FEATURE Do You Know K-Trot? NO.359 MAY 2020
COVERSTORY What Is Freedom?
SMTRACING Endless Delay for Safety v
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About SMT The Sookmyung Times (SMT) is the only offi- cial English Newspaper at Sookmyung Wom- en's University. Founded in 1973, 2020 marks its 48th anniversary. SMT publishes a hardcopy magazine each March, April, June, September, October, and December and publishes a web- zine each May and November. The Sookmyung Times office is located in the Student Union, 12 room 309. 09 12 21 COVERSTORY PUBLISHER President Kang Jeongai 03 What Is Freedom? 28 DIRECTOR Professor Yook Sung Hee LETTER GLOBAL REPORT COPY EDITOR Professor Matilda Krivan Starlight in Seoul 16 Widen Your World and EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Kim Lee Hyunmin FOCUS ON Be Independent! Life in Germany for One Year CULTURE SECTION EDITOR Ahn Ha Yura 04 Express Your SOCIETY SECTION EDITOR Jung Kim Hyeseung Appreciation ALUMNAE SOCIETY SECTION EDITOR Oh Hwang Junhee 30 Beyond Korea, Head to FORMAL ARTICLE WOMAN SECTION EDITOR Kim Han Yujin Asia: RIAW 18 WOMAN SECTION EDITOR Kwak Lee Shinyoung PEOPLE WOMAN SECTION EDITOR Lee Hwang Hayoung Who Could Rule the 32 06 WORLD? Women! CUB REPORTER Choi Kim Seoyoon ON CAMPUS MUSE ON CUB REPORTER Choi Song Bojeong Simply, Firmly, Grace- fully CUB REPORTER Kwon Jung Eunseo 21 08 SMTRACING CUB REPORTER Na Cho Seongah CHEONGPA Endless Delay for Safety CUB REPORTER Sang Lim Hyeji 34 RUNWAY NEW FACES ON CUB REPORTER Yoo Beak Hayoung Dress Nice, Also 24 SMT TEL 02)710-9152 Important to Wear Healthily EXPERIENCE smtimes.sookmyung.ac.kr Speical Day at an www.facebook.com/thesookmyungtimes Independence Theater @sookmyungtimes 09 35 FEATURE The Sookmyung Times HEAD TO HEAD Do You Know K-Trot? 26 DESIGNED BY ROUM SMT CULTURE KAKAO TALK @ 로움 We Love, Live Together, TEL 010-5343-5357 and Communicate
CRITICAL VOICE TO CHANGE THE WORLD LETTER
Starlight in Seoul
I grew up in Nowon, a corner of Seoul. Nowon has seen enormous development and has transformed itself into a wantless district of Seoul, but whenever I think of Nowon with its sea of apartments, I overcome with a feeling of togetherness. In the past, trains rolled into Nowon along railroad tracks, and pedestrians waited for the trains to pass before cross the tracks. Today, those railroad tracks no longer see trains and have become mere walkways. A number of people have nicknamed Nowon, the country side of Seoul. It was a small city, but I loved my area of Seoul. However, I left Seoul just before entering high school. It was hard to adjust to my new residence. I didn't know anyone, nor did I know my way about the area. I longed for my life in Seoul, especially Nowon where I had lived up to that point in my life. The day I knew I must return to Seoul was the day I attended a music concert held in Seoul. At the end of the concert, I took a night bus home. Riding on the bus, I didn't sleep. Instead as the bus travelled along the Olympic Highway, I stared out the window at the night view of Seoul that glistened like the Milky Way. Seoul was full of lights from its countless buildings, apartments, and cars. I wanted to be part of the light. Fortunately, I became a student of Sookmyung Women's University and started life in Seoul again. I was glad to be a part of Sookmyung and Seoul. Time passed quickly in my new life. Over time, beautiful night view of the Seoul faded in my eyes. At one point, I seriously contemplated transferring to other university. My parents reminded me that I was the one who wanted to attend a university in Seoul, and then suggested transferring to the national university in front of our home. The main reason I wanted to transfer was because of my bad health, but I was also exhausted from the busy life in Seoul. I longer for the bright lights in Seoul, but I thought my life didn't shine like the lights. The light of Seoul no longer seems beautiful. Others around me are also not shining brightly, but have, like myself, become faint flickering lights. Nevertheless, I struggle through the dim light and wait expectantly for the day we all shine brightly again in a happy life.
Kim Lee Hyunmin / Editor-in-Chief / [email protected]
PHOTO FROM KANG KEON NO 359 / MAY 2020 3 ALUMNAE
ALL PHOTOS FROM RIAW
Before the beginning of the interview, with the student body by inviting their would you please introduce yourself opinions and incorporating them into our Beyond Korea, to our readers? projects. It is my hope that students will take In 1991, I graduated Sookmyung Women's a huge interest in our work. Head to Asia: University with top honors from the What connection is there between Department of English Language & Women's Studies and English Literature. And I completed master's degree Literature? in English-American Feminine Literature. RIAW I went to England to further my study of Working on my master's thesis, I often went English-American Children's Literature, to the school library. One section was devoted Watching the news about Nth and I earned the title of doctorate in to theses on T. S. Eliot. In fact, the number room, you may soon realize that English-American Children and Adolescent of theses on Eliot's works far outnumbered those of female writers. I was shocked by women in Japan and China are Literature. I was the first foreign student to receive the title. Since 2009 I have been the absence of studies on women writers. suffering the same crime. Women working as a professor of the Department The standards regarding those studies were all over Asia suffer the same of English Language & Literature at also governed by males. Going against the problems but are now trying to let Sookmyung, and I became the director of the norm, I chose to make my research focus on Research Institute of Asian Women in 2016. my favorite female writer, and that is how their voices be heard. The people I became interested in Women's Studies. working to allow this united voice Most students will likely be English Literature's central themes surround by conducting studies and lending unfamiliar with the Research the underprivileged and the weak. Women's Institute of Asian Women(RIAW). Studies are also research the idea of equality, helping hands are members of Could you tell us a little about it? so I think there is an obvious connection the Research Institute of Asian It opened in 1960 as Korea's first women- between the two areas. Women. SMT met Park So-Jin, related research institute. This year marks Among the RIAW's various research director of the Research Institute its 60th anniversary, and that is historical and projects, which one are most significant. The Research Institute Asian dear to you? of Asian Women. Women works diligently towards the development of women's policy development The 11-year-long writing award by an and on other research and education projects. immigrant to Korea in her mother tongue, Kim Lee Hyunmin / Editor-in-Chief / [email protected] sponsored by the Hanananum Foundation, Ahn Ha Yura / Culture Section Editor / [email protected] In 2018, it merged with The Center for Multicultural Studies. Until now, it has had is what I am most interested in at the little communication with Sookmyungians, moment. Through the project, Koreans can but from now on we are planning on working learn about immigrants' lives, and select the topic of researches and projects in
4 THE SOOKMYUNG TIMES happen, I feel conflicted internally since it is contradicts the educational values of our university. Also, it was difficult to find good researchers. Most were contract workers, so regardless of their abilities, we had to hire new researchers once their contract had finished. How did you overcome those difficulties you mentioned?
2019 RIAW International Conference Writing Award by an immigrant to Korea in her mother tongue It was important to keep in mind this idea: their writings. One immigrant female who globally there is a need to ensure a learning "I can't control all aspects of work and life." won top prize for the first award, deliver a environment where women and men have Everyone has a different perspective, so what congratulatory speech at the 10th award. She equal opportunities. Next, I'm also interested I feel is important may not be important for is running as representative for president of in underprivileged women who fall victim to others. I always do my best, and I vow not to the Vietnamese Immigrant Association. She becoming prostitutes or get caught in human dwell too much on the outcome, especially said, "When I participated in the award was trafficking. They rarely speak out, so I want negative ones. Thinking of the fruit that will the hardest time of my life. I now live my life to publicize their problems and let their be there someday, I focus all my energy on full of energy thanks to winning the award." voices be heard. what I can do each time. This is the way I Those words are very touching. overcome difficulties. Which direction do you think The RIAW and the Center for women's studies and women's What are RIAW's future goals? Multicultural Studies merged research in Asia should take? Our future vision is to be an hub of Women's together in 2018. What changes have I believe it will move in the direction of Studies. To achieve this goal, we are hoping been made since the merger? solidarity. This requires a lot of public to expand education opportunities, both at At once time, there were two research centers debate because of cultural and social Sookmyung and outside. Through education, at Sookmyung, but they played similar roles. perception differ among nations, but there we hope to get more researchers. For this In the other words, the two researched almost is a need to discuss topics on global public reason, we are focused on making a Women's same fields. After the merger, the two centers forums. Also, considering diversity, a move Studies graduate school course. The second have been able to increase the number of toward solidarity can only truly come to be thing we hope to achieve is the hiring of long- practical researchers, and the area of study when opinions are exchanged during public term researches. We plan to start a big new, doubled. In addition to this change, I see debates, not just talking with people who so we need long term staff. The last goal is more synergy and organizational efficiency. have the same ideas. international exchange. We are hopeful that RIAW can be a center of that part. The topic of the 2019 RIAW What is your proudest career International Conference was moment as director of RIAW? Last, please leave a final message for Sookmyungians. 'Korean Wave, Gender, and Trans- RIAW went through a slump due to cultural Community'. What was it structural problems, but now I am proud to Sookmyungians are full of sincerity, so I like? state that we have secured good researchers hope they use their creativity and diversity The topic was set by the Korean Studies and restored its function. In addition, there to unite their voices. The reason a university Association of Southeast Asian (KoSASA). have been calls for cooperation with other exists is to provide a platform for sharing It hoped to gather researchers in order to research institutions since its founding, after ideas and opinions freely. Sookmyungians understand women's culture in terms of the merge I mentioned before. I am proud of openly and proudly express how you think gender more easily. For example, K-Beauty the fact that RIAW is expanding internally and feel. However, do not be unbending, has had a welcoming economic effect, but we and externally, and has developed through its please remember to respect others' voices as can't just be happy because we know makeups research projects. much as your own. are the kind of corset. During the conference, this and other issues were discussed. Some Then, what has been the hardest countries agreed with the concerns, but thing for you? others did not see them as being a major Sometimes work doesn't always go as cause of concern. This conference made me planned. RIAW had made numerous project realized the large gender recognition gap proposals related to gender to Sookmyung, between countries. It is my hope that more but a large portion of them were not communication exchange opportunities will accepted. Some people have even said our open and more discussions be held. work is noisy and unimportant, so often we feel ostracized. Whenever these things What women's issues are you particularly interested in? At the moment, I'm interested in gender discrimination in the academic field. In fact, PARK SO-JIN a lot of statistics, despite a mother is a math - Department of English Language & Literature '91 or science teacher, shows that if the child - Professor, Department of English Language & Literature is a boy, the mother believes her child will - Awarded Best Professor of the Year in Teaching/Research (2015-2018) do better in those fields than if she had had - Director of the Research Institute of Asian Women a daughter. This is a stereotype. Therefore,
NO 359 / MAY 2020 5 ON CAMPUS
Sookmyung WaitsFor You
6 THE SOOKMYUNG TIMES NEWS IN SOOKMYUNG
Sookmyung WaitsFor You
NO 359 / MAY 2020 7 CHEONGPA RUNWAY
Also Important to Wear Healthily FASHION
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1. Top / GIORDANO / 15,000 won 2. Pants / Codes combine / 23,000 won 3. Coat / Unknown 4. Shoes / Adidas / 42,000 won 5. Backpack / NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC / 100,000 won
SONG CHAERIM DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE & INTERNATIONAL RELATION '19 Oh Hwang Junhee / Society Section Editor / [email protected]
Please introduce your personal style to our readers. Please share your winter travel fashion tips with our I value the situation when I dress. So, when I do active work or use readers. my body a lot, I tend to wear a hooded T-shirt or a functional T-shirt Though I'm not a good dresser, I'll share my tips. I think there is a with my favorite training pants. However, if I have an important big daily temperature gap in spring. You will often experience that it schedule or meet people, I wear skirts or dresses a lot. I wear a lot is warm at noon, but cold in the evening. That's why I tend to bring of long clothes because I feel uncomfortable with short clothes. Like a coat when I go out during the day. Even though I don't wear it this, the style of dressing varies depending on the situation, but the during the day, I tend to pack a thick jacket or coat to avoid catching a most important thing is to be comfort. cold in the evening. Fashion is important to emphasize individuality, but I think it is also important to wear healthily personally. I want to recommend Sookmyungians take your jacket or coat and have a warm spring. 8 THE SOOKMYUNG TIMES FEATURE CULTURE
DoDo YouYou KnowKnow K-Trot?K-Trot? Kim Lee Hyunmin / Editor-in-Chief / [email protected] Ahn Ha Yura / Culture Section Editor / [email protected]
Trot music is usually heard at express highway rest stops, local product festivals, and on the show
NO 359 / MAY 2020 9 POSTER OF
PHOTO FROM WIKITREE 1) Kang Seungtae, "The Power of 'Trot' Music Dominating TV Shows Today...Trot The number of collected text votes for
12 THE SOOKMYUNG TIMES WHAT IS FREEDOM?
Jung Kim Hyeseung / Society Section Editor / [email protected] Oh Hwang Junhee / Society Section Editor / [email protected]
A mysterious man stands on a platform, and tens of thousands of people all dressed in the same outfits praise him. Even when the man speaks impolitely and shout at them, the audience cries out "Amen!" and the people bow their heads like sinners. The audience is comprised of people from young children who accompany their parents to elders, and all of them seem to forget why they are here. The religious sect leader says, "I don't like money, but it's the will of God." He collects large sums of money from his followers. Outsiders will look at this as nonsense, but the followers have their devoted trust. Without a doubt, the audience believes he will lead them to Heaven.
NO 359 / MAY 2020 13 often frequently seen on or near Sookmyung Women's University. It was a regular occurrence to see followers of Shincheonji gather at Exit 10 of Sookmyung Women's University Station during peak student traffic times. Bang Suyeon, Department of English Language & Literature '19, said, "On my way home from school, I was asked to attend a seminar by some of the Shincheonji believers. It was a scary experience." The members are also known for offering special tutoring sessions for first-year students during university exam periods and during orientation period. Many Sookmyungians may be given the contact number of a stranger who invited her to a Bible study session while on the way to school on the admissions essay examination day for Sookmyung Women's University. Lee Soojung, Wonkwang University '19, said "On my way to school for orientation, I got lost. Someone asked me to complete a survey and tried to get me to attend service at a Shincheonji place of worship." This shows the PHOTO FROM DONGYANG ILBO various ways how Shincheonji recruits their members. Their membership recruitment has not been secretive. Followers Cults and sin often ask for people's personal phone numbers and other personal Religion has had both a direct and indirect influence on human life information. With this information, they create a group chat room on for a long time. Religion centers on the belief that one can attain Telegram and then share the identities of newly targeted recruits. Age, spiritual stability against absolute or supernatural powers. In other gender, residence, school, character, and personal way of recruiting, words, there is always a sense of morality and enlightenment. The and even the person's future goals are shared with others. It has been more recognized religions of the world are Judaism, Christianity, discovered that the cult formed a special task force called the "Jeondo Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. However, these larger religions Special Forces (mission group of Shincheonji)" to manage the have fought against pseudo-religions for a very long time. Recently, collection and sharing of information. C, who headed one of those task conflicts and problems surrounding pseudo-religions have been raised groups, said, "We mainly target young adults through the suggestions in Korea. A pseudo-religion is a general religion that is based on one of activities aimed at the younger generation. We typically excluded of the more accepted religions, but it is not based on the essentials of the elderly. Those suffering from mental illnesses or depression were 1) the religion, unlike larger religions. Cults or false religions are called also excluded from our evangelistic recruitment work." In other "Saibi" in Korean, and while they seem to be based on a true religion, words, members had an elaborate system of attracting others to the they are completely different. Most pseudo-religions are offshoots cult. Enticing activities attracted the attention of younger adults and of Christianity, and some of the more known ones are Mormonism, they fell into the trap. Often suggestions of receiving counseling or Scientology, and Peoples Temple of the Disciplines of Christ, which completing surveys were their way of indirectly teaching the doctrine is notorious for its mass suicides. As followers of these types of of Shincheonji. Members would start with Bible studying, and they religions grow, so does their power, and they have begun to appear would introduce the object to the Bible and slowly draws them into in Korea. a pseudo-religion. Christian pseudo-religions first appeared in 1923 in Korea. Since then Those attended one of the activities by members are educated to a number of heresy cult leaders began to appear. Their growth has been become believers in Shincheonji. The activities are all about the Bible continuous throughout the years, and there are now several of these as interpreted by the Shincheonji leader. Members have students religious groups well-established in Korea, such as the Shincheonji choose their own time, generally three to four times a week, to visit Church of Jesus. Currently, the cult group of Shincheonji, founded by educational centers, and spend the entire time being brainwashed Lee Manhee, is under investigation for its constant brainwashing and into believing and spreading the doctrine of Shincheonji. While they exploitation of the congregation. Most cult groups have a leader who trick students by saying the activities are free, in actuality, students adapts scripture to match their person interpretation and emphasizes must pay about 70,000 won, which members claim covers the cost of their own doctrines. A cult leader is often lead by a person who desires copying materials. Full initiation into the cult takes just over half a financial and private benefits in the name of religion. The Constitution year. Once started, people continue, and they take a test at the end of of the Republic of Korea guarantees freedom of religion for all the education course activity. Over time, people become brainwashed people, but now with knowledge of a series of incidents such assault, from their instructors and fully believe that Shincheonji is a legitimate intimidation, and embezzlement coming from this Shincheonji, the religion, and that its leader Lee Manhee was sent by Jesus. A said, "I government must step in and punish criminals. How does a pseudo- was a robot. I did everything I was told to do there. I used to work religion group or cult expand its power, and what problems result only to preach to others, and I used very clever doctrine to make because of this excessive power? my pitch work," on CBS's
Followers of Shincheonji formed groups on campus and engaged in 1) Kim Jia, "If You Can't Do Your Quota…Mission Objective of Shincheonji", Joonga evangelistic work to recruit new young adults. Followers were also ng Ilbo, March 6, 2020
14 THE SOOKMYUNG TIMES SOLDIERS SPRAYING DISINFECTANT IN FRONT OF A SHINCHEONJI PHOTO FROM THE EPOCH TIMES
the "Church of God" project that attracted the public's attention in from the world. To clear one's soul, we need women." This and other 2016. They said, "There is no point in accumulating wealth on this cases make it clear that pseudo-religions need to be regulated, so that land. Those who donate heavily will be saved and go to Heaven." they don't steal from people and don't teach false doctrines. As a result, they have accumulated more than 4 trillion won in assets The damage is not limited to the home, but affects the entire society. and bought more than 90 buildings as of 2016. One woman who left Today, a cult is at the center of the COVID-19 outbreak in Korea, the church said, "They made me feel like I should donate even the and it has brought a national disaster. Statistics reveal that 90% of cost of a snack. Those who publicly donated huge amounts of money the nation's confirmed cases are concentrated in Daegu and the direct were praised in public, and this created a feeling among members result of the spread of mass infection at the Shincheonji in Daegu. that I, also, need to donate more."2) It is clear that they stakeholders There have also been some other disturbing incidents such as leaving repeatedly and meticulously brainwashed believers into offering hospitals without fully disclosing their movements. In addition, money often. Giving money is not the only issue. Shincheonji is also Shincheonji refused to disclose its list of followers and continued notorious for "grooming sex crimes". That is, the perpetrator gains worship services despite the controversy, showing an uncooperative deep trust from their victims by creating psychological dependency attitude toward the government's demands. Lee Manhee said, "We before committing the crime. The disheartening result is that victims are victims, too. Please stop blaming Shincheonji. We are actively do not recognize themselves as being victims. As a result, it is hard cooperating to end the situation." Lee has often complained about to prosecute criminals because on the surface it appears as those the injustice. Even though Lee voiced these words, he continued his sexual act was consensual. So it is difficult to escape once a person has inappropriate behavior; for instance, he gave the police a false list of been designated a target. Using psychological measures, Shincheonji believers. This behavior shows Shincheonji's perception of the present members destroy individual lives. situation and their usual words and actions. These obstructions of The biggest problem with individuals is that they bring Shincheonji justice have led to other incidents. Lee was discovered to be issuing doctrine to home. In one case, a spouse discovered their partner donation receipts to believers across the country so they could use was a Shincheonji member and demanded a divorce. Shincheonji them as year-end tax deductions. Because of these accusations, he acknowledged this happening as being a frequent occurrence, and will likely be brought up on charges of "fudging and evading taxes." said, "There has been an increase in the number of church members Prosecutors, though, found no crime committed in the issuing of who are persecuted at home and at work because they believe in donation receipts. Therefore, he has no fault here, so he was cleared Shincheonji doctrine. More than 4,000 cases have been reported of charges on that account.v The fact that the cult may issue donation in the religious body." On the other hand, there have also been receipts that the government will accept shows that the cult has cases in which the believer is brainwashed and demands a divorce. moved to the status of authentic religious group. There is a need to For instance, in Gangwon province, a woman brainwashed by her see thought if Shincheonji should protected under the name 'freedom pseudo-religion would often attend religious activities and refused of religion'. to return home, she left all the household chores and childcare to her husband. The husband asked if she had joined a pseudo-religion, Don't be sure I'm not but the angry woman simply ran out of the home in another fellow Religion is one of the form of human spirituality. However, anyone believer's car. The wife never did return.3) Believers do not see their ruled by a human-made culture will live with clouded judgment. faith as being a pseudo-religion, and those that do come to realize that Following others blindly and distorting one's idea will make the they have been brainwashed often have no escape as it is too late. In religion you follow to be false. Instead of following the words of one extreme case, known as the 'human meat dumpling' incident in fellow believers, look around and judge for yourself. People need to Brazil, the criminal killed a woman and chopped her up and sold her wake up and discern for themselves so that human relationships are as dumplings. The suspects were pseudo-religionists claiming to have not harmed. Only then will people all live a healthy daily life with heard the words of God. They said, "I was told to remove bad women proper religious activities.
2) Choi Yuri, "Church of God, a Fraud Group Seeking the Property of Believers.", Newsnjoy, July 27, 2017
3) Park Jungmin, "Injuries From Blocking the Wife's Runaway Car...", Nocutnews, March 17, 2020
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Express Your Appreciation Many thanks to !
Kwak Lee Shinyoung / Woman Section Editor / [email protected]
NO 359 / MAY 2020 17 PEOPLE
ALL PHOTOS FROM YJH WHO COULD RULE THE WORLD? WOMEN!
Since 2018, the School #MeToo movement has exposed a large number of sexual crimes in Korea. Students across the country have broken their silence and are now feeling empowered and demanding justice. Thanks to these courageous voices, more and more young people are coming forward and denouncing crimes in classes. One young feminist who led this movement is Yang Jihye, representative of WeTee, one of the most influential feminist networks in Korea.
Jung Kim Hyeseung / Society Section Editor / [email protected] Kim Han Yujin / Woman Section Editor / [email protected]
YANG JIHYE - Co-representative of WeTee - A co-author of
18 THE SOOKMYUNG TIMES What made you decide to go public As a feminist, what special beliefs or with School #MeToo? values do you hold dear? In my opinion, a school #MeToo movement When I first encountered the notion of was needed to better connect with people feminism, it helped me to create my own because nothing much has changed at language of expression. I could then speak schools in the last 10 or 20 years. There is freely about my body and sex. On the one still a steady occurrence of sexual violence hand, within the feminist movement, there at schools. In April 2018, a graduate are protectionist narratives in place for of Yonghwa Girls' High School filed a teenagers and the different genders so that complaint regarding her experience with they are protected. For example, the feminist sexual violence in the school on the hand- movement shares a variety of social issues. written posters. Reading about that, I knew I critically assess whether they are true that the time was now for students to speak feminism ideals by ensuring they do not rule out loudly at school. I sympathized with the out diversity or strengthen gender binary. idea of School #Metoo. Since most school Also, there are some women who do not victims are women, especially teenaged fit into the typical homogeneity of women. women, the public is not willing to hear their These are women who were not permitted voices, nor make changes. Therefore, I want the language or the space to discuss women's to show that the movement is a movement narratives during their teen days. Therefore, by teenagers themselves who are demanding I want to focus our movement at a point on changes in society beyond just talk of injuries where human rights and feminism of youth and damages. I also want to provide students are intersected. I believe once women's Would you please introduce yourself battling their schools, a place of solidarity to narratives are free to show more diversity, and WeTee? know that they are not alone. women's desires, which reflect feminism, WeTee is a network that started in June of will show. last year to coincide with the School #MeToo What difficulties have you movement. Two years ago, Korea saw its experienced, and how did you Do you have any thoughts on policies first school #MeToo rally, and from that, overcome them? or specific solutions that should be WeTee was created to provide continual What is most difficult with the School established for young women? support for teenagers, who tried to announce #MeToo is structuring and organization, After the School #MeToo, the most such crimes to the world. One of the most which at times are hard to bear since there problematic issue that arose was the limiting important features of WeTee is that more are so many accusers. Also, I am always of #MeToo measures through institutional than half of the teenagers, who are members saddened by the lack of support in reality for procedures rather than giving students the of the group, participate actively and vote on the victims. Personally, what's hard to bear as power to resolve problems. Therefore, I agendas, so they are active in our decision a social activist in the face to face, personal think the power should be given to them. making. I am a WeTee co-CEO, and I first traumas that I hear daily. I've been giving The government should enact a student joined the social movement during the political statements since high school. At human rights law that guarantees freedom Sewol ferry disaster in 2014. I refused to that time, I wasn't afraid or felt challenged, of expression so that female teenagers can enter university after high school and instead believing in myself, but I have been attacked speak without fear. Furthermore, I think that decided to devote myself to living as a young indiscriminately online and have experienced after the School #MeToo movement, it has activist. cyber-bullying. Once, I was interviewed become even more difficult for schools to about the brassiere-free movement last year, discuss sex education. Some teachers have What are the specific triggers and and it results in about 60,000 malicious voiced comments like, "Are you going to subsequent effects of feminism on comments directed at me. I knew that I had accuse me by the reason of '#MeToo'?" adolescents? to work to change a society that supported For a better school environment, there is I was just a plain-looking persona in my such comments and criticism, so I sued the a need to develop sexual sensibility, not youth. I used to wear vintage clothing writers of those malicious comments. just creating a space that is for introducing instead of going shopping for something formal procedures and carrying out public new because I didn't have enough money to When do you feel most rewarded debate. Alternatives to forums for public afford them. Therefore, I never conformed with your work? debate on sound sex education are necessary to the image society demanded of young I feel most rewarded when I hear stories such as the founding of a gender equality women. People said that my appearance that I wouldn't have heard had I not been organization. and behavior were not lady-like, and I knew doing this work. Also, when I visited a youth then that I was being discriminated against. feminism camp in 2017, I had the chance WeTee plans to present alternative I first encountered the idea of feminism in to lecture on female teenagers' sexuality sex education for teenagers. How will 2014 when I was 16, and I realized that and experiences of gender discrimination. it be different? the idea of feminism meant respect for my If I hadn't had that opportunity, I think my Our members have always felt that sex body and my way of life; that is, those were path in life would have only been a hopeless education in Korea does not help true not my faults. I came to think that society memory. I am grateful to be able to listen to learning. In other words, we think it doesn't was forcing women to dress up. I became others and show them concern. Also, I am really focus on the bodies of teenagers who determined to make changes in society, and proud that I can be someone they can talk to, are the subjects of education. This is because I vowed to practice feminism in daily life. I and that I can hear stories that are typically most sex education lessons in Korea are continuously studied feminism and engaged hidden in society. These experiences give me conducted in extremely closed conditions in discussions on the topic with friends. the strength to go on with this work in my and are centered on pornographic frames life. WeTee is a reward itself for me. rather than individual desires. Indeed, most
NO 359 / MAY 2020 19 teenagers have already been exposed to sexual acts through pornography. This way of exposure can lead to rape, as it focuses only on the desires of men. We hope teenagers will learn to see sex as natural through proper education. Therefore, we have planned alternative sex education lessons. As a result of it, a workshop was held to analyze male- centered narratives in pornography. As part of your idea for sex education, I heard WeTee held an event that exchanged bandages for condoms. Condoms and bandages are both classified as medical devices. For most people, however, bandages are everyday items while condoms are the things that should be hidden from others' views. However, sex is a normal it is a politically neutral stand. Some say movement, calling for the strengthening of action, and it is not the event presented in that students should not be allowed to vote child protection laws, especially harm from pornographic media. I hope talking about because they are too immature. However, indirect sexual crimes and more policies that sex will become routine and focus on more voting rights should not be regulated based standardize sex education in Korea. These feministic issues, so I promoted the project. solely on age, which doesn't always equate are the greatest achievements of the School We exchanged bandages for condoms at to maturity. Politics affects all citizens' lives, #MeToo movement. Indeed, I hope that an exhibition that revealed one's sexuality. including teenagers. Therefore, I think the such support and attention will be the step to During the exhibition, one of the main events classroom should be more politicized only in change and move forward. was a question and answer session on why that students should be able to express their teenagers are praised for abstinence, and political opinions in an open forum and not What are your plans as a young why condoms are only available at martial be criticized for those comments. activist for feminism? aid shops. Also, 'sensory maps' revealed that I hope to make WeTee a more sustainable the views of young feminist artists were also You were selected as one of the five space for younger feminists. We may not be exhibited. young activists driving Asia's future changing the world right now, but I believe last year by CNN. How did that make that through our various activities, we can The National Assembly revised its you feel? pave the trail to the future. I think the same election voting age, allowing 18-year- First, I am proud of the fact that the School steps will serve as the basis for a big change. olds to participate in the general #MeToo movement has become a social Also, I'm planning to create a platform for election. What do you think about the phenomenon across Asia. In fact, the School young feminists that provides proper sex 'politicizing the classroom'? #MeToo's success is related to its policy education to teenagers from this year. This is I don't think the school should be a de- of keeping names anonymous compared the first attempt to provide people interested political institution. School administrative to other #MeToo movements. Despite the in feminisms with the means at their disposal staff and regulation prevent them from being hostility they face, the School #MeToo to get proper sex education with the initiative overly political. The fact that schools are not gained momentum. Besides CNN, the UN in arguments of sex. By continuing to work political is also rather conservative in that has also commented on the School #MeToo toward this, I hope to further promote schools' gender equality movement. Last, please leave a message for Sookmyungians. Once feminism becomes properly discussed in the media the old patriarchal system will dissolve. I believe in a world in which feminism adds to the creation of a new equal society. Being students at a women's university does not free you from sexual discrimination. I hope all feminists at Sookmyung continue the fight against the threat of anti-feminism so that all the struggles we have battled do not end in despair.
20 THE SOOKMYUNG TIMES SMTRACING
Endless Delay for Safety
Kim Han Yujin / Woman Section Editor / [email protected] Kwak Lee Shinyoung / Woman Section Editor / [email protected]
Noonsong is a first-year student who entered Sookmyung Women's University in the spring of 2020. She has imagined the beautiful campus in March since receiving acceptance into Sookmyung, but her hope and expectation of being a university student was shattered with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic across the Korean peninsula. Due to the contagious virus, Sookmyung made the decision to delay the start of the first semester of 2020. Noonsong was confused about this situation and didn't know what to do. This is a recall of her first time at Sookmyung.
NO 359 / MAY 2020 21 Do you think the way Sookmyung cope with the
COVID-19 was proper enough?(Result of 94 Sookmyungians)
Yes(60.6%) No(39.4%)
Changed acadmic schedule in Sookmyung In addition to the delay of classes, there has also been a delay in other activities at Sookmyung. For example, the opening of Sookmyung Residence Hall (Myungjaekwan) was changed from February 26 to March 6 and then to March 25 due to concerns of infection. To ease the fear, Sookmyung Residence Hall was disinfected on February 28, and students from the areas that are known to have infected persons will be kept in quarantine for about two weeks to prevent communal infection. Also, the use of the Main Library at Sookmyung Women's University was partly limited. From February 25 to May 3, no one would be permitted to enter the reading rooms and study rooms, and anyone who did not wear a mask was prohibited from entering. With limitations on a large number of school facilities, Sookmyungians had to face a lot of inconveniences due to COVID-19. The better choice for Sookmyungians ALL PHOTOS BY HYJ Nevertheless, many Sookmyungians believe such changes were necessary. According to a survey, 60.6% of participants who responded (57 of 94) felt Sookmyung was establishing proper action and agreed with delaying the start of the semester. Kwon Doyoon, Department of English Language & Literature '19 said, "When I first heard the news that the start of classes would be delayed, I was honestly confused and hoped it would not last that long. However, as COVID-19 continued to spread, I believe it was right to postpone all academic classes and activities. Also, I realized that such delays were not only happened in Sookmyung. Other universities also delayed their start." As Kwon pointed out, many universities including Sookmyung decided to delay the start of the semester. For example, Sungkyunkwan University delayed its start by 2 weeks. However, with cases appearing within the student body at Sungkyunkwan University, the school decided to replace classes with online Unexpected changes at Sookmyung classes for the whole semester, except for certain practice classes. Sungkyunkwan University is not the only one who made such a In December 2019, the virus COVID-19 started to spread in Wuhan, decision. UNIST, KAIST, and many other universities opened online China. The virus soon spread across the border to South Korea, lectures, at least until the COVID-19 outbreak settles. This shows, resulting in numerous infections among Koreans. Since that day, Sookmyung, like many other universities, had no choice but to delay Korean society has raised its emergency readiness to a 'Red' alert level. the school start. According to such a situation, most Sookmyungians Also, with the government calling for social distancing to prevent the seemed to agree with the policy. spread of infection, all levels of education in Korea were delayed. The To reduce confusion, especially among first-year students, start of the first semester was postponed, and offline lectures were Sookmyung sent out orientation videos that discussed the many replaced with online lectures. Sookmyung also postponed the start things about life in Sookmyung. For example, Sookmyung explained of its first semester of 2020 from March 2, to March 9. However, as to first-year students, who are new to the university, about the online the situation got worse, the start was postponed again to March 16. classes through an orientation program. The program included It was decided that the semester could no longer be put off, so from videos and slideshows which were uploaded on the official website that day cyber lectures were held for two weeks. However, as the of Sookmyung that contained information about university life. All number of COVID-19 cases increased, the start of the offline lectures departments at Sookmyung took part in this orientation program. All was decided to begin on May 4 with online lectures running until that first-year students were able to access the content by downloading date. However, there is still a possibility of delay.
22 THE SOOKMYUNG TIMES Which of the events would you like to be postponed
instead of cancelled?(Results of 51 Sookmyungians - multiple responses)
College Day (27.5%) OT (39.2%) M.T. (51%) Entrance ceremony (70.6%)
Videos for first year students uploaded by Sookmyung the content. Some departments at Sookmyung, in addition to joining the orientation program for first-year students, also set up online First-year students have also suffered from great confusion due meetings with students to provide more advice and information. to COVID-19. A survey of students presents a glimpse of their For instance, MOVE, Student Council of the Department of English disappointment and confusion. More than 89.5% (51 of 57) said they Language & Literature, opened the online first-year student meet and wished activities had been postponed instead of being canceled. The greet so that they could meet members of the student council and biggest disappointment was with the cancellation of the entrance asked questions through the online group chat room. Do Seohyun, ceremony (36 of 51). New students to Sookmyung usually attend the Department of English Language & Literature '20, who participated entrance ceremony to enjoy time with family as a congratulatory event in this program, said, "It is grateful for student council to host the for being accepted into Sookmyung Women's University. Orientation online meet and greet program. Even though I was not able to meet at Sookmyung is another event that was seriously unfortunate to other Sookmyungians directly, I can be familiar with them by this cancel. A majority of respondents said that they expected to get much program". This shows that, the provision of online information helped information from exchanges with upper-year classmates on school life, first-year students to adapt to university life to some extent. but since it could not take place, there was confusion. 29 respondents, who are first-year students, commonly said that they faced many Was it for the best? difficulties in various activities such as course registration because As mentioned above, most Sookmyungians expressed satisfaction they could not get such advice from their upper-year classmates. with Sookmyung's handling of the COVID-19 outbreak. However, Also, many of these first-year students voiced regret that they could when asked whether the university's decision to postpone the opening not make close relationship with friends. First-year students enjoy the and replace in-class lectures with cyber lectures was proper, 35.1% first semester at university in a new environment, but this year, the (33 of 94) of respondents said no. Although the rate of people who fun was interrupted by an uninvited guest, the COVID-19. said no is lower than those who said yes, the figure tells us that there Better, but not the best are still some who were unhappy with it. When asked to explain reasons for their dissatisfaction, a majority said it is because of the The COVID-19 outbreak started during the 2019 winter vacation, and unchanged tuition fees despite online lecture implement. Lee Gawon, it came unexpectedly without warning, causing great inconveniences Department of Social Psychology '19, said, "I know that non-face-to- to everyone. Many students understand that measures taken by face lectures are inevitable. However, tuition fees at universities are Sookmyung under the circumstance were inevitable, and they know high, so they should provide students with appropriate educational that it was done to prevent further spread of the virus. However, most services that match the cost. Currently, students are required to of the students have been inconvenienced by unexpected events. take cyber lectures away from the campus, so they cannot and do While it is hoped that this never happens again, if it does, at least not have access to a large number of school facilities. Students are Sookmyungians will know what to expect and better deal with not benefiting from the costs they incur, so I think complaints and emergency measures. Sookmyungians are hoping for a reasonable requests for a refund are natural." Another reason was that there solution that works for them from now till the end of the semester. was not an ample notification of the change on time. Sookmyung uploaded a notice to SnoWe announcement board on February 7 about a week postponement, and then uploaded an additional week of postponement and notification of cyber lecture replacement on March 10. As illustrated, the notification for changes only occurred in March. Sookmyung has once again extended the online lecture period from March 30 to April 13 and now from April 13 to May 4. One anonymous survey respondent said, "Sookmyung's announcements were late compared to other universities. Sookmyung seems to wait to see other schools' reactions before deciding what to do. I don't want to criticize the handling of the situation, but it would have been better to have given earlier notification." As these concerns show, tuition fees and poor notification were two things students wish had been better dealt with.
NO 359 / MAY 2020 23 EXPERIENCE
SPECIAL DAY AT AN INDEPENDENT THEATER
Kim Lee Hyunmin / Editor-in-Chief / [email protected] Lee Hwang Hayoung / Woman Section Editor / [email protected]
he movie,
24 THE SOOKMYUNG TIMES Background of independent films For most people, the idea of watching an independent film is awkward when compared to the excitement of viewing a commercial film. According to the dictionary, the term independent film is a generic term for movies made by producers, who do not have connections to Hollywood. An independent film in Korea refers to a film that is produced without financial support from commercial film capital. The idea is that it is independent ALL PHOTOS BY LHY Tickets for the movie from the capital and dominant narratives of Hummingbirds (2018)>, which was released enter the theater. Reporters hurried in and commercial films. This independence means on August 29, 2019. The movie Goods selling on the theater appeared and requested the audience to Movie book of House of Hummingbirds (2018) NO 359 / MAY 2020 25 SMT CULTURE Jini, Jinny (2019) We Love, Primate keeper Lee Jini studied chimpanzees at Wamba Camp in the Republic of the Congo. Throughout her studies, she was fascinated by bonobos, which, though Live Together, they appear similar, are distinctly different from chimpanzees. However, on the last day in the Republic of the Congo, she didn't rescue the young bonobo despite she and Communicate saw the animal was trapped in the cage. Overcome with guilt, she decided to quit her job as a primate keeper. On her last day at the primate center, Jini rescued a bonobo near the center and named it 'Jinny'. Shortly thereafter, because of a traffic accident, Jini's soul entered Jinny's body. Minju, another character in the story, had lost purpose in life and was wandering about. At that time, Jini appeared to him as a Humans have lived with animals for bonobo. Earlier that afternoon, Minju had seen Jini, working as a staff at the primate a long time. In the past, people and center. At first, he refused to believe Jinny was Jini, but gradually he came to believe animals lived in a hierarchy of human through Jinny's human behavior and actions. Jini was convinced that her soul would conveniences such as cattle for farming, automatically return to her human body after being returned to the hospital where horses for transportation, and dogs for she was hospitalized. However, things didn't go as expected. Minju was arrested by home protection. However, today people the police and Jini was returned to the primate center. During the ordeal, Jini realized and animals have formed horizontal that Jinny's soul and her own had become intertwined. Whenever Jinny's soul took relationships. Animals now live together control, Jini saw Jinny's memories, which made Jini realize that the bonobo she had with humans and have become part of seen while in the Republic of the Congo was Jinny. The body of Jini would be lost the family. Furthermore, humans and as the injuries from the traffic accident were too severe. Jini wished to live, but she animals rely on and trust each other. knew that she was invading another creature's body. What choice will Jini make? Animals reached out to humans first, so humans could recognize the minds of Recommendation animals. Besides communicating with Thrill writer Jeong You-jeong is often for suspense. Some of Jeong's works such as dogs and cats, people can also interact Seven Years of Night, which is the story of people surrounding the death of a child, with chimpanzees and bonobos, which and The Origin of Species, which dives into the evil of humans, are representative resemble people. Then, how can books. However, this novel differs. It looks at the connection between a human and humans interact with animals? an animal. The novel discusses life and death through the unfamiliar animal bonobo. The book Jini, Jinny describes the life of Lee Jini who does her best in life and Kim Minju who has lost purpose in life and bonobo Jinny who has lost freedom Ahn Ha Yura / Culture Section Editor / [email protected] in life. Readers will ask themselves consistently about choices in life as they stand Jung Kim Hyeseung / Society Section Editor / [email protected] before death by reflecting on the characters in the story, each with their views of life. Bonobo Jinny, however, cannot tell readers her story directly, so it is done through the memories of Jinny that Jini experienced, of being captured in the forest and watching the birth of her younger brother. The more Jini and Jinny interact, the more they appear to evolve into a hominoid; that is the human and the animal become one. The creation of a hominoid makes the theme of the story deeper that it is human and animal interaction. With Jini and Jinny, readers will ponder deeply their attitudes for life and death and the link between humans and animals. The birth of a hominoid began when an ape and a human being assimilated into one." -Jini 26 THE SOOKMYUNG TIMES Let's not part again. Maeum, I'll protect you no matter what. - Chan Heart is…(2006) An 11-year-old boy named Chan and his sister Soy who is six years old live with each other. The family is very poor, so the children's mother must leave the kids at home to go to work to make money. Chan, who grows up without his parents, wants to make his sister happy and gives her a puppy for her birthday. Therefore, he steals a golden retriever puppy for her. Soy names the dog 'Maeum', which means heart in Korean. Chan, Soy, and Maeum live together as a family. However, their happiness is short-lived. One cold winter day, Maeum and Soy fall into the river when the ice breaks as they enjoy sledding on the frozen water. Soy drowns but the dog survives. After that, Chan despises the dog and acts coldly towards him. Eventually, he leaves home hoping to find his mother. Chan heads to Seoul to find his mother, and after much searching, he finally locates his mother. The reunion doesn't go as well as he expected. He is left on his own again. He is then cared for by a bad man named Ahn Gilgang. Chan brings him money each day earned by begging. As he endures this harsh life, Maeum visited Chan. The dog protects Chan and keeps him away from harm. Chan and Ahn have a confrontation one day because Ahn's own dog died. Ahn tries to kill Chan, but Maeum protects him. Chan finally realizes the dog's love and faithfulness. Later, after knowing all the facts, Chan's mother returns home. Sadly, the dog becomes ills and dies. Recommendation Most Sookmyungians will have likely seen this film as a child or be, at least, familiar with the storyline. The movie's poster and plot made it seem like a film for children, the story between a child and a puppy. However, the film really looks at the solidarity beyond human and animal coexistence. Maeum loves and follows Chan unconditionally throughout his life. Though Maeum was abandoned by Chan, Maeum faithfully stays by Chan's side through all kinds of hardships. Audiences will love this love story filled with devotion and passion. The solidarity between the animal and the human is clear. Animals also feel emotions, show loyalty to their loved ones, and empathize with others. For these reasons, the film is touching. Maeum was abandoned, beaten, and starved, yet it loved and followed Chan with all his heart. They didn't go well because of the misunderstanding of his owner, the two learn to love each other with open hearts. Viewers will surely understand that the story is moving for various factors in addition to the great loyalty of Maeum. Dogs, OFFICIAL POSTER OF NO 359 / MAY 2020 27 GLOBAL REPORT MAN R Y E Widen Your World and Be Independent! G D N Life in Germany for One Year U D O R T M Woo Nahee / Guest Reporter / Department of English Language & Literature / [email protected] Since I never stayed or studied abroad, I had always thought about living overseas. Additionally, after turning 20 years old, I wanted to be more independent because I relied on my parents too much. Therefore, I decided to apply to the Exchange Student Program, and I learned a lot of things and improved myself. As a result, I must say that applying for the Exchange Student Program was my best decision of my life. Thanks to the program, I broaden my perspective, learned valuable lessons in life, and widen my world. The world is bigger than I thought, and there are so many opportunities just waiting for me! ALL PHOTOS FROM WNH Literature seminars with various and I turned those ideas into poetry. Because final project of this class, I had to write an topics of that class, every moment in Germany essay that compared the work of Elizabeth At SMU, I took the class Integrated English was precious for me. I could think and get Bishop and that of Mark Doty by focusing taught by Joe Walther. For the class, we inspired from all things everywhere, on the on the usage of place in each poem. Thanks were required to create our story book and train, during a sunset, and even just walking to these two classes at TU Dortmund, I autobiography. After completing my story along the river. At the end of the class, I developed my comprehension skill, and that book, I was eager to have my own poems got to take with me a book of poetry, solely helped me to better understand poetry from as if I created my story book. Luckily, in composed and designed by myself. This was various perspectives as well as learn how TU Dortmund, there was a seminar titled a huge gift to leave with, as it was a collection to express my thoughts and feelings using Writing as Witness. The main purpose of of all my thoughts and feelings in Germany. poetic language. In addition to this class, I took a number of this seminar was writing poetry according Active participation during lectures to guidelines set by the instructor. The types other lectures at TU Dortmund. I took a class of guidelines were as follows: visit a public titled the poetics of Place with Elizabeth The most impressive aspect of learning at are and sit there for 30 minutes, write about Bishop and Mark Doty. The main objective TU Dortmund was the active participation what you see, choose of those things you see was for students to learn the importance of of students during lectures. Whenever the and use as persona for the poem, and then establishing a place before writing a poetry. I instructor asked a question, lots of students describe one painting that you like and turn was fascinated to learn that the place where a raised their hands and waited to be called it into a poem. It was a fresh experience to poem is written greatly influences the entire upon by the professor to speak. Additionally, have to witness the world in order to do an poem and forms a certain atmosphere that students did not hesitate to express their assignment. I got inspired from daily life, dominates the entire poem as well. For the thoughts, and they were not concerned about 28 THE SOOKMYUNG TIMES together. I had countless dinner parties with my foreign friends at TU Dortmund, and I had a lot of chances to try European, Middle East, African and Asian food and experience those cultures. It was such an amazing experience to share cultures with people from all over the world! Living in Germany for one year With no overseas living experience, I was really anxious about staying in Germany for one year before leaving. To be honest, I did indeed experience several hardships that were a challenge to resolve. One of them was Germany's paper-based system. In Korea, almost all systems operate online, so they are fast and efficient. However, in right answers. Furthermore, most classes in Berlin. However, the best art museum for Germany, information is still passed by were based on discussion, so I had to prepare viewing Van Gogh's work is the Kröller- written correspondence, so it takes a long extensively for them each week. I took the Müller Museum in Arnhem, Netherlands. time to resolve matters. Therefore, I had a class titled 1962 American Poetry. During The Kröller-Müller Museum is very unique hard time when I couldn't get a reply quickly this class, the instructor never required us because it is located in the middle of a big even when I was in a rush. Additionally, it to examine the fixed meaning of the lines. forest. From the small gate entrance of the was my first time to live alone. In Korea, I Instead, she discussed briefly background forest, visitors must bicycle or take a bus to lived at home, so I did not even know how information about the poem and basic skills the museum. I chose to ride a bicycle. It was to pay some bills as my parents typically that the writer had used in the poem. The wonderful to riding inside the Phytoncides took care of them. Therefore, I had to figure rest of the class students would share their forest and enjoy its beautiful scenery. After it out how to live without their help and deal ideas about the main idea of the poem, riding for about 20-30 minutes, I reached the with lots of things by myself. Even though I the meaning of the lines of poetry, and the Kröller-Müller Museum. It hosts the world's experienced a number of failures and made impression they got while reading the poem. second biggest Van Gogh collection and mistakes, I learned to live independent of The instructor was open to any idea and is home to his most famous painting Café others on my own. Furthermore, the number even changed the class plan to better match Terrace at night. It is hard to explain just how of good experiences far excited the number the thoughts of students. I enjoyed a class impressive it was to view the painting. I also of bad ones in Germany. Above all things, I that was carried out on the needs and wants saw the portrait of Joseph Roulin, The Sewer, think the best experience was meeting a lot of both the instructor and students together. and the wilted version of a sunflower. I really of nice Germans. They helped me whenever Since I was unfamiliar with these types of liked the wilted version of the Sunflower I need help, spent time with me, and showed class, I had trouble following class at the because this one differed from the better me lots of great things in Germany. Thanks start, but once I got accustomed to the style, known Sunflower in the Van Gogh Museum. to them, I spent my days in Germany I realized that this kind of learning better Any fans of Vincent Van Gogh who have the comfortably and could enjoy Germany a lot. encourages students to think deeper and chance to visit the Netherlands should most Germany is such an attractive country, and I accept others' various ideas and thoughts definitely visit this museum! I'm sure that love its culture, mood, and vibe. One day, if even though they may differ from our own. you would fall in love with it instantly. I have any chance, I want to visit Germany again and stay there longer. I hope this dream Visiting art museums in Europe Embracing various cultures comes true one day! One of the biggest reasons that I applied At TU Dortmund, I met lots of friends to Germany was to visit its art museums. from various countries and cultures. Since I took Art History at SMU for an entire I never stayed or studied abroad before the school year, and I'm really interested in exchange, I was unfamiliar with foreign art and art history. Therefore, during the cultures and foreign people. However, Exchange Student Program, I traveled to a after making friends at TU Dortmund, number of European countries to visit well- having dinner together, and spending time known art museums. Every art museum together, I naturally embraced those cultures was impressive, but if I were to select the and learned how to understand cultural best one, I'd have to say the Kröller-Müller differences, which is an essential ability Museum in Arnhem, Netherlands. Before nowadays. Thanks to the Exchange Student introducing the Kröller-Müller Museum, Program, I broadened my perspective and I should tell readers that I am a huge fan learned to accept other cultures. Having of Vincent Van Gogh. Therefore, I really dinner together with others is the best way to wanted to see firsthand the works of Vincent get close with foreign people. Over dinner, Van Gogh while I was staying in Europe. I introduced Korean food and culture, and To achieve this goal, I visited the Van Gogh my other foreigner friends did the same. Museum and Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, Therefore, we got to know each other's The Louvre, Musée D'Orsay, Musée de culture through food while having dinner l'Orangerie in Paris, and Alte Nationalgalerie NO 359 / MAY 2020 29 FORMAL ARTICLE PHOTO FROM SAMSUNG PHOTO Back to the Past Lee Hwang Hayoung / Woman Section Editor / [email protected] Every day a large number of new mobile phones are released. The created in collaboration with Tom Brown and released on February industry has met consumer's demands by upgrading the functions of 21. The market for folder phone is increasing and as such, famous mobile phones. In the past, older flip-style mobile phones used to be luxury brands are now collaborating with phone companies. NH popular. However, soon came the slider-style mobile phone, which Investment & Securities saw sales of smartphones fall over the last had a screen on top and a keyboard on the bottom and had to be slid couple of months due to COVID-19 but expects folder smartphones upwards to open in order to access the keyboard. Not long after this, to be the way to spark the market with interest in them growing. In the touch-style mobile phone arrived. Consumers then demanded the fact, KH Batech, a major player in the folder smartphone industry, touch phone to become thinner, lighter, and have larger screens. As saw a 18.9% growth from 21,450 won to 25,500 on February 11. companies released mobile phones with larger screens, consumers In addition, there has been an increase in videos titled "Decorating began to complain about portability. As a result, companies have Foldable Phone" on YouTube, so sales of folder smartphones has now released a portable foldable mobile phone that maintains a large steadily risen as has content on them. With the popularity of folder screen. Samsung released the Galaxy Z Flip, which folds up and down, mobile phones rising, Samsung Electronics said it plans to release its and the Galaxy Fold, which folds sideways. The Chinese company second-generation Galaxy Fold 2 along with its Galaxy Note 20 series Royole also released its latest folding mobile phone called Flex Pie, in July or August. With growth in folder smartphones continuing, it is and Huawei released a mobile phone called Mate x. Then, there is important to keep an eye on the IT market for the next while. Motorola's laser, TCL's DragonHinge, Xiaomi's Mifold, and Mimix Fold, all of which will be released in the market shortly. The most expensive new mobile phone to hit the market will be the Samsung Galaxy fold, priced at 1,959.95 dollar. Despite its high price, pre- bookings, which were launched on official online malls, saw sellouts in just 15 minutes at SK TELECOM sites and 10 minutes at KT sites. Samsung's lower-priced Galaxy Z-flip, released on February 14, popularized folder phones and sold out in just half an hour. Samsung Seon Mingyu, "SKT·KT, 'Galaxy Fold' Reservation Was Finished in 10 Minutes.", now offers a Galaxy Z-flip in Tom Brown Edition. The phone was ZDNET KOREA, September 5, 2019 30 THE SOOKMYUNG TIMES PHOTO FROM BBC NEWS PHOTO Korea's Pride: Kang Kyungwha's Footprint Oh Hwang Junhee / Society Section Editor / [email protected] Minister for foreign affairs Kang Kyungwha has received much year, Japan started to exclude Korea from its list of export-friendly global attention for her interview with the BBC. Kang said, "First countries. Kang responded with, "I strongly express my concern of all, testing is central because that leads to early detection, it about Japan's very arbitrary and unilateral action." During the speech minimizes further spread, and it quickly treats those found with the by the Japanese minister on ways to improve the Korea-Japan virus. I think that's the key behind our very low fatality rate as well." relationship, Kang remained quiet, but during the final round of talks, But the U.S. has encountered problems at each stage and did not Kang who had been silent and cool-headed waiting for an opportune implement a strong inspection policy at the beginning of outbreak. moment, began by warning Japan of stern repercussions, saying a As a result, the number of confirmed cases increased by 20,000 in security review is inevitable. It is uncommon for a nation to express just four days. Also, the U.S. healthcare system is privatized, so there discontent on the international stage, so it drew much attention from is no national health plan for all citizens, unlike Korea. I.e., people in the other nations. At present, there are over 100 countries banning the U.S. cannot get tested unless they pay $2,000 or more. Europe, entry of Koreans to their nations, and Kang have strongly protested. saying "Korea is doing exceptionally well managing the crisis" and "I She upon being invited to the Japanese embassy, said, "Japan needs am grateful for its transparency". Currently, Asian racism has become to face up to objective facts and circumstances. If you don't withdraw, a serious problem in the awake of COVID-19. Shocking incidents Korea will also come up with a corresponding alternative." Kang's around the world are occurring such as being denied accommodation polite but stern words and actions were met with positive reviews not at a resort and being hit on the head with a glass in a bar. Kang said, only at home but also from abroad. As Korea's first female minister "I can't tell you how many incidents I have heard of reports of Asians, for foreign affairs, the public eye is always on her and her actions. not just Koreans, being verbally abused, even physically attacked in other countries. Governments have to take responsibility to stop this kind of racism because it is not helpful to generating the spirit of collaboration that we absolutely need to overcome this challenge together, globally." U.K., saying "We're all in this together". Kang dignity on the world stage made all Koreans proud. Jung Sihaeng, "Four Million Won for a COVID-19 Test...The Wrath of the American.", Kang has shown her strength in global affairs long before this. Last Chosunilbo, February 28, 2020 NO 359 / MAY 2020 31 MUSE ON SIMPLY, FIRMLY, GRACEFULLY Kim Han Yujin / Woman Section Editor / [email protected] Have you ever thought about the way you live life? Some of you might think life is great, but oth- ers may be agonizing over whether you have really done what you truly wanted to do in life. Such thoughts can make one depressed, but at the same time, it is a great chance to ponder 'How can I live better?' Reflecting on this question, you will find meaning in life. The answer can also become evident by looking at others' lives. The exhibition ALL PHOTOS BY HYJ 32 THE SOOKMYUNG TIMES A POET SINGS TO A PEACEFUL WORLD of being fascinated by the colors. Next to the all explanations, visitors are asked to leave a Are you familiar with the poet, Park Nohae? photos are reports written by Park Nohae in few words in the guest book. They may also He is a poet and labor activist, and he is both Korean and English. purchase a photo book that consists of images currently working as a photographer. He The gallery has two floors, but the Title Simply, Firmly, Gracefully Exhibition Period 2020.01.15 (Wed)~2020.06.28 (Sun) Tuesday~Sunday 11:00~22:00 When *Closed every Monday Admission Fee Free for everyone Homepage https://www.instagram.com/racafe_gallery/ NO 359 / MAY 2020 33 NEW FACES ON SMT sookmyungtimes Choi Kim Seoyoon Hello! My name is Kim Seoyoon, and I am first year student in Media Studies. I hope to one day become a journalist so being accepted into The Sookmyung Times is a particularly valuable opportunity for me. I will never forget the opportunity the press has given me, and I will try my best to make The Sookmyung Times shine brighter than ever. Choi Song Bojeong Hello! I'm Song Bojeong. I am a first-year student in the Department of English Language & Literature, and I'll be working as an 88th reporter of The Sookymung Times. It's an honor to join The Sookymung Times, and I look forward to learning from senior reporters. I promise to work faithfully and do my best to deliver informative articles. Thank you. Kwon Jung Eunseo Hello everyone! I'm Kwon Eunseo, a cub reporter of The Sookmyung Times. I'm very pleased to be a member of this leadership group. I'm also a little nervous because I must take on the huge responsible of writing topnotch articles, but I'm ready for the challenge. I hope to become the type of reporter that writes articles that benefits everyone, so I will emphasize honesty during my investigative reporting. Thank you. Na Cho Seongah Hello, SMT readers. I'm Cho Seongah. It's an honor to have been recruited as an 88th cub reporter. I look forward to being the voice of Sookmyungians through SMT. I promise to do my best. Thank you. Sang Lim Hyeji Hi I'm Lim Hyeji from the Division of Economics '20. I'm a new face of The Sookmyung Times. First of all, I would like to say how happy I am to be joining The Sookmyung Times. Also, as a cub reporter for The Sookmyung Times, I promise to deliver accurate and reliable information to Sookmyungians. Please look forward to my articles. Thank you. Yoo Baek Hayoung Hello, everyone! I'm Yoo Hayoung. I'm so proud to be a part of The Sookmyung Times as an 88th cub reporter. It's a great honor and a wonderful way to start my university life. Though I will need much training and advice, I promise to deliver the news out of a sense of duty and responsibility. I hope this year will be filled with happiness and cheer for all Sookmyungians! Thank you. 34 THE SOOKMYUNG TIMES HEAD TO HEAD #357_SNS EVENT_WINNER SMT READER At first, I was interested in magazines just because the cover and inner design were cool. However, due to the COVID-19, beginning of lectures was postponed indefinitely and the time spent at home increased, which made to read the article with sufficient time. I read each page with the idea of studying English and building common sense. In ALUMNAE, the article YANG CHAEWON LIM YUBI DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC RELATIONS & ADVERTISING '19 DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE & INTERNATIONAL RELATION '19 • MONTHLY SAYING • Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing. - Abraham Lincoln Ways to Enjoy The Sookmyung #숙명타임즈 #2020_5월 #359호 @sookmyungtimes 또는 #숙명타임즈 숙명타임즈 기사를 읽고 숙명타임즈 표지를 짧은 후기를 작성한 후, 페이스북 태그 또는 인스타그램에 [email protected] 해시태그한다. 로 보낸다. Post The Sookmyung Times cover design After reading The Sookmyung Times, write a postscript on facebook or instagram, and hashtag the for The Sookmyung Times and send it to sookmyungtimes [email protected] 5월 13일 (수)까지 두 가지 방법 중 한 가지를 선택해서 참여해주세요! 추첨을 통해 소정의 상품을 드립니다. If you have news tips or ideas, you Choose one among the two ways to participate in this event by May 13 (Wednesday)! can contact us via KakaoTalk. We will send you a small gift if your entry is chosen. NO 359 / MAY 2020 35 CRITICAL VOICE TO CHANGE THE WORLD