When the news of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic first struck the world in 2019, we did not expect it to stick around for so long. Most people had probably thought: “this too shall pass.” However, the reality is that COVID-19 is still one of the hottest topics even after two years since its inception. Accordingly, many started to abandon the mindset of “this too shall pass” and rather began to acknowledge the seriousness and constant spread of COVID-19 and its mutations. This is in line with the new ‘With Corona’ scheme in Korea – acknowledging the likely scenario of a world plagued with constant COVID-19 and preparing for a safer lifestyle through vaccinations and various safety measures.

Reflecting on this current situation, the essence that we saw in the mindset of “this too shall pass” – or the idea that nothing is permanent – is not overoptimism nor avoidance of reality. Instead, we saw it as a guide to keep people motivated and proactive in these trying times, holding onto the hope to find a better solution to our predicament. Our Cover Story, which deals with China and the emerging forces against its dominance, shows the seriousness of the struggles involved. This discussion on China and its recent confrontation with Lithuania and Australia also pressures Korea to ponder on its relationship with its neighboring superpower.

For this month’s edition, The Granite Tower has invited KU’s international and exchange students as guest reporters to share their stories on the expectations they had before coming to Korea and the reality of their experiences. We, along with our dear guest reporters, wish you enjoy reading our November issue and hope it helps in the understanding of our interpretation of the precept, “this too shall pass.”