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HUMANITY’S DRIVE to understand the nature of our biology and its mechanisms has brought about phenomenal improvement in technology in the field of genetics. From the mere discovery of the human genes to the analysis and even editing of genetic information, we have come a long way. Kim Hyung-bum (Prof. Department of Pharmacology) has currently made great strides to make genetic research even easier. Awarded the STAR (Science Technology And Researcher) of May 2019 by the Ministry of Science and ICT, Professor Kim’s recent research on using deep learning* technology to improve the efficiency of g
People/Yonseian
Jo Beom-su
2019.06.03 23:46
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EVERY ONCE in a while, even the most casual of daily routines can take a toll on you. During the midterm exams, there was one single powerful thought that kept me going throughout: I wanted to see the ocean. This desire came to my mind once more as I randomly recalled the lyrics to “Gwandong Tunes,” an old Korean poem that we learned back in high school. Jeong Chul, the poet of the Tunes, had sought healing from the nature of Gangwon-do as he waited for his king to summon him back to the royal courts. Coming to know the natural beauty of Gangneung thanks to studying Korean Geography and having
Travel Diary
Cho Seung-wan
2019.06.03 23:42
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WHAT USUALLY comes to mind when we imagine a diplomat is someone in a formal suit, holding a glass of wine and wandering around the banquet room to meet new people—a scene we often encounter in movies. However, attending formal dinners just happens to be a perk of a diplomat’s job, which entails any activity—whether it be political, economic, or cultural—that represents and promotes the interests of his or her country. In Korea, a total number of 1,980 diplomats are working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in Seoul and in embassies and legations abroad. Wherever in t
Career
Yang Ji-weon
2019.06.03 23:37
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“YOUR ARMS, my god. They look like they are about to break. Have you been fasting lately? You are as skinny as a stick!” It is an average Tuesday afternoon at the bodega.** The lady by the counter starts yelling, and I simply nod, pretending to listen. I shove the rubbery heads of my earphones furtherinas I try to focus on the lyrics of the song blasting sharply against my eardrums. My eyes probe around the room, searching for something I can fix them on. Yet, I can’t help but read the lips of the old woman, who is still shouting. Her wrinkly, fuchsia-lined lips draw words I have been trying t
Opinion
Kim Kyu-ri
2019.06.03 23:29
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THE LANGUAGE of flowers, also known as floriography, is a messaging method that presents hidden meanings by linking specific significance to certain flower types. Gifting flowers is a common practice for events like weddings and funerals, to convey a myriad of meanings such as love, appreciation, and even pain. However, the tradition of flower language is not limited there as it spreads throughout human culture via works of storytelling. Plants were used in literature as far back as the Greek Mythology tales and the Hebrew Bible, and the tradition of flower language has further developed world
Take a Break
Cho Seung-wan
2019.06.03 09:01
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“TAP TAP Good afternoon listeners! Welcome back to the Yonsei Internet Radio Broadcast(YIRB) where we discuss the magic of broadcasting. What do you guys want to talk about today?” This is a typical audio recording of YIRB. YIRB is an internet broadcast club that is changing the perceptions of radio broadcasts. Their topics are casual and light-hearted; from the smallest problems and random rants, to the debate on what’s hot and trending─their voices find a way to reach the audience’s ears, creating smiles as they type away in the comments section. Let’s tune in as The Yonsei Annals interview
Behind the Scenes
Yang Soung-hyun
2019.06.03 00:02
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THE SUPREME Prosecutors’ Office is an austere-looking building situated near Exit 6 of Seocho Station in Gangnam. As one of the supporting pillars of the South Korean justice system, the headquarter oversees 66 prosecutors’ offices and its 2,292 prosecutors and 8,337 staff members, a small number compared to the 116,000-member police force. The size also reflects its visibility to the common people, who are more familiar with the roles of judges, advocates, and police officers. Movies like Nameless Gangster: Rule of Time, and the Korean adaptation of the American TV series Suits seem to show p
Career
Jo Beom-su
2019.05.07 17:03
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EARLY SUMMER is everyone’s favorite time of year in Korea –– the warm breeze after the chilly air has thawed, the freshly sprouted green leaves, and the bright sunlight evokes a feeling of peaceful bliss. Imagine being in the fresh outdoors that's bursting with excitement, and with mid-terms having come to an end, there is no better place to blow off some steam than at any Han River Park. Join me on my visit to the Yeouido Han River Park. How to find the Yeouido Han River Park Hidden away in the middle of a forest of skyscrapers, Yeouido Han River Park appears suddenly at the turn
Travel Diary
Yoon Young-seo
2019.05.07 14:58
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HOW MUCH do birth control pills cost without insurance?” asked an anonymous student on Everytime, an online social platform for university students. She added that she was prepared to pay uninsured and hence higher prices for the pills in order to avoid leaving the prescription of birth control on her medical records. Her concern is understandable within the norms of Korean society, which has little understanding of the various purposes and effects of contraceptive pills and judges women for taking them. Taking pills is for one’s own health; thus, women should not be restricted from doing so b
Lightbulb
Lee Chae-wan
2019.05.07 14:41
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TO BE sure of one’s identity and have the power to fully express it is a wonderful gift to be cherished. To add an artistic flair to it makes it a talent and art. Drag queens may have earned their reputation as men dressing up and performing as women, but it is clear that this is a potent means of self-expression for them. The drag community continues to catch people’s attention with their exaggerated looks, extravagant attire, and phenomenal stage presence. They are people who remain immensely dedicated to their work, and the art of drag is undeniably admirable. Drag is more than a profession
Take a Break
Kim So-yeon
2019.05.07 14:40
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KOREA WAS recently shocked by the celebrity sex scandal involving Jung Jun-young, who had been discovered to have filmed and illegally distributed sex tapes of women. His lewd and lascivious conduct was displayed via screenshots of an online group chat, where he had publicly shared videos of his exploits. When the screenshots were released to the public, the blurred content of the photos and videos piqued many people’s curiosity. Consequently, rumors and videos spread like wildfire online as netizens continued to share and expose the victims’ identities. In doing so, however, they have failed
Opinion
Yoon Young-seo
2019.05.07 14:00
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“WE CAME to have dinner! It’s my brother’s birthday!” cried 11-year-old Jeon I-su, as she and her family were kicked out of her brother’s favorite restaurant which originally welcomed customers of all ages*. This unfortunate incident was caused by a rising phenomenon called “no kids zone.” Although it is understandable that some adults may not like to share the same spaces as children as they tend to cause a lot of noise, “no kids zones” should not be society’s answer to their minor inconveniences. What are “no kids zones?” First appearing in 2014,“no kids zones” are usually cafés or re
Opinion
Park Jae-ha
2019.05.07 13:51
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GERMAN PHILOSOPHER Friedrich Nietzsche once said, “In family life, love is the oil that eases friction, the cement that binds us closer together, and the music that brings us harmony.” As we grow older, families are what shape us and teach us the value of love. Along the way, we start to cherish our memories with them. Though we may also quarrel with our family, these memories too are precious when remembered later on. May, also called “the month of the family” in Korea, is the perfect time to explore Yonseians’ most heart-warming and cherished family moments. Kang Min-kyung (Soph., UIC, Compa
Voice on Campus
Cho Seung-wan
2019.05.07 13:00
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ONCE YOU are a part of the club, you are making a promise, not with yourself, not even with the club members, but with the kids. You will invite the kids on a colorful adventure, take their hands and lead them into a world of lively culture, art and music. Life is Art (LIA) is a student volunteer club at Yonsei University that focuses on non-academic volunteering with local elementary and middle school students. To find out how they lead their unique adventures, The Yonsei Annals interviewed Vice President Yang Seung-min (Soph., Dept. of Korean Language & Culture Education) and Secretary Choi
Behind the Scenes
Lee So-jung
2019.05.07 12:58
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NORTH KOREAN defectors that have left the state commonly tell stories of a perilous journey crossing the Chinese-North Korean border, through the Amnok River and another voyage through China. In seeking asylum in South Korea, some departed as a 10-year-old child and others left their family in the North. Upon arriving here, the defectors soon face another unexpected challenge: settling down in a similar yet completely different environment. Sabujak, the Yonseian-led podcast program by Project Jieum, invites North Korean defectors to speak about their experiences. These range from everyday cult
Behind the Scenes
Cho Seung-wan
2019.04.04 01:18
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EVERYDAY LIFE presents us with different challenges and dilemmas that some of us may not be able to deal with alone. Many of us choose to visit a psychotherapist who helps us with professional analysis and recuperation. What most of us don’t see from the therapy sessions is the tremendous amount of work that comes from being a psychotherapist. The Yonsei Annals sat down with Song Hyun-joo, a licensed clinical psychologist and current Professor at Seoul Women’s University’s Graduate School of Professional Therapeutic Technology, to uncover the work that goes on behind the scenes as a psychother
Career
Yoon Young-seo
2019.04.03 18:57
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WHAT ARE you willing to do for love? Some spend enormous amounts of money on materialistic goods, others take time off their day just to be with their partners. One man, however, knocks his partner unconscious and locks her up in a glass container when she announces that she will leave him. The Netflix series You puts charming and psychotic together to make one murderous stalker who will do anything to secure his love. The majority of the internet is head-over-heels for Joe Goldberg, an awkward bookstore manager who falls in love with struggling writer Guinevere Beck. While he seems dependable
Opinion
Kim So-yeon
2019.04.03 18:50
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“DEAR USER, according to the photos you have sent us, you have excess fat in your upper lid that is causing your skin to droop... the hooked shape of your nose may cause you to appear older than your age. Fixing these will cost you about ₩3.5 million*.” This is the kind of evaluation you can expect to receive when you upload your photo on a plastic surgery app. Not only does this app save you time from going to an actual clinic, but it takes just a few minutes to inform you of what is “wrong” with your face. The Korean beauty standard is relentless like that. You are beautiful if you have big
Opinion
Lee So-jung
2019.04.03 18:41
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SPRING HAS officially arrived. Pleasant winds awaken all life hidden from the sharp cold of winter, and cherry blossoms fill the air with a subtle pink hue. However, with the mid-terms just around the corner, I was stuck in the library all day, dying to take a break from all my books and notes. Luckily, I found a way to enjoy a short trip, through the blue bus 710. Stopping in front of the Yonsei University Main Gate, this cobalt vehicle happens to pass by several landmarks close to campus. Itching to embrace the warmth of April, I quickly scurried down Baekyang-ro, hopped on the 710, and emba
Travel Diary
Park Jae-ha
2019.04.03 18:37
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SPRING IS the season of love. In Korea, the month of March marks not only the beginning of a brand-new semester but also a collective hunt of those looking for their very own special someone. The college dating culture is a huge deal—the weekend plan of an average student consists of going to a meeting* or a cherry blossom date (or both), either for fun, or in hopes of starting something new. For freshmen, these events are a rite of passage. Whether you are actively looking, or waiting for fate to lead the way, you may have fantasized about your ideal type at some point. Be it the sharp
Voice on Campus
Kim Kyu-ri
2019.04.03 18:26