ENGLISH SOCIETY QUARTERLY
WINTER EDITION
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NLCS JEJU ENGLISH SOCIETY LITERARY MAGAZINE
THE ENGLISH SOCIETY QUARTERLY
Introduction
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.Chairs and Link Teacher’s Note 2.Poems 3.Narrative & Short Stories 4.Producer’s Note 5.Term 1 Society Activities
THE ENGLISH SOCIETY QUARTERLY
Introduction
Chairs and Link Teacher’s Note Chairs: Andy Kim (Y11) and Lily Kim (Y11)
Link Teacher: Ms Crabtree
shkim28@pupils.nlcsjeju.kr hjkim28@pupils.nlcsjeju.kr rcrabtree@nlcsjeju.kr
I am often grumpy with the English Society members because they giggle a lot and ask to do their homework or study for a physics test during meetings. Despite this, I’ve very happily sat in on the past 2 years of English Society meetings, and I enjoy the lectures and activities facilitated by our chairs. It is a real pleasure to compile the talents of our members in a publication. -Ms Crabtree, Link Teacher Over the summer, I decided that the best way to prepare for my role as the new chair would be to come up with meticulous, down-to-the-minute plans for the academic year. After the first few meetings, though, I realised that, quite easily, Things Fall Apart. However, what I hope I haven’t lost is my original intention to expose the members of the society to a greater quantity (as well as quality) of literature, and I believe that some of you have enjoyed the meetings that we’ve had so far. This is a very weird expectation to have for a society, but I want the English Society to be a place where you feel a sense of belonging, as though you were in a second home. It should also, of course, be a platform for any ventures you might want to pursue within English. Hope you guys are getting something out of all this. -Andy Kim, Chair I had a lot of plans for my sophmore year. While some of them fell short, the English Society truly blossomed. Defying my own expectations, what began as a simple intention to hold meetings and hope for the best surprised me. It’s a strangely rewarding feeling, to see such passion and sincerity in everyone, all driven by the desire to learn more. I’m very happy that our members have been able to explore literature and English outside of their curriculum. I feel especially pleased when I see many of you willing to engage in activities and listen to our lectures, which I hope have been helpful, perhaps even fun.When I was younger, I always wished for a space like this in school. I certainly do hope that, for at least some of you, the English Society is a place where you‘re free to be as earnest as you’d like, curious and unafraid. Proud of all of you, heres to more. -Lily Kim, Chair
THE ENGLISH SOCIETY QUARTERLY
POEMS
THE ENGLISH SOCIETY QUARTERLY
Poem
Milk Author: Eunseong (Edward) Lee
Editor: Ms Crabtree
milk the cup flies it spills on the floor the paper is drenched in the pale effluent-clinging, starched, running off like the color of blended bone, bleached and opaque the cup— is it plastic? or just a waste of soon-to-be-shards of worthless glass the walls will be stained it will smell seeping through the snout but just continue pouring the vile substance which is the result of breeding, husbandry, and refining milk
eslee32@pupils.nlcsjeju.kr
rcrabtree@nlcsjeju.kr
THE ENGLISH SOCIETY QUARTERLY
Poem
Winter’s Quiet Parliment Author: Taehyun (Ted) Koh
Editor: N/A
thkoh31@pupils.nlcsjeju.kr
Winter arrives on a hush of wings, A pale envoy sent from a northern court, Dusting the earth with a softened light Where daylight lingers, brief as thought. Trees stand robed in silver poise, Their branches holding the weight of stillness; The wind, so bold and fearless, now blows with caution. As though aware not to awaken the frost. Across the fields, silence speaks– A language of woven breath and crystal. Of footprints leading nowhere fast Except deeper into wonder. In windows, lamplight bends and pools, Golden against the steely dusk; Inside, voices gather like sparks. Each word is a small defiance of the cold. Yet winter teachers a quieter grace– The rest is not retreat but promise, That beneath the ice a seed remembers The patient architecture of spring. So let the nights be long and clear; Let constellations write their slow decree. For in this measured reign of frost, The world learns to dream again.
THE ENGLISH SOCIETY QUARTERLY
Poem
City Block Author: Seojoon (Ryan) Park
Editor: Eunsong (Edward) Lee
A city block, stretching to the river. The classic yellow taxis, the flashing lights of advertisement screens, the busy lives, as if time has stopped, and perhaps, the giants that stretch to the sky, are just obsolete, meaningless, as in the greyish colours of dullness what happened to the flashing lights of the city? where is the life and meaning of it all? is life in this city just incomplete?
sjpark31@pupils.nlcsjeju.kr
eslee32@pupils.nlcsjeju.kr
THE ENGLISH SOCIETY QUARTERLY
Poem
Christmas Author: Eunsuh (Abigail) Kim
Editor: N/A
eskim30@pupils.nlcsjeju.kr
From crisp, arcane woodlands Sprightly elves, pint-sized wonders Bubble with impish giggles Nimbly climb the Christmas tree Sheeted with milky powder from wintry skies, Dangling, frosted sugar-canes as their support Elves clamber through crude shoots and craggy trunks Frigid pollen form droplets in their limpid, dear eyes At the crown a blinding, sparkling star In whose core a timid opening welcomes them They thrash their dainty bodies inside And witness the long-dreamed figure: In a plush coat of cherry hue, With a jolly beam enclosing the world In wonder and awe elves behold The herald of the solstice
THE ENGLISH SOCIETY QUARTERLY
Poem
Rushing into the Night Author: Sunghyun (Andy) Kim
Editor: N/A
Rushing into the night felt good, so I packed my bag and made my heart beat double-time. Years ago, on the field where grass turns to mulch and sprouting flowers catch a glimpse of static sky and close their petals, we made clouds with all our longing. That was the first step. You can make anything out of clouds. That was by the sea, the day they brought in squid from trawlers, squirming nets in droves dragged in like bodies through the sand. We ran through that liminally dying field, birds shedding feathers with every beat, and waded the shallows muddy with passing time. I grasped your slender arms, shallow water lapping at our shins. There, beneath nightclouds the colour of bruises hidden under makeup, you gasped– at what? Something in my eyes? There was mortality on the horizon, or maybe it was only clouds. You could make anything out of clouds. Then I knew I had to rush into the night to live, my feathers tightly clasped. I shattered muggy air with panting, petals falling to the ground, still heavy with your sighs. Heartbeat against tide, I closed my eyes to fossils in the clouds, and so I lost the way back home to you.
shkim28@pupils.nlcsjeju.kr
THE ENGLISH SOCIETY QUARTERLY
Poem
Before the snow settles Author: Gabeen (Celina) Kim
Editor: N/A
gbkim31@pupils.nlcsjeju.kr
The door swings wide with a gust of snow and cheer as Father steps in, boots submerged in fresh white The children rush to him like every year, while amber lights flicker softly through the night. Mother’s voice rings out like a joyful chime, “Hurry now,dinner is ready! Take a seat!” She ushers us in like a well prepared rhyme the air grows rich with the scents of a joyful feast. Table gleam with dishes piled high Roast glazed in honey, potatoes piled in steam. All unaware of how softly the minutes pass by believing the candles still hold our shared old dreams. The children erupt in giggles and cries, Teasing and tripping, their cheeks flushed red, Stories grow taller, jokes rise to the skies, As crumbs and laughter freely spread. Soon we gather by the fire’s comforting hum, Its steady crackle buzzing hazy and low. But warm enough to thaw our solemn hearts Soon…quiet peace settles in its afterglow. We share one wish together though harsh winds blow “May the next year be filled with joy and light,” Outside, the bells and the soft falling snow hints Santa’s sleigh is near tonight.
THE ENGLISH SOCIETY QUARTERLY
Poem
Halycon Days Author: Hahjin (Lily) Kim
Editor: N/A
hjkim28@pupils.nlcsjeju.kr
i’ll come out the hills To find your life here in the desert the sand in your lungs Always on about the day that should have come I’ve had it with the thrills sick to my stomach, the big blue sea my home, not house, my boy gentle now, im not as strong as i used to be I don’t know how you stand the sunlight A son I mean a sun It's what you’ve always wanted Camaraderie is better but you’d settle for platonic Big city lights, but the people are too busy here Go drown away from sea, meet your lonely, arid fate when i wash up on your shore i’ll know that I am far too late Makes my own life seem so interesting Feel like a kid, clutching my chest when you’re listening Say it back
THE ENGLISH SOCIETY QUARTERLY
Poem
Frostbite Author: Yonjay Nam
Editor: N/A
yjnam31@pupils.nlcsjeju.kr
You and I, we lay in the snow, Watching the sky flood With murky shades of black. On those wintry nights, you whispered to me: “Go to sleep, darling– The cold out here is too sharp for you to bear.” Your words settled in my chest, Falling like tiny flakes of snow; Each one so delicate, so gentle– I did as you said, letting the cold take hold, And your voice began trembling as I did. It must be the cold, I told myself. Closing my eyes, I felt your lips Rest briefly on my forehead before leaving. The lips are as cold as mine, torn and cracked. Just before I drifted off, You buried me beneath the white quilt. “I’ll see you again in the Summer, my angel”, you said.
THE ENGLISH SOCIETY QUARTERLY
Poem
Nyctophilia, the love of the night Author: Dahyun You
Editor: N/A
dyou31@pupils.nlcsjeju.kr
Calm finds me only after the light withdraws Always the night, always the moon, Unlike the sun- a morning star, wanting Grace, aesthetics, and attention; ‘Hello’ is all the void asks of me, To take in the sluggish second of the moment. In the abyss, Nothing judges me The shadow isn’t sin, because Here in this world, absent of light… Everything is a silhouette of its own. Masses of sky’s spilt glitter unite Only at the darkest hours, Moments after the boldest star Embraces its descent; the greetings of dusk. Nothing comforts me more Than the armor it drapes around me. And while others slept beneath the night, I wandered awake, And while they woke beneath the sun, I wandered in dreams. So I sought refuge and respite and peace, While everyone else was busy dreaming. I understood that Rest had hugged Night, That sleep consumed dreamless thoughts, And turned them into thoughtless dreams, I understood that the rest was not I, That I was not the rest, That my Heart was the most familiar With the solacing emptiness of the chasm That I call Haven. So I couldn’t understand why, why they didn’t see that I could only dream during the day.
THE ENGLISH SOCIETY QUARTERLY
Poem
Strangeness Author: Tristan Gillings
Editor: N/A
The dark holds its mysteries Revealed by the light Yet when there never is The dark tells us all Light’s only purpose Is to construct shadow Trip, fall into the dark You can not see, or grab hold A match in your hand Lights Struggle to breathe as you plunge The depths swallowing When you look down The shadows dance Or are splayed on the wall They cannot fall
tgillings28@pupils.nlcsjeju.kr
THE ENGLISH SOCIETY QUARTERLY
Poem
The Bus Stop Man Author: Abigail Cho
Editor: N/A
He sits too close, too still, too old, his smile worn thin, the bench gone cold. He lifts a hand so soft, so light “How far along?” The words strike right. She flinches sharp, as if he’s hit. As if he’s named what must not sit beneath her coat. “Oh.” A pause. “Not long.” He nods. Too calm. For just a beat he feels like something dark, unclean. She stands. “Come on, then.” He blinks. “Where to?” “Home.” “And where’s that?” His voice goes thin. Her fear dissolves to something numb. She holds out her hand. “Come on…” “Dad…”
agcho29@pupils.nlcsjeju.kr
THE ENGLISH SOCIETY QUARTERLY
Haiku
The pains of IGCSE Author: Abigail Cho
Editor: N/A
Light streams through windows Pens scrape across the paper A shout, I hate tests!
agcho29@pupils.nlcsjeju.kr
THE ENGLISH SOCIETY QUARTERLY
NARRATIVES & SHORT STORIES
THE ENGLISH SOCIETY QUARTERLY
Narrative
[Untitled] Author: Ms Rowan Crabtree
Editor: N/A
rcrabtree@nlcsjeju.kr
“Thank you so much.” As the waitress walks away with a kindly smile, I gaze out the window at the burgeoning garden that shields the cafe from the compacted gravel road just beyond. The sight of the garden - with pockets of vibrant spring growth and a line of blossoming fruit trees along one side - is what had compelled me to stop at this family-run teahouse. The crisscrossing straw pathways and rows of cold-weather vegetables remind me of the allotment my family had tended when we had lived - the four of us - in the little village at the edge of the forest. Large curling kale and the rounded purple heads of beets emerging from the soil reminded me of the days before my voice retreated and my heart built up its sturdy, stony wall. With each year, forgotten seeds of memory would germinate at any fleeting glimpse of sun. Walking home from work, I would hear the laughter of students running home. Or, in the evenings, I’d smell the earthy aroma of chestnuts being charred, and I’d slow my strides as I passed just to bask in the warmth a little longer. The more days I spent living as an adult, the more I revisited the days of my childhood. Looking out the cafe window at the bucolic scene, I thought of the last day I had seen my sister. I could hear the swishing of the wheatfield behind the stream, shrieks from our neighborhood friends as we chased each other, laughing through the coarse, green sea. The familiar joy of that afternoon faded into what I would later remember as the worst vision of my life: my mother, a suitcase in hand, pulling my sister out the door. “Sarah?” A tentative voice reaches across the room and pulls me from the depths of my memories. I turn my head, it couldn’t be... There she is. Faint echoes of her childhood face remain in the slant of her nose and the freckles across her cheeks. Someone who has somehow materialized from the hazy images of my memory, now standing as solidly as a well-built home.
THE ENGLISH SOCIETY QUARTERLY
Narrative
Extract From Ongoing Piece Author: Seomin (Irene) Hong
Editor: N/A
srhong29@pupils.nlcsjeju.kr
She was gone. I stared blankly at the doorway through which she had stepped out of, leaving the four words “I’m not coming back” to pierce through my ribs and shred my heart to pieces. She had left with a small suitcase of all her remaining belongings, which surprisingly wasn’t a lot. Over the months, I had noticed her things disappearing, leaving the house gradually devoid of her trace. Now all that remained as proof of her presence was a strand of hair at the doorstep and a bouquet of forget-me-nots. They were her favourite flowers, and my futile attempt to win her love back. As I gazed hopelessly at the flowers, their bright blue colour burned my eyes, in mocking contrast to the grey tears dripping down my cheeks and to the floor. I spent the next few days sitting silently by the door, jumping up when my straining ears picked up even the slightest rustle outside and crumpling back down with a heart sinking deeper every time.
THE ENGLISH SOCIETY QUARTERLY
Narrative
At the Edge Author: Chelim (Sophia) Kim
Editor: N/A
clkim20@pupils.nlcsjeju.kr
We dangle our feet over the churning waters below, giggling hysterically as the frigid liquid spurts and rakes at our now-aching feet, the malign, scintillating surface reflected in our large, aquamarine eyes. Five pairs, suspended over the frothing surface. Our golden locks are studded with shards of intricate snowflakes, glistening under the rays of falling light. But the glimmers of light frolicking amongst the sea of golden waves are, by no means, tender. Affected, perhaps? Lisa, with her baby blue eyes and petite frame, lathers another layer of pink lipstick on her already plump lips as her boyfriend, Tristan, wraps his arms around her, his sturdy feet crossing over her delicate ones. Next to them sit Carla and Lucas, their fingers interlocked. They too have blonde hair and blue eyes. All of us sit there as the sun slowly descends, the mellow glow slowly superseding to the growl of the night. Soon enough, the sky is completely overrun by the infestation of darkness yet, unlike yesterday, the darkness is inky and palpable, unpenetrated by the glow of stars. We still laugh, we still dangle, yet… The laughter, once so easy and natural, now sounds forced and painful. The once gentle rocking of our feet is now replaced by agitated twitching, the biting pain intensifying with each caress of the waves below. Yes, it was too much to expect us to simply forget the argument of last night. Memories of the argument begin wafting through the air, and the resentment becomes tangible, the cool winter breeze now a suffocating smog of vengeance. Four pairs of eyes glint. Then, the surface of the rapids below is broken. A moment of silence befalls the group. Then, the conversation begins, easy as ever, laughter now more jubilant than ever, dangling an ecstatic movement. They dangle their feet over the churning waters below, giggling hysterically as the frigid liquid spurts and rakes at their now-aching feet, the malign, scintillating surface reflected in their large, aquamarine eyes. Four pairs, suspended over the frothing surface.
THE ENGLISH SOCIETY QUARTERLY
Short Story
The Twin Moon Author: Seojoon (Ryan) Park
Editor: N/A
sjpark31@pupils.nlcsjeju.kr
I, James Howard, might be one of those people who get mixed up in a mad goose chase and come back from it never to be the same again. That was exactly what happened on a perfectly normal morning many years ago… I remember it was a clear, beautiful June morning, with the sun shining ever so bright, and the birds chirping from every tree in the orchard. You see, my parents were rich farmers who owned acres of farmland in Montana. There was a variety of crops, fruits, orchards, etc. I had been sent off to a prestigious academic school in the region, since the day I turned 7. And on that particular day, I was about to turn 13 in a few weeks time. I sat on the windowsill of the kitchen, silently writing my essay on natural selection for science homework. I had to complete a 3-page long astronomy research paper too. But I had the whole day to finish it, and I had almost finished this essay already. The windowsill wasn’t the most comfortable seat ever, but the scenery did make it such a calming place to be. Speaking of the view, I was looking around, admiring the beautiful view when… Wait. Something moved. A shadow outlined by the powerful glare of the sun. Then, it disappeared. I rubbed my eyes and dismissed the event as a mere trick of light. But it wasn’t. The shadow kept leaping in and out of my sight. I finally set down my pen and paper. My curiosity had overcome all other emotions. I quickly ran towards the shadow. Just as I was about to lunge at the tree, the shadow jumped to hide behind another grove of apple trees, ripe for picking. This time I was too quick for it, dodging behind another tree and feigning moving towards the other grove, I quickly rounded the tree triumphantly, only to see… nothing. Then, a flash of light so strong that it temporarily blinded me filled up my view. As the bleary rainbow cleared, I saw a small cove inside the rather large apple tree trunk. I reached in and found my hands gripping on something solid. I pulled it out, looking at it from all sides. I found that it was a crystal, cut at specific angles, made of a clear mineral that sparkled bright blue and blinded me again as I held it against the light. ‘Quite a strange object to be lying around in a tree…’ I wondered. I found my feet taking me back to the windowsill, where I collected my pen, pad of paper and glasses, and then hurried to my father’s study, which he hardly used due to his efforts in the farming industry.
THE ENGLISH SOCIETY QUARTERLY
Short Story
The Twin Moon (cont.) Author: Seojoon (Ryan) Park
Editor: N/A
sjpark31@pupils.nlcsjeju.kr
As I looked closer, studying it with a magnifying glass my father sometimes used to examine particularly strange crops or contracts that needed running over with, I saw tiny inscriptions cut neatly into the stone. There was a tiny glinting sharp stone that was set in the centre. I had missed it on my first examination. As I made out the words and wrote them on the paper, the bell rang in the office, signalling my mother had finished preparing lunch. But that was not before I quickly summed up the whole riddle in my head. It went like this: ‘As the breeze blows once more, The moment we’ve all been waiting for The rising of the Twin Moon, Hence shall bring about the unknown doom, Eastwards, towards the ticking hour, Southwards towards the glowing tower, Invoking inside a new-bred fire, Letting all of hell start to transpire, On the day of the Rise of the Twin Moon.’ After I had eaten lunch, finished the astronomy paper that had been patiently waiting for me in the library, and helped my father pick the grapes from the vinery, I finally got another chance to consider the riddle again. I read it over and over again, seeking any such as in what the riddle meant. But, as I ran through the lines one more time, I noticed something I had missed. My eyes widened in shock.
THE ENGLISH SOCIETY QUARTERLY
Short Story
What she came for Author: Haoran (Henry) Jiang
Editor: N/A
“Eggs… flour, oh and bacon too.” She set the items into her already rather crowded basket of groceries and moved on slowly, eyeing the shelves stacked with colourful boxes of cereal and milk bottles curiously. She hesitated for a moment. How could I forget? She needed eggs for her grandson’s ninth birthday cake. Backtracking through the stream of families and people, she carefully made her way to the poultry section. The cartons of eggs towered over the old woman. As she pondered which eggs to use in her famous recipe, she struggled to remember how many she needed. After deep consideration, she decided to pick a carton at random - the one with the faded blue flowers, hoping it would be sufficient for whatever purpose she was there for.
hrjiang29@pupils.nlcsjeju.kr
THE ENGLISH SOCIETY QUARTERLY
TERM 1 ACTIVITIES
THE ENGLISH SOCIETY QUARTERLY
Term 1 Activities
Work So Far Chair: Sunghyun (Andy) Kim
shkim28@pupils.nlcsjeju.kr
The English Society had a strong start this academic year. Tackling the theme of ‘New Beginnings’, we looked over a major work of English literature; Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales. We began with a brief overview of literary history, then looked at the ‘General Prologue’, studying the satirical characterisation of medieval society evident in this section of the long poem. Some members even went on to create their own stanzas satirising social roles in the 21st century. After finishing The Canterbury Tales, we had a fairly long hiatus preparing for English and Dance Enrichment week, which was a resounding success! Our stalls gathered a greater crowd than in any previous year. The hallway activities; the House Competition organised by Y8 Ryan Park, Ted Koh, and Jungwoo Sim; the launch of the Pier literary magazine; the poetry workshops hosted by the Dead Poets Society; and the ‘Celebration of Words and Motion’, an evening event of joint dance and poetry held in front of parents and visitors, together made the Enrichment week an unforgettable experience. Once we were done with the administrative business of Enrichment, the Society sprang right back to action with our own private poetry workshop, which gave rise to such magnificent magna opera as the poem ‘Milk’ by Edward Lee in Y7. With the beginning of the new year, the English Society is ready to sail into new waters, studying the Odyssey by Homer. However, in the very beginning of 2026, our wonderful secretary, Y9 Sophia Kim, will be taking the wheel and delivering an exciting 3week course on authorial strategies and the book Wonderworks by Angus Fletcher. An energetic year lies ahead. -Sunghyun (Andy) Kim, Chair
THE ENGLISH SOCIETY QUARTERLY
Note
Producer’s Note Designer: Seojoon (Ryan) Park
Support Teacher: Ms Crabtree
sjpark31@pupils.nlcsjeju.kr rcrabtree@nlcsjeju.kr
When I joined the English Society last year, I thought we were just going to talk about some poems or stories, and yes, that did happen. But what I realised after attending some meetings was that underneath all those (sometimes boring) lectures, was the fact that these members were allowed to make their own writings and create their own projects. And this year, that happened for me. In a few conversations with Ms Crabtree and later on with the Chairs, an idea sprouted for the English Society to have a magazine. A literary magazine where members could submit their works. And out of that single idea came many more developments, which finally led to the creation of “The English Society Quarterly.” After dedicating the latter of Term 1 and the Christmas Break to develop this magazine, I can safely say I am proud of what first came as a suggestion developed into a real-life practical result. Many thanks to Ms Crabtree, The Chairs and Secretary, and members that gave me ideas and suggestions and really made this project great and helped to develop it. I hope you have enjoyed this year’s first (and the English Society’s first) literary magazine and we will return with the Spring Edition next year. -Seojoon (Ryan) Park, Producer
A LITERARY MAGAZINE PUBLISHED EVERY 3 MONTHS THAT CONTAINS THE TALENTED WORK OF ENGLISH SOCIETY MEMBERS, REFLECTIONS BY THE CHAIRS, AND NOTES ON NEW PROJECTS
English Society Quaterly
rcrabtree@nlcsjeju.kr
Edition #1
Published Date