Tiger Times Volume 51 Issue 3

Tiger Times

pg 2. Hong Kong protests pg 6-7. Sulli’s tragic death pg 9. Ryan Hyun’s tennis career

Volume 51 . Issue 3 . November 2019 . ttonl.org

Blizzard Entertainment Oct. 5, 2019

Apple Oct. 3, 2019

Gap Inc. May 14, 2018

Tiffany & Co. Oct. 7, 2019

Banned player for speaking up about Hong Kong and suspended the casters who interviewed him. Hong Kong protestors use video game character, “Mei” from Overwatch as protest mascot.

Removed Hong Kong police tracker app from the App store in accordance with the CCP. Removed the Taiwanese flag from the iPhone emoji keyboard.

Issued a public apology after a t-shirt was sold in Canada that displayed China without including Taiwan and removed the clothing from sale.

Removed tweet with an image of a model covering her right eye, a supposed reference to the woman who lost her eye during the Hong Kong protests.

National Basketball Association Oct. 4, 2019

Nike Oct. 9, 2019

NBA Comissioner Adam Silver reprimanded Houston Rockets manager Daryl Morey for supporting the Hong Kong movement in a tweet.

Removed all of the Houston Rocket’s merchandise from their Chinese stores after Houston Rockets manager Dary Morey’s tweet supporting the Hong Kong movement.

Marriott International Jan. 12, 2018

ESPN Oct. 8, 2019

Fired an employee who liked an online post about Tibet and removed Taiwan as a nation listed on its site. Released a statement reading “We don’t support separatist groups that subvert the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China.”

Aired a graphic supporting China’s claim on Taiwan after sending a memo to employees “mandating that any discussion of the Daryl Morey story avoid any political discussion abot China and Hong Kong.”

Hong Kong The fight for freedom continues.

What do western companies have to say?

Vans Oct. 5, 2019 Removed entries from its sneaker design competition that allegedly included imagery supporting the Hong Kong movement.

Viacom / Paramount July 18, 2019 Removed Taiwanese flag from Maverick’s costume for upcoming movie “Top Gun: Maverick”, a departure from its prequel “Top Gun”.

Disney / Marvel Nov. 4, 2016

Cathay Pacific Aug. 9, 2019

Mercedes May 14, 2018

Tik Tok Oct. 3, 2019

Changed Tibetan monk to a white woman in Dr. Strange, an allegedly conscious decision to differ from the comics.

Fired employees who supported the Hong Kong movement after pressure from Beijing to remove the affiliated employees on all flights over its airspace.

Issued apology to China for quoting the Dalai Lama in an instagram post. Chinese netizens alleged that the the post validated Tibet as a separate entity from China.

Allegedly instructed moderators to remove content about sensitive topics to China, such as Hong Kong, Tibet, and Taiwan.

Letter to the Editors by

Gray Macklin

High school Vice Principal

Dear Tiger Times, It was discouraging to see a viewpoint discussing the virtues of social hierarchy still finding its way to the pages of the paper. The social harmony that comes from the relationships between upperclassmen and underclassmen has nothing to do with the tradition of hierarchy and everything to do with a care and respect between members of the school community.

There is an important difference between the Confucian concept of hierarchy and say the military concept of hierarchy. The military concept of hierarchy comes from the creation of ranks at the start and a strict code of discipline that supports it. The Confucian concept of hierarchy is rooted in a shared understanding of virtue and a respect for that virtue. The result of that respect is a harmony that naturally forms a kind of hierarchy. In the military respect is an entitlement of a rank and taken without consent. In a Confucian hierarchy respect is earned through the active demonstration of virtue and given freely. In other words, respect your elders came with a lot of qualifications.

What was described in the extended viewpoint is really little more than a transactional relationship. These are relationships where something is given with the expectation of getting something in return.

Except for exchanges in business, these are regarded as the worst kind of relationships. It is no surprise that Confucius thought very little of the business world, its practitioners generally falling near or at the bottom of most Confucian societies.

I would never discourage anyone from acting in a respectful way to anyone, but as you go through your day, ask yourself, “Do I respect that person because of their demonstration of excellence or virtue or am I acting like I respect them because I want something in return (or to avoid retribution)?” Consider if you respect them or have confused respect with fear. Talk amongst your different groups and determine if the hierarchy that you are participating in was created for the purpose of supporting privilege of one group in the hierarchy at the expense of another or if it is a naturally occurring manifestation of harmony among members. The hierarchy should support the purpose of the group (e.g. club meetings). Surely no one could reasonably arrive at the conclusion that the ousting of underclassmen from the 3rd floor lounge and claiming that space as a “senior lounge” as anything but intimidation and transactional.

Finally, if you really want to live by the words of Confucius, find those quotes that emphasize an appreciation of beauty and virtue or aspiring to improve through introspection and overcoming personal flaws, there are lots of them. I can give an annotated copy of Analects to any who wants one. Upon reading it you will see that his ethical system is not what others would have you believe it is.

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.com

2 VIEWPOINT SIS sports athletes face consequences of Student Handbook rule

by Jiwon

Lee

In early September, a number of student athletes received an email from the administration about an academic probation policy that would become affect them within the following week.

The policy, written in the Student Handbook as “students who are failing [which is equivalent to a class average of lower than 66 percent] in one or more classes will be declared ineligible to participate, practice, play, or travel the following week,” came as a surprise to unexpecting coaches and athletes, for many of whom this was the first time realizing the existence of such a rule.

SIS, like any other high school, is an environment in which students spend at least four years of their adolescent lifea period of time which may have a substantial impact on their future. In the tentative years that mark the development from a child to a young adult, students develop abilities necessary for life past the rigid high school system, in the relatively autonomous world of college, and later, adulthood. One of the crucial skills that students develop is the ability to find a suitable balance between work and play. While school sports, in a literal sense, might not be classified under the category of “play,” it certainly deviates from

the academic norm in a way that the two objectives—excelling in class and performing well in sports—have an area of conflict with one another.

True to this notion, many American high schools have implemented a system in which athletes are required to meet a certain grade to be able to participate in sports practices and games. Similarly, the reasoning behind the recent adaptation of this policy in SIS is that athletes, who serve as school representatives at various international sporting events, must uphold the rigorous academic standards the school expects from its students.

All of this makes sense; it is perfectly acceptable that schools require their athletes to uphold a certain level of academic ability before being able to participate in their desired choice of sport, because managing in-school grades becomes exponentially difficult when factoring in the hours of work athletes must dedicate to practice and games.

Additionally, the one-week forewarning the administration gave to athletes and coaches before putting the policy into effect, as well as the lenient nature of the probation period for students who had completed their formative work for the failing class, was both understanding and tolerant of the administration.

On the other side of the spectrum, however, student athletes have expressed their concerns over what they perceive as a lack of communication. While it is certainly true that the rule has long been a part of the Student Handbook, some fall season athletes have voiced their opinions in favor of the administration setting up a channel of communication with the season’s athletes prior to their eligibility for the probation period, an example of which would be to send out warnings to any students on the verge of a failing grade, instead of reminding students about the rule once they have already failed a class.

Moreover, the possible fluctuation within the implementation of this rule has been received as particularly controversial. For example, two athletes with a failing grade in subjects taught by the same teacher may, while taking the retake test on the same day, may have their grades uploaded on different days.

Because one athlete’s grade was uploaded before a game while another’s was not, there could be negative consequences for a reason out of the students’ control. Another area of concern exhibited by fall season athletes is over the clauses stating that “ineligible students will be checked on the following week by the coaches and if they are still

in failing status they will remain ineligible for a second week” and “if the student remains in failing status on the next grade check, they will be dropped from the team or activity” in the Student Handbook. Due to the unitbased summative schedule of SIS and the discrepancy in the time that individual teachers take to grade tests, it may take more than two to three weeks for student athletes to be able to bring their scores up from a failing grade, thus adding in more uncontrollable variables to the application of these rules.

While the actions of the school have been in every manner conforming to Student Handbook policies and in accordance with US high school standards for student regulation, the situation at hand could be improved for both parties with the creation of more effective communication channels by the administration and more academic effort by student athletes. In particular, with the fall season over and winter athletes gearing up for their own season, it is crucial that the students and the administration work together to facilitate a more open environment for the implementation of the academic probation rule, whose main purpose is to help student athletes balance their responsibilities as a student and as an athlete.

Lessons learned from Hong Kong protests

by Fiona

Cho

American media has, for the most part, hailed the ongoing Hong Kong protests as a heroic fight against authoritarianism by ordinary citizens striving to uphold the fundamental principles of justice and democracy.

But this characterization of the protests, while accurate at first glance, is one-dimensional and reflective of neither their violent nature nor their unnecessary reliance on British and US support. During the past few months, the protests have transitioned from a peaceful movement into a violent exchange of bricks and rocks from the protesters met by pepper spray and rubber bullets from the police.

But just as problematic, if not more so, than the violence is the presence of the American and the British at the protests, which has shifted dialogue from Hong Kong and its struggle to Western democracy in general.

That being said, the protesters’ cause should not be dismissed. For years, Hong Kong has enjoyed a “one country, two systems” relationship with mainland China, promised under the 1984 British handover of Hong Kong. Under this relationship, Hong Kong was guaranteed the right to political and

economic systems independent from the mainland Chinese government until the year 2047.

Thus it makes sense that Hong Kong citizens interpreted a new bill allowing Hong Kong citizens to be extradited to mainland China as a threat to their political autonomy and took to the streets to protest.

Yet the way that the protesters are executing their grievances has raised concerns about the movement’s effectiveness.

One of the concerns is the violence deployed by protesters in order to counter police forces, which have largely led to more chaos than success. The usage of violence in these protests undermines their effectiveness for two main reasons: firstly, it gives the Chinese government an excuse to label the protestors as radicals and terrorists, and secondly, it has led to calamity in public areas such as airports that serve as economic and commercial hubs. Such chaos can in turn lead Hong Kong’s general populace to view the protests as a disturbance to their everyday lives rather than an important political fight.

However, the primary reason for the limited effectiveness of these protests is their call for US and British assistance. A number of protesters have proudly waved

American and British flags, sung the American anthem, and chanted for President Donald Trump to send help to Hong Kong. But these actions are hugely problematic and support the idea that Hong Kong needs the intervention of a Western power in order to prevail against its oppressors. Hong Kong citizens should be marching for their own democracy without the help of the US or the UK—doing so only contributes to the pre-existing history of hegemonic East-West savior narratives that oppress the East. Furthermore, these actions reinforce neocolonialist beliefs that solidify power dynamics between the West and their former colonies. In that case, the Hong Kong conflict becomes just another opportunity for the US to present itself as a beacon of democracy while forcing its own political agenda onto Hong Kong citizens.

Such actions also allow the Western media to frame the protests in a way that perpetuates the myth that freedom and democracy are inherently Western values, morally superior to all other political values.

The Washington Post and Time magazine have characterized the protest movement as a “global battle” between Western ideals espoused by the protesters and

traditional Chinese authoritarian values, a “universal fight for freedom” rather than a historically grounded domestic conflict. This picture also neglects the specific demands and values of the Hong Kong people and instead furthers the pernicious hegemony of the Western “savior” by painting a cliché picture of an oppressed population allying with Western powers to break free from authoritarian rule.

While protesters hold a variety of conflicting stances, it is imperative that the demonstrators work together to establish a movement entirely their own, unique to their circumstances.

The elimination of yearning for Western sympathy and support can help begin the process of defining these protests independently from American and British agenda, as well as allow Hong Kong to escape the shadow of neocolonialism. Fortunately, protesters seem ready to embrace this lesson—they have already adopted a new national anthem that has taken the place of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at demonstrations and gatherings. Continuing to integrate such initiatives and messages into the movement will be the next step to Hong Kong citizens claiming the protest movement as their own.

Tiger Times

November 2019

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 3 November Seoul, South Korea TTONL.org a free student publication of

Seoul International School

Paper Editors-In-Chief Sia Cho Andy Yoon

Website Managing Editors Kate Lee Fiona Cho

Website Editor-in-Chief Eju Ro

Production Editors Claire Lee Youngjin Park

Paper Managing Editors Chris Lee Brian Ham

Copy Editors Eric Hwang Alice Lee Joanne Yang Jiwon Lee

Graphics Editor Lynette Kim Video Editor Andie Kim Photo Editor Lauren Kang Social Media/ Marketing Directors Emily Bae Emily Oh

Reporters Christopher Shin Irene Kim Katherine Suk Jenny Seo Sarah Ju Emily Sung Sarah Baek Jennifer You Sunny Lee Sally Lee

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Layout Artists Ashley Kim Eddie Hahm Clara Lim Adviser Ms. Wendy Grant

Viewpoint Feature:

Each day, I come in with a positive attitude, trying to get better.

- Steffon Diggs

Changing the perspective of fitness testing

by Sunny

Lee

When we transition from elementary to middle school, we not only face a whole new shift in our titles but also the frightful fitness tests. The four components of this test, the push-ups, sit-ups, mile run, and the beep test, measure our upper body strength, core strength, maximum oxygen intake, and aerobic endurance. However, because of the nature of fitness testing, we often face difficulties not present when taking other academic tests.

Unless you exercise daily, it is hard to change your physical capacities overnight. Most students cannot get beyond a certain level. Even worse, the grading scale becomes progressively harder every year, even though our fitness does not necessarily increase. If we think about it, as we get older, we tend to spend more time in front of our desks and less time in the playground. How can we improve our physical abilities if this is the case?

Twice a year, when the period of fitness testing draws close, we get worried and stressed out.

Sometimes, rather than channe-

ling this stress into a higher work ethic, students try to figure out the most plausible explanation to get excused from fitness testing. Menstrual cramps, sprained ankles, dizziness, and major events coming up are some common excuses students make. If students are going to come up with excuses, they could at least be more creative than this.

The fundamental purpose of fitness testing, which is to get students to maintain a good health, has been shattered.

As students who are blessed with so much, whether it is emotionally or in materialistic ways, we often forget to appreciate all the innate things we possess. Attending a highly academic and competitive school we often stress over and getting the quality physical education we often complain about are things to which some students never get access.

Rather than being appreciative, SIS students tend to complain about nitty-gritty details of school, such as the fitness testing evaluation system. As many students consider physical education to be an “easy hundred subject,” many feel

betrayed when they cannot achieve a desirable grade. However, some people have a slightly different perspective on the reasoning behind these complaints. “Students are complaining when they could be working hard to get a good grade,” said Ricky Green, physical education teacher at SIS. “You would not expect to get a 100 on a Physics test without studying.” Perhaps related to that state of mind of not wanting to try, many students want the fitness testing to be based on improvement rather than a standardized threshold. However, if P.E. grades are solely based on improvement, students may not try to their fullest capacity on the first time, and try their hardest only on the second time to artificially create improvement. Moreover, it is not fair to those who put forth their greatest effort both times.

“I do not think the fitness testing should be based on improvement because it creates discrepancies for students at different skill levels,” said Thomas Song, a junior in SIS. “For example, it is much harder for a person running a 5:00 mile to improve than a person running

a 9:00 mile. To this end, I think it is better to have a standard system based on absolute grading because it provides more clear guidelines.”

Students who actually exercise daily and maintain good fitness will be disadvantaged if the fitness testing is based on improvement.

Furthermore, it is difficult to quantify the improvement of a student and assign it a reasonable grade.

The rationale behind setting a specific standard for grades is that physical education teachers want to make sure that students are able to keep up with the curriculum.

The mile run and the beep tests are for aerobic fitness, so students can keep up with drills during soccer, swimming, and basketball unit. The sit-up and push-up tests ensure that, for example, students can serve the ball over the net or hit a shuttlecock properly.

Although most of us think of fitness only as a skill required to earn high marks in P.E., maintaining good fitness is a lifelong habit we need to acquire. Given our youth, we often fail to consider our health as a main priority. However, if we do not start maintaining good

fitness at an early age, it will be harder later on to establish a routine of habitually working out.

Good health and fitness is not something that can be achieved in a short amount of time. Through constant exercising, developing healthy eating habits, and sleeping well, we can not only get good grades in P.E. but also maintain favorable health. We must keep in mind the real purpose of this “life sports” course, which is to encourage students to live healthier.

Ignoring the rationale behind fitness testing, efforts of physical education teachers, and the consequences their way of the evaluation system, students continue to complain about the fitness testing. Just like other classes where you prepare ahead of time for summatives, this should go the same way in P.E. Students should put the same effort into improving their fitness as the effort they put into academic courses. Trying for P.E should not be a complaint. Honestly, how hard is it to do a few push ups and run for 10 minutes every day in the name of improving health and fitness?

4 NEWS News Briefs

by Chris

Lee

RAK hosts Senior Stress Relief Week

Organizing the milk tea orders, RAK members provided discounted milk teas from Gongcha to help relieve seniors from stress induced by the nearing college application deadline.

Photo by Sunny Lee

On Oct. 16–18, Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) hosted a Stress Relief Week intended to help seniors during their busy college application season. RAK sold Gongcha bubble tea with a special discount for seniors. Also, RAK created a Hwaiting board, where students could write encouraging notes for seniors.

“I’m glad we could provide this opportunity,” said Bona Kim (12), RAK executive.

“When seniors are busy with their college applications, I think it’s important we help balance out their stress with fun activities and encouragement. Hopefully, the entire student body can help us by supporting seniors and creating a positive environment.”

SIS wins sweeping victory at SEAMC On Oct. 18–20, nine students were selected to represent SIS at the South East Asian Mathematics Competition held in Jakarta.

Across six sub-categories, SIS won 18 gold medals, seven silver medals, and six bronze medals. In the overall category, which takes all six sub-categories into consideration, six SIS students—Chris Lee (12), Thomas Song (11), Jiwon Lee (11), Brian Ham (11), Michael Cho (11) and Jiho Park (10)—won the “antique” gold medal.

“Our trip exceeded my expectations because nobody who went on the trip had been to Jakarta,” said Mindi Harman, math teacher and NEAMC adviser. “I wasn’t sure how that was going to turn out. Everything was awesome. I think there’s value in being around people who share the same passion and are like-minded. I would like to continue the streak next year. I think we built a great reputation, and we want to stay strong.”

SIS forensics team places second In the speech and debate tournaments held on Oct. 18–19 at KIS, SIS placed second among 13 schools. In the speech division, in addition to other silver and bronze medalists, Aileen Kim (11) won gold in the Impromptu category. In the debate division, SIS teams won one gold, one silver, and three bronze medals.

“I was very happy to see our school succeed at this tournament,” said Leonard Lee (12), forensics captain. “I think our practices were especially helpful in preparing us for this tournament, where we recorded videos of our speeches to ensure that we could improve our content and delivery. I am hopeful we can do even better at the next tournament.”

NHS hosts lock-in for club members

O

by Joanne Yang

n Oct. 24–25, the National Honor Society (NHS) hosted a lock-in for its club members. NHS is a highly esteemed club that selects students based on the criteria of scholarship, leadership, character, and community service. The student-led organization convenes every Friday to discuss ways in which the school environment can improve, to provide tutoring services for various academic subjects, and to disseminate information on mental health.

In order to more effectively fulfill its crucial responsibilities, NHS organized this lock-in for the first time in its club’s history.

“I’ve wanted a NHS retreat for years,” said Mr. Macklin, high school Vice Principal. “It wasn’t hard to get this lock-in approved in administration because it doesn’t require any transportation or outside venues. Since there are lots of peer groups that are repre-

sented at NHS, the lock-in is an easy way to get members of the club together and break down existing barriers between them. The last lock-in for the entire high school was in 2013, because the administration had liability issues with students violating school regulations.

Nowadays, however, there is a growing trend of encouraging more non-classroom learning activities to engage the students, and the NHS lock-in is one of them.”

The lock-in took place from 4:00 p.m. on the first day of the Parent-Teacher Conferences (PTCs) to 7:00 a.m. the following day. Students were encouraged to participate in the event and bring their own sleeping bags and toiletries to spend the night at school. Some of the activities that they participated in included a scavenger hunt as a casual ice-breaker, leadership activities, collaborative board games to promote healthy competition, entertaining movies, and finally a community circle time at the end to reflect on

what they had done and felt.

Although students were also given individual free time, the primary goal of the lock-in was to encourage bonding among members and to foster cooperation.

“We decided to have the lock-in because NHS is more focused on individual achievements and activities rather than cooperative efforts to better the school,” said Bryan Hur, executive of NHS. “Unlike other clubs where you can choose to join with your friends, NHS selects students from a competitive application process and so the members are not as close. The lock-in is a good opportunity for us to learn how to collaborate and communicate with each other to efficiently finish essential tasks like the toy drive, an annual fundraising event we have for orphanages.”

The lock-in, however, was not without its concerns.

Because it was not mandatory and based on a merit point system, not all students were fully incentivized to participate

in the program. This may have defeated the entire purpose of the event which was to develop leadership and teamwork skills imperative to the success of the club. There were also unanswered questions on safety: though students slept in the atrium, there were no technical restrictions on where they could be during their free time.

“The lock-in was finalized last minute and was relatively sudden in terms of its preparation,” said Christine Kim (11), NHS member. “Though we could have considered other alternatives like staying after school to do those activities instead of spending the whole night, the lock-in was nonetheless important in building a more welcoming and cooperative atmosphere. I am looking forward to ways in which other major clubs including community service clubs like GIN or UNICEF could follow this precedent and organize lock-ins for their members as well.”

Nobel laureates recognized for groundbreaking contributions to humanity

by Sarah

Baek

From Oct. 7–14, the Nobel Foundation announced 15 winners across six categories, recognizing them for attempts to reduce poverty, end conflicts, and encourage sustainability.

This year, under the physics category, James Peebles, Michael Mayor, and Didier Queloz won, while for chemistry, John B. Goodenough, M. Stanley Whittingham, and Akira Yoshimo were announced as laureates.

William G. Kaelin Jr., Sir Peter J. Ratcliffe, and Gregg L. Semenza won the Nobel Prize in physiology and medicine. The Nobel Prize in literature was given to Peter Handke. For economic sciences, a trio of economists, Abhijit Banerjee, Esther Duflo, and Michael Kremer were awarded. Last but not least, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

“I was not surprised by the Ethiopian Prime Minister receiving the prize,” said Jared Rock, forensics coach. “The candidates for the Peace prize were narrowed down to just Greta Thunberg and Ahmed. I presume that Greta Thunberg could have gotten it because of all the attention centered on climate change activism, so I did not think that she was a surprising choice, either. However, in my opinion, I think that Ahmed was more deserving of the prize, considering he achieved potentially long-term peace in the Horn of Africa region.”

Abiy Ahmed was specifically awarded for his immense contribution to ending a historically complex and long

border dispute between his country and Eritrea, as well as his domestic reforms. However, Ahmed’s acceptance of the peace prize has sparked a backlash. Despite what should be a celebratory occasion, a series of ethnic clashes left 67 people dead in Oromia state in Ethiopia and provoked doubts regarding Ahmed’s facilitation of peace. Aside from the continuation of violence in the region, Ahmed was also accused of acting like a dictator and preventing other candidates from running for presidential elections. However, the Nobel Assembly claimed that his brilliant use of a long-neglected peace agreement from 2000 in order to forge an agreement ending war with Eritrea was a monumental achievement.

The Assembly also argued that Ahmed single-handedly restored his people’s faith in political governments.

“The first thought that came to my mind when the Nobel Prize winners were revealed was how much effort they put into their work and how innovative their ideas were,” said Yulee Chung (11), forensics speech team member. “On top of just their pure dedication, they are selflessly pursuing solutions that could help the whole world, which is extraordinary.

I wish that all of the scientific achievements are used for the most vulnerable and help those in need. Most of all, I want to give them respect for their effort, determination, and philanthropy.”

Meanwhile, the Nobel Prize in economic sciences was won by three economists, Esther

Duflo, Abhijit Banerjee, and Michael Kremer, for conducting experiments to discover the most effective ways to improve the system for poverty lines in the developing world. Duflo, 46, is only the second woman to win the economics prize and the youngest to receive it in the past 50 years. The Nobel Assembly stated that the winners found new approaches to fighting poverty with experiments based on field trials, rather than fixed concepts or failed methods from the past.

Through the economists’ successful studies, more than five million Indian children have gained aid through programs of remedial tutoring in schools.

Thus, these studies effectively identified the causes of poverty and concluded its effects in order to implement cost-effec-

tive policies.

“The Nobel laureates’ work teaches us that humans are capable of fascinating things,” said Jessica Terbrueggen, English teacher. “Every year, we break boundaries and find new areas of learning, and these discoveries make us wonder if we can go beyond what we thought were our limits. It is important to acknowledge these people for their accomplishments and hope for a world where we can all strive for the same amount of enthusiasm and dedication.

There is still much we have yet to do, but what we can do is to continue pushing forward and learning new things. Above all, the Nobel Prizes show that we can push further toward human development as a collective society.”

Tiger Times

November 2019

Autumn greets diverse customs

by Jennifer You

On Oct. 31, the Halloween Carnival and various other Halloween events took place in multiple areas around the school, including the atrium and the annex building.

As in previous years, the school encouraged students to promote the magical festivity through multiple activities and events in order for the authentic celebration of Halloween.

“I feel like our school hosts fun events for Halloween like the Halloween Carnival and the costume contest,” said Eileen Kim (10), attendee of these Halloween events.

“In Korea, it is hard to celebrate

Halloween due to the tall apartment complexes, but our school strives to make the best environment for an unforgettable Halloween. All of these organized school events are hosted by numerous students and teachers, and thanks to their efforts, students’ standards are able to be met with satisfaction.”

The Halloween Carnival had eye-catching decorations and dark lighting effects, which grabbed the attention of the students who attended the event. As expected, the haunted house was one of the most popular attractions of the carnival. The eeriness created a chilling atmosphere in the room, adding to the thrill of the event.

Additional activities included games such as apple bobbing. As a bonus activity, movies such as Hotel Transylvania were played on the side.

“I personally thought that the Halloween Carnival was successful this year,” said Rachel Lee (10), GIN member. “I saw that there were many people who thoroughly enjoyed the carnival. Many of us were pleasantly surprised at the crowd of people that came into the Halloween Carnival. Because we worked so hard and planned thoroughly for this carnival, I felt extremely relieved when it had a good response.”

Furthermore, El Día de Los

Muertos is another national holiday celebrated in the Mexican tradition. Also known as the Day of the Dead, this is an important Spanish custom of showing signs of respect to deceased loved ones. In order to comprehend the Spanish culture, all Spanish students from Spanish I to AP Spanish celebrated this holiday. Students in Spanish I showcased their three-dimensional sugar skulls crafted with clay, which were made and painted in class. The Spanish 2 students made extremely fascinating altars dedicated to any deceased individual. Moreover, Spanish III students created posters for unique Spanish speaking artists and wrote brief descriptions of the background information. Students in Spanish 4 wrote down quotes about life and death from well-known Spanish speaking figures. Finally, the

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AP Spanish students assisted the creation of ornaments like papel picado, skull outlines, and colorful paper flowers along with biographical posters.

“El Día de Los Muertos is a celebration of not only the deceased person, but also their lifestyle and how their life gave meaning to their family members, friends, and loved ones,” said Emily McClintock, Spanish teacher. “It is meant to honor, preserve, and celebrate one’s life and remember all of what life and death bring. Death is a very somber event and people rarely notice the positive. But, the Day of the Dead is truly a celebration.

It takes into account the negative, sober, sad, and depressing aspects, and it spins them into a light that makes them positive and uplifting.”

from riches to rags truth in numbers

E

by Brian

Ham

very year, millions of athletes around the US begin the grueling path toward becoming a professional athlete, often sacrificing academic growth for devotion to their sport. The gauntlet is not for everyone, as only a miniscule percentage of high schoolers make it to even the collegiate level of competition. At least 90 percent

of high schoolers will not receive offers to play in the NCAA, and even for the lucky minority, less than 2 percent actually become a professional athlete. The remaining athletes face tough rebuilds in their careers, especially for those who pressed pause on other parts of their lives in chase of this elusive dream.

Despite these infinitesimally small chances, aspiring athletes are motivated every year by the

allure of riches awaiting them at the end of the road, whether it be fame or fortune. LeBron James, the highest earner in the NBA, receives the average annual salary of a US teacher for every two baskets he scores. By the time you finish reading this article (or by the time it has bored you to death and you have moved on to more productive endeavors), Lionel Messi’s bank account will have become $250 richer, which happens to be the twenty times the hourly minimum wage in California. On top of the financial perks, athletes gain attention and recognition on a level tantamount to pop stars and actors; the Super Bowl draws roughly 100 million of viewers every year, more than any other TV broadcast.

However, so much focus and attention is placed on the ascent that people do not realize what happens to athletes once they reach the summit. In fact, a

shocking 78 percent of NFL players become bankrupt within five years of retirement, with the percentage sitting at 60 for NBA athletes. Given that this is roughly 10 times as high as the average rate for Americans, the question must be asked: after all the work these athletes endure to reach this position, is it really worth it?

One reason behind this circles back to how professional athletes made their career in the first place. When they spend crucial development years training for their sport, little effort is spent on teaching aspects such as financial literacy, and unwise fiscal decisions often bring down the richest of athletes.

In reality, a professional athlete’s window of opportunity is extremely narrow,.

This phenomenon is not simply limited to athletes.

According to the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards,

lottery winners more frequently declare bankruptcy within five years than the average American, and nearly one-third of winners will eventually declare bankruptcy. Those with the golden ticket faced the same problems as their counterparts in the world of sports; Robert Pagliarini, a financial adviser, talks about the “honeymoon period” lottery winners experience when they suddenly come into huge amounts of money, an illusion that comes crashing down through reckless spending along with relatives who slowly siphon off funds. The common thread seems to not be occupation but rather the act of earning monumental sums of money in short periods of time.

Ironically, one could argue that the real winners are those without the golden ticket; maybe, in the long run, people actually have a 99.999 percent chance of winning the lottery.

Behind the screens: the cowardice of social media

By Christopher Shin

After struggling with depression and a variety of mental illnesses for many years, social media noisemaker and K-pop icon Sulli decided to claim her own life. Allegedly motivated by cyberbullying and hate comments, the young star committed suicide at just the age of 25. In doing so, the beloved artist cast a spotlight on the darkest corner of South Korea’s blooming entertainment industry. Her death drew the attention of the media and millions of fans, sparking the debate on the complex relationship between celebrities, mental health, and social media.

In an entertainment landscape that expects stars to project a perfect image without a speck of controversy, Sulli was not shy about pushing the envelope and exposing her struggles with mental illness even before her death. For example, in an Instagram post uploaded on Oct. 11, 2018, Sulli revealed that she had suffered from social phobia and panic disorders. A rare move from such a high profile artist, Sulli was one of the few South Korean celebrities willing to open the conversation about psychological disorders in a culture where such discussions are considered taboo. In fact, Sulli went as far as to co-host her own television program dedicated to the issue. Titled The Night of Hate Comments, the show invited celebrity guests each week in order to discuss their personal struggles with mental health. Sulli was a true pioneer in breaking the barriers for the free discussion of mental health, particularly among celebrities.

However, instead of receiving support for her activism, Sulli faced enormous backlash. For example, many fans criticized her for not maintain-

2005

Sulli makes her debut as a child actress on Ballad of Seodong

ing the perfect image expected of South Korean celebrities. When breaking the mold of a typical K-pop star should have been seen as a display of courage and character, it was instead viewed as a failure of her duties as a celebrity. While criticisms for her activism came in many forms, most common were hate comments on social media platforms such as Instagram. At a stage in her life where she was still carving out her self-identity as a celebrity forced to put on a façade of perfection, such comments encouraging her to stay silent would have only exacerbated feelings of helplessness and despair.

While Sulli’s efforts to bring attention to the issue of mental health through her personal activism and television program brought mixed reactions, her death served as a catalyst for an enormous amount of discourse related to the topic. To a certain extent, Sulli can be seen as a martyr-like figure who literally died fighting for her own cause. Fans began to shift their attitude on mental health and started to open discussions on the matter in online forums. Many fellow celebrities who were previously silent on the issue also began to speak up, creating social media posts and songs tributed to the young star.

The aftermath of Sulli’s death was not entirely positive, however. For example, in response to her death, netizens opened fire on many other celebrities loosely related to Sulli. For example, many of Sulli’s fans began to post hate comments on the Instagram page of Choiza, her ex-boyfriend. Despite the fact that the two split 2017, fans blamed the South Korean rapper for Sulli’s death through scathing criticisms. Additionally, fans began to

criticize other K-pop artists such as IU for not uploading tribute posts dedicated to Sulli. In a truly ironic turn of events, the very hate comments that pushed Sulli to commit suicide were all the more prevalent after her death. In response to this influx of hate comments, many have advocated for the removal of anonymity from social media. Citing Sulli’s death as a direct consequence of the cowardice of faceless commenters, proponents have argued that an accountable Internet would lead to a decline of exaggerated hate speech. However, such a policy would raise questions considering the right to privacy and excessive limitations regarding the freedom of speech. In addition, due to legislative incongruencies among different nations, an international framework for a public domain like the Internet would be extremely hard to be agreed upon.

Ever since she splashed onto the entertainment scene, Sulli has embraced and endured several controversies surrounding her career. From fighting for gender equality to defending patients of mental illnesses, Sulli has been an out-and-out advocate. However, even such a figure could not endure the waves of hate from anonymous netizens who made judgements based on just one aspect of her multifaceted life: her identity as a K-pop artist. Perhaps it is time for everyone to take a step back and see her life as something more than just her albums, her songs, or her Instagram posts. Holistically, Sulli was a human being just like all of us, not a specimen to be examined under a microscope.

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Sulli debuts as a part of girl group f(x) and leaves 6 years later

2019

Sulli releases her debut solo single “Goblin,” her last musical project prior to her death

The death of a star: what she meant to the world

By Emily Sung

At the young age of 11, Sulli was cast in a nationally televised drama. At 15, she made her debut as a member of the girl group f(x). At 21, she decided to leave the group amongst widespread criticism from the media. Finally, at 25, she decided to take her own life.

Sulli, or Choi Jin-ri, started her publicized career as a child actor in the drama Ballad of Seodong. After noticing her beauty and elegance in the piece, agents from SM Entertainment casted Sulli into the company. There, she started training in preparation for a career as a singer, and made her debut with the group f(x). After six years, Sulli left f(x) after a one year hiatus, claiming that the rumors circulating about her personal life were severely hurting her. She reinvented herself as an actress and remained an influential figure, until her decision to end her life herself.

Throughout her career, Sulli was vocal about her passion for gender issues and feminism, commonly showing up braless or posting messages on her public Instagram that supported the legalization of abortion. Sulli was also very open to showing parts of her private life, from publicly talking about her relationship with her ex-boyfriend to voicing her scars from online bullying and hate comments and how she was hurt from all the negativity targeted towards her, which are considered taboo in K-pop idol culture. She talked about her mental health often in a blatant manner, whether it be through song lyrics or another platform.

Influential figures, however, are pressured to be strong and keep to themselves about their worries and scars. This is why when SHINEE’s Jonghyun passed away, the public was shocked—they had never known that an idol appearing happy on the outside was suffering on the inside.

Sulli had always been an icon in the K-pop industry. She did not fit the standard image of female K-pop stars, diverging from the stereotypical reputation of being cute, shy, lovely, and quiet when discussing social or political issues.

Always very outspoken and unafraid to voice her opinions regarding various issues, Sulli unashamedly talked about subjects that were controversial in society. In fact, she refused to be influenced by the judgement and opinion of others and simply focused on what she herself wanted to say. Such qualities were what made her truly stand out as an influential star.

What additionally distinguished Sulli from others was her fearlessness. She was not scared of what the public would think of her, and she was not afraid of her popularity declining. Other idols looked up to her as a motivational figure who helped voice the opinions that they themselves had. Whether it be through no-bra fashion, writing a song about her mental instability, or communicating with her fans about her depression, Sulli continuously tried to express her opinions to to the world. She was, however, forced to take her life because of the continuous burden and stress

on her to conform to the society’s wants.

Sulli’s death meant so much more than simply another death caused by depression. The death of such an icon symbolizes the death of any opposition to the conventional culture of K-pop. Because of the stigma that the majority opinion has to prevail, opinions that the minorities try to voice out are generally disregarded, simply tossed away, never to be heard of again. A voice against the conventional K-pop culture met the same fate. No matter how hard Sulli tried to battle against the restraining walls of K-pop culture, she was met with extreme hate that left her with permanent scars she ultimately could not heal. Idols who looked up to her because of the ideas she stood for became discouraged and hesitant, scared of succumbing to the same fate.

Compared to the relatively free atmosphere that American pop culture has, K-pop is exponentially more limited in terms of what the artist can do while maintaining their popularity. The opposition and disagreement that idols face in the status quo when they want to express their opinions is immense, and many simply give up. Sulli, however, continuously pushed for changes in how people viewed her and others in that industry as well.

Sulli’s death symbolizes more than just a lamentable death of a celebrity—she meant so much more to the music industry and society as a whole than just another K-pop idol, and she will be missed by fans and fellow singers.

8 LIFESTYLE Big Meat joins plant-based meat industry

by Christopher

Shin

Plant-based meat alternatives are popping up all across the United States.

National fast-food chains such as Burger King, White Castle, McDonalds, and Subway are incorporating products from Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat in their menus, and shelf space for plantbased meat is growing in grocery stores.

Although vegetarian burgers have been around for years, newer technology has enabled plant-based meat products to more closely mimic their animal-based counterparts, capturing the appetite of the public.

“In the past, I have attempted to pursue a vegan diet, but I have always found it difficult because there were no close substitutes for meat,” said Emma Im (10). “However, with the introduction of plant-based meats that are closer to actual meat, I am hopeful that more people will be able to successfully pursue a vegetarian lifestyle while also satisfying their cravings for animal products.”

Fast food companies are not the only entities entering the foray of plant-based meats. Major meat packers and food corporations such as Tyson, Hormel, Smithfield, Perdue, and Nestlé have also begun to roll out their own iterations of plant-based meats inspired by the innovations by Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat. With plant-based burger patties, chicken nuggets, sausages, and a variety of other vegetarian meat alternatives finding their way into the mass market, many are hopeful that a reduced animal protein intake will help improve both consumer health and climate change.

“Knowing how much energy, water, and land goes into raising livestock, I am glad that more environmentally conscious alternatives such as plantbased meat are being adopted by big companies,” said Brian Bok (11). “Hopefully such products catch on in terms of popularity and result in environmental change, particularly in regards to climate change.”

While many cite the potential health benefits of maintaining a vegetarian lifestyle, others have raised concerns regarding the new food product, which is largely made up of genetically modified soybeans. Due to a large public stigma against GMO products, the initial popularity of these plant-based meats is questionable. However, well-executed marketing campaigns backed up with scientific literature may be able to dispel these fears.

Authoritarian leaders pull publicity stunts as propaganda

by Jenny

Seo

On Oct. 16, the North Korean state media Korea Central News Agency (KCNA) issued photos of Kim Jong-un riding a white horse atop Mount Paektu, the highest peak in the country, believed to be the nation’s birthplace by many Koreans. This politically significant horseback ride has stirred public controversy, with many arguing that the trip was used to spread implicit propaganda. The incident is not the first occasion of authoritarian leaders using horseback riding as a political strategy used to garner global attention.

“I know for a fact that Mount Paektu is sacred to many North Koreans to the point where people climb it just to pray for their country,” said Hannah Kim (10), MUN member. “I also know that North Korea’s propaganda strategy is nothing new—the

nation has controlled messages, card-stacked information, and utilized propaganda in the past in order to keep people in the dark about the outside world.

Thus I assume that this staged photo was released by the North Korean media to attract attention from the world, or function as just another form of propaganda within the North.”

Many social media users have pointed out the similarities between Kim Jong-un’s photos and the image of Russian President Vladimir Putin riding a brown horse in 2009. Putin’s photo shows him posing barechested in an attempt to present himself as a man of nature, while Kim Jong-un’s trip similarly alludes to nature as it shows him marking the first snowfall of Mount Paektu. Numerous experts say that these trips were attempting to represent the two figures as harmonious with

the environment. In addition, former US President Ronald Reagan and former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill were also often seen horseback riding, which experts claim demonstrates how historical leaders have used horses for decades to signify power and authority.

“Critics might laugh, but I think the message North Korea is trying to convey is clear: their leader is a powerful man who displays an aura of authority to people all over the world,” said Andrew Jang (10), an avid follower of politics. “The fact that numerous world leaders use the same type of publicity stunts demonstrates their image as a dignified figure. I think that authoritarian figures strategically pull these kinds of publicity stunts to display their dominance and superiority over others.”

In addition to horseback

riding, authoritarians utilized a different activity as a method of political propaganda almost 50 years ago—swimming. In the summer of 1966, Chairman Mao Zedong dove into the Yangtze River and led 5000 followers in China’s annual swim festival. In Mao’s words, the significance of the stunt was to exhibit China’s ability to combat great obstacles.

The leader’s legacy was further solidified by China’s current supreme leader Xi Jinping following Mao’s trend and using sports as a method of bolstering his image as well.

“Authoritarians tend to rule precarious countries and see themselves as needing to project an image of superiority,” said James Kowalski, AP US History teacher. “By ensuring a specific image, there is almost a secular religion built around the leader allows them to display themselves as the rightful leader of that country. However, I think that this political propaganda comes with the toxicity of shortterm gain in exchange for long term insecurities, which seems to be a running theme right now in the world.”

Graphic by Ashley Kim

Nintendo releases Mario Kart on mobile

by Irene

Kim

Nintendo’s recent release of Mario Kart on mobile has stirred up excitement for big time fans of the original game series.

Released on Sept. 25, the game reportedly had over 90 million downloads and resulted in 12 million dollars in profit in just the first week. As Mario Kart is known to be one of Nintendo’s best selling games on various consoles, it is not a surprise that the game has now risen to be the most popular mobile game launch by Nintendo.

“I believe that Nintendo made a good decision to make the game into a mobile series,” said Janice Park (11), an avid player of the mobile game. “Since I played the game starting from the original series, I do know that it is certainly a very popular game around the world. The mobile series would then as a result, attract many original fans of the game like myself and possibly attract new audiences who enjoy playing games on their phones.”

The original Mario Kart series is a race game that allows players to use characters in Mario as drivers and race on different courses. Mario Kart on mobile, also known as Mario Kart Tour, maintains the same characters and race tracks that are available on the original console games.

New features have been implemented so that players can enjoy the game on a touch screen, allowing users to change the direction of their cars and move them left and right. The mobile game has been redesigned with easier and manageable controls compared to the classic series; the cars automatically move forward for the players and keeps users’ cars on the race track, preventing them from falling off from the courses. Mario Kart Tour, along with everyone’s favorite race tracks in the other console games, has also added “themed” tours. The “themed” tours consist of the recent Tokyo tour, in which the background of race tracks is Tokyo. For Halloween, Nintendo created the “Luigi

Mansion Tour”, a spooky race.

“The characters bring a very nostalgic memory because I grew up with them, especially since the game series has been my favorite since I was young,” Ashley Seong (10) said. “I used to play the Wii version of the game, along with the version in Nintendo DS. When the mobile version came out, I was excited since now I could play it on my phone conveniently without carrying an extra device. Also, the game brought back childhood memories that I have not experienced in a long time. I think that the variety of race courses in the game allows it to be more distinct and engaging than other race games because the tracks are always changing in Mario Kart, and we get to play with new characters every time.”

Although the game is free, fans and players consider that a large flaw to the game is that it incorporated the typical monetization system that other mobile games uses. There is a variety of drivers, races, and cars that

players can play with; however, the majority of them require purchase to be unlocked. Users can utilize and spend cash to unlock special items such as the “Gold pass,” but since it offers players packs of coins and rubies that allows them to have a major priority when playing the game, these items are not offered at an affordable price. Players can unlock all the characters, cars, races, and more without spending cash. However, that would mean that they would have to spend hours of playing to attain them.

“Mario Kart on mobile is surely a fun and addictive game,” said Riley Kim (11), a long fan of the original game series. “However, I quit playing it at a certain point because I spent too much money on buying the rubies that would allow me to unlock drivers and cars. Also, I did not want to spend more money on the game, but the game surely did provide more opportunities for users who spent cash and purchased special packages.”

Tiger Times

November 2019

Google launches new Pixel 4 smartphone amidst face-recognition security controversy

by Emily

Bae

On Oct. 24, Google released a successor to the Pixel 3 phone: the Pixel 4. Google has incorporated four new technological features into Pixel 4, including a highly responsive face unlock, faster Google Assistant, high refresh rate screen, and spatial awareness radar. The face unlock feature has become faster than ever, instantaneously unlocking the phone at a glance. This innovation has entirely replaced fingerprint sensors in the new Google phone. The new Google Assistant has become more useful as it understands spoken English more quickly, without having to send anything to a server to convert speech to text. Moreover,

with a 90Hz refresh rate, the Pixel 4 phone has a smoother display.

On top of these innovations, the spatial awareness feature can detect motion near the phone and respond accordingly, without the user having to physically touch the screen.

“I do think Google has made a huge improvement from its Pixel 3 phones,” said Angela Lee (12), an iPhone user. “But its new technological features are not so different from iPhone 11 updates. The new iPhone has an excellent quality camera with a new night mode to take low-light photos, similar to the Pixel 4 phone. While Google did incorporate some innovative features into its new phone, I don’t think it clearly distinguishes the

model from those of other brands, especially considering Pixel 4’s smaller screen and higher price.”

However, Google’s new phone is not devoid of flaws. The innovative features themselves are not quite well developed, especially the face unlock. According to BBC News, which tested the phone on Twitter, facial recognition can occur even when the user has his or her eyes closed. This can compromise Pixel 4’s security measures, as people can easily open the phone while the user is asleep. In addition, Google’s attempt to make facial recognition more inclusive for all skin tones was a failure due to privacy concerns. In an effort to improve this technology, Google programmed the phone by collecting facial scans

of different people. But it is unclear whether people who had their faces scanned to develop this technology gave their consent.

“Google’s intention to make face unlock open to all users, regardless of skin tone, was well-intentioned,” said Celine Choi (11), a technology enthusiast. “But the method they employed raises ethical questions.

Google could have at least disclosed the reasons for collecting facial scans. Nonetheless, I think their attempts to make the phone more user-friendly deserve praise, as many other phones are notoriously bad at detecting people with dark skin. Pixel 4 is definitely an innovation on Google’s part.”

Despite its defects, the company’s new phone is a massive

9

improvement from previous Pixel models. Its unique spatial awareness using radar technology is an unprecedented feature. Pixel 4 can detect car crashes and make calls for the user in case of emergency, even without anyone physically touching it. Better yet, when the alarm rings, the phone drops the volume as soon as it sees the user’s hand reaching for it. With such innovative technologies, Google may finally be entering the competitive mobile phone market, challenging the long-held positions of industry leaders Samsung and Apple.

“The innovative features that Google incorporated in Pixel 4 phones are ambitious attempts to distinguish their products from those of other brands,” said Joon Bae Lee, IT Office staff. “While they do have flaws, this is the first step forward that Google is making to take a stand in the lucrative smartphone market. This progress can take the company on bolder moves in their future Pixel models by incorporating newer, unprecedented technological innovations.”

Ryan Hyun:

succeeding as a senior athlete

by Katherine

Suk

Senior athletes in SIS have been frequently recruited to universities for their talents in sports. For instance, Georgetown University recruited a graduate, Justin Cheun, for his exceptional tennis ability.

This year, senior athlete Ryan Hyun is about to undergo the same experience.

“My tennis career started when I was living in Shanghai, China,” said Ryan Hyun (12), high school tennis player. “A friend named Anthony came along and challenged me in a game of tennis, and that game became the first time I ever lost in a tennis match. After that incident, I started playing tennis actively. I was extremely competitive back then, so I wanted to redeem myself.

This is the reason I became a tennis player I am now.”

Although Ryan began playing tennis due to his own interests, he started relatively late. While others usually begin playing tennis at the age of four to five, he started practicing at 16, leaving him to compensate with doubled practice hours. Everyday after school, he arrives at the court at about 3:30 p.m. and practices until 7:00 p.m.

On the weekends, he starts practice at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 12:00 p.m. Even though the practices are time-consuming, he believes that the long hours are worth it, stating that they are the key determinant to improving his game. Not only that, but he considers spending the majority of his time playing an enjoyable sport to be a pleasant addition to his life.

“Tennis is an individual sport that is highly respected due to its competitiveness and its high amount of discipline,” Ryan said.

“The fact that the burden of my own

performance lies within me makes the sport much more interesting.

To be honest, I don’t enjoy team sports as much. Tennis basically depends on yourself, and I really appreciate that aspect of tennis.”

Even though he has faced hardships throughout his tennis career, such as slumps from losing, tennis remains Ryan’s favorite sport. He values how the sport focuses on individual ability, and is unaffected by external factors that exist in a team sport: the mood of your team, the lack of coaches’ ability to assess a group situation, that one individual who doesn’t perform that well but thinks of himself or herself as the best, and many more. He can control himself and fix what he is doing wrong in order to become a better player. Additionally, tennis allows him to improve drastically based on his own time devoted to practicing. Even though it might lack some entertainment during the game compared to team sports, he enjoys the tension and burden he feels every single match.

Through high discipline, Ryan has transformed the downsides of tennis into motivation and energy that allow him to enjoy the sport.

“Tennis became part of my everyday life,” Ryan said. “I can’t imagine my life without this sport, and I’m excited to continue this passion of mine even when I enter Wesleyan University. It is an honor to play for this school, and I think it is a great opportunity for me to become a better tennis player. Once I start attending the university and playing tennis there, I want to improve my game, stamina, and practice time. I want to bring victories to my new school, and even after graduating this university, I am willing to continue my tennis career.”

Aiming for the ball, senior athlete Ryan Hyun practices to further his tennis career.

photos by Emily Sung

10 SPORTS A qualifier match happens in North Korea

O

by Clara

Lim

n Oct. 15, North Korea held a soccer match against South Korea in Pyongyang Stadium.

This was a qualifier soccer match for the upcoming 2022 World Cup, scheduled to take place in Qatar. South Korea and North Korea were both in group H of the regional play off in Asia. Whether North Korea was hosting the match or not was questionable until last month. The match garnered much public attention, surrounded by anticipation and concern. The game tied with a 0-0 draw, forcing a second match between the two countries on June 4 in South Korea.

“As a big fan of soccer, I was looking forward to the game,” said Francisco Choi (10), varsity boys soccer player. “I’m excited to see this match in particular since it’s rare to see such a match between South Korea and North Korea. At the same time, however, I was a little worried for the players since Pyongyang Stadium is made out of artificial grass, which requires different skills in trapping, dribbling, passing, and shooting.”

Due to Pyongyang Stadium’s large size, North Korea was expected to have crowds of 50,000 people watching the game, excluding South Korean fans. However, South Korean players were surprised to see how empty the stadium was on the day of the match.

The South asked the North on multiple occasions to allow its reporters and media to travel to Pyongyang.

Despite its efforts, North Korea came back with no reply, upsetting some fans from the South in their lack of cooperation.

“I was surprised and disappointed to see that the game was held behind closed doors,” said Christine Yu (10), varsity soccer player. “They shut the doors for any reporters or news media to come in, even including their domestic media or North Korean fans.

I think their decision was to avoid any questions from the reporters about the fairness of the game. They perhaps did not want a live broadcast filming North Korea.”

Although the North rejected having crowds in the stadium during the game, this match still holds a significant value in the relationship between Koreas. In the past years, due to North Korea’s boycotts and the tension between the two countries, sports exchanges have not been easy. This qualifier match was an opportunity to relieve tension and a step towards more sports exchanges. Additionally, North Korea agreed to release a video of the game and send it to South Korea.

Many South Korean fans are looking forward to watching the video and how the game went.

“This match is definitely meaningful,” said Eunice Yang (10), who is highly interested in international relations. “Previously, when relations between the two countries were bad, North Korean players even rejected handshakes with their South Korean counterparts. Considering how smoothly this game went, I feel like there are going to be more interactions between the South and the North. I am looking forward to seeing a full stadium with crowds from two countries cheering someday when relations get better.”

SIS varsity teams give their best at tournaments

by Jimin

Lee

The month of October was a busy time for fall sports athletes, as they participated in major tournaments. While varsity volleyball and cross-country players participated in the AISA Fall Tournaments from Oct. 10 to Oct. 13, tennis players traveled to Beijing, China to compete in the Dragon Cup Tennis Tournament from Oct. 17 to Oct. 20. Overall, all teams representing SIS performed well in these tournaments, with certain individuals gaining exceptional recognition for their abilities.

“I think it is essential to maintain an optimistic mindset in any race,” said Talin Tyvand (9), cross country athlete who placed third in both the AISA 5 km and relay races. “Since cross country is mainly about practice and mentality, I had to really push myself to keep up my pace. I hope to improve my time and strive for 2nd or 1st place. Also, I think what made my experience so special was that everyone had a great time and connected with each other.”

Likewise, the varsity boys volleyball team displayed resilience and determination in the AISA Boys Volleyball Tournament.

Despite losing the preliminary round against Yokohama International School, players stayed strong until the end, eventually ranking 1st in the tournament. On the other hand, the varsity girls volleyball team unfortunately did not have the chance to advance further due to the cancellation of the AISA Girls Volleyball Tournament based on a storm warning in Osaka, Japan.

“I am very proud of our team in many ways,” said Calvin Lee (12), varsity boys volleyball athlete. “I think we were able to win

Coaching Brandon Cho (10) and Matthew Kim (10), Mr. Tyvand plans their playing strategies for a duo game against SFS. Photo by Lauren Kang

the tournament because we had a strong bond as a team. Even when we were behind the opposing team, we encouraged each other and remained focused, which helped us reclaim the lead.”

Varsity tennis teams performed notably well in the Dragon Cup Tennis Tournament, achieving high rankings. The boys team finished 2nd and the girls team

finished 3rd, both half a point away from placing 1st and 2nd, respectively. The athletes not only played aggressively at the net but also displayed remarkable communication skills during the doubles matches, which all together contributed to their success.

“The tennis athletes demonstrated tenacity and intensity on the court,” said James Tyvand,

varsity girls tennis coach. “Based on their performance, it was evident that the practice sessions prior to the tournament definitely paid off. It was nice to see players maintain a positive spirit and effective teamwork throughout.

Going forward, they can work on improving their stamina.”

Fall sports season concludes with KAIAC tournament by

W

Lynette Kim

ith the fall sports season drawing to a close, SIS athletes returned with phenomenal results from the 2019 KAIAC Tournament. The three fall sports teams—tennis, volleyball, and cross country, were all assigned to separate host schools, yet exhibited admirable sportsmanship and remarkable victories in their respective matches.

On Nov. 1, the varsity girls and boys tennis teams travelled to Seoul Foreign School (SFS) for their KAIAC match. Varsity boys tennis placed 2nd for both league and tournament with the total of 10 points and 6 wins and 2 losses over the season. Varsity girls tennis proudly placed 1st for KAIAC Tournament, bringing the championship plaque to SIS for the first time in four years, earning 10 points in total and rewarded 2nd in league with six wins and two losses over the season. Athletes including Elin Min (11), Junho Huh (11), and David Suh (12) received all conference awards, while Amy Kim (12),

Phillip Yoo (10), Matthew Kim (10) received all tournament awards.

Players like Kristina Kim (12), Christine Yoon (11), and Brandon Cho (10) received both conference and tournament awards.

“Despite the fact that tennis is an individual sport, the team chemistry was amazing,” said Kristina Kim (12), captain of the varsity girls tennis team. “We were always cheering for one another, supporting one another, and giving each other advice. Out of all my years of varsity tennis, I can proudly say that this year was the best. Regardless of the fact that I am leaving, I hope the girl’s varsity tennis team is able to keep up the good work, as I know they can do it even better next year. I want to remind them that even if you lose one game, don’t be devastated and ‘Suck it up!’ Keep running, volleying, and slicing.

Let’s go Tigers!”

Also, on Nov. 1, the SIS cross-country team made their way to Korea International School for their KAIAC race. Both varsity girls and boys came in 3rd place for the KAIAC tournament, and

brought back fourth place for the league with 23 wins and 7 losses for girls along with 24 wins and 6 losses for boys. Apart from the rankings, Lucienne Huh (12) and Javi Diaz-Schultz (9) received all tournament awards, and Talin Tyvand (9), Thomas Song (11), and Eric Lee (9) received both all conference and tournament awards.

On that same weekend, varsity girls volleyball travelled to Cheongna Dalton School for their KAIAC tournament, while varsity boys volleyball travelled to SFS. Varsity girls volleyball fought back hard with 1 wins and 2 losses ending the tournament with 6th place and 2nd in league with 7W and 3L in this season. Varsity boys volleyball had extremely successful results ending up in 2nd place for the tournament, yet staying undefeated in league with 10 wins and no losses, thereby bringing home the league championship plaque. Yewon Chu (12) and Lauren Kang (12) received all conference awards and Lara Kim(12) received all tournament award.

Athletes including Dennis Choye (11), Richie Kim and (12), Eugene

Jang (12) received both all conference and tournament award.

“I truly enjoyed the KAIAC tournament,” said Richie Kim, captain of the varsity boys volleyball team. “During the season, the games were intense, but it soon became boring playing the same teams over and over again. However, during KAIAC, with teams from different divisions, we were challenged to be a little risky and experimented with our playing styles, which at end turned out to be very effective. Of course, losing the finals was quite disappointing with a loss I will never forget; yet it is true that we not only enjoyed, but also learned a lot from the tournament. Although this might have been the last time I would ever play volleyball, I will always remember the friendship I had with my teammates and especially the effort they put in this year to make the seniors’ last season memorable. Next year, without the seniors, they will be a whole different team, but I believe in them as adapting and improving every year is our specialty.”

Tiger Times

November 2019

11

Simone Biles speaks out after historic victory

by Eric

Hwang

photo of the month

On Oct. 13, Simone Biles became the most decorated gymnast in both men’s and women’s gymnastics history after winning her 25th Gymnastic World Championship gold medal. The 22-year-old athlete dominated the 2019 world championships, winning individual medals in categories such as vault, balance beam, and floor. Biles’s individual success also propelled Team USA to its fifth consecutive world team gold medal. Furthermore, Biles’s personal achievements of five medals allowed her to break gymnastics legend Belarusian Vitaly Scherbo’s longstanding record of 23 championship gold medals, further building her résumé for the greatest gymnastics athlete of all time. “[Biles’s dominance] is partially a generational thing,” said Ricky Green, physical education teacher.

“These days, you see the reduction of the 100-meter sprint time over the last 20 years or the recent sub two-hour marathon. How did we get from running the marathon 13 minutes slower to where they are today? It has to do with modern nutrition, high altitude exercises, new well-rounded methods of training, and modern scientific advancements. All these modern athletic advancements have created the perfect conditions for the rise of perfect athletes like Simone Biles.”

Besides her new record, Biles made history at the world championships by successfully landing

Overtaking the YISS XC player, Thomas Song (11) places 5th on the last home game of the season.

photo by Jennifer You

two original skills. The tricks, a triple twist double flip floor move and double twist double flip balance beam dismount, have been named in her honor as the Biles II and the Biles Dismount respectively. Biles now has a total of four unique skills under her name.

While Biles II received the highest “J” designation, meaning the skill counts for a full point at competitions, the Biles Dismount was categorized in the lower “H” tier, meaning successfully performing the skill will only award 0.8 points.

This 0.2-point difference is significant in gymnastics, a sport where competitions are typically decided by mere fractions of points. The Federation Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) justified their decision by claiming a “J” designation for the highly difficult Biles Dismount may incentivize less talented athletes to attempt the maneuver and hurt themselves in the process. This decision has divided fans and media, some of whom claim the lower designation disincentivizes innovation.

“In my opinion, the lower categorization is unjust because athletes have the right as trained professionals to judge themselves if tricks are worth attempting,” said Hannah Son (11), JV cheerleader. “They should be given the creative freedom to perform at the best of their capabilities and be rewarded for doing so. However, it is understandable that FIG would not want to encourage any tricks that might cause the injury of athletes, especially since the guidelines they set drastically

influence the tricks gymnasts choose to incorporate in their routines.”

Additionally, Biles used her historic performance to raise awareness on female empowerment.

In an interview with USA Today, Biles acknowledged her own greatness and highlighted the imbalanced amount of criticism female athletes often receive compared to their male counterparts for asserting their accomplishments.

To this end, Biles accentuated the importance of teaching young girls, in addition to boys, to be confident and explicitly proud of their own abilities. Biles has used her platform to raise awareness before. In the past, Biles spoke out regarding the sexual abuse of former team USA doctor Larry Nassar, who was accused by many female American gymnasts of sexual assault and has since been convicted. During the Nassar scandal, Biles was a leading voice calling for structural change in American gymnastics.

“Over the past few years, we’ve seen the rise of modern athletes who have increasingly taken initiative off the field,” said Elly Choi (11), gymnastics fan. “From LeBron James to Simone Biles, these social justice athletes have raised significant awareness on topics ranging from female empowerment to racial discrimination. It’s encouraging to see so many celebrities use their positions in the media responsibly, and these athletes often give me hope for the future.”

12

SMALL TALK

Joanne Yang word of the month

stics W

IF... Pla

ere

BANNED?

BY CHRISTOPHER SHIN

WHAT

Strike. The word strike has various meanings, from an unexpected military attack to the knockdown of all pins with the first roll in bowling. In the context of the workplace, a strike signifies the refusal to work as a form of protest against employers, organized collectively by a body of employees due to grievances like inadequate wages or poor working conditions. Sparked by the Industrial Revolution when factory workers were subject to inhumane labor, strikes soon became an empowering mechanism for workers to stand up to injustice and gain considerable leverage against those in higher positions of power. Though strikes today fundamentally protect labor rights and initiate significant reforms, their prevalence among particularly public employees have far ranging implications—and even drawbacks—for the rest of society.

In the US, 25,000 teachers, custodians, and security guards walked out of Chicago public schools to demand smaller class sizes, worker benefits, and more support staff including nurses, librarians, and counselors. According to the CNN, the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) were

The proliferation of plastic products in the last century has been nothing short of extraordinary. From the disposable grocery bags found in supermarkets to the debris floating in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, plastic can be practically be found anywhere on Earth. This comes to no surprise as plastic’s inexpensive and versatile qualities lend it to a variety of applications. However, plastic’s easily disposable and non-biodegradable nature has also made it a major threat to ecosystems and wildlife across the globe. In response to this issue, many governments have made efforts to pass legislation in order to phase out the use of plastics. While many have praised these environmentally conscious efforts, others have questioned their efficiency in solving the root

Strike hoping to pressure the city into shifting its priorities from funding comparatively inconsequential areas—playgrounds and dog parks—to systematically supporting children who face serious challenges.

Especially in neighborhoods where gun violence and crime rates are high, students need to be supported with an adequate nurse and support staff in case of medical emergencies. Moreover, approximately 41,000 elementary schoolers are in classes of 35 students or more, hindering effective learning and strong class dynamics. The CTU fought not only for the rights teachers deserve—fair and sustainable salaries—but also the wellbeing of the students and the community, demonstrating the role strikes play in initiating crucial reforms.

However, Mayor Lori Lightfoot views the Chicago teacher strike as an impediment to education. Although schools were still open to provide breakfast, lunch, and supper, the strike led to the cancellation of classes for more than 350,000 students.

This is problematic for especially high school seniors who need the guidance of their teachers and their recommendations to apply for universities. There were also

problem. What would the world look like if a worldwide ban was placed on plastic?

Many potential positive impacts immediately come to mind at the mention of a plastic-free world. First and foremost, the accumulation of plastic in the oceans would immediately cease to a halt, saving hundreds of marine species from entanglement and plastic ingestion.

According to the World Wildlife Fund, over eight million tons of plastic enter oceans each year, claiming the lives of over 100,000 marine mammals who mistake the indigestible synthetic for food. Banning the consumption, and in effect, the disposal, of plastic goods would be a major step toward preserving marine wildlife diversity.

A ban on plastic would also eliminate any need for its production, significantly driving down the usage of fossil fuels that make up the synthetic material.

National Geographic estimates that the production of synthetic materials will account for over 20 percent of the world’s oil consumption by 2040, and a ban on plastic would lower this figure greatly. A reduction in global fossil fuel consumption paired with the development of a safer environment for marine wildlife make a strong case for a worldwide ban on plastics, but how would it affect humans in their everyday lives?

Based on the existing technology in the field of material science, a ban on plastics would serve as a major obstruction to the day-to-

disruptions regarding the rescheduling of major tests like the PSAT and SAT, and delayed college visits that induce more stress in students. Mayor Lightfoot stated that the city already attempted “fiscally responsible” negotiations that are “fair to teachers and fair to taxpayers”—a 16% pay raise for all employees and a set of 80 proposed changes to their contracts like support for oversized classes and children of special education. Despite the practical setbacks, the strike successfully reached an agreement according to the Chicago Tribune: the government would expend $35 million to reduce oversized classrooms and hire 250 more nurses and social workers by 2023.

Strikes have occurred not only among teachers in Chicago, but were also organized among subway workers in Korea.

According to the Korean Herald, the labor union of Seoul Metro announced a three-day walkout if their demands for reinforcement of workers and an elimination of the wage-peak system were not met. As Seoul Metro had the highest rate of industrial accidents among public corporations, the union attempted to remedy the shortage of the workforce and insensi-

day operations of many modern societies. For example, plastic is an inexpensive, but nonetheless, essential, component of the circuit boards and wiring that make up most electronics. The time and resources going into the research and development of a biodegradable polymer possessing similar qualities as plastic would essentially put a cap on the production of many everyday items such as smartphones or computers. Existing alternatives to plastic have also raised concerns regarding their environmental sustainability. For example, in response to legislation banning plastic bags, many grocery stores have been turning to paper bags. However, the usage of materials such as paper puts a huge burden on forest ecosystems and poses their own environmental harms.

After weighing both the advantages and disadvantages of a complete ban on plastic, it becomes clear that many more steps need to be taken in order to maximize the benefits of a complete ban on plastic. For example, a biodegradable substitute for plastic needs to be created in order to keep up with the production of commonly used goods such as consumer electronics. A complete ban is also not the only way to reap the benefits of reduced plastic usage either: devising methods to deal with existing plastic usage could also be addressed. For example, more efficient recycling systems or ways to degrade existing plastic would be solutions to a growing problem.

photos of the

month (up) Asking Audrey, played by Meehee Park (12), to go on a date with him, Seymour, played

by Ryan Kim (12), starts to sing his love for Audrey during the Little Shop of Horrors. (bottom) Getting bribes from the Time magazine, Chiffon, played by Lynette Kim (12), persuades Seymour to allow an interview of Audrey II. Photo by Lauren Kang

tivity to worker safety which can threaten public safety. The Seoul Metro strike was cancelled due to fruitful negotiations—an increase of wages by 1.8 percent and more safety maintenance workers—but is amid numerous strikes among four railway unions that will take place throughout November. Though it initiated changes for the safety of Korean subways, it is hard to ignore the inconvenience the strike may have caused for those who rely on cheap and quick transportation. If the strike had occurred, subway lines 1-4 would have operated at 66 percent capacity and considerably delayed schedules for commuters.

Strikes are necessary in fostering social change and protecting worker rights.

From the government’s insufficient support for public schools in Chicago to the negligence of safety in Korean subway systems, strikes are effective in uniting the labor community and bringing attention to these major public issues. However, when considering their broader implications in the public sector, it is important they are used as the last possible resort to minimize its potential disruptions to the rest of society.