The Dankook Herald (DKH), the English newspaper of Dankook University, which started in 1972, has been making efforts to serve Dankookians (Students of Dankook University) by delivering news from within and off-campus and promoting understanding and experience of different cultures from various countries. The DKH has particularly been dedicated to providing quick and accurate news and facilitating adaptation for international Dankookians. Despite its long history, since 2023, the DKH has been undergoing changes, considering communication with international Dankookians as its most important value. The DKH interviewed the Editor-in-Chief and Deputy Directors to hear vivid experiences made here.
First, the DKH interviewed Kim Ju-yeon, Editor-in-Chief.
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| ▲ Website of the DKH (Photo from DKH) |
What are the main activities of the DKH?
The DKH is primarily engaged in online article publication and magazine issuance. Additionally, all reporters directly gather news materials and coverage to accurately deliver campus and external issues. Through this, we aim to provide diverse information not only to domestic Dankookians but also to international Dankookians.
Where can we find the DKH’s articles?
The DKH’s articles are published on the official website (dkherald.dankook.ac.kr). Other news, such as easily accessible card news, can be found on the DKH's Instagram (@the_dankookherald). Dankookians can easily stay updated with our news through the DKH's KakaoTalk (dankookherald).
What kind of articles does the DKH mainly publish?
We have a total of six sections, and more than 15 articles are published per month. Publication takes place every two weeks, and the most frequently covered sections are Inside Dankook, Herald Focus, and International Dankookians, which are beloved by many Dankookians. Additionally, selected articles throughout the semester are published in a magazine format. Currently, you can still find some of the 2023 winter editions on campus.
What direction and values the DKH is pursuing?
It seems that DKH is becoming a more friendly newspaper as time goes by. The interaction with Dankookians, which had been somewhat stagnant due to COVID-19 in recent years, has been revitalized, and we are also striving to contribute to this. As the only English-language newspaper on campus, we consider our main readership to be international Dankookians and aim to grow as the first choice for their interests and information. As Professor Yang Young-yu, the head of the DMC mentioned, the goal of the DKH is to thrive as a medium that Dankookians turn to for news.
Next, the DKH interviewed Dinh Phuong-thao, Deputy Director.
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| ▲ Reporters Reviewing Articles in Magazine (Photo from DKH) |
What kind of work does the reporting department do?
The reporting department is tasked with four main responsibilities for this semester: correcting the Herald Focus section for two weeks, managing the KakaoTalk channel, designing a recruiting poster for trainee reporters, and covering school festivals. Broadly speaking, my job as the Deputy Director is to manage the news department and correct the articles with the Editor-in-Chief.
What is your favorite section and why?
My favorite section is 'International Dankookians' because its articles easily capture international Dankookians' attention. Within this section, we provide articles on various culturally rich activities that international Dankookians can experience while in Korea. Additionally, we actively invite international Dankookians to join us in these activities. For example, when writing an article titled 'Exploring the Allure of Study Cafes in Korea,' we visited a study café with international Dankookians to study for the exam and experienced Korean study café culture together, immersing ourselves in a unique atmosphere. I believe that this section has the potential to introduce international Dankookians to diverse and enriching experiences. In the future, I hope to bring more interesting topics connected with the international Dankookians community.
What is your most memorable episode in the DKH?
One of the most memorable aspects of working at the DKH was the magazine publishing process. As a team, we collaborated on curating articles for each semester and compiled them into a magazine format. We selected one article from each section to include in a magazine. What made this experience particularly enjoyable was the opportunity to design the layout of the magazine myself.
Lastly, we interviewed with Bae Seo-yeon, Deputy Director.
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| ▲ Reporters Reviewing Related to Magazine Layout and Design (Photo from DKH) |
What kind of work does the planning department do?
In 2024, the planning department is primarily involved in promoting and producing the DKH, collaborating with other organizations, and creating article card news. At the beginning of every semester, information including the introduction of the DKH and FAQs is compiled into card news format and shared on Instagram to disseminate information to Dankookians. Additionally, in collaboration with in-school organizations that focus on international Dankookians such as DIA and GTN, the DKH also writes special articles like ‘A Glimpse into the Experiences of Exchange Students at DKU’ to engage with international Dankookians. To enhance accessibility, starting this semester, we are reorganizing the format and design of article card news to improve the flow of articles.
What is your favorite section and why?
My favorite section is also ‘International Dankookians.’ I have felt excited about this section since the beginning of its preparation. I find it to be a more liberating section compared to others, as it allows me to write articles that reflect the information I want to share with international Dankookians, my experiences, and even my personal preferences. This excitement persists every time I prepare for this section, and I am constantly curious about what topics can be both enjoyable and beneficial for international Dankookians.
What is your most memorable episode in the DKH?
The most memorable moment for me was when I covered the festival site last year. It was the first article I wrote as a main reporter after entering the DKH, and I was even more nervous because it was a cover story. I went around the festival site and conducted field interviews with the former Editor-in-Chief, and it was an overwhelming moment to realize that I had become a reporter for the DKH after going through field interviews for the first time. It remains an unforgettable memory from my probationary period.
Through interviews with the Editors-in-Chief, and Deputy Directors, we were able to catch a glimpse of the DKH and their passion. The DKH will always do its best for the Dankookians and strive to be a platform for direct communication with them. Every reporter will actively pursue communication with the Dankookians and make every effort to grow as a humble media outlet that meets expectations.
박상우, 박지윤, 홍채연 dankookherald@gmail.com
