How to Dress Professionally at Work.

Dress code based on T.P.O (time, place, and occasion) is very important, especially when you start to enter the business world.

The Importance of Film Soundtracks

Music plays an important role in movies, evoking a range of different emotions and conveying their central messages.

Korean Billiards Culture

Billiards can easily be one the most exciting leisure sports for everyone to enjoy no matter gender, age or career.

Monday, August 18, 2014

Popularity of Korean Baseball

The 2014 Korean baseball season opened on March 29th. Millions of baseball fans awaited the opening of the season. And now, spectators of the Korean Baseball League are reaching 1 million strong. This is a record for the shortest period of time to exceed 1 million fans and get third in the ratings. Also, this record was achieved after 83 games. In recent years, the popularity of the Korean Baseball League has been getting higher. How did this happen?

First of all, the Korean National Baseball team’s outstanding performance at the Beijing Olympic Games contributed to the baseball fever sweeping Korea. There are many famous players on this team. After the season is over, some players who showed good performances during the season are chosen by the national team coach. The players included from the last Olympic Games were Yong-Kyu Lee, Hyun-Jin Ryu, and Dae-Ho Lee. When the National Baseball team got the gold medal at the Beijing Olympics, the number of Korean baseball fans increased rapidly. After that, the national team won second place at the World Baseball Classic, and won the championship title at the Guangzhou Asian Game. Once the Korean National team achieved global fame through their performance at international baseball events, many spectators wanted to see their local players gain acceptance to the National team.

Another reason is that there are many unique cheers when Korea fans are watching a ball game. Some baseball clubs have their own cheering culture. Many fans are charmed by this. For example, the Hanhwa Eagles’ fans show their support by standing up and shouting after the 8th inning. When asked why, one Eagles fan claimed, “I don’t know. We just do.” Lotte Giants fans encourage their players by shaking newspapers. Their fans use newspapers because clapping and shouting is just not enough for these fans and the club does not provide them with anything else.
They also wear orange vinyl after the 7th inning because decades ago, their home stadium, Busan Sajik stadium, was not clean. The newspapers provided Giants fans with a clean place to sit. Eventually some fans starting shaking the newspapers while singing the player’s a cheering song when their players were up at bat. There are many cheering cultures with each team. Also, there are many songs for each team. Baseball fans even have songs for each player. The singing is another way for fans to enjoy the game.

Third, there are also many areas from which to enjoy a baseball match. At Incheon’s Munhak Stadium, for example, there is the “Barbecue zone.” People can go there and roast pork while they are watching the baseball match. Usually, people buy pork and some supplies at a market and bring them into the stadium. Fans in this zone say it is the best way to see a game. They recommend this zone as a great way to enjoy the game with family and friends.
In our hometown of Daejeon, spectators can see the “Glamping zone” at Hanbat Stadium. If you go there, you can see people who have pitched tents in the stadium. This zone is unique to Daejeon. Good luck reserving a place to pitch there, however, these places are reserved well in advanced.

Another factor contributing to the success of baseball in Korea, is the foreign players that come to the KBO league. Among foreign players, there are some players who played in the MLB in America. For example, Jorge Cantu, who played for the Tampa Bay Rays and Florida Marines, is now playing for the Doosan Bears. Before his debut, he was known for the 104 homeruns he scored when he played in the MLB. Also, Luke Scott, who played for the Houston Astros and Baltimore Orioles, is now playing for the SK Wyverns. Like Jorge Cantu, Scott is known for hitting 138 homeruns while he played in the MLB. There are many foreign players throughout the KBO. This year, the KBO rules about foreign players have changed. Many fans are looking forward to seeing these foreign players in action.

The Korean Baseball League has increased the number of annual games to 99 games a season. The KBO announced on March 25th that their goal is to attract 7 million spectators. They are making an effort to do this in conjunction with club officials. There are many sporting events in Korea, so competing with well-established sports like soccer is a challenge facing the KBO. But, as one fan put it, “once baseball sinks its teeth in you, you’re hooked.”

Staff writer Park Hui-Je.

Chinese Food Culture

China is 45 times the area of Korea. Because of this and the differences of climate, soil, and the natural environment, there are many food ingredients to seek out. In earlier times, it wasn't easy for humans to find ingredients from other places, so they ate only what they produced themselves. On account of this, foods from across China have developed in a unique way.

There are a multitude of food ingredients available in China. Most animals and plants are used in Chinese cuisine. In particular, the Chinese also use an abundance of dried ingredients through the year.

Chinese cooking also requires a lot of cooking oil. This creates the characteristic flavor of Chinese food. When the oil starts to smoke, a host of other condiments, like soy sauce, ginger, scallions, garlic, and spicy pepper are added to create the special taste of Chinese food. Generally, Chinese food takes a longer time to prepare than the foods of other nations.

Using lots of oil causes acidic metabolic waste to linger inside the body leading to unbalanced PH levels inside the body. To counter this, Chinese people drink tea to neutralize their systems.

The standard cooking methods are to use fire or water to cook food. The tradition that food must be cooked is handed down to the Chinese from the past. Fresh meat and produce is also healthier than processed food, which is one reason why Chinese food, despite being cooked in vats of oil, has a reputation for being healthier than Western food.

Chinese seasonings and spices are many and varied. Chinese cooking is judged by three essential factors, known as "color, aroma, and taste". Chinese people always have a great time at rich dinners with their families around a round table which fosters unity and happiness. On a final note, Chinese dishes are always beautifully garnished.


Staff writer Kim Won Gyun.

Attention Job Seekers! No More Mistakes!

Job advertisement
Nowadays, getting hired is not easy. For some people, it’s as hard as a camel going through a needle’s eye. However, looking for a job isn’t easy, either. According to Ford R. Myers, president of Career Potential, there are some mistakes job seekers often make. He stated, “Many people make significant job search mistakes and never even know about it. These blunders are easy to make, and they can cost you the job offer or lose you thousands of dollars.” He also added that well-informed job seekers also make these mistakes.

Ford Myers introduced some big mistakes job seekers make and provided ways to avoid them. Among those, 7 big mistakes are stated below.

1) Too Depend on Online Job Placements
Online job postings and advertisements don’t produce much value, but they cannot be ignored altogether. There’s a possibility that there are some jobs from these postings in trade publications or web sites of industries. Therefore, don’t spend too much of your time on job placements.

2) Mailing Unwanted Resumes
Mailing unwanted resumes will be treated as scrap paper and wasted work. HR managers and decision-makers who are in charge of employment won’t accept them. Therefore, this job searching method needs to be stopped.

3) To Look for Job Openings Only
Only searching the “opening” section of a company is an old-fashioned method. Many best companies do not use “opening” section to list the vacancy of jobs. They rather use job interviews. Therefore, remember that not many companies are using job opening section, so don’t rely too much on it.

Network
4) Ineffectual Networking
Networking is the main focus of a job search that takes most of your time, but many people go about it wrong- by talking too much and asking for jobs. The best networkers need to listen to others, not just to talk. They are not shy asking for feedback and guidance. Therefore, remember that networking is not about taking, it’s about giving.

5) Job Searching without a Plan
Many people don’t spend too much time in planning a job search. In order to conduct an effective job search, utilize a detailed method, daily privacy and planning, and method of responsibility. Also, your progress needs to be measurable.

6) Not Preparing for Job Interviews
In job interviews, five basic elements are included: expressing your value, carrying your knowledge of the company, asking intelligent questions, discussing payment, and accomplishments. Therefore, each of these elements needs to be well-prepared. Also, you need to research the company and the interviewer beforehand.
Money bag
7) Not Knowing Your Market Value
Studying and determining your value are very important in order for you to negotiate effectively. Do not reveal your payment requirements- the employer is the one who always determines the salary. The right time to talk about the payment is when the employer decides that you are their top applicant.

Staff writer Cho Bo-Yeon.

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