be addressed at the personal, communal, or even national level. It is a global concern for everyone.

At the Cartnivore, Eric Hwang (11) buys a HSSC Valentine-O-Gram brownie from Christopher Shin (11).

photo of the

month Photo by Lauren Kang

WHA