Busan International MOTOR SHOW 2012

On May 25, the 2012 Busan International Motor show kicked off at BEXCO in Busan. This was a great opportunity for Korean people to experience a motor show and to learn about more than 170 cars and 22 automobile brands, coming from all around the world.

This year’s theme was The Voyage of the Green Car Across the Ocean. The majority of the countries all around the world have studied how to protect the environment from carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and so on. Now more than ever, it has become essential for companies in many fields to pay attention to such global issues.

The show’s organizers anticipated that more than 750,000 people would visit the motor show on Saturday, May 26.

The event was a showcase for lots of cars made by BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Hyundai, KIA, GM and others. The world-leading car companies showed not only their new cars but also eco-friendly cars which included hybrid and electric vehicles. They also displayed passenger cars, commercial cars, specially equipped vehicles, motorcycles, and automobile parts and accessories.

Other special events included business meetings, a new car giveaway, a car audio festival and an R-C car contest.

One BEXCO attendee and car enthusiast, Kim KyungMok, said, “This is the most amazing show ever in my life. There were a variety of cars and beautiful racing models.

The best part,” said KyungMok, “is that I can take photos with all of the cars such as popular concept cars I haven’t seen before and electric vehicles I have always been interested in.”

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Staff writer Kim ByeongJu is currently a Woosong University student majoring in English.

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How to Enjoy a Baseball Game

Do you like baseball? After Korean Baseball League's opening game in April, lots of baseball fans are heading for baseball stadiums. If you have time, visit the Hanbat Baseball Stadium and see a Hanhwa Eagles game. I'll tell you how to enjoy a baseball game.

Step 1. Enjoy with your friends or family.

Usually, you go to a baseball game with friends or family. You probably wouldn't go by yourself or with strangers to a game that you're not interested in. It is always best to enjoy the time you're spending with your friends or family.

Step 2. Stroll around the baseball stadium.

Baseball stadiums often have plenty of exhibitions. Hanbat Baseball Stadium has a team history exhibition which can provide you with the opportunity to learn about the Hanhwa Eagles club's past. This can turn out to be so interesting and instructive that you might even warm to the game considerably more.

If you come to the stadium with a bit of extra money on you, explore the shopping options. There are a variety of team T-shirts, caps, or game programs. Baseball clubs will have a greater variety of stores to explore, with a wide selection of team-branded apparel to purchase.

Step 3. Eat!

There are a variety of food and drink choices, including hot dogs, beer, peanuts, and snacks. Nowadays, it's not unusual for a stadium to offer things ranging from chicken to beer. Eating at a stadium can be quite enjoyable.

Step 4. Enjoy the atmosphere.

If you are outside on a nice day, you feel so good. The Hanbat Baseball Stadium has a nice scenic view of Mt. Bomun. It's a much better option than sitting home in bed. So enjoy the feeling of excitement among a crowd in a stadium.

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Staff writer Park Se Il is currently a Woosong University student majoring in English.

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Finding Something to Believe in, in Korea

One of the most frequently asked questions by Chinese international students who are new in Korea is: “How can Korean people be so religious?” To those who are puzzled, the biggest surprise would be that a few Chinese people become Christians or Catholics after staying in Korea for years.

When Korean people are questioned about their religious views, they, on the other hand, are the ones who are puzzled. They think these questions are simply as silly as questioning the existence of human civilization.

As a matter of fact, religious culture has dominated society, including China, for a long time throughout human civilization. However, the reason for Chinese students’ wonderment is that the current Chinese government is not supportive of any religious activity and even forbids any member of the Communist Party from participating in religious activities.

What makes this phenomenon stranger to Chinese individuals is that it seems like highly-educated people tend to participate in religious activities more enthusiastically.

“It was really unexpected when I found out that a dean at Woosong University spends all his weekends in church,” said Huang Shen, a senior student from Railway Electrical Engineering. “A person with decent education, not to mention someone with a Ph.D, should be aware of how this world works and consequently not believe in any kind of theism.”

This kind of perspective towards religion is very common among Chinese students. They believe that theism is not supported by scientific proof and that believing in religion is not a right attitude towards life.

Wang Shen, another Chinese international student from Hotel Management is almost indignant on this issue. “Can you imagine how astonishing it is that a neuroscientist believes in God! She knows better than anyone else that there is no moral mind separate from the physical body and all the mental activities are just some delusions made by your neurons in your body.”

Scientifically, they are not wrong. Although it is a dangerous hypothesis, it is well believed in academia that almost all mental activity happens in the cortex. But does it matter, believing in something you cannot see through your whole life?

Here is how the previously-mentioned neuroscientist, Li Yan, who works at KAIST, responded. “It is ok if someone wants to embrace either of the ideas: theism or atheism. For me, I have been seeking a balance between science and religion. After all, I don’t want to admit that all our free will, nobleness and integrity are complicated delusions while what we have been doing now is totally determined 14 billion years ago. Rather, I would say human life is a gift from God and we exist because of all of the elaborate creation made by our god during an amazingly long journey from the big bang to today.”

Indeed, religion can be a wonderful part of culture to make us appreciate and enjoy our lives even more. There is no reason to degrade ourselves, is there?

(Editor’s note: Religion can be a delicate topic to discuss. The Woosong Herald welcomes comments, but expects all individuals to be respectful and courteous.)

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Staff writer Ying Cheng Hao is currently a Woosong University student majoring in Railway Electrical Engineering.

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