My Work

"Yes, Chef"

The “Yes, Chef” culture is reminiscent of the culture of discipline and hierarchy that characterizes Japanese society, where the concept of “dō” (the way) holds great significance. This cultural philosophy places a strong emphasis on gratitude that comes with mastering a craft through unwavering dedication, practice, and persistence. Similarly, the principle is reflected in the customs of the traditional Japanese kitchen, where strict hierarchy and stations with their unique responsibilities are emphasized. The chef is held in high regard for their ability to master the craft of cooking through intense training and ambitiousness.

Abolish UCI’s Foreign Language Requirement for Transfer Students, Humanities Major Students and Students with Learning Disabilities

While learning a foreign language is objectively beneficial for employment, there’s no guarantee that students will apply their knowledge if they haven’t acquired anything fundamental or long-lasting. It may be easy to attribute the inherent challenges and ambiguities in learning a foreign language to the students themselves and their work ethic. However, a closer examination of the foreign language teaching system at UCI reveals a complex array of flaws that further complicate the learning experience.

‘Say Yes to Heaven’ Finally Sees the Light of Day

‘Say Yes to Heaven’ Finally Sees the Light of Day Lana Del Rey took the world by surprise when she dropped an official studio recording of “Say Yes to Heaven” on various streaming services...

From Runway to Retail, H&M x Mugler Brings Sex to the City Run, don’t walk, to your nearest H&M. The Swedish retail giant recently unveiled its partnership with the illustrious French fashion house Mugler. With an...

‘The Last of Us,’ a Revolutionary Magnum Opus of Faithful Video Game Adaptation Editor’s

From Runway to Retail, H&M x Mugler Brings Sex to the City

The H&M x Mugler collection features a range of clothing pieces that incorporate Mugler’s signature futuristic and sexy design aesthetic with H&M’s more accessible and affordable style. The collection’s lookbook, released on March 23, revealed an array of ruched, form-fitting sheer dresses, futuristic leather coats and outerwear with exaggerated shoulders and cinched waists. Undoubtedly, Mugler’s trademark sharp and clean silhouettes are evident in the pieces, with many featuring sheer paneling and intricate, asymmetrical cut-outs that reveal glimpses of the skin.

‘The Last of Us,’ a Revolutionary Magnum Opus of Faithful Video Game Adaptation

“The Last of Us” has been retold before in various forms, with the remastered copy released in 2014 and the recent launch of the first game’s remake. However, the episodic format of the series pushes the bar even further and benefits with the advantage of tasteful foreshadowing in the series’ storytelling. New and pre-existing characters of the game, either friend or foe of our protagonists, have been thematically optimized and reimagined. Now, their interwoven narratives are more cohesive to the overarching story as they tie more and more weight to Joel and Ellie’s arcs.

There’s More Than Meets the Eye With ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’

The titular anthropomorphic cat that we’ve come to know and love, Puss (Antonio Banderas), returned to the screen on Dec. 21 in “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.” Subverting the expectations of beloved fans of the Shrek franchise, the creative animated film knew how to stray far, far away from mediocrity.

After death greets the crime-fighting feline at his door and knocks him down to his last life, Puss wants to use

The Backrooms: Capitalism’s Aftermath of Ghost Towns

On May 12, 2019, an anonymous user contributed to a 4chan thread asking its participants to “post disquieting images that just feel ‘off’.” A single photo of an empty office space with fluorescent lighting, beige carpet and walls decorated with yellow ‘90s styled wallpaper was enough for the internet to lose its mind. Believed to be founding footage of an alternate dimension’s “level zero,” its mysterious nature birthed one of the internet’s biggest sensations in the lore community.

‘The Menu’ May Leave Your Stomach Feeling Empty

“The Menu” is a wry concoction of horror, psychological thriller and comedy that was released on Nov. 18. Unfolding the tragic dining experience of an upper class, the film borrows the pretentious culinary attitudes of “Chef’s Table,” the black comedic tones of “Ready or Not,” and the satirical nature of “Knives Out.” However, the film’s disproportionally stale commitment to these genres, accompanied by a few flat plot twists, never

God of War: Ragnarök, A Reinvented Norse Mythological Tale on Parenthood

The beloved father-son duo Kratos and Atreus returned Nov. 9 in “God of War: Ragnarök,” continuing their journey together as they await the cataclysmic destruction of their world and battle with the almighty Odin. Originally slated for its release in 2021, Sony Santa Monica Studio faced some delay in their development of the game due to the COVID-19 pandemic and their lead voice actor’s health issues. As the ninth installment of the franchise, “God of War: Ragnarök” is a sequel to 2018’s “God of War,” a notoriously praised game that left fans questioning how the Norse saga of the series will come to its end.

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