This summer I wrote an essay for the John Locke Essay Competition, and the results just came out! I was shortlisted in the top 17.5% and received a commendation, alongside an invitation to attend the Awards Ceremony and Academic Conference in London. This year, I chose the Q1 from the economics category: Should We Fear a Cashless Society? My answer was no, because we're already living in one. Between tapping my phone to pay and splitting bills on apps, cash barely shows up in

Last Sunday, I performed with my youth orchestra at a benefit concert for the Kyonam Foundation, a South Korean organization that supports individuals with developmental, intellectual, and autistic disabilities through residential, educational, and vocational programs. I play flute in the orchestra, and this concert ended up being one of my favorite performances so far. My favorite piece I played was Epilogue, which is an OST from 태극기 휘날리며 about the tragic brotherhood, deep s

The 2026 Korean Youth Honor Society Conference was held on August 1, and it was such a great day. Members residing in Korea, the US, and Hong Kong came together, attended incredible lectures, contributed to a current affairs quiz, and joined group discussions on the topic of leadership in the age of AI. I was so honored to be selected for the Conference Award alongside four other members. It was such a meaningful way to end my summer break!

Genuinely, the best 3 days of my life. This summer, my youth orchestra went to The Healing Park for a 3-day summer camp, and it was so memorable. From eating meals with the YISS gang to practicing for 8 hours straight, I already miss it so much. Some of my favorite highlights were the duets I played for the 향상음악회 — "Joy, Sorrow, A Beautiful Heart" by AKMU with Rachel, and "Breathe" by Lee Hi with Woosung — along with our late-night talks, playing Impostor, bottle flipping wit

On July 29, 2026, KYHS held our Gyonam Foundation fundraising dinner, and it was a huge success. Between the members, the parents, and our guests, the whole night was a reminder of how much good can happen when a community decides to show up for each other. The evening opened with my flute performance of 사랑하기 때문에 (Because I Love You). I was very nervous about the performance, and it felt like a lot of pressure for the first moment of the night, but it ended up going smoothly,

Over the last few weeks, Ann and I have met for our Korean classes, and it has been such an experience to see how much she has improved in her confidence. Recently, we have been reading Korean folktales, learning new vocabulary, and pronouncing difficult words together. Teaching Ann is now more than just teaching Korean language. It has provided me with the chance to exchange perspectives and create connections with someone not from my own place. With every class, I am remind

This summer, I had the opportunity to publish an article in Unseen, the journal of the Korean Youth Honor Society, for the summer 2026 issue. My article focused on the 2026 U.S.–Iran crisis and explored its effects on global energy markets, international diplomacy, and economic stability. Through researching and writing this piece, I was able to further explore my interests in international relations and economics, while strengthening my academic research and writing skills.

Taking the Entrepreneurship: Exploring What It Takes to Create Your Own Business course through USC’s Pre-College Program was a truly meaningful experience for me. Even though I took the course online, it was still a great learning experience and gave me a new perspective on the field of business. I am so grateful to the USC Pre-College Program team for creating this amazing opportunity and for giving me the chance to learn from Professor Glenn Fox. More than anything, this c

Music has continued to be one of the most meaningful parts of my school life, and this year was filled with so many accomplishments and memories that I will always treasure. At this year’s music awards ceremony, I was honored to receive my second year lettering in Concert Band, my Tri-M Music Honor Society patch, and the Flute Section Leader Award Certificate. Additionally, I am happy to announce that I will be continuing my role as Flute Section Leader in Concert Band for th

This week, I had the privilege of tutoring Ann, a girl from Russia who is interested in improving her Korean language skills in order to pursue her education (and hopefully attend university in South Korea). We had a 40-minute session where we started off with basic conversations, and the experience was amazing! Working with someone so passionate about learning another language and immersing herself in a different culture reminded me of how language can connect people from co

I just finished reading Good to Great by Jim Collins, a book discussing what separates successful companies from truly exceptional ones, and I wanted to share my experience and insights. One of the ideas that stood out to me most was Collins’s concept of “Level 5 Leadership,” which characterizes great leaders as those who possess a combination of humility and strong will. Instead of seeking attention or personal fame, these leaders focus on helping their company and team succ

This year, I returned to Forensics Speech and participated in all four tournaments in the Prose and Poetry categories. Even though I was not able to place or letter during my freshman year, I came back determined to improve and push myself further. Forensics has been a special part of my high school journey, as it has allowed me to meet new people and try new things— I never expected to enjoy so much! I made sure to spend a lot of time carefully selecting and preparing my pie