Climate change, the Ukraine war, the Gomis city, and guidance for early voting in the South Korean presidential election.

Trends in Climate Change and Natural Disasters

From April 2 to 6, 2025, intense rain and severe flooding occurred in eight states, including Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri, and Georgia. Due to record rainfall, at least 24 people lost their lives, and hundreds of thousands were displaced, leading to significant damage. We can feel the negative impact of climate change continuing to affect our lives. In particular, such natural disasters can completely change our daily lives at unexpected moments. In such situations, I especially want to express my condolences to those affected. The forecast on May 25 predicted strong thunderstorms in the Fort Worth area, with 13 inches of rain expected, and some areas issued flash flood warnings due to concentrated rainfall of up to 46 inches. In Hawaii, the impacts of climate change include rising average temperatures, rising sea levels, and changes in precipitation patterns. It's reported that the ground subsidence rate in the Oahu area is 40 times faster than expected, leading to predictions that areas like Waikiki and major airports could be at risk of flooding by 2080. Additionally, on May 25, over 100,000 people in New Orleans and Jefferson suburban areas experienced power outages due to a heatwave and high electricity demand. This serves as a reminder of how significantly climate change can impact our daily lives and safety.

Political and Social Issues

President Vladimir Putin has carried out large-scale drone and missile attacks on major cities including the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. This has resulted in the tragic loss of at least 13 lives. At the same time, President Putin is highlighting the image of the Soviet era through symbolic measures such as the construction of a statue of Joseph Stalin, which is interpreted as a strategy to justify the invasion and strengthen domestic unity. He is also emphasizing state support for the defense industry to expand Russia's arms exports. In the U.S. Senate, Republicans have passed a large tax reform bill called 'One Big, Beautiful Bill' in the House, but there are opposing views even within the Republican Party in the Senate due to concerns over increased fiscal deficits and Medicaid cuts. Some lawmakers have mentioned that it will be difficult for the bill to pass without amendments, while conservative lawmakers argue that the proposed spending cuts are insufficient. It is a critical time to observe what decisions political players will make amid these challenging circumstances.

Education and Scholarships

Starting from the second semester of 2025, the amount of the National Work-Study Scholarship has been increased to a maximum of 400,000 won. This policy is implemented to alleviate the financial burden of educational expenses and expand learning opportunities through work. Additionally, the Korea Scholarship Foundation has recently received a donation of 500,000 dollars and is reportedly running various scholarship programs with these funds. This donation is making a significant contribution to financial stability and the expansion of scholarship initiatives. We are always interested in policies that help many students continuing their studies to learn and grow in a better environment. Therefore, I hope that many people will understand and be aware of the necessity and support of scholarships.

Animation and Content Trends

There are reports that Season 3 of 'Solo Leveling' may air in late 2026 or early 2027. This season is taking the stance that it needs to secure enough time for high-quality production, and the expected storylines will include major arcs such as 'Ah Jin Guild', 'Double Dungeon', 'Japan Crisis', and 'International Guild Conference'. Fans seem to be excited about the story where Sung Jin-Woo's abilities evolve and new enemies known as 'Lords' appear. Additionally, Season 27 of 'South Park' is set to air on July 9, 2025, with recent episodes including 'Happy Birthday Kyle', 'Heating Up', and 'Happy Mother's Day'. The animation and content cover various themes and stimulate the imagination, showing that it has maintained its popularity unchanged from the distant past to the present.

Game Industry Trends

Ubisoft's latest game 'Anno 117: Pax Romana' is a city-building game set in ancient Rome, featuring deep strategic elements and fun, set to be released in 2025. 'Assassin's Creed Shadows' is set in 16th-century Japan and is regarded as a high-quality title. Fans of this series are looking forward to how the new narrative will unfold. Additionally, a new AAA title from the 'Rayman' franchise is also in development, with discussions about the possibility of it being a sequel to the existing series or a crossover format. The gaming industry is continuously evolving, captivating many with various genres and stories. There is growing anticipation for the interesting games that will be released in the future.

Entertainment and Broadcasting

Gominsi is currently starring as chef 'Moyeonju' in the ENA drama 'Your Taste', which is gaining a lot of love both domestically and internationally through Netflix. She is also set to appear in the Netflix series 'Honey Part-time Job', and there is news that she has been selected as the new ambassador for Loewe. Go Yoonjung is receiving positive responses for her role as 'Oiyoung', a first-year obstetrician resident, in the tvN drama 'Someday, a Wise Major Life', and her trip to Canada with fellow actors has also become a hot topic. Many are finding strength in their continuous efforts for self-improvement. Through various activities in the entertainment industry, we hope they continue to bring inspiration and joy to many.

Technology and Service Issues

On May 26, 2025, a global access disruption occurred at Canva. Users reported difficulties logging in and accessing projects, which was confirmed to be due to an internal error, and recovery efforts are underway. Such technical issues can cause inconvenience to many people and remind us of the importance of technology services. Particularly when such disruptions happen, the need for prompt recovery and follow-up actions for users remains a significant challenge. We must not forget that as technology advances, the services that accompany it must also evolve accordingly.

Other Social Trends

On Memorial Day, May 26, 2025, financial markets such as the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq were closed, and the USPS shut down all locations. Costco was closed, while major retailers like Walmart operated on reduced hours. After various events and holidays, people are spending quality time with family or friends, feeling each other's presence. The exchange of gifts and the time spent together are memorable. It is worth reflecting on what these holidays mean to us. Chris Hemsworth is set to star in the movie 'Extraction 3' scheduled for release in 2025, seeking a family-centric life. Drake plans to resume OVO Fest in Toronto in the summer of 2025, with new songs topping the charts and receiving acclaim. Stevie Nicks is scheduled to start a solo tour in August 2025, with plans for a joint performance with Billy Joel. Ellen DeGeneres is enjoying farm life in the UK, and there are recent discussions about her potential return to the U.S. These updates provide us with various insights and allow us to experience different ways of life and diverse cultural backgrounds.

Real estate development

The 'Smart City Osan Regional Housing Association Project' currently underway in the Yangsan-dong area of Osan City aims for a scale of 1,672 households with a target move-in date in the first half of 2027. Additionally, large-scale housing association projects are being developed in areas such as Suseong District in Daegu and Doan New Town in Daejeon. However, some projects are facing delays due to issues with member recruitment and land acquisition, or are encountering legal disputes, leading to difficulties. We hope that these real estate developments will enhance the quality of life for residents. It is evident that we are all striving to live in a better environment.

Advance Voting for the 21st Presidential Election of South Korea

Early voting will take place on May 29 and 30 from 6 AM to 6 PM. It is available at polling places nationwide without any separate application required, and identification must be presented. The locations of polling stations can be checked on the website or app of the National Election Commission. This is an important opportunity for citizens to exercise their rights, and we hope many citizens will actively participate to make their voices heard.