Dear Readers, 

The most unwavering heatwaves and downpours have drifted away, giving us a breather from the heavy idleness and lethargy of the summer days. Finding comfort in descending temperatures and earthy fragrances that scent the crispy air, we begin our hike up the mountain of a new semester. Leaving the days of pausing and re-energizing behind, we enter the ever-dynamic schedule of a KAIST semester — hurrying to lecture halls, studying with friends, and enthusiastically discussing who to bring into our clubs. We reporters have delightfully returned to writing, and I have been working with Herald members to publish our September Issue — this time, as the Editor-in-Chief. 

The energy of the lively campus seems to propel us forward in our busy routines, loading us with renewed motivation and purpose. At the same time, this reminds me of when I travelled via the subway during the weekday rush hour — one of the first few impressions I had of Korea after years of living abroad. Feeling lightheaded, I stared blankly at the stream of commuters who walked at a fast speed, with an unbending determination to reach wherever they had to be. Having lost my way, I stood like a still image, while everyone around me fleeted in all possible directions like in a fast-forwarded timelapse video. 

A part of that feeling sometimes returns. During my first few semesters here of studying together with those who could aptly deal with heavy workloads and multiple part-time jobs, and lead a healthy social life all at once, I pushed myself to match my footsteps to what seemed to be the ‘average’ pace of walking. After finding myself out of breath with low trust in my capabilities, I realized that it is most important to walk towards where I want to be at a pace I was most comfortable with, even if it may mean getting there slower than others. 

With this in mind, I will publish each issue and write for the Herald. I admit that the responsibility of editorship approached me way quicker than I thought it would; sometimes, I wish I had been more prepared for its difficulties. Whenever I revisit our past editions, I am awed yet daunted by their quality, wondering if I could perform up to similar standards as my predecessors. 

But our voices that resonate from the pages and the excitement of making them heard are those that keep me walking forward. Each article and cartoon holds the values and experiences of the reporter and cartoonist — I will always continue to deliver them as directly and truthfully as I can, however long they may take to reach you truly. If reading any of our articles leaves you more informed on local or international news, gives rise to a new conversation starter, makes you realize that there is a fellow KAIST student who shares the same or entirely different experiences as you, or leaves you with a single sentence lingering in your mind long after you read it — I have fulfilled my purpose. I hope our articles mark the starting point for new discussion and contemplation, whether it be the heavy issues that plague our society, or simply what movie you should watch next during your leisure time. 

I will welcome and actively seek any opinions and feedback, not only from our members, but also from all those who read our papers — for we can continue to share the most relevant and engaging content only with your help. I look forward to all the stories and ideas we will exchange, and the conversations we will hold along the way.