Underwood International College's official student-run newsmagazine since 2006
SINCHON, SEOUL, S. KOREA
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- The Pitfalls of Powerpoint Activism
It is no secret that social media has far proved its unfaltering relevance in our daily lives. For a majority of Generation Z users, social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Tik Tok have been the primary sources of their media consumption. In modern times, the popularity of digital activism, where people utilize the internet as a tool to incite social changes, has skyrocketed. At first glance, users’ access to content from all over the world through online platforms is what makes digital activism so appealing. It assures activists that their word on an issue has a very high potential to spread. The popularization of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement in the summer of 2020 marked a key shift in how social media users consume and create content regarding social justice. Vogue’s Yomi Adegoke describes a new approach to activism as the “‘pics or it didn’t happen’ approach to grief,” where if “you don’t document something online, it didn’t happen.” Apps allow us to foster an online persona showcased to the world, or at least your friends, and it is presumed that this persona resembles yourself outside the digital realm. The BLM movement proved how being publicly outspoken on social issues became a necessary factor in an individual’s online persona. Adegoke states, “silence online is now interpreted as silence full stop,” as if “you’re weak if you choose to contribute to causes quietly.” Online silence regarding social issues has become unacceptable. Under this trend of digital activism, silence can only mean that you are apathetic to issues — that you have the privilege to be apathetic. Because the user does not want to be characterized in this light, they post. But a new problem arises: what will they fill their feed with to depict to the world that they are indeed a socially conscious and educated individual? During the summer of 2020, many posted the clip of George Floyd’s death. This incited extreme backlash as the clips fueled further trauma in Black communities. Now that trauma porn has become a digital faux pas, the next trend is “PowerPoint Activism.” Vox News explains the Instagram phenomenon as “bite-sized squares of information,” utilizing the app’s 10-image carousel feature to spread awareness on social issues. These slideshows are usually designed with aesthetics in mind, for the creator’s intent is to make the issue approachable to the masses. The most popular of such accounts would be Jess Natale’s @so.informed. Natale features muted cream and pink-toned infographics favored amongst millennial women to draw the apolitical into conversations. The account has garnered over two million followers and covers a plethora of social topics, from mental health to systemic racism. However, it is not only popular figures who are creating these slides. Any user with a Canvas account and an eye for typecast fonts can create similar posts. Reposting these infographics on your Instagram story is now the simple yet chic way to prove that you are doing your part as an activist. “PowerPoint activism,” however, is intended to simplify social issues to make them accessible to the masses. This translates into the deletion of nuance regarding complex topics. There is only so little information that can fit into the ten slides allotted for these infographics, and there is often bias in what is shared. Take, for example, the Israel and Palestine conflict that “trended” on the internet after the violence that took place this May. The 100-year-old conflict had to be digestible for the average consumer, resulting in Instagram feeds flooding with dark-green colored slideshows of incorrect information or one-dimensional takes. The captions of these kinds of posts usually include the phrase “why is no one talking about...,” which further trivializes the complex history behind social justice issues. The slides’ structure and its catering to the uninformed remove most contextual nuances, leading to unproductive conversations. Furthermore, because appearing socially conscious or “woke” has become a trend, these infographics serve as short-term solutions with no space for deeper internal reflection by the user. Participating in activism indicates that individuals are taking time to internally deconstruct their own biased opinions and educate themselves on the matter. However, “PowerPoint activism” has made it easy to expect to be spoon-fed information and opinion on controversial issues. Posts intended to supply preliminary information have turned into means for reposting and moving on to the next trending topic. Indeed, social media proves to be efficient in spreading awareness when a conflict arises, but it simultaneously diminishes the importance and severity of social justice matters.
- This Artist Will Blow Your Mind
Create a blog post subtitle that summarizes your post in a few short, punchy sentences and entices your audience to continue reading. Welcome to your blog post. Use this space to connect with your readers and potential customers in a way that’s current and interesting. Think of it as an ongoing conversation where you can share updates about business, trends, news, and more. “Do you have a design in mind for your blog? Whether you prefer a trendy postcard look or you’re going for a more editorial style blog - there’s a stunning layout for everyone.” You’ll be posting loads of engaging content, so be sure to keep your blog organized with Categories that also allow visitors to explore more of what interests them. Create Relevant Content Writing a blog is a great way to position yourself as an authority in your field and captivate your readers’ attention. Do you want to improve your site’s SEO ranking? Consider topics that focus on relevant keywords and relate back to your website or business. You can also add hashtags (#vacation #dream #summer) throughout your posts to reach more people, and help visitors search for relevant content. Blogging gives your site a voice, so let your business’ personality shine through. Choose a great image to feature in your post or add a video for extra engagement. Are you ready to get started? Simply create a new post now.
- 5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Getting Married
Create a blog post subtitle that summarizes your post in a few short, punchy sentences and entices your audience to continue reading. Welcome to your blog post. Use this space to connect with your readers and potential customers in a way that’s current and interesting. Think of it as an ongoing conversation where you can share updates about business, trends, news, and more. “Do you have a design in mind for your blog? Whether you prefer a trendy postcard look or you’re going for a more editorial style blog - there’s a stunning layout for everyone.” You’ll be posting loads of engaging content, so be sure to keep your blog organized with Categories that also allow visitors to explore more of what interests them. Create Relevant Content Writing a blog is a great way to position yourself as an authority in your field and captivate your readers’ attention. Do you want to improve your site’s SEO ranking? Consider topics that focus on relevant keywords and relate back to your website or business. You can also add hashtags (#vacation #dream #summer) throughout your posts to reach more people, and help visitors search for relevant content. Blogging gives your site a voice, so let your business’ personality shine through. Choose a great image to feature in your post or add a video for extra engagement. Are you ready to get started? Simply create a new post now.
- Paris: Secrets Only The Locals Can Tell You
Create a blog post subtitle that summarizes your post in a few short, punchy sentences and entices your audience to continue reading. Welcome to your blog post. Use this space to connect with your readers and potential customers in a way that’s current and interesting. Think of it as an ongoing conversation where you can share updates about business, trends, news, and more. “Do you have a design in mind for your blog? Whether you prefer a trendy postcard look or you’re going for a more editorial style blog - there’s a stunning layout for everyone.” You’ll be posting loads of engaging content, so be sure to keep your blog organized with Categories that also allow visitors to explore more of what interests them. Create Relevant Content Writing a blog is a great way to position yourself as an authority in your field and captivate your readers’ attention. Do you want to improve your site’s SEO ranking? Consider topics that focus on relevant keywords and relate back to your website or business. You can also add hashtags (#vacation #dream #summer) throughout your posts to reach more people, and help visitors search for relevant content. Blogging gives your site a voice, so let your business’ personality shine through. Choose a great image to feature in your post or add a video for extra engagement. Are you ready to get started? Simply create a new post now.
- Best Podcasts to Listen to When Traveling
Create a blog post subtitle that summarizes your post in a few short, punchy sentences and entices your audience to continue reading. Welcome to your blog post. Use this space to connect with your readers and potential customers in a way that’s current and interesting. Think of it as an ongoing conversation where you can share updates about business, trends, news, and more. “Do you have a design in mind for your blog? Whether you prefer a trendy postcard look or you’re going for a more editorial style blog - there’s a stunning layout for everyone.” You’ll be posting loads of engaging content, so be sure to keep your blog organized with Categories that also allow visitors to explore more of what interests them. Create Relevant Content Writing a blog is a great way to position yourself as an authority in your field and captivate your readers’ attention. Do you want to improve your site’s SEO ranking? Consider topics that focus on relevant keywords and relate back to your website or business. You can also add hashtags (#vacation #dream #summer) throughout your posts to reach more people, and help visitors search for relevant content. Blogging gives your site a voice, so let your business’ personality shine through. Choose a great image to feature in your post or add a video for extra engagement. Are you ready to get started? Simply create a new post now.
- 5 Pizza Places You Must Know
Create a blog post subtitle that summarizes your post in a few short, punchy sentences and entices your audience to continue reading. Welcome to your blog post. Use this space to connect with your readers and potential customers in a way that’s current and interesting. Think of it as an ongoing conversation where you can share updates about business, trends, news, and more. Design with Ease “Do you have a design in mind for your blog? Whether you prefer a trendy postcard look or you’re going for a more editorial style blog - there’s a stunning layout for everyone.” Every layout comes with the latest social features built in. Readers will be able to easily share posts on social networks like Facebook and Twitter, view how many people have liked a post, made comments and more. With Wix, building your online community has never been easier. Create Relevant Content You’ll be posting loads of engaging content, so be sure to keep your blog organized with Categories that also allow readers to explore more of what interests them. Each category of your blog has its own page that’s fully customizable. Add a catchy title, a brief description and a beautiful image to the category page header to truly make it your own. You can also add tags (#vacation #dream #summer) throughout your posts to reach more people, and help readers search for relevant content. Using hashtags can expand your post reach and help people find the content that matters to them. Go ahead, #hashtag away. Stun Your Readers “Be original, show off your style, and tell your story.” Blogging gives your site a voice, so let your business’ personality shine through. Are you a creative agency? Go wild with original blog posts about recent projects, cool inspirational ideas, or what your company culture is like. Add images, and videos to really spice it up, and pepper it with slang to keep readers interested. Are you a programmer? Stay on the more technical side by offering weekly tips, tricks, and hacks that show off your knowledge of the industry. No matter what type of business you have, one thing is for sure - blogging gives your business the opportunity to be heard in a way in a different and unconventional way. Get Inspired To keep up with all things Wix, including website building tips and interesting articles, head over to the Wix Blog. You may even find yourself inspired to start crafting your own blog, adding unique content, and stunning images and videos. Start creating your own blog now. Good luck!
- Project: UIC Snapshots (ft. Seoyeon Park)
Interview with Seoyeon Park, Economics major, class of 2020. Would you consider yourself a believer in fate? I honestly can’t say for sure if I am a believer in fate or not. I don’t believe in fate theories or the concept of people having their futures determined from birth. Rather, I think one makes one’s own fate. However, at the same time, I do think there might be something beyond your free-will in your life, because certain circumstances or certain people you meet along your life journey is not something you can choose. People of the 21st century might have lived a completely different life if it weren’t for COVID-19, but if, by any chance, one has made some critical life decisions that he might not have made because of this pandemic, maybe that was his fate after all. As "Class of Corona," how have you been holding up for the last few semesters? I would be lying if I said it was okay. I definitely had better days in my life, and I admit – it was quite hard. I struggled with covid-blue and loneliness, which struck me regardless of the number of friends I had. But looking back now, I think it was a precious time in my life where I got the chance to get to know myself better and be reminded of the importance of the people around me. Now, I can confidently say I’ve perfectly adapted to this new norm and am living a very wholesome, busy life! If your life was a movie, what genre(s) would it be? Comedy. My life is pretty fun, and I find myself laughing all the time. It’s not because I’m doing something really interesting or fun all the time. In fact, my lifestyle pattern is pretty mundane, but the people around me and the conversations we share put a smile onto my face whenever I think back on them. Laughter out of the ordinary – I think this is pure comedy.
- Movies That Need to Be Seen on the Big Screen
Create a blog post subtitle that summarizes your post in a few short, punchy sentences and entices your audience to continue reading. Welcome to your blog post. Use this space to connect with your readers and potential customers in a way that’s current and interesting. Think of it as an ongoing conversation where you can share updates about business, trends, news, and more. Design with Ease “Do you have a design in mind for your blog? Whether you prefer a trendy postcard look or you’re going for a more editorial style blog - there’s a stunning layout for everyone.” Every layout comes with the latest social features built in. Readers will be able to easily share posts on social networks like Facebook and Twitter, view how many people have liked a post, made comments and more. With Wix, building your online community has never been easier. Create Relevant Content You’ll be posting loads of engaging content, so be sure to keep your blog organized with Categories that also allow readers to explore more of what interests them. Each category of your blog has its own page that’s fully customizable. Add a catchy title, a brief description and a beautiful image to the category page header to truly make it your own. You can also add tags (#vacation #dream #summer) throughout your posts to reach more people, and help readers search for relevant content. Using hashtags can expand your post reach and help people find the content that matters to them. Go ahead, #hashtag away. Stun Your Readers “Be original, show off your style, and tell your story.” Blogging gives your site a voice, so let your business’ personality shine through. Are you a creative agency? Go wild with original blog posts about recent projects, cool inspirational ideas, or what your company culture is like. Add images, and videos to really spice it up, and pepper it with slang to keep readers interested. Are you a programmer? Stay on the more technical side by offering weekly tips, tricks, and hacks that show off your knowledge of the industry. No matter what type of business you have, one thing is for sure - blogging gives your business the opportunity to be heard in a way in a different and unconventional way. Get Inspired To keep up with all things Wix, including website building tips and interesting articles, head over to the Wix Blog. You may even find yourself inspired to start crafting your own blog, adding unique content, and stunning images and videos. Start creating your own blog now. Good luck!
- Project: U Review (ft. Kkai Restaurant)
Location: Hop on the subway's line number two from Sinchon station. Get off at Ewha University station, and go out through the second gate. Just four minutes' walk away from the station. Good: The best restaurants don't have a lot of dishes to begin with. In fact, the very best of them often come with only one menu, their signature. Kkai is not an exception to this rule. There's only one menu—the Singaporean chicken rice—and only one option, which is just a size-up option for the aforementioned chicken rice. The chicken is tender and the flavour rich enough. What's more, there is a lot of chicken as the picture shows. Definitely worth the money. The size-up option is highly recommended. Meh: Expect lots and lots of waiting. The place is small and is already well-known amongst Ewha students. The best way to avoid queuing is - guess what! - waiting for the place to open at 11AM, which is, in a sense, still a form of queuing. The seats are not the most comfortable, and there's not much space to move around. But the chicken rice makes the wait more than worthwhile, so do give it a try.
- Project: UIC Snapshots (ft. Leonie Pai)
An interview with Leonie Pai, Class of 2021.5. What has been the biggest culture shock you’ve experienced since coming to Korea? Nothing was really that shocking, because I’ve been to Asia before and I knew what I was getting myself into. Though what stood out to me were the people - who I thought would be more foreigner-friendly here. Not to mention that taxi drivers here are wild. What are you most looking forward to for your second semester at UIC? Hopefully going back to in-person classes, potentially having a roommate. Just living the real college life. Right now the restrictions, especially in the dorms, make everything feel dull. If you had to choose a song that best represents your life right now, what would it be and why? I think it would have to be “We Are” by ONE OK ROCK. The song is about how external influences always look down on others’ achievements, and how we as individuals have to stand up for ourselves and show people what we are capable of. There’s a line that goes: “They think we are made up of all our failures” and I can apply that line to myself. The song reminds me that I eventually have to get through everything and that I will, but the biggest challenge to overcome is what the voice in my head says.
- Project: U Review (ft. Cafe Yoho)
Location: Cafe Yoho is situated at an intersection, twelve minutes by foot from Hongdae Station, one stop away from Sinchon Station. The cafe has three stories, with the second floor being their brunch cafe, and the third floor, a gallery. The first floor is the main cafe area, where you can find all sorts of seating and outlets for visitors to plug in and work the day away. Good: The cafe has a modern industrial design, with the high ceiling being left open to expose the pipes which have all been painted or coated in black. Statement pieces contrast the industrial design, with bright colors and various lamp structures on both the ceiling and the ground. The cafe is also a bakery, and their baked pieces are on display as you walk into the store. There are plenty of seats to choose from, whether you would like to sit perched up on a stool, at a table for two (round or square), or at the long workspace bench in the middle of the room - complete with two to three electrical outlets so your laptop doesn’t die on you as you work. Lots of students, artists and freelancers come in to work for hours at a time, making the environment more suitable for long study sessions. Meh: The music at the cafe is slightly loud and may not suit your taste, so make sure to bring some earphones. It is a somewhat silent workspace during the day, so if you want to come here for group work or to hangout with friends, make sure to come closer to the evening. There is a limited amount of electrical outlets depending on where you are seated.
- Top 5 Items Under 20$ I Can't Live Without
Create a blog post subtitle that summarizes your post in a few short, punchy sentences and entices your audience to continue reading. Welcome to your blog post. Use this space to connect with your readers and potential customers in a way that’s current and interesting. Think of it as an ongoing conversation where you can share updates about business, trends, news, and more. “Do you have a design in mind for your blog? Whether you prefer a trendy postcard look or you’re going for a more editorial style blog - there’s a stunning layout for everyone.” You’ll be posting loads of engaging content, so be sure to keep your blog organized with Categories that also allow visitors to explore more of what interests them. Create Relevant Content Writing a blog is a great way to position yourself as an authority in your field and captivate your readers’ attention. Do you want to improve your site’s SEO ranking? Consider topics that focus on relevant keywords and relate back to your website or business. You can also add hashtags (#vacation #dream #summer) throughout your posts to reach more people, and help visitors search for relevant content. Blogging gives your site a voice, so let your business’ personality shine through. Choose a great image to feature in your post or add a video for extra engagement. Are you ready to get started? Simply create a new post now.