Long Distance Relationships

A long distance relationship is an intimate relationship in which the partners are separated by a considerable distance. There are three types of long distance relationship. The first is the international relationship. This is when the partners’ countries of origin ore different. The second is a relationship between two people who live in the same country. The third is when both are from the same country but one person is away in another country.

These types of relationships are very risky and difficult. Because when partners want to meet up, they can't. Their only options are talking by phone and using Skype. Also when one person deceives the other, it is more difficult for his or her partner to discover the lie.

The expression, “Out of sight, Out of mind" applies to couples who don't love each other very much. When two people really love each other, they might say, "Out of sight but still in mind" and this makes for an ardent love. Whatever the case, if we want long distance relationships to last, we need to put in lots of effort.

First, it's important to maintain the emotional connection. Tell each other where you are, what you do each day and how you feel.


When your partner contacts you, reply as promptly as you can. If your partner does not reply, wait patiently and understand that your partner may be busy at that moment. Don't doubt each other. Trust is a prerequisite in loving relationships.

Tell your partner daily that you love him or her. Remind your partner that he or she is the best thing that has happened to you. Distance can sometimes make you question each other's feelings, so make sure your partner hears this every day.

Make plans to see each other again before you part. It makes the separations much easier if you know when you will be together again.

Fifth, celebrate anniversaries. Even though your bodies are not together you should not forget each other's anniversaries. You can send and use Skype, and these will bring happiness on those days.

Follow these five tips and your love can last. I wish you all lasting love.

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Freelance writer  Heo Heejin.

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Woosong University Celebrates its 60th Anniversary

This past year, Woosong University celebrated its 60th anniversary. Since the founding of its original small campus in 1955, the university has established its unique history and traditions and gone on to become a global leader in higher education. The University was recently designated "Higher Education Specialization University" by the Accreditation Board for Higher Education. In celebration, Woosong held a variety of events for its birthday. Among the festivities were the proclamation ceremony for Woosong’s 100-year goals, the 60th anniversary Sol Concert, and the festival of multicultural families.

With the proclamation ceremony of September 22nd, a two-day athletic event was held. After President John E. Endicott addressed the crowd to celebrate the 60th anniversary and pronounce the university’s 100-year goals, Woosong freshmen participated in fun sporting events right after releasing dozens of celebratory balloons from the stage. Wearing tee shirts emblazoned with the names of their respective departments, they ran eagerly in relay races, and played dodge ball, soccer, basketball and foot volleyball. These events were followed by a fierce tug-of-war. Onlookers screamed and jumped to cheer for their teams. The Railway Vehicle System Engineering and Beauty Design Departments won the overall championship. In second place came the Culinary Arts Department.

Nam Seong Hyun, a student of the Railway Vehicle System Engineering Department echoed the sentiments of classmates saying, "It was a joyful experience to play together with our classmates."

The 60th anniversary festival was held on September 24th and 25th. Expectations about the festival were high because popular singers were coming to perform. Apink and Seo In Guk visited Woosong University for the anniversary on the 24th. On the 25th, IU, ZE;A, Sweet Sorrow, Heo Gak, Vos, and the Kim Jang Hoon band took the stage to perform and celebrate. Additionally, the Woosong festival had various games and activities like a casino with blackjack for all ages, and food of all kinds and a variety of products were sold. The Department of Hotel and Tourism Management’s Food and Beverage club sold cocktails and food. The Department of Food Service Management opened the events by dropping water balloons from overhead, under the clear autumn sky.

Yoo Sol Jae of Eventino Club said, "I felt good because I could participate in this festival. It was good to experience being a casino dealer. The University festival was amazing to have set up so many booths; this was not like any high school festival. It was good to show off the characteristics of our department. I hope to participate in future festivals."

The Woosong festival entertainment began at 6 o’clock with a talent show and audition of students from 15 teams. The competitors got the chance to demonstrate the dance and song skills they had been polishing in the past weeks. The dance performance of Chinese students in Korea won the first prize. They received a fervent applause for their powerful performance. The Sol concert was held on 25th. President Endicott addressed the crowd to celebrate the 60th anniversary and Global 100 year goals. Huge crowds turned out to see the famous singers at Woosong.

The festival of multicultural families was held on the 1st of October. This is the 60th anniversary wedding festival for love and spirit of multicultural families. It meant that our traditional wedding ceremony and our uniqueness and cultural art was shared by 16 different couples.

The staff of the Woosong Herald would like to thank everyone who organized and participated in the celebrations. May we enjoy many more such festivals in the years to come.

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Staff writers  Yun Su-In and others.

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The Cafe as a Public Space

The countless cafes near Woosong University show that there is a huge demand for cafes. In recent years, cafes have become important public places that are integral to the lives of modern people. How many college students go to cafes and what are their reasons for going?

Nowadays, coffee is more popular than ever. Anyone who wants to can visit a coffee shop and coffee shops are public spaces where everyone with enough money to buy a cup of coffee is welcome. People visit coffee shops for many different reasons. Some go to study, others go to chat with their friends and some people just want a rest from their busy lives. Also, there are many different kinds of coffee shop these days.

Close to Woosong, there are a number of takeaway coffee shops. The majority of student coffee shop customers actually go to these takeaway coffee shops. Students like to buy coffee from these shops to stay awake during their long hours of study or job seeking. The problem for the coffee shops is that there are few student customers during the vacation times.

But the cafe has also transformed into a public space that the public’s diverse needs. What are the public needs that are met by all of these coffee shops?

I investigated the frequency and reasons people visit coffee shops. Please click the pie chart below.

89% of respondents (111 people) answered that they go to one or more coffee shops each month and 51% of respondents (64 people) reached said they visit a coffee shop twice or more each week. 65% of respondents (72 people) said that their main reason for visiting coffee shops was to chat with friends. Only 22% of respondents (24 people) answered that they visit coffee shops to drink coffee.

In the end, the key for coffee shops to stay in business is to understand and meet the needs of their customers.

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Staff writer (Alicia) Yun Yeo-hui.

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Korean billiards culture

Billiards can easily be one the most exciting leisure sports for everyone to enjoy no matter gender, age or career. This fact attracted Koreans to billiards, especially after Japanese Colonial era as Korea entered modern society. Since then it wasn't hard to find people are playing billiards throughout the peninsula.
Some Koreans have a negative stereotype billiards. They associate its image with that of gangs, smoking, eating black noodles, etc. Korean movies set this stereotype in the Korean’s mind. But, actually billiards can be a very well-mannered game and a game for upper class citizens. We can find this through official billiards games. They wear formal clothes during the game and keep good manners while playing.
Billiards has several categories. The Korean Billiards Federation categorized the billiards as “three-cushion, one-cushion, pocket eight-balls, nine-balls, ten-balls, English billiards, and snooker.”
But there is one that that sets Korean billiards apart from other countries’ billiards. That is, we have a four-cushion category in billiards. Four-cushion started 1970’s when billiards culture really took hold in Korea. However, four-cushion is considered an unofficial event because it’s only in Korea. Moreover, Korean people enjoy playing with three-cushion and four-cushion.
How to play?
Four-cushion billiards has one white ball (the player’s ball) and 2 red balls. Using a pool cue, the player’s ball is aimed at the two red balls. If the white ball hits both red balls, 10 points are awarded. If it hits only one red ball, no points are earned.

In three-cushion billiards there is a white ball, red ball, and yellow ball. The first player gets a white ball, and the other player gets a yellow ball. The player must use their ball to hit the other player’s ball as well as a cushion before hitting the red ball.
Ji-in Choi, a three-cushion expert for 6 years, addressed the attractiveness of three-cushion. “This game had a bad image before. But now, it is one of the fastest growing sports. In addition, the number of student players is increasing. Billiards is, to say the least, profound because it requires a lot of practice before a player can call themselves an expert.”
 Geon-moo Lee, a four-cushion expert for 7 years, also addressed the allure of four-cushion. “This sports wasn't popular before because people have a bad image about billiards. Now, people thinking are better about it than before, but there still remains negative image. It gets gradually more fun as you practice. And another benefit is that it only requires two people to enjoy the sports. Also it can be played doors!”
 If you want to enjoy the billiards, you just go to billiard hall. Nowadays, the billiard halls are everywhere in Korea so you can find them easily. On average, the price to play the billiards is 1000 won for 10 minutes. This weekend, why don’t you go to a billiard hall with your friends?

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Staff writer Yun Ji Seon.

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The Importance of Film Soundtracks

“Over the Rainbow,” “Edelweiss,” “Going on Seventeen,” “Let it Go,” and “Coming Up Roses.” Do you know any of these songs? They are well-known film scores that led to the success of their respective films. Music plays an important role in movies, evoking a range of different emotions and conveying their central messages. Music is central to many of our lives as well as to the film making process. It is quite difficult to imagine a movie without music.
Different music illustrates the feelings and thoughts of the characters in films. Many well-known movies these days have become especially famous and recognized for their soundtracks. A great example is the recent movie, “Begin Again.” Some people who have watched the film say that they listen to the songs almost every day. Music expresses different emotions and sentiments of the characters, and having appealing music can make a movie successful in the film industry. Soundtrack has a significant impact on the films as it enables people to picture each scene and remember it for a long time.
Background music also guides people as to how they should feel and react to the films; it presents viewers a greater understanding of the movies. For instance, creepy music from a horror film makes people feel much more scared and frightened. A romantic love song creates feelings of sentimentality.
Music not only delivers emotions and messages, but also helps people better understand the movies; it is not simply the background music. Thus, we could sometimes make the effort to listen and think about how it tries to benefit us.

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Staff writer Sue Yeon Cho.

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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 and work in an office. You need to consider your outfits depending on different situations such as when you interview and when you’re on the job or hosting or attending professional events. You need to give your best impression because what you wear can determine how people view you. In order to know how to dress professionally, it is necessary to understand three types of business attire.

     1) Business Professional

This is the most conservative type of attire and what you will wear to the office most days. These types of suits do not mean that you need to buy the best suits and shoes. Women can wear a business suit, a blazer with pants or skirt, or a dress with heels. Men can wear a business suit or a blazer with pants and a tie.

• Career examples: Finance, accounting, and organizations with strict dress code policies will usually require business professional.

 

     2) Business Casual

Compared to “Business Professional,” this is a more relaxed type of attire. You don’t need to wear a suit at work, but this doesn't mean that you can dress casually. “Business casual” is suitable for working in a semi-conservative office and for certain events. Women can wear a collared shirt or sweater, khakis with dress pants and dress shoes or boots. Woman may also wear a knee-length dress or skirt. For men, this category includes a polo shirt, collared shirt or sweater, khakis or dress pants and dress shoes. Neckties are not required.

     3) Campus Casual

You will not usually wear clothes in this category at work. It includes clothes you wear every day such as T-shirts, jeans and sneakers. Sometimes you can wear “Campus Casual” to informal interviews, career days, and casual events. Generally, however, you would not wear in the workplace and for workplace related functions.

There will be times that you just don’t know what to wear. The best thing to do in these cases is to ask the person who is hosting an event. If you really can’t ask, it is better to dress too formally than too informally.

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Staff writer Bo-Yeon Cho.

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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.”

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Staff writer Park Hui-Je.

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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.

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Staff writer Kim Won Gyun.

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Attention Job Seekers! No More Mistakes!

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.

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.

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.

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Staff writer Cho Bo-Yeon.

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Graduating? How to Stand Out from the Crowd

According to the Korean National Statistical Office, the unemployment rate in South Korea decreased to 3.20 percent in March of 2013, from 3.50 percent in February. It seems like employment is not a problem for college students but the question remains --- why do so many college students consider finding a job a colossal, mind-torturing process?

Recently, a series of surveys were conducted by the Woosong Herald on campus. Not surprisingly, a lot of Woosong students do not think it will be easy to find a job right after graduation. Asked to name the most difficult part of finding a job, Jinui Bak, a freshman from department of occupational therapy, said: ”Interview! That really freaks me out! I get nervous and all kinds of things by only thinking about interviews.”

Jaehyeon Bak, who has graduated from the Department of Railway Vehicle System Engineering, said: ”To get oneself highlighted is also important.” He explained the internship system at Korail to us, saying: ”6-month-long internship, 3 people out of 20 stay, what is the right strategy? Get more attention while not making a single mistake.”

Fortunately, the Human Resource Department of BM-Story (Daejeon) replied to the e-mail we sent asking for employment tips. Following are the tips given by the HRD manager, Hyeondeok Han:

1. Be persistent. The people who make a serious effort to get my attention show me they’re willing to go the extra mile to accomplish tasks.
2. Remember it’s not all about you. When an interviewer asks why you want this job, just tell them what you could bring to the table, not what you want.
3. Emphasize your leadership skills. Not everyone we hire is a 4.0 student with a perfect resume.
4. Polish your online presence. A candidate’s online image is so much more important than it was in the past, so please keep your frat-party photos off your Facebook.

“This really makes sense. It seems like everyone can make a fancy resume, it bothers me a lot how to look different in the crowd. GPA does not rule anymore and to be prepared for the job you want is the new major task,” he said.

We will continue to conduct surveys for details on job-seeking and offer the information to all Woosong students.

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Staff writers Cheng Hao and Lu Guang Ting.

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Do Not Give Up on Yourself

Advice from Woosong University’s Honorary President, Woo Nam Gyoon

President Woo is the person who led the economic development of Korea for 36 years, starting his career at Keumyoung Company (LG group) in 1974. He assumed the honorary presidency of Woosong in 2012 and he is now working hard to raise WSU students as competitive global talents.

Q: Why did you choose to work at WSU as the honorary president?

A: I feel like I was meant to come to WSU. I enjoy taking on challenges, overcoming difficulties, and achieving success. The history of Korean electronic products resembles WSU’s history. Now the products of LG Electronics are evaluated as number 1 or number 2 worldwide. But when I was trying to sell LG products back in 1974, nobody recognized LG. We had to promote our products in front of 400-500 dealers to get orders. It was a very difficult time to get through but if we didn’t go through that time, Koreans wouldn’t be leading the world’s electronics industry now.

Referring to past examples, WSU can also make huge improvements. LG Electronics’ annual sales were less than $30,000,000 thirty years ago, but now it has grown to 2000 times that of before. Likewise, WSU can position itself as the university focusing on the Asian perspective. WSU is way more passionate compare to the other universities showing their vision, strategy, and most importantly, the power to implement their vision. Other students take 11 weeks of rest during winter vacation, but WSU students keep studying on those cold winter days. That passion and commitment will make the dream come true.

Q: What is your plan to lead Woosong students?

A: As time passes, the birth rate in Korea will go down and universities will face difficulties in operating because of the decreasing number of students. To prevent the problem, WSU is adding various specializations in order to position itself distinctively. In an effort to train global talents, WSU affiliated itself with Solbridge and other universities, and it also offers various overseas training programs. In addition, I want to create partnerships with companies and position WSU students as prepared, customized talents. WSU and the company CJ Foodville formed a class as part of this project. Students study what you will learn at the first year of working at CJ during the 2nd semester of the 3rd year of their BBA. It reduces the company’s efforts and also increases competency of the students. We invited the CEO and Marketing Manager of CJ Foodville to teach students. “Specialization, Globalization, and Partnership” will be the direction for the future of WSU.

Q: Would you please give us recommendations about the essential activities that we must do in our university life?

A: “Get out of the dream; find the way to get into the real world.” You must be awake to face reality. Fantasy and reality are totally different from each other. The bridge to connect the dream world and the real world, I think, is vision. The key to realize your vision is to implement it. Even if you have a good vision, without implementing it, it doesn’t mean anything. Thus success equals vision plus implementation. (Success = Vision + Implementation). Student should utilize their university years to convert their dreams to visions, and learn the basics to implement the vision. Never give up on your dreams. It all begins from the dream.

Q: Lastly please give some advice to new Woosong students.

A: “You should suffer when you are young. And when you get older, you should share your experience of hardships to the young people.”

In fact if you were not born to rich parents, it’s not very convenient. But you cannot be disqualified for that condition in life. I personally think that I was lucky to be born into a not-that-rich family. I also was raised by normal parents and went to university by myself. If I had not gone through that time, I wouldn’t have challenged the difficult tasks like I did at that time. If you haven’t faced difficulties in your life, you will never know the depth of your life.

“Never give up on yourself.”

Students who gave up themselves are the most pitiable ones. You don’t need to get a high GPA. If you learn how to try your best all the time, that will be a big asset to you. Nobody can beat the person who prepares and makes an effort. If you stick to what you want to achieve and try your best, you can succeed. I hope our young students realize how precious they are and never give up on their lives.

“Speaking a foreign language is essential.”

In the future you should speak one other foreign language even if you only open a small retail store. When you are communicating with people from other cultures, there is no better way than showing good manners by using their language and understanding their feelings. Confucius says, “Isn’t it a pleasure to study, and to practice what you have learned?” I am also still studying foreign languages. I hope Woosong students will make a consistent habit of studying foreign languages.

Q: Can you tell us about your dreams?

A: My dream is to teach Woosong students well and make them competitive with the students at the universities in Seoul. Woosong students can do it. I think I can surely realize my dream because I had sold TVs, which is a more difficult task than this!

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Staff writers Han Byung Jun and Park JaeSeul.

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“Eco-friendly, Human-Centered” Seoul Motor Show 2013

The 2013 Seoul Motor Show was held from March 29th to April 7th at ILSAN KINTEX exhibition center. It was the biggest show of its kind in Korea this year. Its aim was to improve and develop the auto industry through a comparative exhibition of local and foreign cars. The show’s “With nature, for the people” theme captivated audiences. People also could see what trends and directions future vehicles will experience. The organizing committee for Seoul Motor Show said that the number of spectators (about 1.2 million) was much more than was expected. Meanwhile, more than 14,000 overseas buyers from 41 countries flocked to the event where they discussed export deals worth US $1.4 billion, according to the organizers.

There were a number of exhibits in the KINTEX. What stood out during the show were the ‘eco-friendly’ cars. 36 eco-friendly cars were displayed. The display, called 'Cherish Nature’ included cars manufactured by companies such as Renault, Samsung, Korea GM, BMW, Nissan and Honda.

This show also contributed to popularizing environment-friendly vehicles. There were eco-friendly car test drives at one of the exhibition’s events. The Organizing Committee for Seoul Motor Show said "Through this event, you can watch a hybrid, the electric car and the fuel cell electric vehicle. You get a good opportunity to experience the performance of eco-friendly cars, the product of advanced automobile technology and mileage capability.”

Colorful, unusual events such as “Best Car of the Show”, “Photo Contest,” “Prize Drawing Event,” and “Collegian Car Design Contest,” captured the audience at the motor show. However, this show also was lacking one thing- the world’s latest released new car.

Finally, this show demonstrated that the future of the eco-friendly car industry will depend on technological advancements. Through shows like this, car lovers can see how the automobile is improving and correcting past mistakes. "The Seoul Motor Show has become an international event in terms of quality and quantity. We plan to make it one of the world's four major motor shows by 2015," an official said.

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Staff writer Seo Won Deok.

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Interview with Professor Noh Yang-Kyu, Former Korean General

We had an interview with professor Noh on May 10, 2013. Noh Yang-Kyu is at Woosong and in the process of writing about North Korea. He is a security expert, and he graduated from Korea Military Academy in 1977 and then served for 36 years. Now he is teaching security studies and leadership at Woosong.

Woosong Herald: What is changing in the relationship between North Korea and South Korea?

Professor Noh Yang-Kyu: “When administrations change, they offer different policies. At the time of President Kim De-Jung, he implemented policies that helped North Korea. But Lee Myung-Park’s policies were different and didn’t help North Korea. Now the policy has changed again. President Park Geun-Hye thinks that if North Korea abandons their nuclear project and the study of missile technology, we can help them to grow. We want to talk instead fighting a war. This is how the policy has changed.”

WH: What do you think about Park Geun-Hye’s policy towards North Korea?

Noh: “Before we talk about that, people who live in their own country would like to believe in their president’s philosophy. South Korea and North Korea have a very special relationship. They have hurt each other and that has not been remedied. When the Korean War broke out, South Korea was far weaker than North Korea. But recently this has changed. South Korea is ranked 7th largest military in the world. So we would have a great military power during a war and we should try to be more peaceful with North Korea. South Korea is not immune to nuclear war. So I think Park Geun-Hye’s policy is good.”

WH: Can you tell me what do you think about nuclear missiles in North Korea? In this interviewer’s opinion, if North Korea has nuclear missiles and we are reunited, we will gain nuclear missile technology, and that would be a good thing.

Noh: “Well, that is very dangerous opinion because if nuclear missiles are given to us, many other countries will oppose us and we will be isolated in the world. So our economy will decline and life will get harder. And if we get nuclear missiles, we have to be aware of the consequences. Also, nearby countries like China and Japan will say that they also have the right to make nuclear missiles and maybe we have the next World War on our hands. So your opinion is very dangerous.”

WH: What do you think about the South Korea/US alliance?

Noh: “After the Korean War, America had South Korea’s wartime operational control. The alliance between the two militaries is strong for now, these days South Korea is stronger than in the past, so the alliance is stronger. If the alliance between South Korea and America is strong, Korea will remain safe and American investors will want to invest in Korea. That will make Korea continue to grow. So I think the alliance is important.”

WH: What do you think about North Korea’s hard-line policy?

Noh: “In history, many communist countries think the most important thing is to maintain their government. Also, North Korea wants to maintain the Kim government. But Kim Jeongeun, the leader of North Korea, is very young and has little or no experience, thus people don’t trust him. So he takes a hard-line policy, because he wants to maintain his government.”

WH: So why don’t they choose another policy?

Noh: “North Korea is afraid of opening up its broadcasting system because if they let citizens use the broadcasting system, then maybe the citizens will start a revolution against the government. So they allow citizens to be nervous about war, so they can to block any attempts at a revolution.”

WH: What do you think about relationship between the two Koreas in the future?

Noh: “Recently China has changed their opinion about North Korea. In China, some banks refuse to work with North Korea. That means China will not help North Korea. North Korea relies heavily on China, with aid levels at about 90%. So they cannot continue to have a hard-line policy without China. In the future they will want to have a conversation with us.”

WH: How do we do to reunite Korea?

Noh: “Some young people don’t want to reunite because they are worried about the damage to South Korea if we become reunited. But North and South Korea are one country and one ethnic group, one race. So the government needs to try and change their people’s minds and explain what they are doing. They should hold an open forum to discuss uniting the two Koreas.”

WH: What do students think about North Korea’s attitude?

Noh: “At Woosong University, I want many students to share their thoughts about security. Of course, they are very busy, between jobs and studying, but I hope that they are interested in Korean’s security.”

 

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Staff writers Min Jihong and Cho Wonha.

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The Process to Success: Psy

Recently, as we all know, Psy has never been more popular or more attractive. Now it has opened a high wave of Korean sentiment around the world because of his songs and dances. So I think we need to know about the process to success for him.

A rookie singer stirred up the Korean pop music scene with very explicit lyrics, peculiar dance moves and his unconventional appearance in 2001. The rookie singer was Psy, also nicknamed the “Bizarre Singer” with “Bird,” the title song of his first album. Psy showed off his own style, fashion and confidence successfully breaking the stereotype among k-pop music lovers that male singers have to be good-looking and be able to dance well.

His in-your-face lyrics especially appealed to the younger generation of Korean music fans. But, just 5 months after his album was released, Psy’s album was not allowed to be sold to juveniles after complaints that it was a negative influence for the younger generation. Several months later, Psy was arrested by the police on charges of smoking marijuana. In January 2002, Psy was punished with a fine.

But he didn’t want to give up what he has loved and believed. His second album entitled “For Adults” was released in the same month but was also banned from being sold to those under the age of 18. In September of 2002, Psy released his 3rd album by launching his new music on an Internet music site. Being released just a few months after the World Cup games held in Seoul, the title song of Psy’s 3rd album, “Champion”, saw great success for its crowd-pumping vibe. And that gave him more confidence.

So he continued to hold his spot as an artist that fans loved for his unique ways. Certainly the inevitable came, and he went in to serve his mandatory military sentence from 2003 to 2005. However, evidence came to light that suggested Psy didn’t properly serve his full sentence. He was re-drafted to serve a second term in August of 2007. After being released the summer of 2009, Psy voiced how he had learned a lot through his experience. He said he also felt the weight of his responsibility to his wife and two daughters that were born two months before he started his second term.

After that Psy switched entertainment agencies in 2010 to YG Entertainment where CEO Yang Hyun-suk expressed his old time ties with the singer. However, he has been embracing the fact that he’s nowhere close to idol status. Although Psy's actions did not receive any significant international media coverage at that time, this changed after the media reported about it in early December 2012. On December 7, 2012, Psy issued an apology directed towards members of the U.S. military and to the American people for his "inflammatory and inappropriate" language, and expressed hope that the American public will accept his apology.

The man behind the hit, the 34-year-old South Korean artist known as Psy (short for psycho; he was born Park Jae-Sang), has been a star for years in Korea: “Gangnam Style,” named for an expensive neighborhood in Seoul, appears on his sixth album, YG Entertainment But even Psy was unprepared for the worldwide response to his latest single.

“I’ve only done this for 12 years, only for Korea, not for overseas at all,” he said by phone from Seoul. “I didn’t expect anything like this. So what can I say? Everything moves way too fast.”

It is apparent that chance always around us and if you stick to your purpose and persuasion and never says give up, then finally we can achieve our goals and even we were not prepared.

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Staff writer Yan Yunyun.

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How Can the Government Reduce the Number of Smokers?

Did you hear about the increase in the price of cigarettes? A month ago, the Korean government decided to increase the price of cigarettes. The national assembly was concerned about the health of the nation’s people. In this country cigarette prices are very affordable compared to other countries. Korean smokers strongly protested the decision of the government. It is difficult for the two sides to come to an agreement.

The smokers say that “It is difficult to live without smoking, although they also know that cigarettes are harmful for their health. If we have no money, does that mean we have to stop smoking? We are also your nation’s people. Don’t we have a say in decision making?” The smokers don't understand the decision of the government. In my opinion, I agree both with the government and the smokers, but the increase in the price of cigarettes is not the best way to reduce the number of smokers.

Most nonsmokers hate the smell of cigarette smoke, so they avoid smokers and want people to stop smoking. But smokers can now smoke on the street, park and any other public spaces. How about making more areas especially for smokers? The government should build more smoking areas and make smokers smoke only in those areas. If they smoke in another place which is not a smoking area, they will have to pay a fine. Let's say you are in the park, the man next to you is smoking and you are about to go out of your mind. Then you call a police officer and that guy has to pay a fine. I think it is good for both smokers and nonsmokers, because everyone knows the rules then at least, and nonsmokers will not have to breathe in second-hand smoke.

What do you think about my suggestion? Someone could say that my idea is impossible in reality and the government can make better proposals. The increase in the price of cigarettes is most certainly not the best option for everyone. I hope the government will make another suitable option for all of Korean people.

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Staff writer Park Eun Bi.

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Woosong’s Gyms for Woosongers’ Health

There are three gyms at Woosong University- the East campus, West campus and Solbridge.

However, Sol Sporex in Solbridge is considered the best gym at Woosong. Their motto is “We are doing together to care for our city's well-being life”. They provide many Daejeonites- and students an opportunity to a break from their busy lives and re-energize. Sol Sporex offers many facilities and fitness programs: a swimming pool, fitness center, sauna and group exercise- including yoga and aerobics. These programs are very popular among gym members. But if you don’t feel like exercising, the sauna, one of the more popular amenities at the gym, may work for you.

Sol Sporex has many specialists on hand to assist members with all its different programs. And if you have never worked out in your life, no problem- everyone has to start somewhere. “When I was young, my body was very weak and thin. But I did exercise; my body changed, I got healthier and gained confidence,” said Seung Hun Ryu, a Sol Sporex trainer. “So I work to help those who have had the same worries as I did.”

Some might consider other fitness clubs around Daejeon, but Woosong students find comfort in working out close to home. “I think the swimming pool is very good because it’s always clean with natural sunlight,” said an anonymous Woosong Freshman. “They have all different kinds of exercise equipment but not enough for all muscle-parts. One suggestion: “I know that Sports and Fitness management department students intern here. I hope they can be more kind to people who come to Sol Sporex for the first time.”

Sol Sporex's service hours vary each day.

On weekdays and Saturday, open 6 A.M. - 10 P.M. On Sunday and national holidays, open 6 A.M. - 7 P.M. And they are closed every 2nd and 4th Monday each month. For more information visit www.solsporex.co.kr

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Staff writers Park Hui Je and Han Ki Tae.

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“Casting pearls before the swine?” An Editorial about the Relations between South and North Korea

Due to the reorganization of South Korea by other powerful countries, and because of South Korea’s international situation, the provocation by North Korea has been more severe than ever.

The current situation started with the ‘Cheonan-Ham’ and ‘Yeonpyung-do’ in 2010, and has since become exasperated. The joint military exercises between South Korea and the U.S. is their excuse for launching a missile which North Korea claimed is a “satellite”. They even decided to close the Gae Sung Industrial Complex, a symbol of cooperation and hope for all Koreans, on their own initiative.

Because of the peace accord between South and North Korea, for approximately a decade, Kim Daejung and No moohyun’s governments were dedicated to adhering to the provisions of the treaty which prohibits the development and testing of nuclear bombs and long range missiles. The treaty provided economic aid to North Korea in a variety of ways. Despite an internal economic crisis, including the International Monetary Fund (I.M.F.), North Korea began to develop nuclear and missile technologies.

Even though it is not related to the military, the unilateral closing and the evacuation of the workforce at the Gae Sung Industrial Complex, and strange rumors that Kim Kwan-jin was slurred as a warmonger (likened to Hitler) by North Korea’s media, shows us that Kim Jeongeun has no political proficiency and North Korea is up to its old tricks, like so many times before.

Hopefully Kim Joengeun thinks carefully about this situation because in the end, his actions are not going to foster reunification and are more likely going to create a loss from both sides. In circumstances like this, Kim Jeongeun’s provocation of the United States seems like a fly trying to bite a tortoise.

It is apparent to us now that the closing of the Gae Sung Industrial Complex, a symbol of the future reconciliation between the South and North, which was founded 50 years ago, is more painful to the South. But of course the world wants peace, and if Kim Jeongeun and North Korea should adopt a cautious attitude, the rest of the world might be more flexible and willing to negotiate.

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Staff writer Park Hyung Jun.

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Same-sex Marriage: The Global Debate of Today

The controversy surrounding same-sex marriage seems endless. People’s view is clearly divided into two, with some in-between. With the trend of homosexuality gaining more support, the proponents of homosexual marriage consistently advocate abolishing discrimination, claiming that homosexual couples have their rights to have families. According to them, it is imperative to legalize same-sex marriage in order to overcome the unfair situation in which the homosexual population is placed. The opponents confront them, arguing that the essential meaning of marriage is going to be damaged. By referring to the essential meaning of marriage, they mean two people giving birth to a child to form a family, by extension, forming the society. These opponents largely consisted of believers in religions including Catholicism, and Islam, and they protest against homosexual marriages.

Starting with the Netherlands legalizing homosexual marriage in 2000, many other countries have been following suit. Currently there are ten countries in which same-sex marriage is allowed officially. Some of these countries where gay marriage is legal are Belgium, Canada, Spain, South Africa, Portugal, and Denmark. In the U.S.A., there are currently ten states that allow same-sex marriage including Washington DC. England, which recently passed the homosexual marriage law, is going to expand the law which will allow same-sex couples to conduct religious ceremonies (only under the conditions that the churches approve of them), and acknowledge them as legitimately married, previously only referred to as a “partnership.” In the case of Israel, the same-sex marriage is tolerated outside its national border and in all of South America, Argentina is the only country that the law has passed. The trend of legalization of homosexuality is accelerating and the number of countries which will pass the law is likely to increase.

Today, it is hard for us to believe that there once was a time when women could not vote for their leader, and white and black people had to eat and drink at separate locations. With today’s fast changing times, people will soon find it strange that there was the time in which same-sex marriage was not tolerated.

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Staff writer Kim San Ok.

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Spring 2013 Woosong English Quiz Contest

The Spring 2013 Woosong English Quiz Contest was held in front of the Student Union Building, on May 14th, 2013, at 12:30p.m. This quiz was composed of three stages and it was taken on a computer. The first stage was composed of true or false questions, the second stage contained vocabulary and grammar questions corresponding to TOEIC parts 5and 6, and the third stage involved correcting any mistakes made in sentences or looking for a word's definition and guessing what it is.

Prizes were given to students according to their progression through each stage. The prizes for participation were cookies and juice. The actual prices for the winners were: first place was a Caffe Bene tumbler; second place, a Caffe Bene gift certificate, worth ten thousand won; and the third place, two meal tickets, worth six thousand won.

The quiz drew a lot of attention from students. It started at 12:30, but many students waited in line for 30 to 40 minutes. 360 students participated in the contest, in total, and there were 230 prizes. All the prizes were given to the participants.

To get the more specific information about the English Quiz Contest, we interviewed Dr.Park (Park Hee Sook), who was in charge of it:

What was the purpose of the contest?

“Woosong University puts emphasis on English. English is one of the most essential requirements to get a job. This contest was held to inspire students’ passion for learning English, so we made an interesting and fun English quiz. The purpose of this contest was so that many students gain an interest in English.”

What were some difficulties in hosting the English contest?

“At the end of English Contest, I asked one student, walking by the event, why don’t you participate in the contest? The student answered that ‘I am bad at English’. His lack of confidence made me feel sad. Many students think that they are poor at English, so, they didn’t participate. I felt regret about this as the host. The quiz had a range from easy to challenging. Woosong University students have studied for the TOEIC and have also taken the TOEIC test, but they still have low confidence in English. This is why they give up in advance and don’t challenge themselves. Although the prizes were great, still many students did not participate. This reluctance to participate was the most difficult thing.”

Did you expect that many students would come to the contest?

“Many more students took part in the contest than I expected. I am very satisfied with it, but I expect more students will participate in the future.”

How did you promote the contest?

“I worked hard to promote it, putting up banners and posters. Also, the Department of Academic Affairs sent all students text messages that advertised this event. I hope that the more people participate in the English contest next semester.”

Will you change the kind of prizes?

“The kinds of prizes need to be changed. I think the male students didn’t seem to like the tumblers and would have preferred Caffe Bene gift certificates instead. So we will survey the students’ preferences and change the prizes.”

Will the English Quiz Contest be held next year as well?

“A second English Quiz Contest will surely take place during the second semester, because the first contest was very successful; however, I am not so sure about next year. It will depend on how successful the second contest is.”

To get a student’s perspective of the contest, we interviewed two students who participated:

Cho Ara (21): "I won a tumbler. The contest was very interesting. I think that this contest is a good way to increase students’ motivation to study English. Also, I believe that this English contest made many students interested in English. I hope that this contest continues."

Choi Jinyoung (23): “I won a meal ticket. I often have little confidence in my English abilities. Nevertheless, I participated in the contest to win a tumbler. As expected, I failed at the first stage. It is very confusing and difficult for me. However, I will study English and TOEIC to get to the third stage and win a prize like the tumbler. I think that the waiting time was too long. I waited for about an hour. I hope that more computers are available during the next English contest.”

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Staff writers Jeong Min Ju and Choi Eun Hee.

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Woosong University 2013 Freshman Talent Festival

The 2013 Freshman Talent Festival was held on April 3 at the Woosong Art Center. It was a time for freshmen to express their individuality and passion through performances of singing and dancing. The event proved to be a precious memory for participants and the cheering audience. The first prize went to Son Kyouchan and Lee Gowoon, in the Culinary Arts Department, for their dance performance.

Participation in the Talent Festival is voluntary. Son Kyouchan leapt at the chance to strut his stuff in front of his friends and classmates, he then talked Lee Gowoon into joining him. Their impressive performance was the result of a month of practice in their dorm room and locker room. They also had to pass through a preliminary round judged by the Student Council of the Culinary Arts Department.

Lee Gowoon admits, despite all of their practice, feeling very nervous which lead to them making a mistake during their big performance. “But I plucked up my courage thanks to Kyouchan,” she said.

Son Kyouchan said that they were embarrassed when the first prize was announced, but also “glorified and happy”. 

Lee Gowoon adds that while they felt their performance was far from perfect, it was still an unforgettable experience and one they would recommend to incoming freshmen next year. Along with the acclaim of their classmates, the dancing duo won a trophy and a cash prize. They said that they plan on spending the money on a nice dinner for their senior student and friends who helped them with the performance. Lee Gowoon said while their dancing may have looked romantic, their actual relationship is strictly platonic – only friends.

Student head representatives for each department also performed at the Freshman Talent Festival. These upper classmen performed in multi-department teams. Their shows were to promote the spirit of Woosong student solidarity. A team consisting of Kim Jun of Global Korean Culinary Arts, Lee Gyeonghyeong of Culinary Arts, Lee Yangwoo of Hotel and Tourism Management, Jeon Saeheem of Culinary Nutrition and Food Science, and Choi Yangho of Foodservice Management brought down the house with their self-choreographed dance routine. Choi Yango said, “It was my first time to dance like that. I knew I was clumsy, but we were not. If there is another chance to dance together, I would do it again.”

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Staff writer Jin Hee.

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