Speak and Shine

Minecraft, a globally popular sandbox game developed by Microsoft’s Xbox Game Studios, will soon become a reality as a themed amusement park. Known for its distinctive block-based world, Minecraft has captured the imaginations of millions worldwide. According to The Guardian on the 19th (local time), Microsoft has partnered with Merlin Entertainments, a European theme park operator, to create Minecraft-themed attractions, including rides, shops, and hotel rooms. Merlin operates over 135 attractions in 23 countries, including Alton Towers, LEGOLAND, and the London Eye. Under the terms of the agreement, Merlin will invest £85 million (approximately 150.3 billion KRW) to establish Minecraft theme parks in the UK and the US, with completion expected in 2026 and 2027, respectively. This project marks the largest initiative by Merlin since acquiring LEGOLAND in 2005. The collaboration, named "Adventures Made Real," aims to expand the partnership to other countries and regio...

Researchers have observed California ground squirrels, commonly known for their herbivorous diet of nuts and seeds, hunting and eating mice. This surprising behavior, indicating an aggressive side to these seemingly docile animals, was recently documented in a study published in the Journal of Animal Behavior . Main Text For 12 years, Professors Sonja Wild from the University of California, Davis, and Jennifer Smith from the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, have been conducting a long-term behavioral study of California ground squirrels. The research included tagging individual squirrels in the Briones Regional Park in Contra Costa County, California, to record data such as gender, weight, and reproductive status. During observations in June and July, researchers documented 74 interactions between ground squirrels and mice, 42% of which showed active hunting behavior by the squirrels. While their typical diet consists of plants and seeds, this marks the first evidence of the...

  NewJeans Faces a New Chapter as “NewJeanz” NewJeans, the popular K-pop group, has rebranded itself as "NewJeanz," sparking debates about their future direction. Since announcing their departure from their agency, ADOR, the group has consistently emphasized their attachment to the original name and their rights to it. The five members—Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein—recently created a social media account called "JeanzForFree," demonstrating their willingness to communicate directly with fans. Efforts to Engage with Fans After opening the account, some people questioned its authenticity. The members responded with a video saying, “This is really us,” signaling their commitment to interacting more frequently with fans. Their efforts to gain trust were supported by Min Hee-jin, the former ADOR CEO, who showed her approval by liking their posts. Fans are now highly anticipating further interactions with NewJeanz. Supporting Social Causes Surprisingly...

IU, a famous Korean singer, joined a “prepaid relay” to support her fans who are attending a rally in Yeouido on December 14, calling for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol. IU’s agency, EDAM Entertainment, announced on December 13 through her official fan café, “We hope Uaena (IU’s fandom name), holding their light sticks in this cold weather, can keep their hands warm as they brighten the surroundings of the rally.” To help, IU prepared food and hand warmers. The prepaid items include 200 pieces of bread, 200 drinks, 200 bowls of soup and stew, and 100 rice cakes. The agency stated that not only Uaena members but also other participants in the rally could receive the food and supplies on a first-come, first-served basis. They added, “Please make sure to stay healthy and safe.” Fans expressed their gratitude on social media, saying: “She’s the first celebrity to openly support her fans like this. It’s so touching.” “IU has always sung about believing in a world where lo...

  Hiker Survives 10-Day Ordeal After Falling Into Canyon A 54-year-old man from Taiwan, a former plumber, survived a 10-day ordeal after falling into a 10-meter-deep canyon while hiking alone. Using his ingenuity, he managed to alert others to his location and was successfully rescued. On December 8, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that Mr. Chang was rescued after being stranded for 10 days in Fenghuang Mountain near Nantou City. While hiking alone on November 12, he fell into a canyon, injuring his right leg, which made it impossible for him to walk. Moreover, he didn’t have a phone to call for help. Despite the challenges, Mr. Chang did not lose hope and worked on finding a way to escape. While surveying the area, he found a PVC pipe that supplied water to a nearby village. He also noticed a plant called "giant taro," which had strong stems and large leaves. Using his Swiss army knife, he cut the water pipe and sealed it with the stems of the giant taro t...

  Yuri Gagarin and the Beginning of the Space Age The first human space journey took place on April 12, 1961, when Soviet astronaut Yuri Gagarin orbited the Earth aboard Vostok 1. His flight lasted approximately 108 minutes and marked the beginning of a new era in space exploration. Gagarin’s mission was not just a personal achievement but a symbolic victory for the Soviet Union during the Cold War’s space race against the United States. Vostok 1 and Gagarin’s Mission Vostok 1 was the first manned spacecraft developed by the Soviet Union to reach Earth’s orbit. It had a simple structure, and Gagarin had minimal control over the spacecraft. Due to the technological limitations of the time, the flight path and major tasks were controlled remotely from the ground. Gagarin’s spacecraft traveled 327 kilometers above Earth, and during the flight, his legendary words, “The Earth is beautiful!” were recorded. Humanity’s First Space Experience Gagarin’s journey was more than just an...

  The Amazing World of Hyenas Hyenas are unique animals living in the African savannah and parts of Asia, playing a critical role in their ecosystems as both predators and scavengers. With strong jaws and remarkable adaptability, hyenas can digest even bones and hides that other animals cannot eat. This ability makes them nature's cleaners, contributing to environmental balance. Hyenas are categorized into four main species: spotted hyenas, striped hyenas, brown hyenas, and aardwolves. Each species has different habitats and ecological roles. For instance, spotted hyenas are highly social, adept at hunting large animals, and live in groups, whereas brown hyenas are mostly solitary and focus on finding smaller prey. This diversity helps hyenas adapt and thrive in various environments. Hyenas are also famous for their vocalizations, particularly their laugh-like sounds. These "laughs" are not mere noises but essential tools for communication within their groups. Hyenas...

  Starship: SpaceX's Record-Breaking Spacecraft SpaceX has achieved a major milestone with its fifth test flight of Starship, the largest and most powerful spacecraft ever developed. For the first time, the first-stage booster, named "Super Heavy," was successfully recovered after reaching an altitude of 70 km. Weighing 275 tons (excluding fuel), the booster precisely returned to the launch pad. Starship is being developed to realize Elon Musk's dream of establishing a settlement on Mars. The spacecraft is designed to carry up to 100 people and 100 tons of cargo. Both the first-stage booster and the second-stage spacecraft are fully reusable, aiming to drastically reduce launch costs. Previous test flights failed due to explosions or crashes, making this recovery a historic breakthrough. Reusability is expected to halve the current launch cost of $100 million, sparking rapid growth in space exploration, development, and tourism industries. On December 13 a...

  On October 11, Dr. Eun-Jin Yang from the Korea Polar Research Institute's Marine and Atmospheric Research Division announced the discovery of two baby squids in the Arctic Ocean. Dr. Yang's team explained, "In August, while studying the Arctic marine ecosystem aboard the icebreaker research vessel Araon, we captured footage of the squids using a deep-sea camera." A closer inspection with the camera also revealed one fully-grown adult squid. The team believes that the discovery of both baby and adult squids indicates that squids are beginning to establish themselves in the Arctic marine ecosystem. Squids typically prefer warm waters with temperatures of 15–20°C. The Arctic Ocean, however, is an extremely cold habitat with an average surface temperature of -1.8°C. The appearance of squids in the Arctic, where they have not previously been found, suggests that rising sea temperatures caused by global warming are altering the ecosystem. Since 2020, new species l...

  Article: Fu Bao's Condition Raises Concerns In April of this year, the giant panda "Fu Bao," who left South Korea for China, has reportedly been showing unusual symptoms. Chinese authorities are currently conducting a comprehensive medical examination to determine the cause. On December 3 (local time), the Shenshuping Base of the Wolong Giant Panda Reserve in Sichuan Province, China, announced on its official Weibo account that Fu Bao's condition was found to be abnormal that morning. They stated, "We are closely monitoring Fu Bao's condition and plan to conduct a thorough examination to identify the cause of these abnormalities." The exact nature of Fu Bao's symptoms has not been disclosed. However, posts and videos of Fu Bao allegedly experiencing seizures have circulated on social media and online forums. One Chinese netizen posted a video on Weibo with the caption, "What happened?" The video, purportedly taken that day, shows Fu B...

Supercell’s “Brawl Stars” Sustains Upward Trend with Updates Supercell’s “Brawl Stars” has achieved a ranking increase for three consecutive weeks. According to mobile revenue rankings for the second week of November (data collected from November 11 to November 17), “Brawl Stars” climbed four places from last week’s 10th position to rank 6th. This follows a three-place jump in the last week of October and a five-place rise last week, demonstrating continued momentum. The latest surge is attributed to an update released on November 7. The update introduced a new season pass, "Angels VS Demons," and a new Brawler character, “Juju.” With Juju’s balanced performance gaining popularity and a double-rate event for Star Drops (random item drops), users were motivated to make more purchases. Additionally, on November 14, Supercell worked to improve Brawler balance and fix bugs, striving for stable service to sustain the positive trend. Attention is now on whether “Brawl Stars” can ...

Protests in South Korea Call for Impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol Amid Martial Law Announcement K-pop artists are showing solidarity with fans during protests calling for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol after his announcement of martial law for the first time in 45 years. On December 7, K-pop group NMIXX member Kyujin reached out to fans via the communication app Bubble, posting: “Are you dressed warmly? Hot packs and gloves are a must.” She added comforting words, including, “Take care of yourself. Stay safe.” B1A4’s Gongchan also expressed his concern on the From app, saying: “It’s so cold these days. Are you staying warm? Thank you for your effort despite the weekend’s chill. Make sure to go home safely, drink something warm, and rest well. My heart aches for all of you.” Groupmate Sandeul encouraged fans to stay hopeful, stating: “To our BANAs (B1A4’s fandom), make sure you get home safely. For now, we have to keep doing what we can and watching over eve...

  English Text This year, as in the previous year, elementary school students most aspire to become athletes, while middle and high school students rank teaching as their top career choice. Overall, the rankings of students' career preferences remain similar to last year, but "soldier" has risen from 11th to 3rd place among high school students. On December 4, the Ministry of Education and the Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training released the results of the "2024 Career Education Survey for Elementary and Secondary Schools," conducted between May and June with students from 1,200 elementary, middle, and high schools nationwide. According to the survey, becoming an athlete has been the top choice for elementary school students (12.9%) for seven consecutive years since 2018. Teaching also remains the most desired career for middle (6.8%) and high school students (6.9%), holding the top spot for 18 years. However, among middle school st...

  Fixed Gear Bikes: Popular Yet Controversial Among Youth Recently, fixed gear bikes, also known as "fixies," have become a trend among upper elementary and middle school students. Despite their popularity, concerns about their high price and lack of safety features have sparked debates among parents and experts. What Makes Fixies Unique? Fixed gear bikes are characterized by their simplicity. They have no gear-shifting system or brakes, which sets them apart from standard bicycles. To stop the bike, riders must pedal in the opposite direction of movement. This design allows the bike to move backward and makes it lightweight due to fewer parts. Fixies have long been favored by adults for their sleek design, high speed, and minimalist appeal. Concerns Among Parents For parents like Mr. A, whose children are in the third and fifth grades, the demand for a fixie has been a source of stress. "My kids are obsessed with getting one, but when we looked, the price was ov...

English Text On December 3, President Yoon Suk-yeol declared a "state of emergency martial law" but lifted it about six hours later following the National Assembly's demand. Martial law refers to the restriction of administrative and judicial powers in certain regions to protect public safety and order. Emergency martial law is a specific type of martial law declared by the president only during wartime, major national disasters, or similar state emergencies. During his emergency address that night, President Yoon argued that the National Assembly was paralyzing the government by proposing 22 impeachment motions against government officials since his administration began. Impeachment refers to the process of punishing or suspending a public official accused of illegal activity. The National Assembly initiates impeachment by formally requesting a trial. The president cited such actions and the National Assembly's decision to cut next year’s government budget as disr...

  Summary This set of OPIc questions explores a person's daily routines, special activities, and habits, particularly focusing on what they do at home. Participants are asked to describe their mornings, evenings, weekends, and interactions with family or friends, along with how their routines change during holidays. These questions assess the ability to describe daily life in detail while highlighting unique and personal elements. Question 1: Morning routine Q: Tell me about your morning routine. How do you start your day? A: Starting the day: I usually start my day by waking up at 7 AM. The first thing I do is wash my face and brush my teeth. Breakfast: After that, I prepare a light breakfast, like toast and coffee. Sometimes, I eat cereal or fruit instead. Preparing for the day: Next, I get dressed and pack my bag for work or school. I also make sure to check my schedule or any appointments for the da...

Summary This collection of OPIc questions explores various aspects of the participant's home and lifestyle. Participants are asked to describe their home, discuss their favorite room, and share insights into their daily routines and aspirations. These questions aim to assess fluency in describing spaces, expressing preferences, and detailing activities, all while maintaining an engaging and detailed narrative. Question 1: Description of my neighborhood and its environment Q: Please describe the neighborhood where you live. What are its surroundings and unique features? A: My neighborhood: I live in a quiet residential neighborhood that is surrounded by greenery. Surroundings: There is a park nearby where people walk their dogs or go jogging. The area also has some small local shops, a supermarket, and a few cafes. Transportation: Public transportation is very accessible. There’s a bus stop a few minutes away,...

  Main Text On the afternoon of the 19th, sixth graders Kim and Park, students at Daedo Elementary School, visited a convenience store in Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. "Boss, I got a lot of pocket money for Chuseok! Play my favorite song at the store!" they exclaimed, showing their familiarity with the store owner, Mr. A. Laughing, he indulged their playful requests, even handing out prepared chocolates. Mr. A left his corporate job two years ago and opened the convenience store in Daechi-dong, where he now spends 11 hours a day, from 1 PM to midnight. Although it’s been only two years, he has become a familiar face in the academic hub of Daechi-dong. During the interview, about 20 students stopped by the store, and Mr. A exchanged greetings and casual conversations with most of them. Mr. A observes Daechi-dong students eating "street meals" daily. These students, pressed for time, often replace proper meals with convenience store food. This phenomenon was obse...