At first sight, the phrase "storm in a teacup" makes no sense at all. Not only would it be impossible to place a storm inside a teacup, but the teacup would also lack the durability to contain such a force for any period of time. As such, the phrase “storm in a teacup” describes a situation where a trivial issue has been blown out of proportion, beyond any rational context or its capacity to be contained. This is the overarching theme of the May issue of The Granite Tower (GT), as we brew our very own “storms in a teacup,” sending them your way in the form of articles and speculations.

Our Cover Story highlights the many controversies surrounding Korea’s everchanging college admissions process. This is the embodiment of a “storm in a teacup,” with countless students, parents, and educational organizations creating a frenzy of test scores and extracurricular activities unprecedented in other countries. We also dissect controversial aspects of Korean culture like the consumption of dog meat, or Jeong and the deep-rooted implications they have on Korean society.

This month, GT also held a Student Writing Contest under the theme: “Share a trivial matter in your life that ended up having larger implications.” Readers can find the two winners of this contest in our May issue. Additionally, our Photo Essays present diverse interpretations of this month’s theme by the Photography Department, and our Voice on Campus and Survey articles showcase students’ intriguing thoughts on some sensitive subjects. Overall, the May issue demonstrates chaos at its best, whether it be cultural or individual, and we hope readers will be able to relate to the various topics we selected and the messages they convey.