Tiger Times Volume 49 issue 2

Fun Fam Day ily 201 Tiger Times VO L U M E 4 9

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SEPTEMBER 2017

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ISSUE 2

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Editorial

A semester’s worth of not sleeping in class

By Andrew Ham and Diana Na Kyoung Lee Co-Editors-in-Chief

As students, we’ve all wished once or twice that our classes would be just a little more interesting, especially as we dosed off in the middle of a history or chemistry course. However, further examination into the complex world of teachers and their academic interests reveals that we at SIS are not fully harnessing the resources we have.

We believe that implementing a wider variety of courses, perhaps even semester-long seminars similar to those found in college, would help do justice to the scholarly expertise and mastery present within the SIS staff. Imagine courses titled “Exisistentialism in Twentieth Century Literature” or “US Arts, Pop Culture, and Social Change.” Our teachers have attended top universities and graduate programs, all of which have endowed them with a unique set of specialized interests—interests they can and want to share with students who are genuinely curious about these ideas.

To allow students to choose two of these electives per year in one schedule block would help us fully appreciate and utilize this expertise while minimizing the burden it has on teachers’ workloads.

Especially when many teachers are faced with disinterested students taking their class simply because it was the only English course left, this new system could create a more fulfilling teaching experience as instructors would be working with a group of students who are perhaps passionate and curious about the specific niche. By maximizing course choices and liberty, we can also maximize meaningful exchanges of information within the classroom.

Such benefits would be mirrored and even amplified within the student body. First, semester-long courses would help us combat homogeneity, encourage academic exploration, and allow for more specialization. Students would have opportunities to take chances with their learning, to cultivate new inquires—to embrace and lean into burgeoning curiosities without having to commit an entire year or two to an unfamiliar area of study. In a world where agility in unique interdisciplinary combinations is deemed increasingly attractive, semester-long courses would help raise students versed in both genetics and gender theory, astronomy and introductory philosophy, marketing and human geography, and so on.

Opening the gates to specialized courses will encourage students to calibrate their schedules to their genuine interests. While current logistical issues may be preventing the school from implementing this admittedly more complex and elaborate scheduling scheme, a world in which such students could choose to take courses that delve deeper into the fields they are already interested in would be one much more fruitful and fulfilling for both students and teachers.

Of course, these classes must still comply with common academic standards and meet restrictions related to budget or time. A potential drawback may be the lack of standardization between such specialized courses, in contrast with the commonly-used AP programs. But to expand our horizons by creatively adapting the structures in place—to challenge boundaries by building on existent pillars rather than demolishing them—would be educational innovation at its finest. If education were a two-way street, our school could be an animated, energized, buzzing nexus of crossroads; semester-long courses could be the avenue that finally connects the full flow of teachers’ expertise and passions to our students’ manifold curiosities and needs.

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

2 VIEWPOINT Adapting “chaebols” to an era of political change

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n a line of seemingly unending surprises, President Park Geun-hye’s impeachment was soon followed by another momentous indictment. On Aug. 25, Lee Jaeyong, the Vice Chairman of Samsung Electronics, was sentenced to five years in jail for bribery. Although it is not clear whether his sentence will be overturned in the future, Lee’s first trial encouraged Korean citizens to strive for a government that is free from the grasp of lobbyists and corporations: a government that is no longer lenient on law infringement. Yet despite recent improvements in our democratic system, Lee’s prosecution is only the first step in limiting the political influence of large, family-run corporations, also known as chaebols.

Deeply rooted in Korea and its economic history, chaebols are simply too intimately intertwined with our economy to eliminate with cursory attempts. Rising to prominence in Korea under the presidency of former President Park Chung-hee, large corporations like Samsung pioneered Korea’s exponential economic development throughout the mid to late 1900s. Pres-

ident Park decided to concentrate our limited resources on chaebols in order to increase our competitiveness in the global market. These family businesses were able to exercise increased monopolization in the Korean economy—not against government intervention, but rather with government support.

Since then, Korea has been largely dependent on these corporations; external and internal damage to even one of these corporations affects Korea’s entire economy. According to No Cut News, in 2013, 84 percent of the GDP was composed of profit from large corporations, an increase of 35.6 percent from 2003. With chaebols so deeply intertwined in the Korean economy, it would be most unusual if they did not also take part in politics. While the government could attempt to detach itself from the influence of chaebols, it is inevitable that such policies will leave a dent in our economic productivity and output.

There are other ways to truly reduce our dependence on large corporations and balance out its influences: encouraging small businesses and microfinancing or giving financial aid to start-

ing entrepreneurs are just some of the options at hand. However, increasing the number of small businesses is especially hard with the limited resources Korea has at its disposal. Policies that protect the growth of certain large corporations and their monopolization also threaten such businesses. For example, according to the Korea Herald, 90 percent of the audience share in the film industry is composed of conglomerates like the CJ Corporation. As for microfinancing, the Social Solidarity Bank (SSB) seems to be one of the very few banks specifically designed to provide microfinancing.

While balancing small and large businesses as well as economic independence on chaebols paint an appealing picture, we must understand that change comes at a price: in economics, all choices involve trade-offs. Even if we did go a step forward in reducing these influences, we still have a mile to go in creating a stable foundation for an independent economy and thereby an independent government.

By Andrea Kwon Junior, Staff Writer

South Korea must strengthen its military independence In recent months, the discrepancy between the South Korean and American approaches to the North Korean nuclear crisis has posed vital questions regarding the viability of the alliance between the two nations.

President Donald Trump has expressed the need for military action, while President Moon Jae-in has conversely stressed the importance of strictly adhering to peaceful conversations with North Korea. The South Korean government now stands at a crossroads that could decisively alter the relationship between South Korea and the US. The Moon administration has heavily stressed the importance of peace talks. According to the Joongang Daily, President Moon expressed dissatisfaction toward President Trump’s hints at the possible outbreak of war, and sought to establish a norm in which South Korea would occupy a place “in the driver’s seat” in international discussions. The commotion caused by North Korea and the US has nearly silenced the South Korean voice. Furthermore, the approach of the South Korea-US joint military drills have only reinforced Kim Jong Un’s belief that nuclear weapons are the key to his regime’s survival.

If President Moon wants to ensure a secure future for South Korea, he must explore ways to strengthen our military.

President Moon is a known proponent of the peace process. While progress made through peace conferences and elevated speeches would be ideal, the status quo is far from perfect. With tensions escalating between North Korea and the US, South Korea may be involved in military action in the near future. While it is important to maintain peace in the peninsula, President Moon must not lose sight of practicality and preparedness in the midst of his

ideals. South Korea’s over-reliance on foreign powers makes it almost impossible for us to establish national security without external help.

Past relations between the US and Korea have not been perfect. During the 1970s, President Carter’s campaign promise that his administration would withdraw troops from South Korea caused enough anxiety to make President Park Jung-hee pursue a nuclear program himself.

Recently, President Trump’s unwillingness to financially support South Korea’s military inspired similar panic. The US as an ally has helped maintain relative stability thus far, but if war breaks out, South Korea will need a strong military itself to defend its territory.

South Korea should actively strengthen its independent military.

That is not to say that South Korea should abandon the US. If the alliance with the US were to be lost, it would be irrevocable. Having the US as its patron helps South Korea develop its own military power. For example, the

Israeli military has its great strength today because the US has been a contributor to its military power. With decades of advanced weaponry influx, Israel’s military is now among the strongest in the world. While the situation in the Middle East is extremely different from the situation in East Asia, there are valuable lessons that can be learned from it.

South Korea currently walks on a tightrope, struggling to balance itself between pragmatism, peace, and the frequent whirlwinds of commotion tumbling East from the US. South Korea should dedicate more consideration to the practicality of and necessity for a stronger military. A stronger military developed under the care of the US would be an indispensable political utility. By meeting the North Korean crisis with a well-balanced diplomatic and military approach, peace and pragmatism may not be so mutually exclusive.

By Chris Lee Sophomore, Staff Writer

Tiger Times

September 2017

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.

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Tiger Times Staff Paper Editors-In-Chief Andrew Ham Diana Na Kyoung Lee Website Editors-in-Chief Soomin Chun Nicholas Kim Paper Managing Editor Justin Chang

Website Managing Editor Alice Lee

Communications Director Marie Park

Production Editors Joyce Lee Soo Min Lee

Copy Editors Junie Kah Dawn Kim Jeremy Nam Grace Yang

Graphics Editor April Kim Photo Editor Ryan Jang

Layout Artists Amy Jungmin Kim Claire Lee Yejune Park

Youngjin Park Graphics Artists Jina Kim Youngseo Jhe Photographers Angela Choe Lauren Kang Jocelyn Lee Reporters Michelle Ahn Fiona Cho

Sia Cho Kirsten Huh Andie Kim Andrea Kwon Hannah Kim Chris Lee Kate Lee Eju Ro Andy Yoon Adviser Mr. David Coleman

Viewpoint Feature: A very fine line separates democracy from demagoguery.

Does our internationality excuse us from sincere civic engagement?

Or is it time we stepped up to the plate?

Internationality is no excuse for civic apathy

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aving driven past the Hyundai Motor Company headquarters on my way to school and watched the year-round protesting outside from 7:30 a.m. with picket signs, day-in and day-out, I never took the thirty seconds to look into the situation and reasons for the protests, namely wages, rights, and corruption. Many at SIS, including myself, are simply oblivious to the future of the country we call home. Keeping up with Korean politics is a currently obsolete agenda that must be emphasized more.

This is not to disregard the fact that many students have indeed engaged in certain political events. Instances of such are expressing grief for the sinking of the Sewol ferry in 2014 by setting the yellow ribbon as their profile pictures, going to Gwanghwamun Square to hold up a candle in a joint effort to protest the former president, and even voting in presidential elections. At the same time, we cannot confidently say that a good majority of us have a deep understanding of important events, such as the Korean presidential election.

The depth of most teenagers’ understanding is limited to the juvenile, entertaining graphics on SBS of the candidates mounted on dragons battling each other or dabbing together.

In fact, when asked who the 2017 Liberty Korea Party presidential candidate was, a mere 12.5% of students surveyed knew the obvious answer –– Hong Joon-pyo — all in spite of the unprecedented media coverage of the candidate. As a matter of fact, quite a few students responded to the question

by saying “I don’t follow Korean politics” or when told the answer, a straight-out “I’ve never even heard of him.”

While as students we could justify our ignorance with the fact that the conservative party’s name has been changed many times in recent years, or that no one around us voted for Hong, we are quite clearly missing the point in doing so. Try to shift perspective: if students were asked who the Democratic Party presidential nominee for the 2017 elections was, how many would not be able to immediately name Hillary Clinton? How many would not be able to name the political party to which Donald Trump belongs?

Take a moment to think about how upto-date some of us are in keeping up with the latest “Wanna One” hourly updates or watching the most recent episode of “Show Me the Money”. It would thus be quite ridiculous for lack of time to be a legitimate excuse for not keeping up with current events in Korea. I am sorry to say it, but no news about an idol group or celebrity is more important than a groundbreaking foreign policy decision or legislative change.

Considering the substantial consequences our political participation (or the lack thereof ) has, at our current pace we are not setting ourselves up to become engaged citizens of the Korean democracy. Ironically, the younger generations have taken a stand to drive political reform; they are the ones who led the fight for the impeachment of former-president Park, led the votes in terms of age demographics for now President Moon Jae-in, and protested against

corruption in both the government and private corporations.

In the midst of such active political participation by younger generations, it would be simply embarrassing to call ourselves “global citizens” or emerging world leaders without knowing about our own country’s political climate. As beneficiaries of an international education at an institution like SIS, we are saddled with a unique responsibility.

A democracy is not authentic unless citizens are actively involved in the functions of the government. Although civic responsibility is one of the major pillars of an established democracy, the lack of civic-mindedness characterizes most global citizenry. In other words, when we are at a point of patting ourselves on the back for reaching a voter turnout of 60 percent, it should ring in our heads that something is clearly not right. At SIS in particular, the loss of cultural identity seems to be a product of the lack of exposure to Korean culture and thus the ability to engage in our civic responsibility. When all we get are New York Times daily briefings to keep ourselves minimally up to date on “news”, we are not likely to get any information or updates on Hong Joon-pyo –– or of any domestic Korean news, for that matter. It is the unfortunate reality that keeping up with news has become nothing other than a cumbersome task.

By pointing out this overarching problem, I do not mean to begin with advanced approaches to Korean politics. An important first step for many of us would be to

simply look into the basic political structure of the Korean government, so we will not have to ask questions like: “does the Korean government have a Senate?”

I do not want, nor do I expect any of us to become the next John Oliver of Korea. I know that asking for more “dialogue” can sound theoretical and maybe even impractical. As much as we may believe the outof-touch irrelevance of Korean politics, we must not forget the significance it holds for our future opportunities.

By attending an international school, many of us willingly or not sacrificed our Korean identity for internationalism; an example that demonstrates such is our involvement in Korean politics. Yet that is not to say that our future is bleak as well.

Immersing ourselves into the political realm of our country will certainly start with simple steps. It may mean subscribing to Korean news pages on Facebook, bringing up a conversation at the dinner table, or even installing a Korean news application.

For the many fluent Korean speakers at SIS, these methods of approaching uniquely Korean issues is not out of touch nor outrageously labor-intensive.

All I want is for us to engage in conversations about our country without an excuse that we “went to international school” when we advance beyond the SIS stages of our lives. Yes, the vast majority of us are Korean Americans – but at this moment, we only seem to be representing the latter half.

By Hannah Kim Junior, Staff Writer

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NEWS

News Briefs

By Amy Jungmin Kim

Bloody souls in Busan middle school “Is this really too much? Do you really think I’ll go to jail?” messaged one of the abusers via Facebook to her friend.

Junior, Staff Writer

Parents of new students listen eagerly as the first of many presenters open the meeting. Photo by Lauren Kang

New Parent Meeting Held

On Sept. 14, new students and parents gathered in the Multipurpose Room for an orientation meeting. Students and parents who either had difficulty adjusting last year or are new this year were able to ask questions they had regarding various aspects of the school.

Experienced parents and teachers also attended the meeting to answer such questions and provide tips.

“Last year, there were no occasions that allowed me to easily approach other students or their parents at the beginning of the school year,” said Keebum Kim (11), who came to SIS last year. “I’m glad that the school is providing more opportunities for people to adapt and adjust to the SIS community.”

On the morning of September 1st, an innocent girl lay motionless on cold concrete in Busan. Surrounded by a gang of girls from the neighboring school, the victim had no chance of escaping. When the violence subsided, the girls abandoned her, leaving the bloodied victim helpless on the floor with no strength to call for help. The suspects later turned themselves over to the police in self-proclaimed guilt, but their punishment would be lenient— after all, they were teenagers.

“That photo [of the assault] left me dumbstruck for days. I could not possibly believe that girls younger than me would do such cruel things,” Min Jung (11) said, “As a student, this really touches me because I could easily have been the victim myself.”

A photograph of the abuse—taken by the girls themselves—and CCTV footage of the incident were leaked on Facebook the next morning.

The inexplicable brutality punched at Korea’s perception of juvenile delinquents. The Busan Police Department later reported that the justification of the abuse that the suspects gave was that the victim had been flirting with one of the abuser’s ex

boyfriend. They were apparently led to this conclusion because the victim had received a phone call from the abuser’s ex. Just as the suspects’ justification seemed to slant the debate, a Facebook post made by the victim’s mother turned the tables: these group of girls had assaulted the same group before.

“Is this really too much?” messaged one of the abusers via Facebook, “Do you really think I’ll go to jail?”

The previous abuse ended with the victim reporting the abusers, instead of the abusers turning themselves in.

The police suspect that an ulterior motive for this second abuse was revenge against the victim for the past report on the abusers. Nothing has been confirmed yet, but the motive will nonetheless have no visible effect in the severity of their punishment. The public sentiment has converged upon the belief that this highlights not only a social problem, but also a legislative problem in South Korea.

According to the Juvenile Act, Juvenile delinquents are considered to be mentally immature and more easily correctable. In other words, they are deemed to lack the mental capacity to judge what is right and what is wrong.

This allows a life sentence in jail for an adult to be reduced to only fifteen years for juvenile delinquents.

“The Juvenile Act tells me that I am not competent enough to make proper judgments,” Jina Kim (11) said. “But at the same time, the Age of Consent tells me that I actually am. What’s going on? They’re both laws in the book but they’re too contradictory to coexist.”

The Age of Consent in Korea states that anyone over the age of 13 is capable of consenting to sexual acts, but it is more often referred to justify the moral competence of teenagers to distinguish right from wrong. With such contradictions in the law, the Juvenile Act had always been a subject of controversy in the past. However, this Busan gang violence especially triggered more public outrage: more than 300,000 Koreans signed the petition against the Act and bombarded the Blue House website with protesting messages. It is prospective that even when the shock of the Busan accident subsides, the Koreans will continue to fight against the Juvenile Act.

By Michelle Ahn Junior, Staff Writer

Family Fun Day Hosted

On Sept. 23, SIS students, parents and staff gathered to celebrate Family Fun Day, an annual festival organized by the High School Student Council (HSSC). The much-loved event did not fail to amaze visitors once again; iconic booths such as the Mickey Bounce and new booths such as the Power Tackle kept students entertained for nearly six hours. High school students enrolled in clubs volunteered for the organizations’ booths.

“I think this year’s Family Fun Day went a lot smoother than last year’s,” said Jenny Oh (10), HSSC sophomore council treasurer. “The HSSC implemented a monitoring system in which members went around periodically and confirmed that enough people were at shifts, and that safety protocols were being met. In this way, we were able to ensure that every booth ran smoothly and securely.”

Wizard of Oz rehearsals begin

The SIS drama department opened its school year on Aug. 22 by hosting the first rehearsal for this year’s school play, the renowned “Wizard of Oz.” Though their official performances are set for Nov. 7-9, all cast and crew roles were set in stone by May. The students selected practiced their lines and songs independently over summer break, and will now participate in at least two official rehearsals per week.

“I think what makes this musical special is that though most of the cast has a minor role, Mr. Arthars directs the play in a way that allows everyone to enjoy the show,” said Yoon Lim (11), a cast member. “Come see the product of our hard work in November.”

Tensions rise with North Korean nuclear tests

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orth Korea tested a nuclear bomb for the sixth time, garnering international concern and spiking tension across the globe. The nuclear bomb tested this time is to be equipped on an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) at a later time. The success of this test transgressed the red line delineated by President Moon Jae-in last month: the completed development of a nuclear bomb that can be equipped on an ICBM. On the other hand, President Donald Trump has displayed contiuous support of military actions.

“The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty must be followed by all nations,” said Leonard Lee (10), MUN member.

“Otherwise, the destructive capacity of these weapons would be a severe and crippling threat to the entire international community. North Korea’s blatant violation of international law is unjustified, because North Korea is developing its weapons for the purpose of aggression.”

According to the Chosun Ilbo, North Korea’s nuclear weapons have increased tenfold in destructive capacity over the course of a year. While North Korea claimed that they have successfully tested a hydrogen bomb, it is widely speculated that the bomb used in this test marks somewhere between the completion of a basic nuclear bomb and the primitive stages of a hydrogen bomb. However, President Moon did

not clearly indicate how South Korea would respond in the case of a transgression. Nationalistic and conservative political parties have continuously supported military action, adding more pressure on President Moon’s administration to abandon its support of peaceful negotiations.

“President Moon promised during the election campaign that he would resuscitate Korea’s Sunshine policy toward North Korea,” said Michael Silber, world history teacher. “It remains to be seen, however, whether this will actually happen. Conservative factions within Korea and President Trump pressure President Moon into adopting tougher policies on North Korea. I think that he will need to make some overtures to North Korea soon in exchange for a halt to its missile testing.”

In response to the event, President Trump promised that North Korea would face military action if it decided to attack the US or any of its allies.

He further emphasized that President Moon needs to understand that North Korean actions have deemed hopes of negotiations bleak. In response, South Korea promised to cooperate with the US to place heavier sanctions and to swiftly install the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD). The phone call between President Moon and President Trump that took place just days after the nuclear test was devoid of any talks of a peaceful approach, according

to the New York Times. Furthermore, President Trump seems to stand by his claim supporting military action. According to New York Times, President Trump said in a speech to the United Nations that he would “totally destroy North Korea.”

“I am optimistic that there will be no further escalation,” said Mr. Silber.

“It is in no one’s interest to have a war on the Korean peninsula, and I do think that rational actors on both sides will prevent further escalation. I am a bit more skeptical as to whether a longterm solution is attainable. For that to happen, both the North and South Korean governments need to willingly take some risks and make some compromises. I am not sure if there is the will to pursue that path at the moment.”

In reaction to North Korea’s test, East Asian countries uniformly condemned the action. China, one of North Korea’s only allies, promised to limit central bank dealings with North Korean accounts. However, the central actors of the North Korea crisis, South Korea and the US, will be the deciding factors in the future of foreign policy against North Korea. Whether South Korea or the US will change their approaches to North Korea remains as a prominent question.

By Chris Lee Sophomore, Staff Writer

Tiger Times

September 2017

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SIS teachers certified through Google Bootcamp

caption Photo by Jocelyn Lee

A certified Google partner trainer, Lee Webster both collectively and individually guides the teachers at the Google Bootcamp.

On Sept. 16 and 17, three experts from AppsEvents, a partner of Google Education, visited SIS to lend some of their insight to SIS teachers. Known as the Google Bootcamp, the two-day long workshop was designed to be an opportunity for teachers to learn how to effectively use various Google technologies within the classroom. At the end of the two days, those who wished to could sign up for an exam that would determine their Google certification level.

“This is the first time we are bringing the bootcamp to our school,” said David Coleman, who coordinated the event.

“Although SIS teachers have gone to other international schools, such as Chadwick, for summits and workshops in the past, we have never hosted a Google bootcamp here at SIS.” Although it was SIS’s first time hosting

such an event, things went smoothly. After congregating as a large group and making introductions, attendees were divided into three groups: those who wished to obtain a Level 1 certification, those who were aiming for Level 2, and those in the “Design & Innovation” strand. Level 1 was, by far, the largest group, with teachers and staff from all three sectors of the school filling all of the seats in the 4th floor multi-purpose room.

“Through the conference, I learned a lot of little tricks, which helped me enhance the skills I had already,” said Mindi Harman, math teacher, who participated in the Level 1 strand. “But I also eventually achieved my goal, which was to understand Google Classroom better. I know that a lot of students use it in their other classes, and I want to start using it in mine.”

Although the lessons were devised in a very structured way that would help prepare for the various exams, they were conducted in a relaxed, stress-free atmosphere. In the Level 1 room, Lee Webster, the presenter, explained and demonstrated a skill through the projector. Attendees followed along, and then completed an assignment demonstrating their understanding. Those confused usually turned to one of two options: they could either raise their hands to ask for clarification, or they could turn to their neighbors for help.

“I think working together and helping each other was definitely a positive aspect of the Bootcamp,” said Ms. Harman. “I think it’s our nature, as teachers, to help each other. If I was misunderstanding something, or I fell behind from the rest of the group, it was always nice to look to my

partner or someone around me for help.

And of course, I was more than willing to do the same for them as well because I know what it is like to feel a little bit lost.”

As more lessons taught in the classroom become increasingly technology-oriented, the need to use such tools in efficient and innovative ways is becoming more necessary. Just like students, teachers are looking for new ways to expand upon their knowledge of technology and use it as an advantage. Thus, the program was the perfect opportunity to foster these talents.

No matter the exam result, each and every one of the attendees acquired applicable, classroom-related skills over the course of the two days.

By Fiona Cho Sophomore, Staff Writer

The More You Know

Fight the oppressors, not the oppressed It seems that many Americans have the highest respect for the law, but not morality. For an American to be considered “patriotic,” before professing their admiration for morally righteous causes, they need to make sure they are following the “laws of the time.”

This has been especially evident in the ongoing debate about police brutality, which has remained in the news with a white woman and an LGBT student added to the long list of high-profile cases of police abuse. Even after Americans across the nation watched in horror as police officers took advantage of their power and position to break the law and commit violence against powerless citizens, many would still argue that incidents of brutality would not have happened if the victims had “followed the law,” “listened to the officers,” or any other common

phrase that blames the supposed criminality of the victim.

Take a second to contemplate those statements. Not only are they ignoring the fact that some police officers were violent criminals themselves when they shot citizens without justifiable cause, they are also describing an actual totalitarian state where citizens are safe as long as they follow their superiors.

Any who step out of line? Forget the judicial process—extrajudicial killing is seemingly justified instead. While atrocious case after atrocious case of police brutality have emerged, many Americans instead choose to focus on whether the victim was a criminal, as if thievery merits abuse and an untimely death.

Let’s take a moment to understand why Americans have such an obsession with “following the law” (as a disclaimer,

I am aware of its importance—just bear with me). After all, laws are not inherently moral, and neither are they moral maxims. The codes that Chuck Schumer and Paul Ryan dream up in Capitol Hill do not dictate our individual consciences; however, there is a disproportionate emphasis on being “good citizens.”

Americans fail to realize that being a good citizen does not necessarily being an obedient citizen. Fighting against a racially prejudiced system, even if it is in the form of a protest that was not legally cleared with the local government, is a moral act, and we shouldn’t have to have debates over whether the illegality of a moral protest makes it immoral.

It is time for us to take a step back and think about what kind of society we are living in . We are a society that respects the laws, of course, but what kind of

By Andrew Ham society are we to those who challenge the unequal status quo that subdues the powerless? Americans have historically failed to support in large numbers the oppressed who fight for their rights, because the classic American move is to turn the cheek, wrinkle one’s nose because some protestors are “disturbing the peace.” As long as the domestic system benefits the majority of them, Americans will value obedient patriots: soldiers, rather than civil rights activists.

Perhaps it’s time to realize that with police brutality, instead of just one bad apple, we’re dealing with a bad worm that is tunneling through the entire barrel.

That may require that we burn the barrel and start anew, or cover it with insecticides; either way, questions of legality take second place to questions of morality in these ethically perilous times.

Charlottesville, Virginia

A tal two st

Of Liberty or Tyranny

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wo statues stand on opposite sides of the world.

One is of a little girl. She sits with her fists clenched in her lap, a stoic expression on her face that is indignant of her treatment yet determined to hold on to her grievances. She sits dishonored, not only by the robbing of her innocence all those years ago, but also by the fact that her aggressors turn a blind eye to her plight in modern times. While the scarves and hats adorned onto her by Korean citizens in solidarity with those like herself depict an innocent young girl, the shadow she casts is that of an aggrieved elder.

The other is the towering figure of General Robert E. Lee. He stands at the heart of Charlottesville, Virginia, where he has ignited another spate of violent protests, both lauding and impugning plans to take down the statue.

After weeks of back-and-forth in vain, the general is now draped in tarp. In his shadow lies a symbol of unity among the once confederate states, and yet also a reminder of an era in which people like him fought to continue slavery in the US. When stripped to the bare essentials, both situations share undeniable commonalities.

In both cases, a symbol of the right to free speech is being threatened by a third party.

With comfort women, it’s the Japanese government, who has repeatedly attempted to remove the innocuous girl from all over Korea. With confederate leaders, it’s Virginia’s own federal government. In theory, both cases should be protected by an overarching right to the freedom of expression, without the fear of censorship. In theory.

In practice, it’s a lot more complicated.

Clear, ethical distinctions separate the two

by Jeremy Nam situations, especially in the civic groups that erect and protect the statues. The statue of the “comfort woman” is protected by virtually all of South Korea, as it is a somber reminder of the egregious acts committed during Japanese occupation. The statue of General Lee, in contrast, is shielded by organizations mostly characterized as hate groups—whether that be the Ku Klux Klan or Neo-Nazis—as a symbol of their livelihood and history.

There are also distinctions in the potential implications of the statues themselves. With the statues of comfort women, there are only marginally negative implications. The statue’s primary purpose is to serve as a reminder to the Korean public of the people who have suffered over the course of their history, and the Japanese officials who have a problem with the statues simply lament the fact that they paint Japanese history in a negative light.

In contrast, the commemoration of confederate leaders carries undeniably negative implications. Imagine an African American person strolling past the town park and seeing that at the park’s center is a figure known primarily for waging war to assure that half of the nation could continue enslaving people just like him. How would he feel? Would these statues to him not encourage implications of hate? Aren’t rights only provisional in our countries, especially when there are comparable third party harms? In such a case, then, would censorship not be justified?

Maybe not. The fact that a hate group supports a certain cause does not immediately deem that cause discredited. It may be wrong, thereby, to define the statues by the groups supporting them, especially because the line that delineates what is righteous and what

is inflammatory is largely ambiguous. Of course, we can safely say that slavery, sexual or otherwise, should not be celebrated in way, shape, or form. However, if the public allows the government to dictate which statues—and by extension which ideologies—are good or bad, that undermines what it means to live in a democratic state.

Such a classic clash between the freedom of expression and the right to security thereby revamps an equally classic debate about to what extent the government can impose on said freedoms in the name of security. Can the government make a sweeping statement of what a medium of expression means to an individual? Can it say with complete authority that General Lee represents slavery incarnate for all its proponents? The confederate statues could be embodiments of the people they represent collectively and not the implications behind them, which would provide an explanation as to why people have been such vociferous opponents of any attempt to remove the statues. After all, despite being simply molded lumps of bronze, copper, and stone, such inanimate objects have a strange way of binding us together as a symbol of unity better than any real person could.

If the tale of two statues has taught us anything, it’s that it presents more questions and dilemmas than it does answers––but in a way, that is precisely why it is a true archetype of the much contended topic of freedom of expression. There are no concrete answers as to what extent this freedom holds true in our society, but through deliberation of cases like these we may be able to get a more comprehensive understanding of the controversy.

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le of tatues

y jungmin kim

Seoul, Korea

The significance of statues: built up and taken down

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n Aug. 12, a car plowed into a group of protesters supporting the removal of a statue of Robert E. Lee in Charlottesville, Virginia. The casualties—one dead and dozens injured— along with the ensuing media controversy, raised questions regarding the implications of the many confederate statues that still remain standing in the US. According to the New York Times, more than a dozen confederate statues have been removed in recent years; however, it is still heatedly debated whether the statues are inappropriate or necessary for the commeration of US history.

It must be noted that there is a fine line between remembering and commemorating a historical figure. The distinction defines the difference between a public monument and other methods of remembrance, such as museums, films, or written pieces. A monument is purposely displayed to commemorate achievements, as well as reflect the values of a nation. If a historical figure is known for actions that the nation no longer respects, then erecting a statue of that monument might be a misrepresentation of the people’s values.

In response to the controversy regarding the removal of confederate statues, President Trump tweeted that he was “sad to see the history and culture of our great country being ripped apart with the removal of our beautiful statues and monuments.” Of course, removing aspects of history or culture and picking which parts to preserve deserves major criticism.

However, Trump received major public backlash; many argued that removing a statue of a confederate hero is not “ripping apart” certain parts of history, and that history can be preserved in other ways.

by Eju Ro “These statues are not necessary for the preservation of history. They are entities of propaganda created mainly by the Sons and Daughters of the Confederacy,” said Michael Stanton, US history teacher. “Their soul and purpose was in perpetuating the status quo of white supremacy in the myth of the ‘Lost Cause.’ Unlike George Washington, who is a reflection of American nationalism, figures like Robert E. Lee fought for white supremacy and Southern nationalism.”

The removal of historical statues is not a new notion. After the fall of the Soviet Union, for instance, public monuments praising the communist state were immediately taken down.

These statues have not been destroyed, but rather displayed together at their “fallen monument park,” or Museon Park of Arts. According to the Independent, the monuments displayed at this park are accompanied by an explanation for the viewers, along with this description: “By the decree of the Moscow City Council of people representatives of Oct 24, 1991, the monument was dismantled and placed in the MUSEON Arts Park exposition. The work is historically and culturally significant, being the memorial construction of the soviet era, on the themes of politics and ideology.”

The park is directly portraying the fact that they are not glorifying the leaders or displaying the statues as a sign of commemoration (like statues usually do), but rather for the documentation of the nation’s history. In this case, the meaning of the historical monuments has been altered for a specific purpose.

Take the Sonyeosang statues as another example. These are historical statues commemorating the Korean victims of sexual slavery--also known as “comfort women”--of the Japanese

during World War II. In the past year, many more Sonyeosangs have been erected across South Korea; according to the Kyunghyang News, one in Yongsan-gu was set up just last month, and one was also recently set up near the Japanese Consulate in Busan.

Sonyeosangs serve the role of honoring the victims taken into slavery. Although they do not represent a specific historical figure, they represent the “comfort women” as a whole.

Choosing to create statues for the oppressed is not an act of choosing certain parts of history to remember, but rather an act of deliberately choosing which side to support and which side to denounce. Unlike the confederate statues, the Sonyeosangs serve as a historical reminder about the “comfort women,” and how such wartime sexual slavery should not occur in the future again.

The distinction here is not that the Sonyeosang is inherently a “good” statue because it represents the oppressed, nor is it that the confederate ones are inherently “bad” for representing the oppressor. The issue is rather with the general meaning of historical statues. A Sonyeosang is an example of a benign monument because Koreans generally believe that the victims should be honored; it represents a voice of the people on which figures in history they want to respect publically. On the other hand, a confederate monument implies that confederate soldiers are to be honored, which is not the story the US hopes to propagate.

The documentation of mistakes in history is crucial for the future of society. Yet the distinction between the purpose of statues and the purpose of other means of historical preservation should be considered when erecting or removing certain historical monuments.

8 LIFESTYLE Taylor Swift returns strong with a dark twist The innocent country girl is now dead. Taylor Swift both explicitly and implicitly demonstrated this metamorphosis in her newest single, “Look What You Made Me Do.” On Aug. 24, the singer finally returned after nearly two years of preparation with a new style of music hardly reminiscent of her old self. To the delight and dismay of many, Swift has released two new singles flaunting an exceptionally dark mood with loud bass sounds, skeptical lyrics, and raps performed with a lowtoned voice.

Two years ago, Taylor Swift’s album, “1989” made its first foray into pop music, and received a plethora of compliments and criticism alike. Responses from the media ranged from demands to restore the “old country” Swift to acceptance of the new “pop singer Taylor” with open arms. Nonetheless, “1989” sported the upbeat theme that also marked her previous country albums.

Between “1989” and “Reputation,” Taylor Swift had her public image dragged through several clashes with other celebrities. The most prominent example is that with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian. It all started with West’s lyrics that made sexual references to Swift in his song, “Famous.”

The couple claimed that Taylor Swift was playing the victim of West’s lyrics when she had already approved of the lyrics before the song was released.

Swift agreed that she had approved small parts of the song, but was never aware that the lyrics, as a whole, held such profanity. However, Kim Kardashian uploaded a recording of the conversation held between Kanye and Swift on her Snapchat, supposedly proving Swift’s confirmation of the lyrics. She even uploaded a post about National Snake Day and said, “They have a holiday for everybody these days!” which, as the media hypothesized, was referring to Taylor Swift. This event spurred Swift’s haters to upload Twitter posts with the hashtag “TaylorIsASnake.”

“Look What You Made Me Do” shocked the media once again because of the multiple references regarding her clashes with other celebrities made in Taylor Swift’s lyrics and music video. For example, the lines, “The role you made me play / Of the fool, no, I don’t like you” directly discusses the dispute with West and Kardashian. Her fans were especially shocked by the lines,“I’m sorry, the old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now. Why? Oh, ‘cause she’s dead!” These lyrics show that the criticism that Swift had to overcome killed her old self and reputation—meaning that she cannot go back to the innocent country singer self.

By Andie Kim Sophomore, Staff Writer Album images courtesy of USA today and Billboard.com

Emoi: A step closer to Vietnam

Emoi serves dishes such as Bun Cha, Com Rang, and Rau Muong, and delights customers with an authentic taste of Vietnam.

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rising star among various foreign restaurants in Seoul, Emoi, a Vietnamese restaurant chain, has reached rapid and overwhelming popularity since its launch in 2015.

In just two years, the little 24-hour restaurant in Jongro expanded to include more than 70 branches all over Korea, including Seoul, Busan, Gwangju, and elsewhere. Emoi attracts a wide variety of customers hungry for Vietnamese food, ranging from local residents to tourists and celebrities.

There are many eyecatching choices on the menu: numerous types of pho (rice noodles with pork), Bun Cha (fried pork with noodles and vegetables), Com Rang (fried rice), Nem (spring rolls with pork and vegetables), Rau Muong (stir-fried spinach), and several more. Ecstatic at the variety, I ordered Pho Chin, Bun Cha, and Com Rang.

In less than ten minutes, the first dish—Pho Chin—was served. The tantalizing smell wafted through the air as the meal was carried over to my table. Taking in a deep breath, I hurriedly picked up the intricately designed spoon and chopsticks and dove into the dish, gulping down the silky noodles and soup. It was amazing: it perfectly captured the distinc-

JUKEBOX JEWELS SUMMER SET

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tive smell of Vietnamese dishes, and the ample cilantro truly completed the experience.

Soon came Bun Cha and Com Rang.

Bun Cha was my absolute favorite.

The dish consisted of fried pork, thread-like noodles, and fresh vegetables. Although the three made a perfect combination on their own, the tangy, orange sauce that came with the dish made it even better, adding a sour, sharp, yet addictive taste to the dish with every bite. Com Rang was just as mouth-watering. Multiple vegetables, like carrots and onions, gave the dish a colorful appeal. Exploding in my mouth, this combination of various vegetables and rice sent chills down my body.

“As an Emoi lover, I have tried every dish on the menu,” said Lizy Choi (11).

“My favorite, though, is Nem. I love how the crispy rice paper, pork, and vegetables act in harmony.”

Just like the meaning of Emoi –– I invite you –– the restaurant invites customers to truly experience the culture of Vietnam. Unlike other Vietnamese restaurants, Emoi exposes customers to authentic Vietnamese traditions: the artworks attached on the walls, ornate utensils, and waitresses are all reminiscent of Vietnam. In addition, Emoi uses unique Vietnamese herbs not found

“I’ll get my feet back on the ground, and pull my head out of the clouds. I think it’s time for me to figure me out.”

– Brian Logan Dales, “Figure Me Out” If February were the ad-nauseam days of second semester, September would be its first-semester counterpart. For many of us, school does not let up until parent-teacher conferences, on account of Chuseok pretty much overlapping with the October SATs. Caught between innumerable tests, projects, and assignments,

Photos by Kirsten Huh

at other Vietnamese resteraunts in Korea, thus adding to its authenticity and popularity. People who have been to Emoi claim that this restaurant is the only “real” Vietnamese experience you can have in Korea.

“I have always liked Vietnamese food, and before Emoi opened, I used to eat often at common Pho restaurants in Seoul,” said Bonny Minn (11). “I knew something was missing though. The Pho at those common restaurants were palatable, but I could sense the artificiality of the dish. When I first found out about Emoi through Facebook reviews, I knew I had to go there. All the different pictures on the Internet of the dishes served at Emoi heightened my expectations. Just like my expectations, the food at Emoi was amazing.

It was different from any other Pho restaurants as it captured the native taste of Vietnam by using unique ingredients: its self-made noodles and special sauces from Vietnam embellished the taste of the dish."

For those who want to indulge in true Vietnamese food, I encourage visiting Emoi. As the meaning of Emoi suggests, I invite you—I invite you to Emoi.

By Kirsten Huh Junior, Staff Writer

it is easy to experience burnout. In the midst of all this stress, “Figure Me Out” by the Summer Set sends a timely piece of advice to the best of us; take a moment to blink and breathe once in a while.

The Summer Set was formed by drummer Jess Bowen, guitarist John Gomez, bassist Stephen Gomez, and vocalist Brian Logan Dales, who teamed up to self-release their first EP “Love The Love You Have” in 2007. Since the addition of rhythm guitarist Josh Montgomery in 2008, the band has yet to part with any of

Tiger Times

September 2017

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Samsung and Apple make comeback with improvements

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his September, the two eternal rivals of the technology industry, Samsung and Apple, each released new versions of the Galaxy Note and iPhone. Equipped with innovative features and dashing new looks, the unveiling of the two devices stirred excitement among smartphone users.

In Samsung’s leap from the controversial Galaxy Note 7 to Note 8, many key functions were revamped. With the price jumping to 1.2 million won, this model became the most expensive yet. As with the Galaxy S8, Samsung removed the home button from the Note 8 and installed a virtual one, in addition to an edge-to-edge display that is more shatter-resistant and has increased 3D touch capabilities. The phone is also waterproof to depths of 1.5 meters for up to 30 minutes.

“As a Galaxy Note 4 user, it seems to me

that the new Note 8 is much more advanced in many aspects,” Clara Ryu (10) said. “It appears that Samsung has put much effort and time into the new phone in order to create a faultless model that would compensate for the Note 7’s past defects. Moreover, the focal point of every new model is the camera; this version of the phone holds more developed features such as better camera resolution, attracting more customers.”

The iPhone 8 has gone through some drastic renovations as well. At a press event in Cupertino, California on Sept. 12, Tim Cook finally revealed the latest iPhone model along with a surprise unveiling of the iPhone X. The iPhone 8 does not feature a touch ID function; it has been substituted with face ID instead. Characteristics similar to those of the Samsung Galaxy have also been added: the iPhone 8 features wireless

charging functions and a near bezel-less display, which means that the outside frame of the device has diminished in size.

In addition to these changes, the Apple team has also created animated face tracking emojis that users can control through augmented reality.

“I have been using the iPhone ever since the iPhone 4 came out,” said Irene Park (11), current iPhone 6 user. “Apple’s design always looks better than other phones and my experience with the iPhone has never been disappointing, so I wanted to buy the new version. However, after I heard about the missing touch ID feature, I’ve been reconsidering this. Fingerprint scanning is one of the most convenient functions of the iPhone, and I feel that replacing this with face recognition would make the phone harder to manipulate.”

Since their launch, both phones have

been experiencing a surge in orders.

According to SBS, Apple’s manufacturing factory in China has released a total of 1.18 million models of the new iPhone as of Sept. 17, while the Korea Herald reported that 270,000 Galaxy Notes have been activated over the course of a mere two days.

“I expect the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 especially to be a home run for Samsung,” said Jason Lee, Apple support staff. “The Note series has always been the 'must-have' phone for Android lovers, with the exception of the Note 7. With the problems of the Note 7 behind the phone, and with the proven tech of the Samsung Galaxy S8 used to build the Note 8, I don't see any competitor coming close to matching the Note 8 for the first one to two months of release.”

By Youngseo Jhe Junior, Staff Writer

Remake of clown horror movie 'It' falls comically flat

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f one saw the trailer with the cute boy in the yellow rain jacket following his dear paper boat in the sewers only to be met by a creepy clown, congratulations: you have just seen the best part of the recently hyped movie, “It.” It went all downhill from there. “‘It’ was the least scary horror film I’ve ever watched,” Jenny Oh (10) said. “I can whole-heartedly guarantee that ‘It’ was honestly equivalent to a special Halloween episode from one of the cliché Disney shows.

The 1986 novel "It" is considered one of the most successful brainchildren of the renowned horror novelist Stephen King. "It" masterfully knits the warmth of

its members. However, the group has had less luck with recording labels, drifting from label to label until they settled with pop punk giant Fearless Records in 2012.

In the history of alternative rock bands, The Summer Set has had a volatile life rivaling that of My Chemical Romance. Despite its impressive longevity of ten years, the group went through numerous onand-off periods that nearly resulted in hiatuses similar to My Chemical Romance’s 2006 quandry. Their bond was especially challenged in 2015, when the completion

friendship with horror and fear, and has set the acclaimed record of selling more than one million copies in less than two weeks.

The recently released film adaptation of "It," directed by Andy Muschietti, also set unprecedented records, such as holding the biggest opening weekend for a supernatural thriller, beating "Paranormal Activity 3." However, the film’s success can only be chalked up to the fame of the original story; the technical and strategic composition of the movie were purely disappointmenting.

“The only thing I remember about the movie is throwing my popcorn behind my head,” said Daniel Kim, SIS graduate. “The movie was just true to its title as a horror film, but nothing more. Other than jump

of their upcoming album took longer than expected. Musically lost in an abyss, the members sat down for a talk that quickly veered off to discuss the murky future of the band. Miraculously pulling through, the group announced their album “Stories for Monday" in January 2016. Since then, they have performed on select dates of the 2016 Warped Tour, as well as their very own “Stories for Monday Tour.”

At a glance, the band's discography is akin to a H&M playlist. Upbeat guitar and synth rhythms in the background, vocalist

scares, the movie had little content—the plot was uninteresting and undeveloped, the characters were not dynamic or complex.”

There were screams in the movie theater—but how could one not be surprised by a sudden jump scare featuring a 20-meter wide clown face? While the movie ‘It’ follow the general plot of the novel ‘It’, the film focused too much on the horror factor that it forgot to flesh out key elements of the story, such as the friendship between the six children and the psychological fear factor of Pennywise the Clown, that was necessary to sustain a quality storyilne.

“In contrast to the raw horror that the original ‘It’ featured, the new adaptation of

Brian Dales touches on an illustrious array of topics, whether it may be an account of a neurotic yet passionate relationship (see "7 Days" from their 2013 album "Legendary"), crash-and-burn getaways native to the genre (see “Accidental Billionaires” from “Legendary”) an existential rumination of one’s identity and purpose in life (see "Figure Me Out" from their 2016 album "Stories for Monday"). In the span of ten years, the band has presented four albums, four EPs, and eight singles.

September is not an easy month to get

‘It’ overplayed the element of horror to an extent in which it numbed me,” said Jonathan Ames, history and Government and Politics teacher.

Despite the criticism it garnered for its lacking qualities, “It” must be praised for the realistic CG that brought all the gore to life. We must also recognize the incredible performances put on by the young cast, from Bill Skarsgård to Sophia Lillis.

While the movie included components of a potentially great movie, its patchwork was jagged. In the end, the final product was utterly unsatisfactory.

By Michelle Ahn Junior, Staff Writer

through. It involves plenty of awkwardness, confusion, and frustration, particularly since it is the first full month of school. But even the most insurmountable weeks can pass with a few deep breaths and a nap, if you can afford one. Life, especially an academic one, can be far from a joyride at times. But do remember to take care of yourself; after all, it is the one lesson we should learn to live our lives to the fullest. If you find yourself feeling a little blue, check out the Summer Set on Spotify or YouTube for some spice.

10 SPORTS Play-by-Play: Tigers record their fifth consecutive win against KIS Phoenix

SIS vs KIS

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Yewon Chu (10) sets a perfect backset for Soomin Chun (12) to spike a winning point on their first set of the game. The lady Tigers record their 5th consercutive conference win over KIS Phoenix on Sept. 20 at a home game in Tiger Gym 1.

Preview

On Sept.20, the varsity girls volleyball team faced off against the Korean International School Phoenix in a home game in Tiger Gym 1. Playing a match against last season’s all conference champions may have been a challenge; nonetheless, the team recorded their fifth consecutive win of the season.

Set 1

The Tigers started off with a strong jump serve by Yewon Chu (10), which led to the first point of the set. The game proceeded with the advantage leaning towards the Tigers as Soomin Chun (12) and Sunhee Bae (11) performed consecutive spikes. The Tigers continued with a solid lead, with a great block from co-captain Karen Joo

(12) followed by impossible receives from co-captain Lauren Kim (12). Tigers were able to be ahead of the game, successfully ending the set with a 15-point difference.

Set 2

The first point of the second set was earned

by Yewon spiking a perfect set by Helaine Lee (11), which was almost impossible to receive. A flawless rally of Yewon’ set, co-captain Jane Han’s (12) dig ended with a point earned by a tip from Hannah Kim (11). Once again, the Tigers were able to win a close set with a 2-point difference by the animated cheers of fellow schoolmates.

Set 3

The first point of the third set was earned

by Yewon’s signature jump serve followed

by April Kim’s (12) strong receive. The last half of the set proceeded with the advantage leaning towards neither side, as they were unable to make a 2-point difference starting from the 24th point of the set. The third set ended with the lead of the Phoenix, the Tigers still had great enthusiasm and synergy for the next set.

Set 4

The final set started with the lead of the Phoenix as they earned the first point of the set. Despite the tension that was formed from the previous set, an ideal routine of Jane’s firm receive, Yewon’s perfect set and Soomin’s powerful spike earned countless points throughout the set. Karen’s spike won the 10th point of the set and from then,

Photos by Angela Choe

the lead was never even contested. The winning point was an overhand serve by Sunhee, who aimed precisely into empty space.

Overview

The girls varsity volleyball team showcased their fifth consecutive win against KIS, previous season’s champion team for all conference games. The Tigers seemed to stumble a little, however they were able to win a total of three sets. The team’s secure synergy and tremendous improvement throughout the game left no room for a defeat.

By Claire Lee Sophomore, Staff Writer

SIS students find fun in managing fantasy sports teams

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s professional sports seasons begin, SIS students have taken up the mantle of coaches such as Gregg Popovich and Steve Kerr through fantasy sports, an online activity where participants manage virtual teams with players from the NBA, MLB, NFL, and the Premier League and compete with one another. From drafting to trading, students strive to obtain players with the best statistics in multiple categories in order to beat their friends. As players put up numbers in different categories, they are all combined to a final total after each week to determine the victor of head to head matches- wins from those are combined at the end of the season where a final victor will be announced.

Winning at fantasy involves strategic planning and tactics in order to obtain the best players. Since there are many categories to consider- like blocks, field goal

percentage, and total points for basketball and ERA, WHIP, and RBI for baseball- certain players may be hidden gems and be even better than All-Star calibre players.

For example in fantasy basketball, though James Harden might be one the best players to pick for certain categories like three point percentage, total points, and assists, Hassan Whiteside is the better bet when striving for other categories like blocks and rebounds.

“I put my all my faith into 3 rookies this season who may or may not do well. That’s because I got the first pick so even though I was able to get Russell Westbrook (last year’s NBA MVP), my next pick came after 23 other picks so I was forced to choose players that were not very good,” said Andrew Lee (11), 2nd overall in last year’s fantasy league with Andrew’s Team. “Its also fun how people force you to trade with them at 2 a.m. with deals I wouldn’t accept

even if I was bribed.”

Fantasy sports may also break friendships. For example, John Ban (12), former fantasy player and former coach for the John’s Jolly Joysticks faced sadness this season after he was voted out of his league by eight of his friends. After being ousted by his closest friends, John was disappointed.

“I feel terrible right now and I feel devastated that my friends would even betray me like this,” said John. “I cannot believe that eight people actually told me to leave the league. Even though I may have been last place last year and my record was 2-22, I felt that I deserved to be in the league this year.”

Tactics in fantasy sports differ between players, with students like John picking players with name value and others selecting players with hidden stats that could make all the difference. Such was the case with Timothy Kim (12), a member of the league. For his early picks, Timothy

chose small forward Andre Roberson and shooting guard Kyle Korver for their blocks, selections that his fellow friends could not understand. Timothy argued that based on his projections for this season, he anticipates both players having an increase in performance in coming games.

“I don’t understand why Timothy picked Andre Roberson and Kyle Korver so early,” said Eddy Sul (12), coach for team “Heeswan.” “It was a terrible move. But Timothy believes that they are the X-factors of his team in the long run. We’ll see who is right when the season begins.”

Fantasy sports, though involves little to no physical activity, can be just as intense as playing the sport. With students becoming ever more engaged, fantasy sports are here to stay.

By Justin Chang Senior, Staff Writer

Tiger Times

September 2017

Minute of silence unifies world

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n the Masters World Championship in Budapest, swimmer Fernando Alvarez paid tribute to the victims of the Barcelona and Cambrils terror attacks by holding a minute of silence before participating in his race. While his competitors dived in the pool after the starting pistol, Alvarez stood on the starting block and waited 60 seconds to honor the victims of the attacks.

Before the race began, Alvarez had asked the organizers of the event if he could have an official minute of silence dedicated to honor the victims of the recent Spanish terrorist attacks. However, his request was rejected due to “a lack of time.” Thus, Alvarez decided to have his own minute of silence, shocking both the audience and the media by prioritizing the tribute over his own victory.

Alvarez expressed that he was proud of his actions, which were worth “all the gold medals in the world.” His swimming club, Club Natacion Cadiz, even posted a video of other qclub members paying tribute to the victims as well. The club praised Alvarez’s choice to express his mind and stated that he was a “great example for other swimmers to follow.”

“Sports are terrific forms of expressing independent views,” said Tim Munro, physical education and activities director. “The large audience allows a meaningful message to spread effectively and gain greater publicity.

One expression that goes against the general crowd’s opinion can spark another meaningful expression. This allows people to think twice about commonly accepted issues.”

Expression of political beliefs regarding the same victims of the Barcelona terrorist attacks can be found in other sports as well.

For example, Rafael Nadal and Ramos-Vinolas wore black ribbons during their tennis games

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Sports Photo of the Month

at the Western and Southern Open as a symbol of tribute. Nick Kyrgios wrote “Barcelona” and drew a heart after his final tennis match at the Cincinnati Masters and Garbine Muguruza also wore a black ribbon on her visor.

“One minute is not asking too much,” said Cindy Presse, aquatics instructor. “Yet there are so many other negative things happening all over the world that should be remembered.

If the Barcelona victims were honored multiple times later on due to Alvarez, so should the other victims of different terrorist attacks or political disputes in the Middle East.”

The media also took part in honoring the victims by calling out and criticizing the organizers of the Masters World Championship for not allowing Alvarez to have his one minute of silence before the race. The media also propagated positive portrayals of athletes who expressed their voices, regardless of winning or losing the match or race.

However, there are conflicting views directed toward the managers of the event because some people believed that it was impossible for the managers to change the schedule when they did not get a notice beforehand.

“As a sports events organizer myself, I understand that even a small shift in the schedule can bring massive consequences,” said Mr. Munro. “Only when Alvarez told the managers beforehand of his plans can others say that the managers should have agreed to his request.” Critics said that this feeds onto further problems because if the managers allow one athlete to use time for expressing his or her opinion, they would have to grant other athletes such opportunities as well.

By Andie Kim Sophomore, Staff Writer

Warming up with their normal drills, the elementary students are getting ready to play against each other during their practices.

Photo by Angela Choe

Tigers’ Performance Updates

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SMALL TALK

Idealog : Slave of Passions, meet Categorical Imperative

By Diana Na Kyoung Lee

We can assume, reasonably, that we know how the world is. We can observe it, touch it, taste it, measure it—but morality and ethics aren’t always so corporeal.

If we can figure out how the world is, can we also logically figure out how the world ought to be? For years, this question, posed by eighteenth century philosopher David Hume, went unanswered. Confounded philosophers christened it the “is-ought problem”: a startling shift in frame, it shined light on the logical fallacies riddling popular ideas like Thomas Aquinas’ natural law theory.

Aquinas was best known for attempting to logically prove God’s existence. When he was not pioneering the field of scholasticism with his five key arguments, the quinque viae, he wrestled with many other theological quandaries. One question often asked was, “How can we know what is good?”

A fair God, we could reasonably believe, would not damn a person for straying from the good path without first teaching them exactly was good. If a father were to beat his child for “breaking curfew” without ever having delineated when that exactly was to be, he would be nothing more than an unfair, angry, belligerent.

Aquinas believed that God, in his fairness and benevolence, had blessed us with an innate inclination toward goodness. When we are born, every one of us is blessed with the will to live—and so, life must be

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good. As we mature, we are inclined fall in love and start families and create children—thus, reproduction must be good. As we grow old, in one way or another, we come to seek enlightenment, an elevated meaning, a sweet afterlife in heaven—and so, seeking God must be good.

Of course, many modern cultures would vehemently oppose many of these claims regarding marriage, childbirth, or faith. But do these vacillations in lifestyles and norms indicate a vacillation in what is good? Natural law theory would perish the moment it touched ground on one of the many socially liberal twenty-first century cities. Aquinas’s argument fails to capture the eternality of God because it was built on a fallacy—the idea that the way humans are is any indication of the way humans should be.

Hume, on the other hand, came right out of the gate boldly branding his fellow men “slaves of the passions.” He argued that there could not possibly exist any concrete, tangible state of what ought to be. Humans wanted what we wanted, loved what we loved, sought what we sought—and our minds would calibrate our senses of right and wrong to fit whatever passions we desired.

Then came Immanuel Kant.

While Hume was partying and chatting with the beautiful, passionate women of Edinburgh, Kant never really left his small Prussian hometown. The

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common folk of Königsberg would note the way his morning walks began and ended at exact, regular times. Accounts say that he definitely had one friend, Joseph Green, a local merchant. He never married, and would have lived a run-of-the-mill, unexciting life of a scholar—if not for the day he picked up his first volume of Hume. One fine day in little Königsberg, Kant woke from his “dogmatic slumber.” And he decided to redefine the philosophy of ethics.

He presented a brilliant and beautiful solution to Hume’s quandary: the categorical imperative. Kant argued that a principle could only be morally right if it could be universalized—or, in other words, applied to everyone everywhere. Lying, for example, was morally wrong—not because God deemed it so or because it was a figment of unhealthy passions—but because in a world where everyone lied, we would no longer be able to distinguish or even recognize truth. To deceive someone would lose all meaning.

Of course, Kant’s system is not free of flaws. Later philosophers rebutted and added nuance to many of his premises, but the brilliance of his arguments will never truly be extinguished. Kant grounded morality into logic, ethics into reason. In his two hands, he caught the floating realm of “what ought to be” and hurtled it down into the our realm of “what is.” He picked the fruit of right and wrong from the ethereal gardens of gods and delivered it to the realms of men.

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Most Read, Most Trusted When the world comes to an end, I want a front row seat.

I mean, the last time the mushroom cloud hosted a concert open to civilians was way back in 145. It’s been over sixty years and we happen to be in the best spot to see the next one. Just like how the entirety of the United States as in the perfect place to see the complete eclipse this past summer—except we’re cooler.

Instead of some lame astral show that happens because the universe decided to align planets and stars once in a couple decades, we get true evidence of human development. Atomic bombs are the technology of the 21st century.

Any sane news outlet would report objectively about the potential dangers of the weapon. Countries are shunned internationally if they whine about wanting one. It’s a Cool Kids Only weapon, available only to a selected crazy few. On the other hand, an eclipse is just complete darkness and a little glowing ring in the sky, no big deal. We get a nuclear flash, a bright sunsetorange mushroom cloud, and the destruction of everything we know it. Beautiful!

Do you mean to say that we should be stuck in some concrete

bunker like the band room or the auditorium while history is unfolding just beyond those imposing walls? No thanks. I’ll take the wide-view, 180 degrees, opento-the-outdoors cafeteria windows.

Maybe HSSC will even sponsor binoculars for increased viewing pleasure.

I’m sure the school can give us seniors and juniors first priority when tickets to this atomic show are released. We live in Korea, so we are obviously obligated to follow Confucian traditions. Our elders must be respected, young ones taken care of, so we ambiguously-aged teenagers should sit next to the slightly more dangerous windows.

We’re young and bold and love the thrill of potential impalement. But most importantly, the view will be stunning.

And while we’re at it, imagine the biological benefits that radioactive fallout will cause. The adrenaline rushed finale of a concert together with a radiation-induced numbness. Being able to clap with six fingers, not five, on each hand, seven if we’re lucky. Maybe we’ll grow an extra ear to compensate for the deafness caused by the noise of detonation. All thanks to our front row seats.

BY JOYCE LEE

Throwing candy into the crowd, the Junior Vice President, Issac Lee (11), helps the HSSC put on a unique spin on the Open Meetings in attempts to promote a fun and positive school culture.

Photo by Ryan Jang