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New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

Jun Sung

Jun Sung, Deputy Managing Editor

Jun is a senior double-majoring in History and East Asian Studies. He’s from Indiana, but managed to find his way to New York City. When he isn’t on Twitter, you’ll probably see him playing League of Legends. Follow him on Twitter @sung__jun.

All content by Jun Sung
Support GSOC to Protect NYU

Support GSOC to Protect NYU

The gains that University of Michigan’s Graduate Employees’ Organization made through its strike shows that GSOC and its negotiating power should be at the forefront in any fight to support and accommodate the NYU community.
Jun Sung, Deputy Managing Editor September 27, 2020

The Graduate Employees’ Organization at the University of Michigan organized a strike on Sept. 8 in response to the university’s plans to reopen its campus and the lack of...

Staff Rants: Drinks

Staff Rants: Drinks

From milk to kombucha — here’s our staff’s hot takes on drinks.

On Black Coffee Helen Wajda, Deputy Opinion Editor I love coffee as much as the next person, but I will never understand how anyone can drink it black. Maybe I’m drinking...

Staff Rants: Online Classes

Staff Rants: Online Classes

NYU students have been taking classes online since Wednesday, March 11. Hear our staff’s experiences on the situation.

On Arriving Early Helen Wajda, Deputy Opinion Editor I’ve never been more uncomfortable than the five minutes before class started where it was just me, my professor and...

The Significant Climate Impact of the USMCA

The Significant Climate Impact of the USMCA

With the likely implementation of the USMCA in North America, it is important to understand its disastrous effects on the environment.
Jun Sung, Opinion Editor January 31, 2020

On Jan. 29, President Trump signed into law the United States-Mexico-Canada-Agreement, a free trade agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada that builds upon the...

Kanye West and the Commodification of Christianity

Kanye West and the Commodification of Christianity

Kanye’s turn to Christianity is emblematic of the large influence of the prosperity gospel in the United States.
Jun Sung, Deputy Opinion Editor December 3, 2019

Kanye West released “Jesus Is King” on Oct. 25, an album showcasing his reconnection with Christianity. Though it may seem like a newfound dedication to Christ, the reality...

The Necessity of Protesting on Privileged Ground

The Necessity of Protesting on Privileged Ground

The protest at the Harvard-Yale football game should be a catalyst for future change at NYU.
Jun Sung, Deputy Opinion Editor November 26, 2019

The annual Harvard-Yale football game was disrupted on Saturday by student activists from Divest Harvard, Yale Endowment Justice Coalition and Fossil Free Yale who demanded that...

De Blasio’s Abysmal Attempt at Homeless Outreach

De Blasio’s Abysmal Attempt at Homeless Outreach

Mayor de Blasio’s Outreach NYC program is a miserable attempt at solving the city’s homelessness crisis.
Jun Sung, Deputy Opinion Editor November 19, 2019

Mayor Bill de Blasio launched Outreach NYC last week, which aims to address the city’s homelessness issue. The program encourages city workers to contact a command center when...

Bloomberg and the Politics of Class Struggle

Bloomberg and the Politics of Class Struggle

As former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg looks to run for President, it is important to understand that he is a direct reaction against the rise of the left in the U.S.
Jun Sung, Deputy Opinion Editor November 12, 2019

On Nov. 8, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg filed to run in the Alabama Democratic Primary. His advisors say that he is running because he believes the candidates in...

Stop U.S. Base Relocation in Okinawa

Stop U.S. Base Relocation in Okinawa

The Japanese government should recognize the results of the Okinawan referendum and stop any U.S. base relocation in the prefecture immediately.
Jun Sung, Deputy Opinion Editor November 5, 2019

Last December, the Japanese government started landfill work in Okinawa as part of its efforts to relocate the U.S. military base from Futenma to Henoko. This plan is in response...

Vote Yes on Ballot Question 1

Vote Yes on Ballot Question 1

New Yorkers must vote for ranked-choice voting to revolutionize the city’s political landscape.
Jun Sung, Deputy Opinion Editor October 28, 2019

New York City residents will be able to vote on Nov. 5 whether or not to implement a ranked-choice voting system for local primaries and certain special elections. Under this system,...

New York’s Homeless Deserve Safer Shelters

New York’s Homeless Deserve Safer Shelters

The gruesome murders in Chinatown reveal the need for safer facilities for the homeless.
Jun Sung, Deputy Opinion Editor October 21, 2019

Earlier this month, four homeless men were killed in Chinatown, and one was critically injured. The situation reveals the dangers of living on the street and is emblematic of New...

NYC Law Enforcement Needs to be Held Accountable

NYC Law Enforcement Needs to be Held Accountable

Oriel Ceballos’ arrest in Washington Square Park is an example of why New York City law enforcement needs more accountability.
Jun Sung, Deputy Opinion Editor October 15, 2019

Oriel Ceballos, a local artist who frequently displays his work in Washington Square Park, was violently arrested last week by law enforcement. A video taken by a bystander in...

DNA Collection Program Demonizes Migrants

DNA Collection Program Demonizes Migrants

Americans must recognize that the new U.S. immigration policy of DNA collection is a racist step toward genetic mass surveillance.
Jun Sung, Deputy Opinion Editor October 7, 2019

Soon, U.S. immigration officials will be allowed to start collecting DNA samples of detained migrants. Supporters of this argue that the program is necessary to find people posing...

Imagining President Pence

Imagining President Pence

With the looming possibility of impeachment and the removal of President Trump, it is important to prepare for the realities of a Pence presidency.
Jun Sung, Deputy Opinion Editor September 30, 2019

Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives launched an impeachment inquiry for President Donald Trump. Because of his crimes, the House and the Senate should investigate, impeach...

Regulation, Not Prohibition

Regulation, Not Prohibition

With e-cigarette flavor bans on both the national and state level, it is important to recognize why prohibition would not work.
Jun Sung, Deputy Opinion Editor September 23, 2019

During Prohibition, the United States banned the manufacture, sale and transportation of alcohol. As a result, the U.S. saw the rise of an illegal black market and an unregulated...

Unionize College Sports

Unionize College Sports

California’s new bill for college sports is a good first step, but unionization should be the goal.
Jun Sung, Deputy Opinion Editor September 16, 2019

California Governor Gavin Newsom will soon sign into law the “Fair Pay to Play Act,” which would let a college athlete profit off of their name, image and likeness. The law...

Building Jails and Barring Voices

Building Jails and Barring Voices

The proposed Chinatown jail shows how far Mayor de Blasio is willing to go for political power by excluding the community from discussions despite health risks.
Jun Sung, Deputy Opinion Editor September 9, 2019

In his quest to close New York City’s most infamous jail, Mayor Bill de Blasio has proposed a four-borough jail plan to replace Rikers Island with four smaller jails in every...

Only Korea Should Determine Korean Peace

Only Korea Should Determine Korean Peace

As Japan and South Korea feud over trade and security issues, it is important to discuss why Japan should be kept out of Korean peace negotiations.
Jun Sung, Deputy Opinion Editor September 2, 2019

Japan and South Korea have recently been involved in a number of disputes resulting in high economic and security tensions between the two countries. These disputes include a trade...

Smoothing the FYA Transition

Smoothing the FYA Transition

Transitioning from a first-year away to Washington Square can be stressful, but it doesn't have to be.
Jun Sung, Deputy Opinion Editor August 22, 2019

As a first-year away student at NYU Washington, D.C., I found the FYA program to be a mixed bag of experiences. While it did provide great opportunities, it didn’t provide a...

Why Buttigieg Is Wrong for America

Why Buttigieg Is Wrong for America

A look at Pete Buttigieg’s time as mayor of South Bend shows his lack of empathy for communities and people of color.
Jun Sung, Contributing Writer May 6, 2019

Of the more than 20 individuals running for president, Pete Buttigieg has stood out among voters a top choice for the 2020 Democratic nomination. As the mayor of South Bend, Indiana,...

K-pop’s Corporate Greed

K-pop’s Corporate Greed

With the popularity of K-pop around the world, it’s important to recognize the exploitation of artists by corporations.
Jun Sung, Contributing Writer April 28, 2019

In the last couple of years, K-pop has expanded into the global cultural sphere, with groups like BTS, BLACKPINK and TWICE gaining massive followings and embarking on tours stretching...

Next Steps in US-NKorea Discussions

Next Steps in US-NKorea Discussions

As talks between the U.S. and North Korea stall, the U.S. must transition to plans on full denuclearization, not just a one-sided one.
Jun Sung, Contributing Writer April 22, 2019

Since the failure of the second Trump-Kim summit, denuclearization and peace negotiations on the Korean peninsula have come to a standstill. On one hand, the U.S. continues to...

The Dangerous Impact of the Far-Right in Japan

The Dangerous Impact of the Far-Right in Japan

Considering political tensions in East Asia and the country’s own history, it is imperative that the growing influence of the Japanese far-right be addressed.
Jun Sung, Contributing Writer April 14, 2019

Recently, Japan has seen a rise of far-right groups, or “uyoku dantai.” Their nationalist agenda advocates for policies such as replacing the current pacifist constitution,...

"Oxnard" is the latest musical effort from acclaimed rapper Anderson .Paak. (via itunes)

Anderson .Paak Shows Funk Belongs Back in Hip-Hop

The musician’s new album combines old hip-hop sounds to pave a new wave in today’s mainstream rap.
Jun Sung, Contributing Writer November 26, 2018
The musician’s new album combines old hip-hop sounds to pave a new wave in today’s mainstream rap.
Kero Kero Bonito on stage during their performance at Elsewhere in Brooklyn. (Photo by Jun Sung)

Kero Kero Bonito Blow the Roof Off Elsewhere

Jun Sung October 22, 2018
London indie pop band Kero Kero Bonito offer innovative tracks to an enthusiastic Brooklyn crowd.
The cover of Kero Kero Bonito's latest album "Time 'n' Place."

Kero Kero Bonito Evolves From Sugar Pop Into Indie Rock with New Album

Jun Sung, Contributing Writer October 16, 2018
Kero Kero Bonito’s incorporates experimental indie rock in their newest album "Time 'n' Place," signifying an evolution from their previous sugar pop style.
Logo for Asian media company 88 Rising. (Wikimedia)

88Rising: Marketing Race, Not Music

Asian-American hip-hop media company 88Rising focuses too much on brand than content.
Jun Sung, Contributing Writer October 15, 2018

88Rising is an Asian-American mass media company based out of New York that focuses on spreading Asian hip-hop in both the United States as well as East Asia. The collective has...