In 2009, an article written by a professor titled “You Have No Hope” was printed in the University newspaper. He discussed the so-called “20s gaesaekkiron,” who are Korean twenty somethings who do not have passion and are not capable. In the wake of this extreme article, many controversial debates followed. This article was a criticism of Korean twentysomethings who have been indifferent to Korean issues and focused on building “specs.” It received bitter criticism for concealing the real situation of young people experiencing great challenges finding a job and the worst unemployment.

KMU students, do you think that it is fair that such words as “88 generation,” “surplus human,” “20s gaesaekkiron,” and “lonely hermit” can be used to identify you? Anyone among you may not be satisfied with an evaluation like that. The blame is not on you but on the savage era which compels competition, materialism, and a “winner takes all” attitude. Because the existing generation led society in the wrong direction, twenty somethings are having trouble. Though our society looks like a big shopping mall with endless choices, you should not blame yourself or fall into a sense of shame.

Where you stand now is the place bearing the pain of the times, so to say, university. On campus, you go to the library to prepare TOEIC, take an exam during semester, and take charge of your grades. While doing this, you may have experienced a sense of emptiness derived from a repeated daily routine, or you may experience that kind of emotion some day. You may have asked questions like: If I prepare for finding a job well, can I get a job? If so, what would the next thing be? Is it sure that a competitive life is waiting for me? These questions are like endless retrogression and lead you to sarcasm. A question like “Will our society really change?” is the final stage of cynicism.

How about you? Are you sarcastic and cynical people? Anyway, all of you should try not to allow yourselves such negative attitudes, asking yourselves if you are looking at the world cynically. Such attitudes are linked to job searching. Even if you have better specs, you can’t get even a simple job. What’s worse, if you are already a sarcastic person, getting a job is much harder. Only a real enthusiast loving himself can plunge into a responsible job. If you really want to work at your ideal workplace, you should set your own standards first of all, and start to draw your new life. Then, you can realize your potential.

Even if the situation you face now seems like failure, it can lead you to a big chance. Of course, you have to endure the accompanying pain in order to draw a new life. However hard it is to get a job, and however much pain you feel, dream of changing the situation.

KMU students, we have many ambitious students and even more dreaming of success. However, we have ones who dream less of changing the world and fewer thinking constructively. The first step begins with the relationship with others. If you take a step toward others, you can change the world.

Young people should have an attitude that can help find solutions to universal problems like the environment and starvation. KMU students, with reasonable spirit and belief, you should deny the savageness of the times by joining together to be free of the current pain. At the same time, you should write a new hopeful history without failure.