Tiger Times Volume 55 Issue 3

layout by Amy Cha

SIS performs “The Addams Family”

The SIS production of “The Addams Family,” a classic musical production commonly performed by many high school drama departments, was held from Nov. 9-10. As a part of their semester long production, the SIS drama team performed the play to entertain students, faculty, and parents.

The play was performed a total of four times from Nov. 7-10.

The first performance was a preview of half of the performance for ES students to gain more traction for the performances on Thursday and Friday. They used a similar promotional strategy for high school students, performing songs during the Fall Festival and the song “When You’re an Addams” during Activity Period on Nov. 8 to advertise the full production. The

HSSC hosts first Fall Festival

The High School Student Council (HSSC), in collaboration with other clubs, hosted its very first Fall Festival and Spirit Week from Oct. 30-Nov. 1. This three-day festival gave students a chance to enjoy a week of relaxation and fun before Parent-Teacher Conferences and the long weekend.

“The HSSC was very hard at work to plan out the fall festival,” Russell Jin (10), HSSC member, said. “All members had designated roles to ensure that the planning was effective. For instance, I was in charge of planning the hot chocolate booth. Members of the council showed willingness to communicate with others, meaning problems got resolved quickly.”

During Spirit Week, students were allowed to arrive at school in pajamas, sunglasses with no backpacks, and Halloween costumes. All three days allowed students to attend classes in more comfortable settings, temporarily take their mind off of their studies and bond with other participants to create a sense of school spirit.

Students showed the most community spirit on the last day of Spirit Week, dressing up in a variety of costumes, including Men in Black, Mario, and components of animal cells. The swimming pool area and Green Top were decorated with an assortment of spooky items, creating the perfect mood for a Halloween festival. Many clubs also set up booths with events such as a potato sack race from the Tiger Sports Council (TSC) and

layout by San Schwede

a mousetrap car race from the Science Club. The Global Issues Network (GIN) club worked especially hard to make the annual Haunted House even better than last year.

“Since we changed the location of the haunted house from last year, we planned to make it extra scary,” Ryan Bae (10), GIN club member, said. “We divided our tasks when we were making the pathways— some members were responsible for cutting the paper, attaching the paper, and getting the tape ready. We got help from HSSC members as we are only halfway done.”

Students enjoyed a wide array of food and activities that were set up by the clubs and were able to spend a relaxing and fun time with their friends. Despite the HSSC trying Halloween-grams and the Fall Festival Raffle for the first time, around 300 middle and high school students participated. Many students were satisfied with the outcome of the new events, but also requested to see more events like them in the future.

“I really enjoyed the face paintings and some performances from various clubs,” Yujin Lim (9), Fall Festival participant, said. “I think more activities such as trick or treating might also be enjoyable, as the only activity that we could actively participate in was the haunted house.”

As the first high school event hosted by the HSSC this year, many students had high hopes and showed great enthusiasm for this event. The festival seems

two official performances took place on Nov. 9 and 10, and were primarily targeted towards students, faculty, and parents.

“I decided to do the play mainly because I was a senior. I wanted to do something fun for my last year.” Steven Kim (12), Gomez Addams, said. “The entire experience was extremely enjoyable, and I think all the seniors had a blast preparing for the performance.”

The SIS production revolves around Wednesday Addams, the daughter of the Addams’ family, who falls in love with a boy named Lucas and wishes to get married to him. However, fearing that her mother will ruin her relationship, Wednesday only reveals this secret to her father, who becomes conflicted about whether he should tell his wife. Eventually, the secret is revealed, causing turmoil in the family, until Morticia forgives Wednesday and offers her blessing to the couple.

The production went quite well for both days. The cast performed numerous songs, with notable solos from Amy Cha (12), playing Morticia, and Grace Lee (10), playing Pugsley. Alyssa Lee (12) and Isaac Lee (11) also performed a great duet of the song “Crazier Than You.”

“Although the cast made a few mistakes in our line delivery, I think the performances went smoothly overall,” Isaac Lee (11), Lucas Beineke, said. “It’s impossible to expect the play to

go perfectly, and everyone in the cast had a great time performing the play we practiced so hard for.”

HS and MS students were quite entertained by the production. Not only were they able to watch their friends and peers perform as cynical characters on the stage, but the production itself contained a multitude of jokes that cracked up the audience.

“I was very excited to see the production. Because I watched on the second day, I heard a lot about how entertaining it was from the first day,” Justin Chun (9), audience member, said. “I was really excited to see my friends perform in the play, and their acting did not disappoint.”

The preparation for the play was quite rigorous. For one, cast members had to go through an audition process to be selected into the play, having to perform lines and songs from “Addams’ Family.” After the auditions, the selected actors and drama teacher Iain Cowieson met every week on Tuesdays and Thursdays to rehearse for the play, in addition to frequent rehearsals on weekends and even during the Parent-Teacher Conferences.

to have become a memorable experience for many students and helped the high school foster a heightened sense of community.

“I would argue that this Fall Festival was one of the HSSC’s most successful events in the past two years,” Matthew Halter, HSSC adviser, said. “It can be easy to lose ourselves in how busy we are in trying to accomplish our personal goals

while here at SIS, and it’s events like these that help bring us all together to just take a breath and enjoy a well-planned event together as a school.”

By: Yeonjae Kim

Photo by Gyusung Lee (12)

Photo by Yeonjae Kim (10)

SEOMUN conference returns in-person after COVID-19

The 26th annual SEOMUN conference was held at COEX Mall from Nov. 3-5. After several years of being unable to attend in-person conferences due to COVID-19 precautions, MUN participants and the Seoulite press team were finally able to engage in active debates and activities during this year’s in-person conference.

“I think it is very good that we are finally going offline,” Jay Choe (11), MUN member, said. “I think an offline conference is a great opportunity for both delegates and chairs as we are no longer limited by online boundaries—the debate will flow much more smoothly.”

This was the first time in four years that the SEOMUN conference was not held virtually through Zoom meetings. As a majority of high school students have never experienced an in-person conference, the SEOMUN Secretariat and MUN club have worked hard to prepare for the changes made this year.

The Seoulite press team has also significantly prepared for this year’s conference. Because the online setting has challenged reporters with obtaining quotes from delegates in the past, Seoulite members have expressed excitement for a physical setting that will allow them to interact with and report on delegates face-to-face.

“One problem that we have had for

the past few years was getting interviews through Zoom from the delegates—especially if they were not from our school,” Clair Kang (12), Seoulite Managing Editor, said. “I think the SEOMUN conference will definitely flow more smoothly this year as it is going to be held in-person, and because of this, we also think that it is crucial to teach the club members necessary mannerisms for MUN conferences.”

Many MUN and Seoulite club members, especially underclassmen, have had little to no experience in in-person MUN conferences. As some prepare for their first-ever MUN conference, they seem to be looking forward to collaborating with delegates and forming social relationships.

“So this is actually not my MUN conference because I have done a few in the past,” Charlotte Kim (9), MUN member, said. “But this is still my second offline MUN experience—my previous one was in Taiwan last year—and because of that experience, I guess I find that offline MUN is far more engaging than online MUN. I’m especially looking forward to meeting and collaborating with other delegates to make some new connections.”

The three-day SEOMUN conference provided many students with the opportunity to learn by engaging and communicating with their peers in a physical setting.

Despite certain concerns regarding venue prices and network issues, the Secretariat team managed to establish a well-organized conference.

“I think this year’s SEOMUN conference definitely went well and the participants were pretty satisfied,” Paul Moon (12), SEOMUN Secretary General, said. “ Of course, there were a lot of issues as well— COEX was a very expensive venue. But all that aside, we pushed through and I think we held a great event especially consider-

Asian Studies students cook classic street food

food from various Asian countries in their handmade food stalls.

ing various Asian cuisines. Each group included chefs in charge of preparing and presenting the dish, a design specialist responsible for designing the food stall, and an ambassador explaining each dish’s history and significance. Groups had to re-create two different traditional street food dishes that originated from or were exclusive to their assigned country.

“Preparing for the day we present the food helped enhance my cultural understanding of Nepal, my assigned country,” Wongyeom Yang (11), Asian Studies student, said. “We had to build a food stand that represents the country’s architecture and culture. To do this, our team did some research and decided to represent a Buddhist temple and decorate the stand with prayer flags, allowing us to gain a deeper understanding of Nepali traditions and culture.”

ing that it is the first in-person SEOMUN that many of these returning schools have seen and we were pretty satisfied with how it went. It was a huge event and meant a lot for me and the other Secretariat members because we put so much effort into it.”

grills, cooking and serving traditional street

Hoping to increase their understanding of Asian cuisines and cultures, students formed groups to create stalls showcas-

ASR trip to screen golf in Wirye

The Advanced Sports and Recreation (ASR) class, an optional physical education course for juniors and seniors, headed to Wirye on Oct. 30, arriving at a screen golf course. As golf has become increasingly popular amongst the younger generation of Korea, SIS students seem to have also been influenced by this recent trend. Screen golf systems, particularly those in Korea, have been rapidly improving as they have grown in popularity. The trip to Wirye similarly provided a good first impression for students that replicated the experience at a more accessible location.

“Because traveling off campus is not really common for high schoolers, the fun of going with your friends on a rare trip enhances the experience,” Alexis Choi (12), ASR student, said. “A lot of us did not

have experience golfing, so it was a nice first try at the screen golfing place. Trying something new made it a lot more fun and allowed us to make meaningful memories.”

The SIS community’s interest in golf was best displayed through the creation of the varsity golf team this year. This trip demonstrated a continuation of this trend and was intended to attract more members for the golf team, as it helped students engage in and experience golfing without having to fully commit to the sport.

“I really hope more students will join the golf team as a result of this class experience,” Dyne Kim (10), girls varsity golf team member, said. “Because the varsity golf team is pretty new, it really helps if people are interested in it.”

Screen golf provided an accessible and

One of the primary motivations for organizing the event was to foster cultural awareness and appreciation for various Asian traditions outside of Korea. By researching the dishes, students were able to gain a deeper understanding of a dish’s significance and role in a nation’s tradition. Students nominated for the ambassador position were expected to explain how their two dishes related to their nation’s geographical environment or other parts of their nation’s culture and religion.

“The Asian Studies cooking class was a great way to promote curiosity,” Niko Lambert, food stall customer, said. “It was effective because it was informative in a way that was engaging for participants. Through the cultural exchange, I learned that there are a variety of cuisines in Asia.”

Ranging from chow mein to naan bread, both students and teachers had a wide selection of Asian Street food to choose from, allowing for a more personal and immersive learning experience. Moreover, by participating in an interactive cooking activity, Asian Studies students were able to gain firsthand experience of the difficulty and depth in making food, helping them understand the process behind food preparation and all the different elements of traditional cuisine and culture.

“When students study Asian culture, a big part of that is traditional food,” Steve Nave, Asian Studies teacher, said. “By holding a cultural exchange grounded in different cuisines, students were able to experience various traditions. The objective of the cooking session was to create a cultural experience where different ideas and aspects of culture would be celebrated.”

By: Carson ParK Sophomore, reporter

time-efficient way for students who enjoy golfing in their free time to practice their golf skills. Yet despite its advantages, some students found that screen golf was not a viable replacement for the actual experience.

“I liked that there were multiple rooms so you could go into different rooms with your friends,” Yevene Hwang (12), ASR student, said. “There were a few technical problems though. For example, the sensor you have to stand in front to register the shot didn’t work unless you were directly in front of it, which made it a bit disappointing.”

The ASR class aims to engage students in unconventional physical activities that are not covered in Life Sports classes, a commitment shown in other trips for

similarly uncommon sports such as surfing and hiking. Screen golf was not only an easy way to practice golf, but also an effective method of teaching students the skills of hand eye coordination and precision that could be applied to numerous other physical activities.

“I want students to gain experience,” Adam Yannakakis, ASR instructor, said. “The whole idea of ASR is to open potential doors to different activities students may not get to experience, and it is essentially trying to find non-regular sports so students have a chance to work on the basic skills.”

By: jian hong Sophomore, reporter

On Nov. 8–9, Asian Studies students participated in the final stage of a cooking project that they had been preparing since mid-October. Students fired up their

Photo by Carson Park (10)

By: LuCY jang Junior, reporter

Photo by San Schwede (11)

InRetrospect:Itaewon Halloween Incident

On Oct. 29, 2022, a crowd crush in Itaewon during a Halloween festival killed 159 people and left 196 injured, in what was described as the largest mass casualty incident in Korea since 1995.

The festival, which took place across multiple narrow alleys across the streets of Itaewon, was unsuitable and dangerous for the high volume of crowds that would be celebrating Halloween that day. What began as a lighthearted festival commemorating the end of restrictive COVID-19 regulations quickly became a communicative nightmare as misunderstandings caused crowds to walk in opposing directions, crushing those in the center and inducing chaos and panic. In a matter of minutes, countless emergency calls were made that drove phone reception to go down, and people

were found performing CPR on strangers and their peers as unaware partygoers continued dancing in the background.

Videos of this incident were quickly spread online and broadcasted by numerous news agencies, adding to the concern and worry that many people felt in addition to the numerous emergency texts they received late at night. Following this tragedy, President Yoon declared a week of national mourning, with several unofficial commemorations being made and people placing flowers near the area of the incident and paying tribute online. Shortly after, several police investigations were conducted to determine its cause.

While no specific cause was confirmed, experts pointed to inadequate government planning. Despite being warned of

the large crowd beforehand, sufficient preparations were not made, so much so that the chief of the localFire Department described the accident as a “presumed stampede”—local police only dispatched 137 officers to the festival, while 25 thousand officers were instead sent to guard against a distant protest. Others pointed to the poor timing of the event—the Halloween festival coincided with the end of COVID-19 regulations, prompting an unnaturally large number of people to gather in Itaewon.

This issue marks the one year commemoration of the tragic incident and the Global News article by John Kim that covered the original event. The event had a profound impact on Korean society as an unprecedented tragedy which could have been largely avoided. The tragedy

Hamas protests erupt in Seoul

Protests erupted throughout Seoul in October with angry, grieving individuals, gathering in light of the recent Israeli–Palestinian conflict.

Direct conflict began on Oct. 7, when Hamas, an Islamist militant force from Palestine, infiltrated Israel using aerial, naval, and land attacks. With the death toll of the indiscriminate attacks now surpassing 1,400 Israeli casualties, many worry for the safety of innocent civilians.

The tension between Israel and Palestine is not new. To establish the legitimacy of their own religious beliefs, the Palestinians and the Israeli have disputed ownership over certain religious sites.

Following the UN’s recognition of Israel’s territory, the conflict culminated in the Israeli Day of Independence when the Jewish forced 700,000 Palestinians to flee Israel, an event referred to as Nakba. In light of their continued subjugation, Hamas decided to rebel.

“The Hamas militants staged a large plan that security forces did not find out about, and destroyed villages, killed people, and took hostages, even people at an electronic music festival,” Chris Bracciano, social studies teacher, said.

“Those hostages are now somewhere in Gaza, which greatly complicates the situation, and Israel is stuck between wanting to retaliate and creating a human rights crisis, which is hard for them because they are bound by the Geneva Convention when Hamas is not.”

Global interest in the conflict has shown no signs of subsiding, and Korea has not been any exception. Many protesters in Korea have felt personally motivated due to family or friends from the conflict states, but even those who do not have direct relations have also been greatly moved.

“I feel bad for the Israeli civilians who lost their lives because they did not harm Palestinians,” Chloe Yoon (10), global issue enthusiast, said. “It

is pretty ironic because the actual politicians and seemingly ‘bad’ people were not harmed or affected while the innocent citizens were.”

However, out of the many who have taken interest, others have shown more sympathy toward Palestinians. Online sources have taken to statistical comparisons, showing that for every person that Hamas have killed, Israeli have killed a village of Arabs in the past. Even for the current conflict, over 10,300 Palestinians have been killed since the beginning.

“Hamas is a terrorist group, but the oppression the Palestine people faced for a long time is not something to disregard,” Lucy Park (10), former MUN member, said. “Many people, such as student associations at Harvard, have spoken out in favor of Hamas and Palestine during this conflict.”

These protests are prominent enough to be noticed by ordinary citizens, especially as both sides of the issue have taken to the

symbolized the consequences of an administrative lack of preparation and a government that prioritized convenience. As such, it is critically important to remember the event for its value in retrospect. The aftermath of the event must be a consideration in all future government planning, local police preparation, and large crowd gatherings, as the risks of forgetting such an event could lead to major future consequences that the Korean populus should not have to endure.

“It’s still traumatizing,” Elena Kim (12), witness of the event and last year’s interviewee said. “Everytime I do go to Itaewon, I look at the event again. The first month-ish after the event I felt a bit claustrophobic, but it wasn’t that bad. If there’s a large crowd I’m more wary. Even without the Halloween incident, there

were incidents of large crowds hurting other people especially in concerts. In the Travis Scott concert, four people died. The Itaewon incident was just a reminder for me and I realized that I should be more wary and cautious towards large crowds. I was definitely reminded of the tragedy this Halloween, and I think every Halloween I will be reminded of it.”

streets to express their views.

“I have not seen the protests myself, but I have heard about protests in Seoul,” Erica Lim (12), MUN member, said. “Although I am unlikely to go and protest, I still feel respect for those willing to represent their close ones by protesting in a country that is far from the conflict zone.”

Apgujeong Box Girl sparks controversy

On Oct. 13, Ain, a famous adult video actress, walked around the streets of Apgujeong and Gangnam with no clothing except for a large cardboard box, prompting pedestrians to touch her breasts and genitalia through the box’s holes. Given the unprecedented nature of the act, this event, now known as

layout by David Kim

the Angel Box Event, quickly gained recognition and controversy as many debated the morality behind the act.

Initial reactions to the event included disgust and humor. On online platforms, many criticized her inappropriate behavior while filming and condemning her nudity. Others made sexual jokes as

to how she motivated individuals to live in Seoul. Later, the Gangnam police department revealed that Ain was undergoing an official investigation for indecent exposure and harassment.

“I think her Instagram account and YouTube account should be shut down, as her inappropriate act in the middle of the city was unlawful and the government should really show some action,” Edward Chang (11), Apgujeong resident, said. “Because students who finished hagwons at Apgujeong and returned to their home might have seen her, they could have been traumatized.”

In an interview with local media, Ain clarified that her act was a protest against Korea’s double standards with body image that actively objectified women. As Ain later stated, her protest ties

back to a recent incident in Gangnam, in which two women wearing bikinis on their way back from a beach were detained by the police for indecent exposure. Similar instances of unfair conduct have been common in Korea, exemplifying the deep rooted issue of sexism. However, not all have agreed with her feminist sentiments.

“As a whole, I believe that feminism is a movement started for a good cause that has just downgraded,” Teresa Chang (11), a concerned commentator, said. “Feminism was to empower women, and allow all genders to be equal. Feminism is portrayed as a really positive thing, but in reality it now makes no sense. And I don’t understand the Apgujeong box girl in the sense that I don’t know if her attire was strictly necessary.”

Differing opinions and views on the conflict continue to be published from student organizations, news outlets, and personal blogs. Despite these differences in opinion, all are hoping for a fast end to this devastating conflict.

BY: jian hong Sophomore, reporter

Moreover, after Ain described her event as a means to advertise her social media account and her adult video career, many have developed concerns regarding the legitimacy of the event as a whole. “I’m not sure how Ain’s nudity is a women’s rights movement,” Yates Park (11), a concerned commentator, said. “In countless other interviews she has stated that she has only been doing this for publicity and money. I don’t really see how this is a feminist movement especially when you’re selling your body to gain money. I think that it is against the premise of feminism because you’re giving up your body and dignity as a woman.”

BY: jason jihoon shin Junior, reporter

Il Tenore brings Korean history to

the center stage

In October, the OD Musical Company announced the premiere of the musical “Il Tenore.” Produced by Shin Chun-soo, a renowned musical producer, the musical will premiere at CJ Towol Theater of the Seoul Arts Center on Dec. 22 and continue through Feb. 25, 2024.

Featuring a blend of opera and resistance art, the musical stars Hong Kwang-ho, Park Eun-tae, and Seo Kyung-soo, focusing on the Japanese occupation of South Korea in the 1910s to 1940s.

The musical portrays the struggles of South Koreans during the Japanese occupation era through the story of Yun I-seon, a student who initially aspires to become a doctor at his parents’ insistence but later dreams of being Korea’s first operatic tenor. Inspiration for the musical and Yun I-seon came from the life of Lee In-seon, a doctor and pioneering tenor who was the first Korean to present an opera in 1948.

Along with Yun I-seon, the musical features various supporting characters. Seo Jin-yeon is the leader of an independence activist group that operates under the guise of a literary club. Portrayed by a trio of actors: Kim Ji-hyun, Park Ji-yeon and Hong Ji-hee, Seo directs Yun’s first opera while also participating in anti-Japan activities. Additionally, Lee Su-han, played by Jeon Jae-hong and Shin Sung-min, is an architecture student who is passionate about Korean independence. He became a part of the opera production as a set designer.

As “Il Tenore” deals with such a grieving period of South Korean history, the musical is anticipated to bring recognition and help a

wider audience understand the suffering Korean people experienced during the occupation.

“I was educated about the Japanese occupation period during my elementary years in Korea, and my grandfather was also someone who experienced it, so I feel like I’m much closer to that history than most other people,” Seohyun Park (11), history enthusiast, said.

“For the rest of the world, I don’t think many people, especially westerners, are aware about the severe struggles Koreans faced during this period.”

With its unique emotional plot, “Il Tenore’’ has also brought excitement to musical enthusiasts and audiences. The creative collaboration of renowned producers and staff, including writer Park Chanhyu and composer Will Aarons, is currently attracting attention in the musical world, heralding the birth of another large-scale creative musical.

“People tend to experience musicals that deal with difficult experiences because there is trauma hearing and reading the story,” Angela Campbell, musical enthusiast, said. “We tend to avoid things that make us sad, angry and feel like there is a lot of injustice. But the reason I think a musical is a good medium to deal with difficult experiences is that it helps you express your feelings through the music and storyline. Humans are the only organisms on Earth that love music so I do find that musicals are a good way of combining things that humans enjoy.”

BY: LuCY jang Junior, reporter

Say hello to Hallyu fashion

Following the famous fashion capitals of Milan, Paris, London, and New York City, one city has recently outshined others as next in line: Seoul. Though many often confine the Hallyu wave to K-pop, K-drama, and food, fashion has also joined the surge, recently sweeping over the globe. The industry has grown massively post-COVID-19, ranging from cost-effective clothes to luxury, vogue styles.

“Korea’s fashion industry has been rapidly growing the past few years,” Ryan Bae (10), fashion enthusiast, said. “For instance, we see many globally famous Korean celebrities wearing Korean clothes around the world. I think that these cases naturally led to people around the world showing interest

Studio Ghibli releases “The Boy and the Heron”

“The Boy and the Heron,” acclaimed director Hayao Miyazaki’s first full-length film after retiring in September 2013, was released in Korean cinemas on Oct. 25. The film adapts a 1937 novel titled “How Do You Live?” by Genzaburō Yoshino. Studio Ghibli released the movie in Japan on July 14, receiving critical acclaim and grossing over $56 million in Japan.

The film draws heavily from Miyazaki’s childhood and explores themes such as maturation and coping with loss. The story follows Mahito, a 12-year-old boy who struggles to settle into a new town after his mother’s death.

After Miyazaki reversed his decision to retire, “The Boy and the Heron” was set to be released around the 2020 Summer Olympics. However, the film was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Miyazaki’s slowed animation pace, resulting in production taking approximately seven years.

“The plot was very complex,” Charlotte Kim (9), Studio Ghibli fan, said. “I didn’t understand most of it, though I would advise watching it when the English subtitles come out. I struggled with reading the Korean ones. Out of the four people I watched it with, only

one of them openly loved it. But I did like the visuals and music.”

In an age when 3D art dominates the animation industry, viewers commended Miyazaki’s commitment to 2D animation. Viewers say the style makes the film nostalgic and memorable. The film is also supported by its music, as famous composer Joe Hisaishi, who has worked with Miyazaki since 1984, composed the movie’s score. His music has become synonymous with Studio Ghibli for its ability to evoke nostalgia and move the audience. With a similar feel to “Alice in Wonderland,” reviews have described the film as “mystical” and “magical” in what is an incredible journey into the mind of the creator.

“I think the fact that Studio Ghibli never focused on wild drama or whatever was popular makes it so different from other studios,” Sophia Cha (12), Studio Ghibli fan, said. “Most of the time, it would focus on themes of family and adventure. Additionally, Studio Ghibli never attempted to stray from the handdrawn animation style. Unlike most animation studios, Studio Ghibli has heart in its art. Instead of what would make money, it feels like a

story made with a lot of love and time poured into it.”

It is unclear whether this is Hayao Miyazaki’s last film since Studio Ghibli has said that he has new ideas and storyboards for future works. During his hiatus, his son, Goro Miyazaki, took over and created the 3D film “Earwig and the Witch.” The film received mostly negative feedback, with many saying it was unworthy of the Studio Ghibli label due to its underwhelming story and animation. Many feel that the studio’s future will be bleak once Hayao Miyazaki eventually stops creating films.

“Hayao Miyazaki obviously can’t trust his son,” Teresa Chang (11), Studio Ghibli fan, said. “When the movie his son made was released, it didn’t have the same animation style and nostalgic feel that a lot of people really like about Hayao Miyazaki’s films. I do think that once Miyazaki stops creating films, even if it’s not his son, others are able to continue his legacy, since a lot of people have been inspired by his style and his storytelling.”

BY: san sChwede Junior, reporter

in Korean fashion.”

In 2019, Kim In-te, the owner of clothing brand KimHeKim, was invited to Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM), one of the world’s largest fashion organizations. Surprisingly, he was not the first Korean member to join FHCM, following designers Woo Young-mi and Jung Wook-jun. Many identify Korean citizens’ fashion-forward attitude as the catalyst of this globalization. Before expansion abroad, the industry had already established its vast market value for clothing companies to dive into. As such, various premium brands have situated flagship retail stores within Seoul, including Stüssy, Acne Studios, and Supreme, and more orthodox premium brands

like Maison Margiela, Céline, and Moncler have also increased their presence. Experts estimate that more than 50 flagship stores of premium brands were built over the last four years.

“I think a lot of international designer brands are coming into Korea,” Yates Park (11), sibling of fashion brand CEO, said. “When I went to Seongsu-dong, I saw a Burberry pop-up store that hosted events. Like Burberry, many international companies like Stüssy and Supreme are coming into Korea, as Korea has a promising customer base.”

With the fashion industry growing by about five percent each year, equivalent to approximately 50 billion dollars in the past four years, it seems unsurprising that

many Korean brands saw this trend as an opportunity to expand their market share. Many brands reached their peak revenue in 2021-22, with brands like Major League Baseball (MLB) seeing a 33 percent increase in profit. As a result, various brands have sought to establish themselves globally, hoping to continue the trend of increasing revenues. In fact, MLB is planning to launch approximately 200 stores in Shanghai by the end of 2024, already having invested around 23 million dollars.

“There are a couple of brands that are doing quite well internationally,” Andrew Ro (11), fashion brand CEO, said. “Cheaper brands like Matinkim and Thisisneverthat are doing very well, while more premium brands like

Wooyoungmi are also succeeding. The Korean industry is learning how to use the community to expand their business, which is what we see right now.”

Even in Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, a bustling shopping district in Paris, Wooyoungmi has signed a contract to open a location following FHCM’s 2024 Paris Fashion Week—the first Korean brand to open in a luxury shopping street. With Korean culture increasingly seeping into the international community, it is evident that Seoul’s glimmer is not just a transient trend but an expanding movement.

BY: eriC Kim Junior, Copy editor

Korea breaks bad: Gang violence and drug crimes

A flashing report on the war on drugs has now become commonplace in Korean news. Just this October, famous K-Pop idol G-Dragon was prosecuted for drug abuse; in September, narcotic substances disguised as drinks circulated around Gangnam; and in August, a 15-year-old middle schooler was caught with methamphetamine.

Every year since 2013, the Prosecutor’s Office has seized several more kilograms of drugs, with a fivefold increase in amount over the past five years. Despite the government’s strenuous efforts to control drug imports, past policies have proven to be largely unsuccessful, with numerous cartels and gangs remaining active—a far cry from the drug-free country Korea once was.

The severity of the issue is evident: the Korean drug crisis is already entwined with foreign cartels and gangs. This realization first emerged in 2017 when a Korean gang in downtown LA was found exporting synthetic drugs to Korea including marijuana and methamphetamine worth over $2 million. 17 members entering Korea along with the narcotics were apprehended, and after intensive investigation, the police found that this gang had been importing drugs for over a year, using untraceable virtual currencies such as Bitcoin for transaction. Following this incident, many have expressed fear that other gangs may use similar methods that even the government finds difficult to track.

Similarly, many smaller groups from countries with unstable drug control—like China, Vietnam, and Thailand—have consistently imported drugs along coastal cities. Last year, in Daegu, the government prosecuted nine Thai dealers who had been continuing such transactions for over a year.

This too was difficult to catch, as many of these drug transporting boats’ hulls are designed in a complex manner to deter searching. Though the police do occasionally succeed in apprehension, the vast majority of transactions go unnoticed with the sheer number of local groups involved in the trade. Furthermore, drug users often are hesitant to self-report, and those who consume drugs are often bound to it for a lifetime.

“I believed Korea was a very conservative country with no drug issues,” Terry Seong (11), an acquaintance of drug abusers, said. “But I was wrong. I used to live in quite an isolated place in London, where drugs were easily accessible. My friend used to be the ‘plug’ for all sorts of drugs. Although he was very addicted to weed and knew he could not stop without special aid, he was embarrassed to seek help, and frightened by the fact that he might be sent away to juvenile detention. I feel like this is also true for drug users in Korea.”

With increased drug imports followed by increased consumption, an array of other crimes and social issues have arisen. Beyond just their abuse, narcotics have also been used for sexual assault; as most drugs interfere with decision-making and resistance, offenders have found it effective in rendering their victims defenseless and more vulnerable.

Though the method of distribution often varies, there exists a common, organized underground system. Local gangs who have connections to drug distributors from abroad receive drugs. Then, using anonymous messenger applications like Telegram, they advertise their products with

By ERIC KIM (11)

blatant headlines so anyone who wishes can easily find it. As the government has no control over specific posts and messages sent via Telegram, it is nearly impossible for governments to track users and prevent crimes in advance.

Direct distribution has also developed untraceable means: digging, throwing, and disguising. The digging method involves the drug being hidden underground in places like mountains; the throwing method involves the distributor throwing the drug at a designated place and time; and the disguising method veils the drug by mixing it with food or drinks, similar to weed brownies.

While the severity of the drug crisis in Korea is being increasingly revealed, there seems to be a simultaneous realization that the issue has already escaped the understated projections. With around 20,000 estimated users and thousands of domestic distributors connected to foreign drug producers, many fear that the golden time for Korea has already passed.

“My old high school was in a lower-income community, and a lot of the people I knew didn’t have a lot of direction and ended up turning to drugs,” Tyler Castaño (11), former resident of Colombia, said. “I think it’s a really sad thing, because you have a lot of people with incredible potential, but because of a push in the wrong direction they get completely derailed. And in such a high stress environment like Korea, there is a greater chance of reliance on drugs, because there is more desperation and to seek something out and relieve that stress.”

layout by Jason Lee

Korea ups the ante: strict regulation but no rehabilitation

Drugs. Illegal gambling. Turf wars. These are terms associated with Kkangpaes, South Korean gangs, whose prevalence in Korea’s 1980s caused great unrest and unease. These gangs often roamed alleys and created accessible avenues for anyone to anonymously buy drugs.

With their political influence and ties to prominent international gangs, the various crimes attributed to these groups—including drug trafficking and prostitution—were widespread. Nonetheless, the Korean government subdued their political influence by implementing strict regulations and disseminating propaganda that framed them in an unappealing and negative light. The disappearance of gangs resulted in a decline of drug dealers and drug accessibility—yet fast-forward 40 years to the present, where drug-related crimes have unexpectedly surged over the past decade. Rather than gangs, foreign influences and loosened custom control have left Korea’s borders vulnerable to drug imports, with the Supreme Prosecutor’s office reporting that drug use has risen by 30 percent from August of last year.

Parallel to Korea’s approach against gangs 40 years ago, the Yoon administration announced harsh regulations and awareness campaigns to limit drug crimes, including the expansion of drug education and the monitoring of online teenage drug transactions. These measures aim to eradicate teenage drug use and enact a system that watches for online advertisements that promote narcotics. The government also strengthened sentencing guidelines for drug offenses against children after a series of reports involving kids consuming drinks laced

with methamphetamine—drug dealers may now face the death penalty for particularly egregious offenses.

“Korea’s geography allows Korea to block any land imports,” Mathew Halter, a Milwaukee native, said. “So, despite the rising drug issues, it is rare to see drugs in public or at school, and I think Korea will be able to regulate drug use regardless of a sudden temporary increase in drug jailings and deaths, especially compared to the US. My belief in Korea’s ability to prevent any long-term drug issue comes from the government’s implementation of incentives such as a death penalty for drug dealers. This is huge in deterring potential drug users and sellers, and it is evident that any strong regulation will disincentivize drug sellers. Perhaps even rewards could be handed out to those who catch drug sellers.”

While Korea has doubled down on strengthening drug control and heightening legal consequences, the government has yet to implement a holistic rehabilitation plan and necessary centers for drug-use victims. According to the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, there are only six rehabilitation centers in the country, leading drug users to fund their own treatment due to a lack of services. Former drug users have emphasized the need for greater accessibility to comprehensive rehabilitation treatments and a distinction between “discontinuation” and “recovery” in treatment programs. Currently, first-time offenders, who are most likely to accept addiction treatment, receive 30 to 40 hours of mandatory drug education. However, experts argue that these classes are

By SEAN KIM (10)

far from sufficient at helping addicts recover, as drug addiction requires far more support and motivation to overcome.

In Korea, the root of teenage drug use is often academic stress and depression, for Korea’s younger generation grapples with unhealthy levels of stress from an early age due to their high-pressure academic environment. This can lead to students taking drugs that provide temporary relief from academic depression. But this cycle of stress, emotional distress, and drug use can grow into a dangerous pattern without proper guidance.

“To truly solve the drug problem, punishment and rehabilitation treatment must go together,” William Hastings, witness to several instances of drug use, said. “People take them for a lot of reasons, including for wishes of academic success or as a way to relieve one’s stress. So, it is not only the government’s responsibility to warn people about the effect of drugs and curb the import of drugs, but it is also parent’s responsibility to build a supportive environment so children can feel comfortable talking about these issues and not feel incentivized to use drugs. Otherwise, they become ignorant and susceptible to false information.”

It remains to be seen whether Korea can create sufficient infrastructure for drug rehab centers and create a balance between retribution and rehabilitation for drug users. Many have argued for the Korean government to warn citizens of the consequences of drug use and other positive alternatives, while recognizing it is up to each person to decide what path they want to take in life.

8 STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Nathan Chung: A journey to stardom

SIS is filled with students of exceptional talent and abilities, but it is nonetheless rare for any school to have a nationally ranked sports player. Nathan Chung, a sophomore ice and roller hockey player, was recently selected to the U19 National Hockey Team to play in the Asian Games, a feat that he has been working towards since his early days of playing ice hockey.

Growing up in a family of hockey players, Nathan was inspired by the flashiness and quick, aggressive nature of hockey and began playing the sport at the age of seven. While he only practiced twice a week, Nathan’s talents in hockey began to rapidly develop and shine: his shot range, hand-eye coordination, and decisiveness impressed coaches and teammates alike. His quick ascension as one of the best preteen players in Korea paved the way for his continued fervor for hockey.

“I loved hockey and got into it because of the excitement I felt on the ice rink and the

layout by Yoon Choi

stardom I was able to display,”

Nathan said. “When I was in 3rd grade, I was the best player in the division and was recruited by the best Korean Elite Hockey schools. And this was done even though I only practiced twice a week, demonstrating how my hockey skills really came from talent.”

In 4th grade, Nathan moved to New York and continued to play hockey. He played in a AAA Hockey division, the most prestigious tier for hockey teams, as a member of the North Jersey Avalanche. The best players from a travel team or local league will generally try out for one of several AAA Hockey teams that represent their respective states. However, AAA proved to be too large of a commitment because Nathan was only living with his mother. Combined with the large amount of out-ofstate travel to places like Washington, Maryland, and Philadelphia, the burdensome nature of AAA Hockey resulted in Nathan transferring to AA.

In 8th grade, despite facing

limited opportunities, Nathan went to several high school showcases where scouts from all over the East Coast came to watch. Displaying his offensive prowess and talent by averaging three goals in the scrimmages, he received full-ride scholarships from multiple powerhouse schools.

“The coaches gave me offers even though they knew I was moving back to Korea,” Nathan said. “The coaches were also so impressed that they said a spot on their teams would still be open if I decided to come back to the US, and this offer truly touched me. Also, during the summers of 8th and 9th grade, I received scholarships from high schools including Boston Hockey Academy, American Hockey Academy, Bergen Catholic, and Hotchkiss.”

Once Nathan returned to Korea in 8th grade, he was introduced to roller hockey and offered an opportunity to play on the U-19 roller hockey national team. While Nathan had never played roller hockey, he quickly gained familiarity

with it and was accepted onto the team. The U-19 team then played in the Asian Games, which Nathan found to be a stunning experience.

“The Asian Games were certainly an experience to remember, as the opening ceremony, the vastness of the tournament, and the grandeur of the venues took me by surprise,” Nathan said. “There was, however, a clear difference between countries that had been practicing six hours a day and were looking to become professionals compared to me and my teammates, who had been dealing with enormous academic obligations. But through the experiences I had gained from ice hockey, I was able to overcome my rustiness and stay resilient.”

As Nathan continues his journey as a hockey player, a core value that he continues to hold dear to his heart is that effort will always trump talent; while Nathan decided not to become a professional hockey player, his journey with hockey provided him with invaluable

lessons in hard work and developing meaningful relationships.

“Perhaps if I had a great work ethic, I could have made it,” Nathan said. “One thing I do regret is not having a good work ethic, but my mind never had the proper attitude of a professional athlete. I do not regret playing hockey though because of the experiences and friendships I have developed through it.”

Nathan’s attitude towards hockey reflects traits that others say are present in his academics and personality. Nathan may admit he is sometimes lazy, but when it comes time to perform, he always brings his exceptional skills to the table and delivers stellar performances.

BY: Sean Kim Sophomore reporter

Students dress up for Fall Festival

On Nov. 1, the HSSC hosted the Fall Festival, an event to raise school spirit and allow students to enjoy the changing seasons. One of the many events set up for the Fall Festival was a costume contest, hosted by the HSSC, where students showed off their costumes and were judged by a panel of teacher judges. The costumes were an important part of adding to the festive mood at the event, along with the various activities set up by the HSSC and other school clubs. The Fall Festival is the only day of the year students are allowed to dress as they want and not feel odd—for once, they are not obligated to be in a normal dress. They are free to dress up as a character they adore, or wear a subject-related costume for extra credit in classes like AP Biology and AP Seminar.

To find out about costume tendencies, Tiger Times conducted a poll on the day of the event with many categories: cartoon/movie characters, animals, game characters, and class assignments. The results of the poll showed a definite preference among students, with a large part of the pie going to a singular theme.

Class assignments and show or movie character-related costumes were the most popular among students, taking up 87 percent of the total. Some examples were a group of students dressing up as the light-dependent reaction system of photosynthesis and many students wearing costumes from “Men in Black.” Another popular category was animals, a conventionally popular and relatively easy choice.

The costume contest results were announced as well during the fall festival. With the large number of students dressed as movie characters, it was no srprise that the winner, Luke Kim (9), had dressed up as the Jared Leto Joker, a creative way of showcasing his interest.

Numerous students dressed up for the fall festival, demonstrating school spirit and enjoying the fun of coordinating with their friends. During the festivities of the event, students seemed to return to their childhood for a short time when dressing up, reconnecting with their interests after hard academic pushes.

BY: Jian Hong Sophomore reporter

I read the news today, oh boy

by Junseo Lee editor-in-chief

In the first month of the Israel-Gaza conflict alone, 39 journalists were confirmed to have been killed in the midst of the conflict. In fact, over the past decade, an average of one journalist has been killed every four days, with nine of ten killings having gone unpunished.

Every year, thousands of such reporters risk their lives in war-torn countries and conflict-ridden areas. Yet, the average SIS student will never bother to read nor see the fruits of their labor.

It is no secret that the SIS community is fairly unengaged when it comes to keeping up with current affairs. Students tend to focus more on their own academic lives than crucial events occurring across the globe, many scoff at the idea of journalism as a career, and most issues of the Tiger Times paper are strewn across the floor, left unread.

These habits reflect a much larger trend of the world’s youth becoming increasingly reliant on informal news sources, with the proportion of people aged 18 to 24 who prefer social media as their primary source of news overtaking those who prefer traditional news websites in 2022.

However, this myopic view of life ultimately only serves to harm students, who could significantly benefit from simply reading the news.

SIS students in particular, who often forgo their understanding of any subjects outside of their current classes, must realize that an understanding of current events is fundamentally helpful to their academic performance.

Not only can understanding current events provide a plethora of examples and evidence to use in discussions and essays, but simply having a better grasp of how the world functions is essential for students taking higher-level courses that require them to make practical applications for the more theoretical concepts that they have learned.

Keeping up with current events is also an important habit for those rapidly transitioning into adulthood. While young students may be shielded from the harsh realities of the outside world, one of the largest aspects of the transition into adulthood is the loss of that protection and the growing importance of staying informed. Students must recognize that once they leave SIS, ignorance will no longer be a source of bliss but an active disadvantage and vulnerability, as the very events that journalists report on will have an active impact on various aspects of their lives, whether social, economic, or political.

Much of the SIS population essentially lives in a bubble, surrounded by like-minded people from similar backgrounds and socioeconomic standings. In an environment in which students are surrounded by privilege and comfort, the need for differing viewpoints and knowledge of situations outside of the world they are familiar with becomes ever more apparent. Students will find that exposing themselves to other ideas and experiences before they inevitably move to an environment in which they are surrounded by unfamiliarity is a necessity for a smooth transition out of the SIS bubble.

Please do not misunderstand—this editorial serves not as yet another hackney plea for an increase in readership for the Tiger Times. Rather, it serves as a warning for students who remain stubborn in their belief that the news is and will continue to be irrelevant and unnecessary to their lives.

Journalism is not a luxury, and simply taking the time to stay informed on the current state of the world will take students one step further in breaking out of the bubble of ignorance that plagues the SIS community.

10 VIEWPOINT

Inflation—not just an economic issue

As the music industry becomes increasingly commercialized, with companies like Live Nation and Ticketmaster coming under fire for jacking up concert ticket prices for profit, another similar issue has escaped the public ire—music artists and their inflated sales. Over the past few years, the breaking of records for albums, streams, and music videos have been widely praised online, with fanbases crowning one artist over another based on whether artists have broken records or not by streaming their songs to the top.

The most obvious examples of such fanbases are particularly die-hard fans of certain celebrities—perhaps most notoriously, Swifties, or fans of Taylor Swift. As of Nov. 2, Swift’s re-recording of 1989 (Taylor’s Version) already sold over a million copies in less than a week after its release, partly thanks to the Swifties dedicated to helping Swift regain the copyright of her old music.

While being proud of a fanbase’s ability to help a celebrity reach record-breaking sales is not a problem in and of itself, the problem arises when fans weaponize these statistics to prove that either the artist or fanbase is superior, whether due to music prowess or the sheer strength of the fanbase. Fanbases regularly employ underhanded tactics to artificially inflate sales by endlessly looping streams on low volume while they sleep or buying multiple copies of albums upon albums, adding to the futility of measuring success through record streams.

Admittedly, not all streams come from die-hard fans and their tactics

to game the system—after all, Swift is a household name with many casual listeners and established pop anthems like “Shake It Off,” “Love Story,” and “Blank Space.” Yet the fact that Swift is extremely popular among the general public does not necessarily mean that her music is good, but instead that it appeals to the lowest common denominator in an attempt to push sales. Objectively speaking, Swift’s music is not experimental or risky, featuring similar melodies and instrumentals with the same kind of vocals. It is no surprise, then, having taken no risks, that Swift constantly reaches high sales. Beyond simply crafting more accessible pop music for the public, however, music artists are employing strategies to artificially inflate sales for their albums and game the system. It is now not uncommon to see major artists releasing bloated albums in hopes of one song going viral online, as can be seen by Drake’s For All The Dogs or Certified Lover Boy, both of which spanned close to an hour and a half. If not releasing bloated albums, major artists churn out deluxe versions almost immediately after album releases, with the only difference between the original and extended version being one song—Swift’s recent 1989 (Taylor’s Version) Deluxe, for instance, is only distinguishable from the original with the addition of “Bad Blood” featuring Kendrick Lamar. Arguably one of the most egregious attempts at gaming the system is also again from Swift herself. According to Discogs.com, an online database of music releases, there are 70 versions of

The balancing act of crammed tests at SIS

As students scramble to cram last-minute, hallways echo with sighs of despair, marking the onset of yet another test season. SIS’s competitive environment, kindled by loaded summatives, prompts students to take on caffeine, all-nighters, and frantic rants to relieve their stress. As the high expectations placed upon oneself become unrealistic and stressful, students struggle when the exams come jam-packed together before holidays or at the end of each month.

“Tests for different courses often happen simultaneously which can be stressful for students as they have to manage multiple exams within a short timeframe,” Minseo Park (10), AP Biology student, said. “AP classes and hard tests especially impact the ability for students to study effectively and perform well.”

as well as holidays and weekends that leave limited options for test days.

“In absence of a central document where you share dates for major summatives, it can be a struggle,” Chris Blendheim, English teacher, said. “Currently I do not have such resources, so I try communicating with students on the upcoming summatives, and ask about conflicts they may have, although it is hard to accommodate everything.”

Many teachers and counselors agree that the large load of tests can be stressful and overwhelming for students. According to a study by the National Academy of Sciences, staying up late often compromises student health and grades, but students choose last-minute cramming over sleeping, especially for those with multiple unit tests the next day.

her album Midnights—almost double the number of versions for widely acclaimed albums like Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (MBDTF), despite West’s album being released 12 years before Swift’s. Though some fans may continue to claim that West’s MBDTF came before the streaming era and thus cannot be aptly compared, Swift’s versions triple those of Kendrick Lamar’s for Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers, which was released in the same year as Midnights.

“Even though I liked the album, I was shocked at how many versions [Swift] released,” Yoonseo Kang (12), a casual Swift listener, said. “She didn’t just release one deluxe version on Spotify, but she released the original Midnights, Midnights (3am Edition), and Midnights (The Til Dawn Edition). And even with those three versions, some songs are still limited to physical limited editions of the album, which I think goes to show how much of a business the music industry is.”

Instead of aggressively defending artists or praising artists as the “best” using sales as a measure, listeners should instead take these records with a grain of salt. After all, music’s beauty is derived from its subjectivity and openness to interpretation, which cannot be captured by static numbers. Perhaps this way, listeners can derive more value from music instead of preoccupying themselves with meaningless statistics.

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

layout by Lucy Jang

Though often accused as the ‘villains’ of crammed summatives, exam seasons are not any easier for teachers. Units that must finish on schedule, pleas from students for more time to study, and grade deadlines all call for a teacher’s attention,

The only solutions proposed at the moment are time management and the “2 unit test rule.” Yet, time management can often be insufficient—no matter how well you manage your time, the stress and required amount of studying is unlikely to decrease when you have four

summatives due the next day.

The “2 unit test rule,” a rule that allows you to change the date for a unit test when you have more than two on a single day, ultimately provides little relief. During crammed exam periods, postponing or pulling up summatives does little to help students, as the changed dates also tend to be filled with multiple summatives. Exam seasons right before holidays often do not even offer the option to postpone, as it is school policy to not allow tests to be held immediately after long breaks.

This is especially difficult for students transitioning to new environments. Freshmen often struggle with the increased workload and difficulty of tests compared to that of middle school, as well as the newfound pressure that these grades will eventually be sent to colleges. New students find adapting to the competitive environment difficult, as SIS students often strive for the highest grades possible in fast-paced classes.

“I’ve experienced test cramming, and it’s a continuous habit that I’m trying to fix,” Dom Min (9), a freshman overwhelmed with tests, said. “I procrastinated a lot in 8th grade too, but now it’s harder because of the complexity of questions on exams. I’ve already experienced several times when the exams were scheduled very closely to each other.”

One potential solution could be to space tests out before and after breaks to reduce the time limitations. Teachers can teach lessons up to holidays, take a break, come back to school, then review and give the test. They could also use shared calendars for updates; coordination between teachers can effectively prevent an overload of summatives on the same day.

SIS has long been striving to find an effective means to craft balanced test schedules, and the constant effort from teachers and the administration are optimistic signals of improvements in the right direction. Although solutions will likely demand greater effort from teachers, students will certainly appreciate the worthwhile sacrifice for their well-being.

By: Grace Lee Senior managing editor

By: Jian Hong Sophomore, reporter

From clicks to clubs: rekindling club spirit

After two years of alternating between online and offline classes, many students looked forward to the postCOVID revitalization of clubs. Though clubs had introduced online meetings as alternatives to physical ones during the pandemic, these meetings were difficult to maintain and sometimes even canceled, with members and executives alike facing technical difficulties, emergencies, and idleness.

Despite efforts to create an interactive experience, many of these attempts proved futile. For instance, while History Honor Society held Jeopardy sessions and Kaleidoscope set incentives like deadline extensions, members were often not only off-task but also fabricating excuses for their absences, knowing that clubs could not properly verify attendance.

Unfortunately, this trend has extended long past the pandemic. Instead of participating out of genuine passion, many students still seem to treat clubs as just another item on their resume. When students realize their chances of being promoted to an executive position are slim to none, many cease to attend meetings or drop the club without saying a word. As such, many clubs have faced difficulties functioning with little to no member engagement.

“I feel that Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) has individuals who are genuinely passionate about the club but also many who treat the club passively,” Sieon Kim (11), Internal Vice President of FBLA, said. “When they realize that they can’t put a specific competition or activity on their resume, they become less active. With the same people just contributing and everyone

else just slacking off and putting the responsibility onto them, this disconnect causes problems for executives in running the club. Those who feel less motivated participate in competitions but don’t actually try, harming those who are passionate.”

This issue primarily stems from students’ attitudes toward clubs and academics. It is no secret that SIS students often overemphasize academics, contributing to a school atmosphere that encourages students to prioritize grades above all. This mindset often prompts students to see clubs as mere lines on their resume, striving to attain executive positions not out of genuine passion, but rather for a better chance at admission to a prestigious college. Thus, executive positions have become the end goal rather than a means to improve the club and use their authority to give back to the school community. For these executives, little incentive exists for them to continue putting effort into their clubs, resulting in feeble agendas and plans, meaningless meetings, and little reason to care about the club’s future.

“Clubs are opportunities for non-academic teaching and learning that can add depth to the narrow academic focus of the school,” Gray Macklin, HS Principal, said. “The ‘why’ for much of the club leadership at SIS is… often shallow and self-serving. The highest functioning clubs have a shared understanding of why they exist and why everyone is there.”

Compared to this common student attitude, the administration regards clubs with far more importance, setting guidelines similar to that of established classes, with strict policies for timeta-

bles, attendance, and assignments. This stark contrast between how many executives and the administration view clubs results in an unstable, Frankensteinian compromise that amalgamates leniency with strictness. The ambiguities that arise from this instability mislead students into believing they can exploit loopholes—easily-attained extensions for strict deadlines and unjustified excused absences for stringent attendance policies—thus cultivating laziness and often deeming administrative efforts to strengthen club participation ineffective.

This mindset is only reinforced by the common thought that many club meetings are simple formalities—stemming from the combination of the administration’s strict meeting schedules with no specific agendas or goals that executives have planned beforehand. As such, it is often common to see the content of meetings being dominated by unproductivity or a simple announcement that could have been easily replaced by a single Google Classroom post.

One possible solution to facilitate movement away from this mindset would be the restructuring of clubs to foster an environment that encourages club membership based on passion. In lieu of clubs assuming forms similar to standard classes, a passion and interest-focused club structure reminiscent of college clubs could be adopted. Under this new structure, executives will be able to convene only when they need to and pursue more passion projects with a newfound autonomy, forging a sense of personal responsibility and intrinsic motivation as to which clubs members would actively engage with.

Viewpoint Feature:

Though legal regulations of COVID-19 are behind us, vestiges of COVID-19 still haunt us, even encroaching upon our school life. Clubs still remain in a slumber, with trends of fabricated excuses and lies still commonly exploited by members. If this continues, clubs will be reduced to no more than superficialities.

Why has club engagement changed over the pandemic?

How can we solve the problem of disengagement in clubs?

This leniency can help eliminate superficial meetings by allowing executives to hold meetings only when necessary. But following college club structures can also help necessitate these meaningful meetings by prompting clubs to pursue a variety of achievable passion projects, imbuing every member and meeting with purpose. Setting goals for clubs to work for has already proved to be successful in increasing engagement. For instance, clubs have previously hosted large-scale annual events including trips to Anna’s House and the Halloween Carnival. With high rates of participation from the student body as evidenced by the Fall Festival hosted by HSSC in conjunction with other clubs such as GIN, many members have expressed their enjoyment of working toward such large, overarching goals.

Ultimately, modeling the current club system after college clubs will provide students with a structure that is based on genuine interest and offers lenience, encouraging personal responsibility and facilitating the shift away from contradictory executive and administrative policies that have fostered laziness and limited productivity. Furthermore, encouraging the pursuit of club events will give clubs a heightened sense of purpose, in turn engaging more members and contributing to improving the school community as a whole. Clubs constitute a foundational aspect of any students’ best high school experiences and memories, and clubs at SIS should be no exception.

By: Eric Kim Junior, Copy editor

12 SMALL TALK

Point Counterpoint

By Sean Kim and Jason Lee

Social Media Activism...

…is an online form of advocacy. Compared to other forms of activism that require in-person interactions, social media activ- ism allows platform users worldwide to instantly engage with one another. Students, especially SIS students, primarily receive their news and participate in activism through social media. This begs the question: do students belong in such online conversations and activism?

…allows students to learn about and develop different viewpoints

A person’s values and beliefs are formed at an early age and shaped through interactions with their surrounding environment. Before the Internet, families and local communities were largely responsible for the formation of young adults’ values and political beliefs. Now, social media allows anyone with access to the Internet to engage with political and philosophical movements across the world and become exposed to unseen viewpoints.

The Course Code: AP Capstone

By Yoon Choi (11)

AP Seminar and AP Research are arguably the most unique and difficult AP courses offered at SIS. Both under the umbrella of the AP Capstone program, the two courses are not categorized into social studies, English, or science departments; rather, they have their own completely unique curriculum and exams.

Its two-year system is not the only reason the AP Capstone program is unique. For one, AP Research does not have an AP test. Instead, students send recordings of their final research presentations and research papers directly to the College Board for grading. 75 percent of students’ AP scores is based on the paper and 25 percent is based on the presentation. Unlike any of the other AP courses at SIS, AP Seminar also does not have any pre-requisite courses, meaning any junior is eligible to take the course and students can receive recommendations for AP Seminar from any SIS teacher.

“The AP Capstone curriculum differs both in skill and content from most other AP courses,” James Kowalski, AP Capstone teacher, said. “Even if I wanted to use a conventional textbook with students, it would have only a limited applicability because each student diverges onto their own path from pretty early on in the year. I think it’s actually quite liberating for many students in the program, because with that intellectual freedom also comes a kind of depth in their inquiry that they may not have an opportunity to experience otherwise.”

AP Seminar is based entirely on the development of research skills, rather than the mastery of specific content. According to the College Board, AP Seminar is “an interdisciplinary course that encourages students to demonstrate critical thinking, collaboration, and academic research skills on topics of the student’s choosing.”

Students complete assignments known as Performance Tasks, in which they research and create presentations and papers that synthesize their findings. There are two Performance Tasks—PT1 and PT2. PT1 includes a 1,200 word individual literature review and an 8 to 10 minute team presentation, while PT2 includes a 2,000 word individual written argument and a 6 to 8 minute individual presentation. Throughout the school

year, AP Seminar students will do a total of 4 Performance Tasks: 2 mock PTs and 2 real PTs. The real PT papers are uploaded to the College Board for grading, while presentations are graded by school teachers.

“One way students could enter the program with a leg up would be being able to read a scholarly article,” Mr. Kowalski said. “Even just understanding how it’s constructed and how to look for important arguments would be helpful. It’s going to not only save a lot of time for students, but also allow them to have a less steep learning curve for the course.”

The AP Exam for AP Seminar is also quite unique. Firstly, the entire AP test is about 2 hours and 15 minutes, which is relatively short compared to other AP courses. For instance, the AP US History exam takes 3 hours and 15 minutes. Additionally, instead of typical MCQs or FRQs, the AP Seminar test has two sections: EOC-A and EOC-B. In EOC-A, students answer three questions about a given source regarding the author’s argument, line of reasoning, and effectiveness of evidence. In EOC-B, students write an essay synthesizing at least two out of four given sources with any kind of overarching theme, using the sources as evidence for claims.

AP Research is an extension of the research skills students learned in AP Seminar. While students complete a total of four research projects in AP Seminar, AP Research students work on one throughout the entire school year. This project is based on any topic of their choice but often related to the questions that students explored last year.

Upon completion of the AP Capstone program, students receive the AP Seminar and Research certificate, while those who receive a score of three or higher on four other AP exams receive the AP Capstone Diploma.

“I wanted to take AP Capstone for two reasons. First, it was one of the APs that spoke most to me, being more focused on humanities rather than STEM,” Tyler Castano (11), AP Seminar student, said. “Second, I have always had an interest in academia; whether it was reading ancient and modern philosophers or reading academic articles on any topic I could find. I knew that was something I wanted to be a part of, which is part of why I chose to take AP Capstone.”

The concise nature of social media posts is often particularly appealing. Studies show that today’s adolescents tend to avoid reading longer articles, and this tendency can be attributed to social media’s ability to deliver the same information through 15 to 30 second summaries. For example, in the summer of 2021, numerous short-form video infographics helped Americans understand the historical complexities surrounding police brutality against black people, allowing them to gain a more holistic understanding of the issue.

Some argue that students may be misled by misinformation or conspiracy theories. However, the wider access to viewpoints arguably provides students with more opportunities to engage with the real world and become open-minded learners. Students can connect with their political community on social media via forums where people can freely exchange ideas and voice meaningful opinions.

“I only participate in social activism by posting about specific current events and commenting on facets of issues that I find to be reprehensible or simply important,” Tyler Castano (11), news follower and social media user, said. “I find it encouraging that I am speaking on important issues. Additionally, it is important for students to voice their opinions because there would then be no exchange of ideas and thus, societal progress. People should have the opportunity to listen to other opinions rather than being stuck in one’s own arrogance and assuming yourself to be right all the time.”

It is essential for students to be engaged with the modern world and politics. Social media is a convenient way for students to build a genuine interest in global issues, and it seems rather unrealistic to rely on students’ consumption of standard news and research articles to garner interest. Short and engaging social media posts can hook viewers and invoke an emotional response, thereby encouraging students to take part in activism. Without a well-informed society, toxic ideals and misinformation will seep into policies and lives, ensuring a dysfunctional global community.

… inspires complacency among students

It is now more common than ever for students to open social media to a flood of posts and hashtags that claim to support a cause. Take, for instance, the 2020 #BlackOutTuesday posts in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. While the intent of this movement was noble, it raised the question: does posting a black square on Instagram make a difference? No, not really.

Social media activism ultimately only creates a facade of solvency through which participants believe they are successfully combating social issues. This results in a complacent population that does not use more important avenues of legitimate change, such as advocating for structural and legislative changes or physical protesting. This phenomenon is known as armchair activism.

When one partakes in posting about a cause online, it can feel as if they are successfully raising awareness. However, awareness does not necessarily equal action. For instance, the #BlackOutTuesday trend did little to induce changes in policy, support organizations, or tangibly contribute to the BLM movement. Posting a hashtag can give a sense of satisfaction, tricking students into thinking they have made a difference.

Real change requires more than superficial Instagraming; it demands time, effort, and commitment. It involves educating yourself and others, supporting organizations that make a difference, and advocating for real political change. While these steps may not be as easy or accessible as posting on social media, they are the ones that lead to true progress.

If students and aspiring global citizens genuinely care about the causes they post about, it is crucial to move beyond the screen. Social media is a powerful tool for spreading awareness, but it should be the starting point, not the end goal. After all, a hashtag may trend today and be forgotten tomorrow, but real change lasts a lifetime.

Actively participating in the discussion, Leo Byun (12) shares his thoughts from the SEOMUN conference.

Photo by Yeonjae Kim (10)

photo of the month

layout by Sean Kim