Adrian and the Autumn of Han Qiu Chapter 2

Cheonan University of Foreign Studies in Cheonan, a branch of Dankook University.

There are also The Catholic University of Incheon, Chosun University in Gwangju, Gangneung University in Gangneung, Chung-Ang University branch in Anseong, Holy University in Anyang, Daejin University in Pocheon, Wonkwang University in Iksan, Shinsung University in Dangjin, Halla University in Jeju Island, etc.

Below is a brief introduction to these approximately 40 universities, which are divided into several categories.

I teach at Ewha Womans University, which is the largest university in South Korea and the largest women's university in the world, with about 20,000 female students. It not only dominates the women's universities in South Korea, but also ranks among the top ten in the ranking of all universities in South Korea. It is said that it was once ranked fourth, second only to the three major universities of Handa, Yonhap University, and Kwang University. Although many universities are dissatisfied with it now, it is still no problem to be ranked seventh or eighth. For details, please refer to my upcoming article "Being in the Land of Women". In addition to Ewha University, there are many women's universities in South Korea. I have friends who teach at the other women's universities mentioned above. Among them, Sungshin Women's University competes with Sookmyeong Women's University for the position of the second sister. When I went to Sungshin Women's University once, the professors there were protesting against the president. They moved out all the president's office supplies, set up a tent outside the office building, ate and lived inside, and demonstrated day and night. I asked why they were protesting, and my friend told me that the president was the sister of the president of Sookmyeong Women's University. The professors thought, why should the elder sister be the principal of Shuming, and the younger sister be the principal of Chengxin? Isn't this obviously bullying? We must fight and never be the third sister of You.

If we rank schools by reputation, the national university of Seoul is recognized as the leader by the whole country. However, Han University is not ranked prominently in Asia. Some say it ranks in the 40s, and some say it ranks in the 80s. Han University was originally located in the Daedeok-ro area in the city center, and has always been the academic center and student movement center of South Korea. In the mid-1970s, in order to eliminate the power of the student movement, the Park Chung-hee regime deliberately moved Han University to the foot of Gwanak Mountain in the southernmost suburb of Seoul. It is not very lively and prosperous there, but as soon as you enter the campus, you can feel the extraordinary atmosphere, a kind of kingly calmness and relaxation. Although Daedeok-ro lacks Han University, it is still full of avant-garde culture. There are cafes, galleries and small theaters everywhere. Street parks often have open-air performances and art activities, which are full of strong academic atmosphere and vigorous youthful passion. I have met some of the best scholars and artists in South Korea in that area, but I still get lost after going there many times.

As the Chinese saying goes, there is no first in literature and no second in martial arts. Who is the second best after Han University? Yonsei University and Korea University are not willing to give in to each other. So the two schools hold a cultural and sports competition every year, which is actually equivalent to a grand university festival. It’s just that Yonsei University calls it the Yonsei-Korea War, while Korea University calls it the Korea-Yeon War. Since Yonsei University is our neighbor of Ewha Womans University, separated by only one road, it seems that one university has set aside a special women’s campus. The two schools have close contacts and no suspicion, so Ewha Womans University’s position is generally on the side of Yonsei University, and I also call it the Yonsei-Korea War in most cases. However, this year’s Yonsei-Korea War was invited by my friends at Korea University to watch the final battle. Amid the earth-shattering shouts of tens of thousands of people at the Olympic Main Stadium, I sat in the Korea University team. So I had to call it the Korea-Yeon War. Unfortunately, Korea University lost. Of course, winning or losing is not important. The competition between the two schools is mainly about strengthening mutual communication and cohesion. When I returned to Ewha Womans University and told them that I watched the Korea-Yeon War on the weekend, the students immediately corrected me and said it was the Yonsei-Korea War. I quickly admitted my mistake. I know that many students at Ewha University have boyfriends from Yonda University. I once asked students whether they liked Yonda University or Koda University. They said that the boys from Koda University were rougher and not as gentle as those from Yonda University. In fact, I think it's because of the proximity. If Ewha University and Koda University were neighbors, students might say that the boys from Koda University were more masculine. Koda University was established in 1905. It has a tradition of anti-Japanese patriotism. It takes nationalism as its school spirit and is known as the "National Koda University". Its school emblem is a colorful tiger. Most of its former students were from poor families. They were able to endure hardships, were loyal, liked to drink cheap traditional turbid liquor, and dared to charge forward in student movements. In a demonstration in 2000, they had a huge banner that read "Rebellion is justified". However, in recent years, the source of students for Korean universities has generally tended to be from wealthy families, and these characteristics of Koda University are no longer obvious. When I watched the Koda-Yonda battle this time, I felt that the students from Koda University were not as brave as those from Yonda University. On the contrary, the few friends I know from Koda University are indeed very loyal.

Yonda was founded in 1885, one year earlier than Ewha University. Like Ewha University, it is also a Christian university. Therefore, it has a strong Westernized atmosphere and is known as the "Democratic Yonda". The school emblem is an eagle flapping its wings to fly. The school motto is "freedom" and "truth". Most of the students are from the middle class, like to drink beer, and have a free temperament, but I think they also have a strong team spirit. There is a statue of an eagle towering into the sky next to the spacious main road. A friend told me a joke that the eagle above looks down at the students passing by below every day. If it sees a virgin, it will immediately spread its wings and fly away. But many years have passed, and the eagle is still standing there, always spreading its wings, but it just can't fly away. When I heard it, I immediately thought that it seemed to be the crow in Lu Xun's writing. The graduate students of the Chinese major at Yonda left a deep impression on me. They have sharp minds and broad horizons. Although they are known as Westernized, they are actually just as concerned about the country and the people. I actively encourage an undergraduate graduate from Ewha University to study Chinese modern literature at Yonda University. I think the Chinese major at Yonda University is vibrant. In the summer of 2000, I accompanied novelist Yu Hua to a discussion with students at Yonda University. The students' analysis of Yu Hua's works and their understanding of Lu Xun and East Asian issues put a lot of pressure on Yu Hua. I once went to climb Bukhansan Mountain with a group of professors and students after a lecture at Yonda University. Through sincere exchanges with them, I deepened my understanding and good impression of the Korean academic community.

The Ewha University where I study is located in the Seodaemun District of Seoul. There are four universities in this area: Ewha University, Yeonda University, Hongik University and Sogang University. The proud people of Yonsei University disagree with this statement. They believe that there is only one university, namely Yonsei University. The other three schools are not considered universities: Ewha University is a women's makeup school, Hongik University is a fine arts school, and Sogang University is a senior high school. Of course, this is a high-minded joke, and the three schools don't buy it. There is a railway track passing through the front of Yonsei University and Ewha University. On the side of Yonsei University, it passes through the sky bridge in the sky, and on the side of Ewha University, it passes through the bridge hole in the deep valley. So the people of Ewha University said proudly: Hum, the train passing over their heads can only pass under our feet. However, the people of Ewha University have a superstition, that is, when the train passes under their feet, make a wish quickly, and it will come true. I made several wishes there, but none of them came true. Maybe it only applies to women, not men. Or maybe it can only fulfill this wish: let me find a boyfriend from Yonsei University! I have listened to the speeches of professors from Sogang University and read their articles. The level is not lower than that of other universities. As for Hongik University, fine arts is its trump card, which inevitably overshadows the brilliance of other majors. There is a Hongik University station on the subway, and I went there specifically to visit it. There happened to be a small art exhibition in the small park in front of the gate, with the theme of homoS3xuality. The male body painted from a female perspective exudes a special tenderness and depth. The campus is also filled with an art atmosphere, with sculptures and canvases everywhere. The students' clothing is also quite individual, and they look more like students than the middle-class pursuits of Ewha University and Yonha University. Picasso Street in front of Hongdae is lined with cafes and clubs full of exotic and artistic atmosphere. It, together with Sinchon next to Ewha University and Daehakro, is known as the three major youth streets in Seoul.