By. Cho Ryeo-jin
The Post Reporter
lemonyujin@dongguk.edu

Hello! I'm Kim Dong-guk, the 48th student majoring in Faculty of Drama & Cinema!?
Probably most Donggukians have heard this loud megaphone mouth at the Academic Cultural Center, Dongguk Hall or other places on campus.
"I can't stand it anymore.  It's too noisy,? complained a male student while some of his friends standing next to him were nodding in agreement. 
There have been similar complaints about this problem every year.  As time goes by, more students are complaining about it. 
" I told them to be quite when they were shouting in the school cafeteria.  I was very upset, but they ignored my complaint.  Freshmen have no shame.  I think this problem is the fault of seniors, professors, and alumni.  Because they regard this action as their proud tradition and want to keep it going.  But I have a right to study and concentrate on my work in a quiet environment.  Everyone using the Academic Cultural Center has the right to study in peace.  I expect this problem to be properly managed.? Kim Duk-hee, a DU graduate school student stressed.

Other Problems
An unpleasant noise, is that all?   
There are other complaints besides loud noise.  "It's good to respect seniors.  But I can't understand how freshmen can shout for their seniors in front of professors.  Do they respect their seniors more than our professors?? One student said.  Here is the Post's survey showing the opinions of students at DU including Drama majors.  This anonymous survey was conducted in March.
 
Lots of complaints about shouting in public places  caused some conflicts between Drama majors and other majors.  Some people verbally assault them.  And they are attacked on the schoo's homepage: - "They don't have any brains in their heads.  So, they are always shouting to show their false pride.?

What caused this problem?
-Ranking tradition
Besides our school's Drama majors, other majors-- Physical Education, Physics major and Police Administration major-- are notorious for their military-like discipline.  As in military service, they have to respect their seniors like gods. 

"In the past, we were governed by Japan and I think the spirit of the master race still exists with us.  In this way, a small number of seniors want to be honored by their "Inferior" juniors.  I also experienced this when I was a freshman, but couldn't do anything about it.?One senior Drama major said.  "Students in other departments don't understand, really.  Juniors are physically abused by their seniors.  It is a very serious problem.  Perhaps if other student knew our plight, they would forgive Megaphone Mouth.?

Why do they need Megaphone Mouth?  And what do they think about it?
"We need to be confident to perform in a play.  Megaphone Mouth is practice.  It helps us to reduce fear in front of many people.  We also hate to be Megaphone Mouth in public places, but we have to.  Most of us think it bothers other major students, but we cannot express our opinion.  Why?  Think about our major's characteristics.  It's our tradition and we had better follow it for our better campus life.  The tradition is an integral part of our major and a small number of people want to keep this tradition,?he replied.

Conclusion
"Cleaning and shouting may be not a bad idea.  It is part of being a Drama major.  However, we, Drama majors, also know that it is rude to shout in public places, but it is our tradition and our responsibility to keep it alive.  I'm so sorry to ask  other majors to approve of our tradition.  However, some of the hardships in the tradition are being removed despite some seniors?effort to keep them.  For example, freshmen used to have to clean the theater at 8 in the morning, which has nothing to do with improving drama skills, but they don't have to do it anymore.  I want students to play their roles willingly, not reluctantly,?One senior stressed. 

This interview helps to know the opinions of Drama majors and to understand their unique situation.  We'll need to be patient considering about their characteristic and encourage them to do their best, not discourage them.

1-1. Have you ever heard Megaphone Mouth saying,  "Hello, I'm the 48th student majoring in Faculty of Drama & Cinema, Kim Dong-guk!?

a. Yes: 90.7% 
b. No: 9.3%

1-2. If the answer is a, where do you usually hear Megaphone Mouth?

a. Hallway in the Academic Cultural Center, Dongguk Hall: 47.58%
b. In a lecture room: 2.64%
c. Rest rooms, restaurants: 42.73%
d. Other places outside of buildings: 7.05%

2. What do you think about Megaphone Mouth?

a. It is that department's tradition; so it can help them to have pride: 8.23%
b. It shows respect for seniors well: 4.56%
c. It annoys other students by making a lot of noise in a public place.: 37.26%
d. Their respect for seniors is too excessive.: 37.7%
e. Other opinions: 12.35%

- I've heard that freshmen Drama majors who shout in hallways also dislike this tradition.  It should be abolished.
- If it has something to do with drama training, I can accept it.  But I cannot accept a lot of loud noise.
- I just don't understand why they have to be so loud.
- I think they are too proud about themselves.
- It's okay.  They can have pride about their major.
- I don't care.  I've seen it for several years, so now I'm used to it.

Cho Ryeo-jin  lemonyujin@dongguk.edu

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