Housewarming Gifts in U.S.A and Korea!

Have you ever been to housewarming parties? If you do, you might go there with presents that celebrate people's new houses! Interestingly, one of DSKUSSS members want to share what differences are there between the housewarming gifts in Korea and the one in the states. If you have any thoughts or comments, anything is welcome :-) Please comment your opinions!

Housewarming Gifts in U.S.A and Korea!

Jungwon Lee

Dept. of Global Studies

Pusan National University

Have you ever been to a housewarming party to your relatives or friends? A housewarming party is traditionally held around the world when one is moving into a new residence. It is an occasion for the hosts to present their new home to their friends and for friends to give gifts to furnish the new home. It could be an exciting moment to visit a new house! Then, what would be the traditional housewarming gifts in U.S. and Korea?

First, there are lots of traditional housewarming gifts that people in the U.S. prepare. Bread, salt, sugar, wine, honey, a broom, a coin and a candle. Bread means ‘never know hunger’, giving salt and sugar means ‘I hope your life may always have flavor and sweetness’. Wine symbolizes the hope that joy and prosperity may reign forever, and honey has a similar meaning to sugar. Giving a broom means ‘I hope your home may always be clean’ or ‘I hope you sweep away any evil and bad luck’. Coin means good fortune, and candle means always having light and happiness.   

However, in Korea, people usually give toilet papers, laundry detergents, or matchboxes to hosts. We can say that these three are traditional housewarming party gifts in Korea. To explain the toilet papers and laundry detergents, it is said that when Korea was a poor country, not many people could afford for toilet paper and detergent because these were too expensive. Also, in Korea, because it is said that the lengths of the sheets of toilet paper and the bubbles produced by the detergent represent prosperity, many Koreans buy these two without any hesitation. Also, the matchbox is the symbol of brightness, so that people who newly moved will always live in brightness.

Like these, there are so many housewarming gifts that contain deep meanings. However, nowadays, the trend is changing like buying other home appliances like a wall clock, coffee machine, or a flowerpot. What would be your choice? J

Finding meaningful and genuine relationships from experiences of cyber space - The ABC’s sitcom Selfie

Is there anyone who waits for an interesting writings written by DSKUSSS? DSKUSSS is back with an introduction of the interesting sitcom "Selfie." This sitcom is more worth watching since it contains the relationship between Social Network Service and the real life. If you have any thought to share regarding to this writing or sitcom, just let us know through the comments.

Finding meaningful and genuine relationships

from experiences of cyber space

-     The ABC’s sitcom Selfie

Yunzee Kim

Graduated Dongseo University

Media and Communicaion Studies

It is the era of Social Network Services. There are lots of sites that offer you SNS like Facebook, Twiiter, Instagram, Tumblr etc. These are used for people who want to be connected with others easily. This service is innovative since it shortens the difficulty of connecting, physical distance. However, it has bad influences too. Sometimes, people show their life to others with only edited pictures and edited life which make people feel jealous or timid. This feeling usually comes from the idea that everybody except me has happy life. Also, SNS is so fast that sometimes it makes the relationship shallow and fast.

ABC, the famous broadcasting station in the states, thinks that they should make a TV drama show that reflects the real society. So, they decided to make the sitcom called “Selfie.” That sitcom is showing the modern people are addicted to the SNS and they feel shallow on their life. However, it gives a lesson that if you try to find a true friend and true relationship it is possible. Even though people should use analogue methods usually. This sitcom tells that there is convenience of using digital methods but there are something genuine in analogue.

These facts are shown with the two main characters. The main woman character is so addicted to SNS. She usually gets a guy through SNS and she competes the number of followers with her acquaintance. Her relationship looks fast and glamorous to others. She also feels satisfied with her life since everyone feels jealous of her. Suddenly, one day, she realizes that this all thins is vain. So, she determines to change herself totally. Then, she meets her supervisor and someday-to-be friend the main man character. He does not know how to use SNS and he is obsessed with work. Shockingly, they are somewhat the opposite characters ever. However, as story goes on, they start to realize each other’s beauty and get closer. This process was described in a funny way but I think this sitcom gives us time to think about my real relationship and the influence of SNS. ABC’s decision not to keep making this show makes me sad but it is worth watching! 

Attractive Stories of Detectives in the TV show ‘The Closer’

DSKUSSS is back with an essay on TNT TV Show 'The Closer.' One of our members shares her thought on why this show is fun to watch. Take a look and let us know what you think on this show or this writing! DSKUSSS is happy to hear your opinions!

Attractive Stories of Detectives in the TV show ‘The Closer’

Yunzee Kim

Graduated from Dongseo University

Communication and Media Studies

             TNT is a famous cable channel in the states that produces interesting TV shows. One of TV shows that I loved to watch is ‘The Closer.’ It is about the story of LAPD. One female boss came to the LAPD and her team members were struggling to get adjusted. The team’s specialty was to get a murderer especially when people think the crime is a major crime hard to solve. At first, her team members dislike the female detective, the main character, Brenda Leigh Johnson. That is because she is a female and she came from other organization not LAPA. However, as the story goes, her ability to solve the crime is brilliant and the members embrace her as their true supervisor. Due to this story, people can get a glimpse of how hard it is to survive at work as a woman.

             Each episode of the show has one crime to solve and several crimes are solved through more than two episodes or seasons. Unlike other mystery or crime solving TV drama show, this is focusing on one investigating how the crime happens and why it happens by getting confession from the suspect. Brenda is really good at getting confession since she knows how to crack the suspect’s mind psychologically. When people see Brenda in the interview room getting the suspect broken down, they feel somehow pleasure. People usually love when the justice gets its place. The interesting point of the interview of Brenda is sometimes she is so eager to make justice happen that she does wrong ethically. That point gives viewers a chance to think about what is the best way of making justice.

Also, each character’s life in the show has been shown too in many episodes. Each character is attractive. Especially, the detective Provenza and Flynn are an excellent pair of making fun. Even though their clumsy investigation and behavior sometimes make trouble in solving the crime, they are lovely to watch. There are even more reasons to watch this show but I will stop this from here. If you watch it, you can find the fun of guessing how the story goes and feeling closer to the fascinating characters.

A Super Positive Woman Ever from TV show “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”

One of DSKUSSS members love to watch TV sitcom shows. She found one great show to watch and she wants to share the story a little bit and tries to explain why she is into it. Read this writing and let us know what you think of this sitcom! We are welcome to any comments :-)

A Super Positive Woman Ever

from TV show “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”

Yunzee Kim

Graduated from Dongseo University

Communication and Media Studies

A new TV sitcom came up in 2015. In the show, there is a super positive and fun women who try to keep having hope no matter how she has been through tough situations. Her name is Kimmy Schmidt who left the miserable life in Indiana state and moves in New York. When she was in Indiana, she was kidnaped by a cray cult leader who insisted the doomsday of the world is coming soon. Then, she kept living her life in a bunker of a basement for 15 years. Whenever she wanted to go out, the leader warned her that the world has been vanished and they should live in the bunker forever. Luckily, after the 15 years, the rescue team who has looked for this woman and other missing people found them and Kimmy finally saw the sunlight. From then, the media could not get their eyes off them, they called them “mole women”, and all people in American felt pity for them. Since Kimmy is very positive and independent, she abandoned all the life in Indiana and decided to start over her life in a new place, New York.

The episodes of season 1 deals with how she lives in the new world. Since she is innocent and positive, she turns typical New Yorkers who only cares about themselves into better people that cares other people. Her roommate and her employer were selfish and only cared about their life. However, they started to involve Kimmy’s life as the episode goes. The episodes are full of fun and ironical situations and these make people laugh and smile. If you want to know how a positive person can change the world, this TV show could give you a clue! Please enjoy it!

Giving Tips in America

It is unfamiliar for Korean to give a tip when you go to restaurants or beauty salons etc. However, in the states, there is culture that gives a tip when you get a service. Please read this and get some tips on how to pay the tip in the states! Let us know, if you have any thoughts or opinions through comments!

Giving Tips in America

Jungwon Lee

Dept. of Global Studies

Pusan National University

Whenever Koreans travel U.S. and dine in nice restaurants, most people worry, thinking ‘After finishing my meal, how much tips should I give to the waiter or the cashier?’

A tip, also called a gratuity, is a sum of money customarily tendered, in addition to the basic price for a service performed or anticipated. Tipping is a widely practiced social custom in the U.S. It is known that the practice of tipping began in Tudor England. By the 17^th century, it was expected that overnight guests to private homes would provide sums of money to the host’s servants. Soon afterwards, customers began tipping in London coffeehouses and other commercial establishments.

Tipping by definition is voluntary. In restaurants offering traditional table service, a tip of 15% of the amount of a customer’s check is customary when good service is provided. Higher tips may be given for excellent service, and lower tips for mediocre service. Some restaurants kindly show how much tips should the customers voluntarily pay. However, if it is not indicated, people should calculate the tips by his or her own and that could be annoying. In the case of bad or rude service, no tip may be given and the restaurant manager may be notified of the problem. Tips are also generally given for service provided in golf courses, casino, hotels, concierge, food delivery, taxis, spa and salons. This etiquette applies to bar service at weddings and any other event where one is a guest as well. The host should provide appropriate tips to workers at the end of an event; the amount may be negotiated in the contract.

Well, Tipping culture is new to us Koreans because we just pay what says on the bill. So Koreans might get a little bit stingy when giving tips. However, in America, when we don’t add tips, we would be easily regarded as cheapskates. Some servers who work in American restaurants may behave rudely to Koreans because they know that the tipping culture do not exist in Korea. On the other hand, some cities in the U.S. tried to implement the ‘no tipping policy’. They changed their former tipping policies by charging 15% higher prices to cover paying higher wages to staff. Also, they informed their customers that they don’t need to leave extra at the end of their meal.

 

Tipping culture in America is difficult to catch up, and sometimes it is hard to understand. However, like the old saying “When in Rome, do as the Romans do” indicates, it would be best if we accept one of the U.S. culture and be smart travelers!  

American Classes in My Room; Coursera

Are you interested in MOOC? If you are, you maybe heard "Coursera". This is one of the biggest MOOC sites. If you aren't, you can know what it is through this writing. One of DSKUSSS members explains why this site is convenient to use. Please, read this and let us know what you are thinking through the comments!

American Classes in My Room; Coursera

Soeun Kim

Pusan National University

Polymer Science and Engineering

Have you ever imagined that you are taking popular classes in U.S with famous professors? You might think it is only in your dream. However, there is one way to make your dream real. Coursera, one of the MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) sites, can let you bring the American campus into your own room. Coursera is a pro-profit company that offers MOOC, and works with universities to make some of their courses available online. You can take courses from Harvard, Princeton, Wharton and so on, which are considered as foremost schools.
   This brilliant site, the Coursera was founded in 2012, by computer science professors Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller from Stanford University. At first, Coursera had few lectures, but now, they provide more than thousands courses and have over 13 million users from 190 countries.

Even there are many users, as the Coursera is based on online services, it would be hard to motivate and maintain the users who take the courses. However, it is said that the users are consistently motivated in the Coursera. How? There is a huge difference among other online lecture sites, “Certification system”. They give the option to pay a fee to join the “Signature Track”. Students on the signature track can receive verified certificates, if they take all of the courses, quizzes and other assignments. This system can make students self-motivated, as they can get certification by participation to the courses.

Through the Coursera, you can take any courses you want. You can learn Marketing from Wharton, Humanities from Harvard, or Thermodynamics from MIT. I believe that the Coursera made a campus without borders. At the same time, they made another way of educational opportunity. Why don’t you try to catch this great chance? Turn on the Coursera, and bring the world campus into your room!  

The Last Lecture, Commencement Speech

One of DSKUSSS members brought a new article on the commencement speech! University students in the states usually graduate on May and June. So, on these months, lots of commencement speeches come out to the world. Some of them will be remembered as a master piece! Now is the time to listen to our member's thought! If you have any comments on it, feel free to share your ideas!

The Last Lecture, Commencement Speech

Soeun Kim

Pusan National University

Polymer Science and Engineering

May and June are the time of graduation in the U.S. At this time of the year, hotels around the school are fully reserved of students’ family.

However, there is one more popular ceremony in graduation day, the commencement speech. It is a speech given to graduating students, generally at a university. A commencement speech is typically given by a notable figure in the community, during the commencement exercise. The person giving such a speech is known as a commencement speaker. Very commonly, colleges or universities will invite politicians, important citizens, or other noted speakers to come and address the graduating class. Then, why is the speech popular?

 This is not because the speakers are popular or famous, but the speech itself can be a compass of the life not only for the graduating students, but also others. The speakers who come from many fields tell us their wisdom of life, and encourage us to do something. They tell us not their success, rather, the failures they made. The students can learn some lessons from their failures and how they overcome the adversities. That is why the commencement speech is considered as the last lecture of school.

There are lots of good commencement speeches. Many times, they were the lighthouse for people, and touched them. For example, at the Stanford University in 2005, Steve Jobs made a speech for the graduating students. He emphasized, “Stay hungry, stay foolish.” This sentence became popular over the society and moved the people.

The graduation is very important for the graduating students as now they have to move out to the “real world”. Before the one step to reality, the last lecture of the school could be their supporter of great helps. 

Drinking Culture: How’s the Difference between the U.S. and South Korea?

Have you ever wondered how much different drinking cultures in Korea and states? Here is an article that one of DSKUSSS members wrote! Drinking cultures are also a way to understand another culture. This article makes you understand the differences! Also feel free to share you thoughts on this through comments.

Drinking Culture: How’s the Difference between the U.S. and South Korea?

Jungwon Lee

Dept. of Global Studies

 Pusan National University

             

Saying or hearing a sentence “Let’s have a drink!” is not at all unfamiliar. Good news is often celebrated by a group of people having a few drinks, and when people are highly stressed, they try to get rid of their stress by drinking nice can of cold beer. An American pianist, comedian, and actor Oscar Levant once said, “I envy people who drink. Al least they have something to blame everything on.” Buying someone a drink is a gesture of goodwill because it may be an expression of gratitude, or it may mark the resolution of a dispute. Like this, the culture of drinking is a huge part of our lives since a very long time. However, especially in this webzine, the difference of drinking culture between the U.S. and South Korea will be explained.

The U.S. is a country of strict rules on alcohol. If one goes to the market to buy liquor, he or she has to prove their identification that th

ey are over 21 years old. This is because of adolescences’ numerous eventful accidents. However, in some states, alcohols are allowed under 21 only for medical purposes. Thus, the U.S. is very sensitive about the alcohol issue, and penalties are also very strict. On the other hand, in South Korea, people can buy alcohol when they are 19 years old or over.  

Another characteristic is that in the U.S., the amount of liquor that can be sold to one person and the area allowed to drink is restricted, especially strong drinks like vodka or tequila. Because U.S. is such a big country, the alcohol laws are different from state to state, but for example, if one does not abide by the law in Illinois, then he or she may go to jail for a year or could be fined up to $2500 or more. However, South Korea is more generous in this area. The allowed amount of drinks that can be sold is not limited, and people can drink almost at any place where they do not give harm to others.

Lastly, Koreans usually drink outside with their colleagues and friends. Many Koreans dine and drink alcohol together after they have finished their work or classes. Also, university students go to MT(membership training) every semester and make new friends during playing games and drinking. Koreans mostly drink soju(a distilled Korean beverage containing ethanol and water) and beer. However, Americans usually invite their friends or neighbors to their houses, and enjoy drinking at home.

We can’t say which country’s drinking culture is better or not. Most people from both countries enjoy drinking, and they also developed their own style of drinking. They also know that too much drinking affects their health and can lead to serious diseases like liver cancer. Thus, cheers to a healthy and fun drinking culture!   

Lessons from Leslie Knope and Sheryl Sandburg: By Watching ‘Parks and Recreation’

The TV sitcom show, 'Parks and Recreation', stimulates one of DSKUSSS members. She loves to share her feeling and thought on this show with you. Let's see what she learned from the show! Please let us know your thoughts through comments. Enjoy reading! :-)

Lessons from Leslie Knope and Sheryl Sandburg:

By Watching ‘Parks and Recreation’

Yunzee Kim

Graduated from Dongseo University

Communication and Media Studies

The sitcom of ‘Parks and Recreation’ is fun. However, it also gives you a lesson. Especially, if you are a woman, you can understand what I mean. The main character, Leslie Knope, is a government officer who works at the Parks and Recreation department of Pawnee. Ever since she started to work, she has been through lots of ups and downs. Sometimes, she meets good people who continue being her friend for the life time. From time to time, she fights all matters like financial problems and lack of interests by citizens in Pawnee, it is hard to make the project related to parks real. These situations are exaggerated by her friends who are so wired and dramatic all the time and these make viewers laugh. Through 7 seasons, she has become the national politician, friend, mother, and wife.

Leslie is passionate and confident. This character naturally reminded me of Sheryl Sandburg who is the CFO of Facebook. Sheryl is well-known for her passions on the women issues, specifically gender equality. Sheryl and Leslie have several things in common. They are so passionate on what they want to do. They seem not to know the word ‘give-up.’ When they face some issues, they are eager to find the way to solve the problem. Also, they share what they think with friends, families, co-workers. It means that Leslie and Sheryl make sure their idea be understood by their friends. So, they start to make supporters who help them do a job. Then, they solve the problem and share the victory with the people they love and care. These process keeps me think how I should do when I get a job as a woman.

The situations comedy seems to give us only laugh but this is not true. In the sitcoms, many precious lessons that people should know exist. In the “Parks and Recreation”, I am so happy to say that I could learn how to be a successful and happy woman. Hey, girls (also boys)! If you have time and if you want to be like Leslie or Sheryl, start to watch this show. It will give you tremendous wisdom for your life. I bet You would not regret!

DSKUSSS Webzine from Paris: Cliché on France regarding Speaking English

One of our members went to France as an exchange student. Since she really loves to share her thoughts in there and she sent DSKUSSS a piece of writing in a letter format. She was especially surprised at the fluency of French people's English speaking. What a interesting! Read this and share your thoughts through comments. Also, thank you Hyunji Yoo for your love and care toward DSKUSSS.

DSKUSSS Webzine from Paris:

Cliché on France regarding Speaking English

Hyunji Yoo

Global Studies

Pusan National University

Greetings from the city of light and love, Paris! It’s not just because I was a president of DSKUSSS before, I feel a huge love and passion whenever I think about DSKUSSS. Plus, I feel grateful to say hello to all DSKUSSS members and fans of DSKUSSS.

Before I arrived at the ground of Paris, I have been heard a lot of times that French people only speak French. Since I was not confident in my French, I was almost afraid of my life here even before it started. “Je sais pas! (I don’t know)” was my premier idea on France and French in general. However, this typical cliché on French was destroyed as I live here mingling with French friends. So far, I’ve never had a serious problem because of the language – of course, there exist some exceptions in the supermarket and my accommodation though. Beyond my first expectation, they have spoken English pretty well.

Throwback my past experiences with them, I think I would be more fluent in French if they could not speak English. Unfortunately, I could not achieve my original purpose to be like a Native French speaker but I at least knew how much they have passion to have a willingness to communicate through English. They recognize English as a global language and feel it as a necessary, or mandatory to live out in this century.

If you have been hesitant to visit France or European countries due to linguistic problems, forget about it and just come! Like my stereotype on France was broken down, you will fully enjoy the culture itself.

Childhood Obesity in the U.S.A

Have you ever heard of the campaign "Let's move"? This campaign started by the idea of Michelle Obama, the First Lady of the states, and it is about being healthy. One of DSKUSSS members shares her idea on child obesity. If you have any interesting thought, please let us know through the comments.

Childhood Obesity in the U.S.A

Jungwon Lee

Pusan National University

Dept. of Global Studies

 “In the end, as First Lady, this isn’t just a policy issue for me. This is a passion. This is my mission. I’m determined to work with folks across this country to change the way a generation of kids thinks about food and nutrition.”

Several years ago, Unites States’ First Lady Michelle Obama announced an ambitious national goal of solving the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation so that children born today will reach adulthood at a healthy weight and unveiled a nationwide campaign-Let’s Move-to help achieve it. The Let’s Move campaign is combating the epidemic of childhood obesity through a comprehensive approach that builds on effective strategies, and mobilizes public and private sector resources. The campaign engaged every sector impacting the health of children to achieve the national goal, and is providing schools, families and communities simple tools to help kids be more active, eat better, and get healthy.

Over the past three decades, childhood obesity rates in America have tripled, and today, nearly one in three children in America are overweight or obese. One third of all children born in 2000 or later will suffer from diabetes at some point in their lives; many others will face chronic obesity-related health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, and asthma. The health care costs of obesity are skyrocketing, and this epidemic also impacts the nation’s security, as obesity is now one of the most common disqualifiers for military service. The main reason of this rising childhood obesity in United States is the eating habits. As more Americans are seeking convenience, they are eating lots of fast food and junk food, and individualism has increased the couch potatoes. This trend went down straight to children.  

Hopefully, there are several attempts to prevent the obesity danger of children in America by the campaign ‘Let’s move’. Schools are trying to serve healthier food in cafeterias because Administration is reauthorizing the Child Nutrition Act, investing additional 10 billion dollars over ten years starting in 2011 to improve the quality of the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program. With this investment, additional fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products are now served in schools. Another attempt is helping parents make healthy family choices because parents play a key role in making healthy choices for their children. The American Academy of Pediatrics is writing a prescription for parents laying out the simple things they can do to increase healthy eating and active play. The fact that the Unites States is concerned about childhood obesity and trying to solve their problems is fortunate.

Pioneers of the American West (From the TV series ‘Little House on the Prairie’)

Have you ever watched the show "Little House on the Prairie"? This show gives us a chance to look at the life of early Americans who settled down in the America and started to adapt to life in there. One of our members want to share her thoughts on this show and the life of early Americans. Let us know what you think through the comments.

Pioneers of the American West

(From the TV series ‘Little House on the Prairie’)

Jungwon Lee

Pusan National University

Dept. of Global Studies

Charles Ingalls spends his time mostly on the farm, plowing and carpentering because he has to make a living for his big family. Caroline Ingalls takes control in housework, like cooking for workers outside, making clothes, and nurturing children. A little girl, Laura and her siblings always go to school, and they learn from one teacher, because the school is small sized. Also, on Sundays, every family meets together in town church and hold meetings.

The ‘Little House on the Prairie’ is a media franchise that started with a series of children’s books by Laura Ingalls Wilder that were originally published between 1932 and 1943. The book has nine series, ‘Little house in the big woods’, ‘Little house on the prairie’, ‘On the banks of plum creek’, ‘By the shores of silver lake’, ‘The long winter’, ‘Little town on the prairie’, ‘These happy golden years’, and ‘The first four years’. The Author, Laura Ingalls Wilder put her real story as a pioneer’s daughter in this book series. It is based on many-decade-old memories of her childhood in the Midwest region of the United States during the late 19^th century. Although this book series were considered classics of American children’s literature, it was loved by numerous people around the world and grew to include television and stage adaptations. The book series and the dramas’ contents differ a little, but if you watch this television show, you can see the lives of pioneers living in the little town called ‘Walnut Grove’ closely.

Whenever we think of Pioneers of America, we think of horse operas, imagining cowboys with cowboy hats and riding horses with lightning speed. People think pioneers lived their lives splendidly, but that’s just looking at the surface of it. In fact, pioneers’ lives were hard and toilsome because they were settlers who were new to the American land. After moving to America from Europe, they started their lives on barren land. They tried to adapt to the new environment they were living in, and they planted crops and raised livestock. Although their lives were hard because they sometimes had tensions with native Americans, had to endure cold blizzard, fought grasshopper attacks in summer, these pioneers lived with their families with love. Also, they had faith that they can make their lives better by working diligently.

To pioneer families, being friendly with their neighbors was big help because they didn’t get lonely and could get advice from each other on how to make living well. If you didn’t have a chance to watch this television series, don’t hesitate watching it! You will feel happiness, and warmth of many pioneer families.     

Why the Wall Street became the Wall Street?

Do you know why we call the Wall Street "Wall Street"? One of our members brings out one interesting article that explains you how the name "the Wall Street" showed up. Let us know how you think about it through comments! Any comments are welcome.

Why the Wall Street became the Wall Street? 

Soeun Kim

Pusan National University

Polymer Science and Engineering 

What can you imagine if you hear the "Wall Street"? Some might think of positive images like the center of the economy or the place that represents the capitalism. On the other hand, for the others, greed and corruption would come first in mind. The Wall Street, which is located in Manhattan, New York, is the street with concrete jungle formed by financial headquarters, stock markets, etc. Both economy booming and the great depression came from this Street. The Wall Street leads not only New York, but also the whole world. Then, how the Wall Street got the name "Wall Street"? 

About 400 years ago, Europe was in Imperialism. Strong countries like U.K, France, and Spain were trying to find new lands for their colonies. At that time, Holland, one of the rising countries in the trade business, also sought for new lands. Therefore, the Dutch found a small land in America, and established a new land named New Amsterdam that included Manhattan and Wall Street.As the trades expanded rapidly, New Amsterdam became a popular metropolis. At the same time, as the city became bigger, the government found out that organizing and keeping security were needed. Therefore, the government sent the soldier, "Peter Stuyvesant", who could govern the city and protect from other big countries’ invasion. He tried to make the city prosper and safe. So, he made regulations for public order and constructed the wall made of logs to protect the city from UK as it was adjacent. However, the UK invaded the New Amsterdam to expand their territory in the end. The New Amsterdam was captured, and as a result, the Duke York who was a brother of the King of UK became the ruler of the city. 

After that, the New Amsterdam changed the name to New York which was named after the DukeYork. However, the wall was preserved. So people named the street along the wall the Wall Street.The Wall Street now reaching for the outside of the world was once the wall to protect the inside from the outside.

The Secret of ‘Empire’ on the FOX Success

Recently, 'Empire' ,the TV show on the FOX channel, hit the U.S.A. Given that regional network systems are well-developed in the states, it is hard for TV show in the states to get a high ratings. However, this show 'Empire' was sensational online and it got better ratings as the shows went on. What do you think its secret? If you want to know, read this interesting article. One of DSKUSSS members analyzed the successful factors of this show. Let us know your thinking through the comments!

The Secret of ‘Empire’ on the FOX Success

Yunzee Kim

Graduated from Dongseo University

Broadcasting and Media Studies

[1]

Recently, the channel FOX got huge success on the TV drama show. This success was possible due to the show called ‘Empire’. This show is unique since it deals with the hip-hop music industry and the betrayal and ambition in it. This show tells about the family life who work in the hip-hop industry field and there has been some tensions among family members because all members are interested in taking this ‘Empire’ as theirs.

The rating on this show was rapidly increased and viewers give about 8.2 points out of 10 on this show[2]. Also, on the iTunes, the songs that were used in the show are hit on the chart. How does this situation so-called ‘booming of the hit show’ happen? As far as I can tell, there are mainly three reasons this show gets more popular.

[3]The first factor is the perfect casting. Especially, the main characters are played by Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson who are most talented African-American actor and actress each. They are full of acting experiences. Other actors or actresses are also kind of rookie compared to Terrence and Taraji. However, their charisma and passion on the show is delivered during on-air. Most importantly, all people are perfectly describing their own characters in the way the characters are well understood. Plus, there are some famous cameos like Jennifer Hudson and Naomi Campbell make this show glamorous.

The second factor is amazing songs. ‘No Apologies’, ‘What Is Love’, ‘Drip Drop’ and ‘You’re So Beautiful’ etc. have been bringing hot reaction from the viewers. The songs sound fun or sad and the beat of hip-hop music makes people excited. Various types of songs and perfectly fitted songs to the story are one of the keys of Empire’ success.

The third factor is twisted story-line itself. There is no typical characters in this show. All characters are changing their position as the show goes and there are bunch of betrayal between the family members. Since this story is not ridiculous and unrealistic, more people get into it.

If you look for this factors when you watch the TV show, ‘Empire’ is not going to let you down. Rather, this show would let you enthusiastic on it. If you are wondering about this show, just watch it and feel it! You are not going to regret it!

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[1] Retrieved from http://www.projectcasting.com/casting-calls-acting-auditions/empire-season-2-casting-call/

[2] Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3228904/

[3] Retrieved from http://variety.com/2015/tv/features/timbaland-gives-lee-daniels-empire-hip-hop-cred-1201393126/

Prom Culture in the United States!

Did you ever feel jealous of American teenagers? If you did, you probably are interested in the prom culture. Since Korea does not have the prom culture, Koreans have a fantasy for the American prom culture. One of our members explains the step of preparing the prom. You can share your opinions through the comments and let us know what kind of fantasy on the U.S. prom culture you have. Have fun reading!

Prom Culture in the United States!

Jungwon Lee

Pusan National University

Department of Global Studies

Whenever we watch high-teen American dramas or movies, one thing that frequently appears is ‘high school prom’. Prom, a word which is short for ‘promenade’, is a semi-formal dance or gathering of high school students. This event is typically held near the end of the senior year, like the last year of high school. Yes, watching those, I sometimes imagined what would be like attending a prom, wearing beautiful dress, and dancing with my prince charming! J To high-teen American schoolgirls especially, prom is one of the things that they had been waiting for since they were very young!! Now, I’m going to tell you how American students prepare proms, and what events happen in proms!

 When the date of prom is announced, high school seniors become busy and the first thing they do is finding dates for them. The question would be simple. You just ask someone you had in mind, like ‘Will you be my prom date?’ If you get a positive answer, then that person is your date and you get a chance to dance with him or her on the prom day! Then, adequate attires are needed. Boys usually dress in black or white formal wear, regardless of the time of the event, sometimes paired with brightly colored ties with vests. Girls wear dresses or evening gowns and they also wear corsage, given to them by their dates.

 On the prom day, couples gather at a park, garden for single and group photos. Prom attendees may rent limousines to transport groups of friends from their homes to the prom venues(maybe a banquet hall or school gymnasium). At prom night, a band or DJ play music, and they make the air filled with enthusiasm. After the dance, prom king and prom queen may be selected by a vote and they wear a crown.

 Of course, there are some critiques who argue that too much money is wasted in just one party for young students. There is some truth in that argument, but on the other hand, prom can make American high teens’ school life more exciting and memorable. I kind of wish Korean high schools could also manage several events that are similar to proms. Most high school students in Korea are so busy studying that they easily worn out. Prom can be one of the high school cultures that present youth and vitality, and adopting prom culture wouldn't be a bad idea!