Gongju Buk Middle School Wraps Up Its "English Reading Golden Bell"

By Ha-eun Moon, Gongju Buk Middle SchoolOur school gym was filled with excitement as the entire student body gathered. The school's biggest annual event, the "English Reading Golden Bell," was under way.Every July, Gongju Buk Middle School holds the "English Reading Golden Bell." Students read one book in English, then gather in the school gym for a quiz based on it. The last six students standing receive awards: one gold, two silver, and three bronze.This year's book was The Giving Tree. About a month before the contest, three copies were placed in each classroom so that students could read them whenever they wanted. In English class, students watched a video about the book and wrote a summary of it. Over the past month, students showed great enthusiasm enthusiasm from the very start of their preparation, reading the book, writing their own practice questions, and sharing them with classmates.On the day of the contest, all students gathered in the gym and the quiz ran for one class period (45 minutes). It consisted of about 30 questions, all given in English and answered in English.In the first round, students answered true-or-false questions by standing at their seats and moving to the right for O (true) or to the left for X (false).In the second round, they looked for the correct placard among A, B, C, and D and stood in front of it.In the third round, they raised a hand for the correct choice among 1, 2, 3, and 4.In the final round, they wrote short answers or longer written responses on whiteboards.The most confusing question this year asked students to put scenes from the book in order: actions the main character had taken were listed out of order, and students had to number them correctly. Last year, some questions asked about the author's intention and the lesson the book conveys.The highlight of this year's contest was the final round between the two remaining students. hey were so evenly matched that they had used up every prepared question, so the teachers ended up making new ones on the spot.A Reading Golden Bell based on a book in Korean is a common school event that anyone can join easily. Having the whole school read a book in English, however, and gather in one place to answer questions in English is a real chance to improve, and I think it is one of the events that makes Gongju Buk Middle School distinctive. A second-year student who won an award said excitedly, "Reading the book closely, down to every detail, helped a lot. Making practice questions with my friends was a memory in itself." I hope the school keeps running the "English Reading Golden Bell" so that it continues to help students for years to come.

Naepo Middle School Becomes a Future Dreamer of Seoul National University

By Solhee Lee, Naepo Middle SchoolThe third-year students of Naepo Middle School conducted a meaningful tour of Seoul National University to explore careers and improve their learning motivation. This tour was designed to provide students with an opportunity to experience the educational environment of Korea's leading universities and think about various career paths and studies.Students toured major facilities such as classrooms, central libraries, and student halls while looking around the campus of Seoul National University, and listened to explanations about the university's history, curriculum, and characteristics of the departments. could feel college life more closely as I watched the spacious and beautiful campus and students studying freely.During this tour, before students did not just look around the university, but had time to think about their dreams and careers in detail. They also looked at the departments in the field of interest, considered what kind of studies to pursue in the future, made a commitment to make steady efforts from now on to achieve their goals.A student who participated in the tour said, "When I visited Seoul National University in person, I was more motivated to study, and I thought I should prepare step by step from now on to achieve my goal." Another student said, "It was a very meaningful time to experience firsthand the college life that I usually vaguely thought of, and it was very helpful in deciding my career path.""It was a meaningful time for students to experience the educational environment of the university firsthand and draw their future in detail," said teacher In-sol. "I hope this tour will serve as an opportunity to continue to work toward their dreams."Naepo Middle School plans to continue to operate various experiential learning and career programs to help students explore careers and develop their self-directed learning skills. The tour of Seoul National University was a valuable experience for third-year students to increase their motivation for their studies and further develop their dreams for the future.

Big Volleyball Competition Held to Improve Students’ Teamwork

By Eun-seo Lee, Nonsan Girls’ Middle SchoolOn July, Nonsan Girls’ Middle School hosted its first big volleyball competition. The competition was designed to be easily accessible for students of all grades to participate and enjoy, while helping to develop their cooperation skills and consideration for others.On July 9th, Nonsan Girls’ Middle School held its big volleyball tournament. In each grade, classes were split into Group A and Group B for preliminary matches, leading to a group stage and final matches to determine the overall champion class. Big volleyball, unlike normal volleyball, is played with a giant volleyball which lowers the barrier, it allows more student to participate and cooperate with their teammates while developing better communication within their team. For the big volleyball game, students prepared for a month in anticipation and excitement, creating teams and building up cooperation. On the day of the game, every student did their best in the enthusiastic cheering of the crowd. By working with their classmates, students were able to build teamwork and friendships with others. They even created fond memories and relieved stress too.A student who participated in the game said, “I think being able to work and have fun together is more important than winning. It was an event that students and teachers enjoyed together.”After the competition, some students celebrated their victory, while others were disappointed their losses. However, what stood out the most was the teamwork and enthusiasm for the competition of students rather than the result. The annual 2026 Nonsan Girls’ Middle School Big Volleyball Competition was successful thanks to the gameplays and cheering of students, and many students are looking forward to other sports competitions which increase students’ cooperation and friendships.

Boryeong Mud Festival: The Best Way to Beat the Summer Heat

By Kim-Min-Seo, Daecheon Girls’ Middle SchoolWhat kind of programs and events are prepared for the Boryeong Mud Festival this summer?The Boryeong Mud Festival is a very famous summer festival in Korea. It started on July 24 at Daecheon Beach in Boryeong, Chungnam. This year is the 29th anniversary of the festival. The theme for this year is "The Light of Mud Connecting the World." The festival runs for about one month. Many people from all over the world come to this festival.There are many daytime programs during this festival. For example, there are big mud tubs, mud slides, mud mob scenes, and mud water cannons. Also, there are spaces for different ages. There is a family zone and a kids’ zone for children. So, children can play safely there.There are also night programs after the sun goes down. Many events happen at night. For example, there are K-pop concerts, a mud rock festival, and a hip-hop festival. Also, people can see beach fireworks and a nice drone show. So, people are looking forward to the festival with big expectations. They can have fun around the clock. Especially this year, many popular celebrities and influencers coming. The rising girl group RESCENE is coming too.This mud festival started in 1998. It started to promote local mud cosmetics. It proved that Boryeong mud is very good. The mud is good for skin beauty and it has many minerals. So, many Korean and foreign tourists visited the beach. It helped the local economy a lot. The festival has continued to this day because it utilizes this valuable local resource.Safety is also very important because the weather is very hot this year. So, paramedics and safety staff are standing everywhere. Also, water facilities, shower rooms, and convenience facilities are ready to clean the mud. Also, many people come to the festival, so shuttle buses are running. The parking lots are bigger now, so traffic is not too bad.The Boryeong Mud Festival breaks down national and language barriers. It will give visitors special summer memories with many mud programs and fun sights.

Welcome to the one-day Café at Baekje Middle School!

By Kang Min-kyung, Baekje Middle SchoolOn July 16th, a one-day School Café called “BaCa” was held in the Auditorium of Beakje Middle School in Buyeo. The event ran from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ,with students participating by grade level, starting with 3rd graders followed by 2nd, and 1st gradersThis year featured a special addition: sixth- grade students from nearby Gyuam Elementary school and Hapsong Elementary School articipated as customers at the one-day café. Thanks to visits from officials—including representatives from the Buyeo Office of Education, and school supervisors, as well as the PTA president, parents, and local residentls, the auditorium was livelier and more bustling than ever.At the café, some students took on the role of staff, personally preparing beverages and desserts to welcome guests, while others managed sales and transactions for handmade merchandise—such as resin art, photo cards, and stationery—at a nearby table.A student who worked at the café said, “I made the lemonade myself and was treated well, so it was a truly enjoyable experience. It was also rewarding to see customers enjoying the drinks I prepared.”The one-day café was a success, making for a meaningful and enjoyable day for the students and everyone involved.

Yesan Students Embark on an Educational Journey to Canada for Global Growth

By Joo-won Yoon, Deoksan Middle SchoolEvery year, Yesan-gun runs an international exchange program in English-speaking countries to help middle school students improve their English proficiency and global communication skills. This year, 20 students from 11 middle schools were selected through document screening and interviews. The students take part in several preparatory activities, such as an English level test and collaborative team projects. They also learn about Canadian culture and safety rules. The Yesan Office of Education runs this program to help students experience different cultures, build confidence in English, and better understand the world.The first session took place on June 11 at the Yesan Office of Education in Chungcheongnam-do, attended by the 20 selected students, their parents, and teachers. During this meeting, they learned about the program schedule and cultural activities. They also learned how to prepare for the trip, how to stay safe in Canada, and how to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for Canada. The students also took a written English level test, and the results were used to prepare English classes and team projects for different language levels.The second session followed on June 13, featuring an English-speaking level test, level-specific English classes, and team activities. The final session and departure ceremony were held on July 10. During the ceremony, the students checked the final schedule and their packing lists. They also learned about Canada's history, culture, and geography. In addition, they received safety training, school violence prevention sessions, and basic international etiquette education before leaving for Canada.The students departed from Incheon International Airport for Toronto, Canada, on July 12. From July 13 to 15 and on July 17, they took STEAM classes in Toronto and Waterloo. STEAM is an educational program that combines Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. On July 16 and from July 18 to 20, they visited famous landmarks like Niagara Falls, Clifton Hill, St. Jacobs Market, Blue Mountain, Downtown Toronto, the CN Tower, the Ontario Legislative Building, the Royal Ontario Museum, the University of Toronto, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), and Toronto Island and, from July 21 to 24, they completed intensive English classes before concluding their journey and returning to Incheon International Airport on July 25.

Cheonan-Asan NOW Furniture Fair: A Place to Discover New Furniture and Interior Trends

By Minjoo Koo, Asan Galsan Middle SchoolThe 2026 Cheonan-Asan NOW Furniture Fair is being held from August 13 to 16 at the Gyedang Hall Gymnasium on the third floor of the Sangmyung University in Cheonan. The NOW Furniture Fair is an exhibition where visitors can see a variety of types of furniture, interior designs, etc. People who are interested in furniture and interior design as well as people who want to decorate their homes in a new way are showing great interest in this fair.At this year’s event, visitors can find many different products, including beds, sofas, and other furniture that can decorate their house. There are also kitchen products, pet-related products and outdoor products as well. There are around 40 different categories presented, so visitors can easily find products that match their interests and needs.One of the biggest advantages of the NOW Furniture Fair is that visitors can see and compare many products in one place. When people buy furniture online, they often have to choose products based only on pictures. However, at this fair, visitors can actually see the size, design, and the quality of the products. For example, they can sit on sofas and chairs to see if they are comfortable before purchasing it.The fair is also a good place to learn about recent furniture and interior design trends. Today, many people want their homes to show their personalities and styles. Because of this, the fair will feature many different designs, so that visitors can select furniture according to their taste. Families can also visit together and spend time exploring the exhibition.The fair will take place for four days, from August 13 to 16. It will open from 10 AM to 6 PM each day, and admission and ticket sales will end at 5:30 PM.The Cheonan-Asan NOW Furniture Fair is expected to be a useful event for people who are planning to buy furniture because they can compare many different products. It can also give people who are not really into furniture new ideas for decorating their homes. Since the fair is held in Cheonan-Asan, local residents can conveniently visit and enjoy their time in the exhibition.Overall, the NOW Furniture Fair gives visitors a chance to discover new furniture, compare different products, and find ideas for making their living space comfortable and personal. This fair is expected to be an interesting and useful event for both furniture shoppers and people who simply want to enjoy their time in the fair.

Into the Purple Waves, Janghang liriope Festival

By Yejin Kim, Seocheon Girls’ Middle SchoolEvery year, as summer draws to a close, millions of purple lilyturf flowers bloom at Songnim Forest Bathing Area in Janghang, Seocheon County, Chungnam. In this place where pine forests and the sea blend together, the Janghang Liriope Flower Festival takes place, offering not only beautiful flowers to enjoy but also performances, food, and a variety of hands-on experiences. This year, the festival is scheduled to take place over three days from August 28 to 30.The Janghang Liriope Flower Festival was launched to promote the beautiful natural environment of Janghang Songnim Forest Bathing Area and to boost local tourism. Janghang Songnim Forest Bathing Area is known as the largest lilyturf colony in the country, with about 6 million lilyturf plants planted in a pine forest covering approximately 280,000 square meters. Seocheon County held the first festival in 2023 to develop the natural resources of Songnim Forest Bathing Area and liriope as a single tourism resource. Many people had already been visiting the area. The festival was organized with the purpose of promoting Janghang’s charm—where visitors could see the sea, the sky, and purple lilyturf together—to people across the country, while also helping increase the income of local residents.Lilyturf is a perennial plant belonging to the lily family, characterized by blooming purple flowers in the summer. Especially around August, when the flowers are in full bloom, purple flowers spread widely among the green pine forests. At Janghang Songnim Forest Bathing Area, a cluster of lilyturf stretches for about 3 km, creating a landscape that looks as if a purple carpet has been laid out. At the festival centered around lilyturf, visitors can enjoy a variety of performances, hands-on programs, and food. Along with cultural performances, there are hands-on programs using lilyturf, as well as sales of local agricultural and specialty products, so families can also enjoy the festival. At the festival, hands-onactivities were also offered, such as making soap with lilyturf, crafting ramie rings, and decorating postcards. Another charm of the festival is the natural scenery around Songnim Forest Bathing Area.The combination of pine trees, the trail, and the purple lilyturf is beautiful. From the visitors from the Janghang Skywalk, visitors can look out over the entire forest and see the sea of purple flowers all at once. say it feels as if they’ve stepped into a fairy tale. 200,000 tourists visited during the first festival, the photo zones set up throughout the flower fields, along with the scenery preserved in its nature caught the attention of visitors. This can be an example of showing that Janghang Songlim Forest Bathing Area has the potential to grow beyond a simple flower-viewing spot into a representative tourist destination in Seocheon.The Janghang Liriope Flower Festival is an event where visitors can experience the beautiful nature created by six million liriope flowers, dense pine trees, and the sea all in one place. In addition, performances, food, and hands-on programs are offered allowing visitors to experience a variety of pleasures. In particular, the festival takes place when the purple lilyturf vine blooms most beautifully, allowing visitors to witness a unique scene that can only be seen in Janghang. At first, it was a festival started to promote Janghang’s beautiful nature and lilyturf, but now it is becoming a flagship local festival that attracts many visitors. How about enjoying nature and a festival together this summer at Songlim Forest Bathing Area, bathed in purple hues?

A Summer Festival Blending Music, Nature, and Onggi Culture

By Gayoung Baek, Asan Baebang Middle SchoolThe 2026 Dogo Onggi Music Festival, combining music, nature, and local culture, was held on July 25 and 26 at the outdoor stage of the Dogo Onggi & Fermented Foods Exhibition & Experience Hall in Asan.The event was held as part of the 2025–2026 Visit Chungnam & Asan Year campaign. By combining Dogo’s natural environment with its unique Onggi culture, the festival showcased how local resources can create unique travel experiences. Its goal was to promote Dogo’s attractions and boost the local economy.The music festival offered more than just music. Visitors could explore the flea market and enjoy food from various food trucks. A picnic zone on the grassy lawn gave visitors a comfortable place to relax, eat, and listen to the performances. These activities helped people experience Dogo’s traditional culture while enjoying a peaceful summer atmosphere.The main part of the event started at 5:00 PM on both days. The festival featured artists from different generations and musical backgrounds. On the first day, EVE, Cloudian, Haedam, Band Irangi, and Catch The Young performed for the audience. On the second day, Y2K, Lee Hyuk & Jungmo, Chaekgalpi, Jiksagwangseon, and Tilder took the stage. Popular rock artists from the 1990s and 2000s performed alongside younger musicians, including modern rock and indie bands. People of diverse ages enjoyed the festival together and created a connection between generations through music.Seunghoon Oh, a member of the Asan Cultural Foundation’s Cultural Facilities Team, said, “Some parts of Dogo are being forgotten. As one of the main places of cultural tourism, we decided to hold this festival at the Dogo Onggi & Fermented Foods Exhibition & Experience Hall. Overall, the event was held to promote Dogo and revitalize the region.”The Dogo Onggi Music Festival was a great opportunity to show the charm of Dogo through music, cultural activities, and relaxation. With its mix of performances, traditional experiences, and nature, it attracted many people to Dogo.<

Seosan City Celebrates Summer with the 5th Premium Crape Myrtle Flower Festival

By Jun-Mo Yang, Seongyeon Middle SchoolOn August 8, 2026, the 5th Premium Crape Myrtle Flower Festival was held in Yedeok 1-ri, Seongyeon-myeon, Seosan City, and was led by local residents.The 5th Premium Crape Myrtle Flower Festival hosted along the village's signature flower road, the festival allowed visitors to fully enjoy the vibrant pink blooms of midsummer.This festival was hosted by the Yedeok 1-ri Village Association and organized by the local women’s association to showcase the beautiful flower roads cared for by residents and to foster harmony between visitors and locals.Even before the opening day, online searches for Seosan festivals and Yedeok 1-ri surged dramatically on portal sites like Naver and Google, increasing by several thousand percent compared to previous months. This strong online interest proved that the festival successfully promoted the region and gained widespread public attention.Also, this festival had special meaning because it was entirely planned and run by the residents themselves. In the village, all crape myrtles bloomed and turned pink. The whole village became a natural festival site. This beautiful summer view offered a sense of romance and healing to all visitors.On the day of the festival, around 150 participants gathered at the site. Visitors enjoyed peaceful moments by strolling along the flower road, taking photos, and taking scenic drives around the village.The festival also featured a local food market and agricultural booths that caught the visitors’ attention. In the food market, residents introduced fresh local produce, alongside delicious meals prepared by the women’s association.And Cultural performances by residents and local artists added to the festive spirit. A lively pungmul (traditional percussion) performance by the village team and musical performances by local master Kim Ji-chun entertained the crowd. Through these events, the festival grew beyond a simple flower-viewing trip into a celebration of local culture and agriculture.In addition, there were various programs that brought residents and visitors together. These programs created opportunities for people of different generations and backgrounds to laugh and enjoy themselves together.The residents of Yedeok 1-ri took full responsibility for preparing and running the event, promoting the beautiful natural scenery while also enhancing the significance of the community festival by promoting local agricultural specialties. It became a time of harmony for the residents and a time of healing for the visitors.Looking ahead, Yedeok 1-ri plans to further develop tourism programs around the crape myrtle flower road, turning it into a distinctive regional festival centered on resident participation.

Buyeo Office of Education Hosts 2026 CAREER EXPO

By Hyo-seo Yang, Buyeo Girls’ Middle SchoolOn July 13, the Buyeo Office of Education held the '2026 Buyeo Career-Connection Expo' to help local youth plan for their future careers and build important skills. Middle and high school students and education officials from the district attended the expo was divided into a total of four zones: local high school promotion and department experience, university and related organization-linked career job experience, multicultural character and Wee Center integrated counseling, and career-admission counseling.In the local high school promotion and department experience, Buyeo High School and Buyeo Girls' High School received a great response by offering college admission advice tailored to different academic tracks (such as humanities, science, and medicine) along with mentoring from graduates currently in college. In the specialized high school zone, hands-on booths stood out, such as Buyeo Information High School's financial activity experience, Korea Food Meister High School's food and beverage using alternative sugar, and Buyeo Electronic High School's mini-fan assembly.In the career job experience zone, students could experience different careers, including water leisure through the Canoe Association, future modality at Ajou Motor University, and mechanical engineering and advanced bio-genetic engineering at Sangmyung University providing diverse career exploration opportunities providing future advanced industries and local infrastructure. In addition, programs reflecting changing future job trends caught middle school students' attention, such as the environmental researcher booth run by parent volunteers, the youth reporter workshop, and the digital marketer experience promoting local cultural heritage.Also, to address students' practical career and admission concerns, a total of 10 career and entrance counseling booths were intensively operated, receiving a great response. These booths provided one-on-one counseling for registered students, helping them explore the career paths they were curious about.

Yesan Middle School Wins Second Place at the National Wind Orchestra Competition

By Joo-won Kim, Yesan Middle SchoolYesan Middle School Wind Orchestra won second place at the National Wind Orchestra Competition in Busan on August 13th. The students practiced hard during summer vacation and showed great teamwork in their performance.The Yesan Middle School Wind Orchestra performed Mont-Blanc with 68 members and won second place at the National Wind Orchestra Competition, which was held in Busan on August 13th The National Wind Orchestra Competition is a contest where wind orchestra teams perform the music they have prepared. Teamwork is very important in a wind orchestra because the sounds of many instruments come together to make one piece of music. Yesan Middle School Wind Orchestra members came to school to practice their instruments during summer vacation. They practiced 8 hours each day.Through their wind orchestra activities, the students learned that it is important not only to play their instrument well, but also to listen to each other and play together. As they practiced with the other members, they discovered another joy of music in making one piece together. Their hard work led to the great result of winning the second prize.A first -grade member who plays the clarinet said, “I was not confident about playing my instrument, and sometimes I did not want to practice. However, I enjoyed learning and playing with the upperclassmen. I am proud that we got a good result.”Another member who plays the saxophone said, “At first, I thought playing my instrument well was important, but I realized matching my sound with the other members was more important. I had to listen carefully to the others and play together as a team.”The wind orchestra instructor Jae-bong Yoo said, “The students practiced very hard, and our hard work led to this great result. I am proud of all the wind orchestra members.”The competition showed the students that making music together is important. They will continue to grow and make better music together.

New Tradition, New Chuseok

By YuJu Oh, Buldang Middle SchoolThe transformation of Chuseok. What has Chuseok turned into?As Chuseok approaches, tradition is changing: Is this okay and should it be accepted? As people go on with their everyday lives, they wait for this one day to come. When that day gets close, people are happy and full of energy. So, what is the day everyone looks forward to so eagerly? It is the holidays and also a day off. Right now, Chuseok, Korea’s one of the biggest holidays, is approaching. Is Chuseok really just a ‘day off’? These days, the definition of Chuseok is changing. In the lunar calendar, Chuseok is usually on August 15th. Families usually gather together while thanking for the rich harvest. They also eat the harvested crops together to strengthen the community harmony. The most well-known customs are memorial services, visiting ancestors' graves, and making Songpyeon. For the activities, there are traditional Korean circle dance play, tug of war, Korean wrestling, viewing the “moon, etc.” In the past, families gathered around and made Songpyeon while talking. Also, they used the crops they harvested to do the memorial service for their ancestors. And thank them while showing respect towards them.However, Chuseok these days is very different from the past. In the past, they visited their ancestors' graves and did memorial services. However, these days there are people who do not even prepare for the memorial service. According to Yonhap News, 6 out of 10 people do not do memorial services anymore. Even if they do the memorial service, it is much smaller than before.Another thing that has changed is how people spend their Chuseok. In the past, families visited their parents’ house. However, these days those customs are gradually disappearing and being forgotten. Because of that, the number of people trying to use this long holiday to travel is increasing. In 2025, Lotte Members used the research platform called ‘Lime’ to research 1000 people. The number of people who are planning to go on a trip is 47.4%. The percentage of people planning to visit their parents is only 41.3%. We can see that the number of people who are planning to go on a trip is higher than the number of people who are planning to visit their hometown and their parents. With this, we can tell how much Chuseok has changed.People these days only think of Chuseok as ‘a long day of rest’. Although it is natural that each person has a different way of enjoying Chuseok, I hope that people will look back on its real meaning. Why don’t we teenagers think about the true meaning of Chuseok again, even while we are on a trip?

AI: Helping Students or Thinking for Them

By Seo-ha Lee, Cheonan Buseong Middle SchoolRecently, AI has had a growing impact on students’ learning. Students use AI to find information, understand difficult ideas, and get help with their studies. However, is AI really helpful for students? In fact, Cheonan Buseong Middle School conducted a performance assessment using AI last August.Students used different AI tools such as ChatGPT, Sora, and Suno to create their own characters in groups. They also made their own stories with their characters and created animated videos using AI.Jeong Yul-han, a third-year student in Class 7 at Cheonan Buseong Middle School, said that AI was helpful because students could get quick and useful help. For example, they could use AI not only to make animated videos but also to create stories and character images. However, he said it was sometimes difficult because students had to check whether the stories and images made by AI were appropriate. Another student, Lee Seo-yu, a third-year student in Class 6, said that when she did not understand something, she could ask AI to explain it again. However, she also said that depending too much on AI could make it difficult for students to use their own creativity.Overall, AI can help them use their study time more efficiently and try different ways of learning. However, there are also some problems. If many students use AI in similar ways, their final projects may look similar, which can make grading more difficult.So, instead of using AI-generated results as they are, students need to think for themselves, make their own decisions, and add their own ideas.In the future, the important question is not whether we should use AI, but how we can use it wisely. We need to use AI as a helpful tool while continuing to develop our own ability to think and make decisions.

Korea’s Three Hottest Days of Summer

By Ji-Yoon Lee, Eumbong Middle SchoolThe three hottest days of summer are called Sambok, Chobok, Jungbok, and Malbok. During this time, people eat nutritious foods such as samgyetang and eel to stay healthy and beat the heat, and they rest in cool places.The 24 solar terms divide the year into 24 periods based on the sun’s position. They were used to understand seasonal changes and determine the best times for farming. The 24 solar terms include Ipchun and Haji, and Sambok is related to these terms. Sambok is a term that combines Chobok, Jungbok, and Malbok. It divides the hottest period of the summer into three stages. Chobok is the first and the third Gyeongil day after the summer solstice. Here, a Gyeong-il means a day that includes the heavenly stem “Gyeong” in the traditional Korean calendar. Jungbok is the second, ten days after Chobok. Malbok is the last and the first Gyeongil day after Ipchu (입추).First, on Chobok, people eat nutritious foods like samgyetang and boiled chicken to help their bodies withstand the heat. It is believed that eating nutritious food on Chobok can help people stay healthy throughout the summer. On Jungbok, which is the hottest part of summer, people tend to rest, avoid excessive activity, and stay hydrated. They also eat nutritious foods on Jungbok. ”Food is better medicine than medicine.” This is a traditional Korean proverb. There is a saying that since the heat peaks during Jungbok, people need to take care of their health. Finally, on Malbok, as the summer heat begins to subside, people eat samgyetang, boiled chicken, and other nutritious foods to take care of themselves. Since it is still hot around Malbok, people need to be careful about dehydration and heat-related illnesses. It is believed that getting through Malbok means making it safely through the summer heat.Lastly, I interviewed Ji-young Jung and asked her, ‘ What do you think about the hottest days of summer, and what do you do and eat during them?’ She said, “Sambok refers to the hottest period in the summer, divided into Chobok, Jungbok, and Malbok, as part of our traditional custom to withstand the heat. On Boknal, people eat nourishing foods to replenish lost energy and fight the heat. Even though it’s a tradition, it feels like you really have to eat them to get through the summer well. I think I ate samgyetang the most, and next would be goat soup. These days, people seem to enjoy Haesintang, chueotang, eel, duck, beef, watermelon, and other healthy summer foods a lot.” People take care of themselves during the three hottest periods of summer in their own ways.

Inji Middle School's Unique Student Council Election

By Ha-yoon Lim, Inji Middle SchoolInji Middle School runs its student council presidential and vice-presidential elections using a unique "team running-mate system." Under this rule, candidates must run together as a team, and their term of office operates on an unusual schedule.Under this rule, candidates must run together as a team because they cannot run individually. This team is made up of one second-grade presidential candidate, one second-grade vice-presidential candidate, and one first-grade vice-presidential candidate.In the election process, candidates hold open debates where they check each other's pledges. During the debate, each team shares their promises, shows how to combine their ideas together as one, and answers questions from competing teams. These interactions demonstrate their leadership abilities. Once elected, their term of office is one year, which starts in the second semester and lasts until the first semester of the following year. Leaders elected in their second year continue to serve the student council into their third year.This election method helps build teamwork between seniors and juniors. Candidates can share responsibilities and support each other. For example, two teams ran in the election last year. During the debate, one team stood out because they respected each other's opinions and worked well to unite their ideas, which helped them win the election.A second-year student council member noted, “Running as a team is great because we can serve the school more effectively alongside people who share similar working styles. I also view debating our pledges in public positively because it clearly reveals both the strengths and weaknesses of each platform .”However, resolving the following two challenges could make the election system even more effective.Limits on Running for Election: Even talented students cannot run if they cannot find two other teammates to make a three-person team. On the other hand, getting too many team offers can sometimes cause conflicts when choosing teammates.Awkward Term of Office: The term starts in the second semester. Because of older third-year students, newly elected second-year leaders often hesitate to show strong leadership during their first semester in office.If these problems are addressed, it will become an even better electoral system. The school can improve this system by moving the election to the first semester or simplifying candidate registration, all while preserving the core values of teamwork and mutual evaluation.

Hongseong Historical Figures Festival: A Meaningful and Fun Journey into Korean History

By Min-jae Kim, Hongseong Middle SchoolHongseong Historical Figures Festival Successfully Held at Hongju Fortress.The Hongseong Historical Figures Festival was recently held at Hongju Fortress in Hongseong, Chungcheongnam-do, bringing together many families and students. The festival featured famous historical figures like Choe Yeong and Seong Sam-mun, allowing people to learn Korean history while enjoying various activities, games, and performances.The event offered many exciting things to do. Visitors watched traditional shows and soap bubble shows, while children joined hands-on history crafts and fun games. Some people also wore traditional Korean clothes to take pictures with their friends and family.With free admission and food options available, the festival created a lively and welcoming atmosphere. Because admission was free, many people visited and enjoyed the event together. Held from May 2 to May 3, 2026, the festival successfully helped everyone learn Korean history in an easy and fun way.

How Boryeong Mud Became a Global Festival

By He-jung Jang, Hwanseo Middle SchoolThe Boryeong Mud Festival promotes Boryeong’s natural mud and supports the economy of the region. Visitors enjoy hands-on mud activities, performances, and mud-based beauty products. Its unique experiences have made it a globally popular festival.Natural mud from Boryeong is well known as an effective material for skin care because it contains minerals and various components that promote skin health. Boryeong City hosts the Boryeong Mud Festival every year to revitalize the regional economy by promoting mud as its regional specialty.At the Boryeong Mud Festival, which was held from July 24 to August 9 this year, many kinds of programs that visitors can experience directly are offered. People of all ages can enjoy programs such as the Mud Pool (a pool filled with mud instead of water), Mud Wrestling, and the Giant Mud Slide. One citizen who participated in the festival said that the programs and convenient facilities were well equipped, so he could enjoy the festival with his children and make wonderful memories. The city also attracts tourists by holding a drone show and K-pop concerts. Not only are there performances and programs, but visitors can also try products made with Boryeong mud by purchasing them at the festival.In fact, Boryeong City has developed beauty products by discovering and studying the benefits of mud and has also used mud as the main theme of the festival. When the festival was first established, it introduced an experiential festival, setting itself apart from other local festivals. This special approach maximized the advertisement effect of regional products and solved their ultimate purpose, revitalizing the regional economy.As a result of these achievements, the Mud Festival became a global festival which is loved by people around the world.

Cheonan Wolbong Middle School Students Enjoy Their Festival

By Seung-Ah Hwang, Cheonan Wolbong Middle SchoolOn July 14, Cheonan Wolbong Middle School held a festival called Green Concert and also “Dalmoe Festival”, which means the Moonlight Festival. All the students in each grade could enjoy it. Students enjoyed the concert, which had lots of performances performed by the students. Also, the dance team “Yoshi” danced to the music, which was the highlight of the concert.After the concert, students were sent back to their classroom and prepared for the booth. After they prepared the booth, students ate their lunch. After they finished lunch, students could enjoy the booths of other classes. There were several themes, such as the Haunted House, Dinosaur themed café, and a mini- game booth. Also, in the middle of the festival, the student council prepared a photo booth for students. In front of the student council booth, there was a booth prepared by parents. The festival was such an amazing experience to enjoy. Also, it made students and teachers cooperate together.

Chungcheongnam-do Tour Pass to a Special Experience Tour

By Eunseong Hong, Hongju Middle SchoolChungcheongnam-do tour pass is reasonable and offers many experiences and tourist attractions. It is a travel product.The Chungcheongnam-do Tour Pass is a ticket. it enables visitors to see many tourist attractions and experience programs.It’s inexpensive and easy to use .It gives the charm of the community. The Chungcheongnam-do Tour Pass can be bought on the internet.The reporter visited Seosan. In Seosan, visitors can enjoy experiences such as decorating tote bags, making muffins, and creating terrariums.Travelers can enjoy making things themselves. There is also a space where visitors can relax and enjoy a cup of tea, making the trip even more enjoyable. The tourist attraction is the Resource Recovery Facility. Travelers can learn about environmental issues and nature. There are also recreational facilities such as slides and rock-climbing walls.The reporter interviewed a store owner and a traveler. The store owner said, “Many people are going to Seosan through the Chungcheongnam-do Tour Pass. So sales have increased”. The traveler said, “The Chungcheongnam-do Tour Pass is a reasonable price. ”. And I was satisfied because I could enjoy a unique experience.” In particular, the traveler said that the biggest advantage was being able to enjoy unique experiences at a low cost.Through the Chungcheongnam-do Tour Pass, people can learn about various experiences and tourist attractions. People can also discover hidden tourist attractions and various experiences. The Chungcheongnam-do Tour Pass is helpful for travelers. It is also expected to play a positive role in revitalizing the local economy. The Chungcheongnam-do Tour Pass is expected to continue attracting more visitors and helping the local economy.

Handeulmulbit Middle School Holds Non-Uniform Day

By Jimin Park, Handeulmulbit Middle SchoolOn July 10, the second ‘Non-Uniform Day’ was held at Handeulmulbit Middle School.This event started in May to encourage students to wear their uniforms properly. It was a part of the student council’s campaign promise. The first ‘Non-Uniform Day,’ which was held on May 25, was a success, showing a decrease in the number of students receiving demerit points for not wearing their school uniforms properly. Teachers announced that ‘Non-Uniform Day’ would be held if students wear their uniforms well. As a result, students tried to wear their uniforms properly because they wanted to wear clothes of their choice.The second ‘Non-Uniform Day’ was held after the teachers checked that the number of students who got demerit points had been reduced. There were a total of 812 demerit points given to the students from March 2 to May 14. However, from May 15 to July 3, only 348 demerit points were given, which was a dramatic change in a positive way.One student said she liked the event, saying, “I think ‘Non-Uniform Day’ provides chances for students to show their unique personalities.” She added that students wore various colors and designs of clothes, bringing a vibrant and refreshing atmosphere to the school.It was a special event for students, and many students are looking forward to the next ‘Non-Uniform Day’.

Dream and Talent Exploration Week at Cheonan Girls' Middle School

By Shin Jiheon, Cheonan Girls’ Middle SchoolFrom July 14 to 16, Cheonan Girls' Middle School held its Dream and Talent Exploration Week. During this special week, students took a break from their regular classes and participated in various fun activities to learn more about different careers and discover their own interests and talents.The 1st grade students enjoyed activities such as the Golden Bell Quiz, Making My Own Goods, Dodgeball tournament, Drawing My Future Self as a Character, Friendship Compliment Activity, Career Cinema, and the 1st Grade Open Market.In the Golden Bell Quiz, students answered questions they had learned in class and quizzes about their teachers. The students who finished in first, second, and third place received culture gift vouchers as prizes.For Drawing My Future Self as a Character, each class chose the three best drawings. Those three students received culture gift vouchers.During the Friendship Compliment Activity, students wrote kind messages to one another on rolling paper. In Career Cinema, students watched the movie ‘Soul’ together and thought about dreams, talents, and life. At the Open Market, students sold different items. The two classes that sold the most items and the two that kept their booths the cleanest each received a 30,000 won coupon to use at the supermarket.When students were interviewed about the week, one student said, “I enjoyed making memories with my friends, trying different activities, and thinking about my future career. It was a fun and interesting experience.”Dream and Talent Exploration Week gave students a chance to learn about themselves while having fun with their friends. This activity is setting an example for other schools.

The World's Fastest-Warming Continent: Europe

By Sehoon Jung, Ssangyong Middle SchoolRecently, Europe has been experiencing massive heatwaves and extremely hot weather. In countries that have been severely damaged, such as Spain and France, the temperatures have risen above 40°C, causing many heat-related deaths.The impact of this severe heat has been disastrous. Heat-related illnesses have surged across the continent, with elderly residents being the most vulnerable. The heat has also caused drowning accidents as people crowded into lakes and rivers to cool off.To make matters worse, dry winds and scorching heat have started massive wildfires across Southern and Western Europe. Thousands of forests have burned to ashes, forcing over 300,000 people and local communities to evacuate.Experts point to two main reasons why Europe is struggling so heavily against the heat.First, Europe is warming up faster than other continents. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Europe is the fastest-warming continent on Earth, heating up at double the global average rate, which was caused by the melting ice.Second, Europe has less air conditioning. Because European summers were historically mild, very few homes are equipped with air conditioning, many of the buildings in Europe have old structures, which were designed to trap heat, and are unable to install AC. The combination of heat-trapping buildings and an aging population makes extreme temperatures a direct threat to survival.Climate scientists agree that heatwaves of this scale would be almost impossible without human-caused climate change. In response, European governments are rushing to set up emergency shelters and develop eco-friendly ACs that don't emit harmful gases.Experts stress that extreme heat is no longer rare, but happening more frequently each year. Reducing carbon emissions and redesigning cities to adapt to warmer temperatures are now urgent tasks not just for Europe, but for countries worldwide.