This June, students at Sookmyung Women's University (SMWU) participated as voters in the 21st presidential candidate election. Through this vote, a professor in the Department of French Language & Culture was elected as the new president. Beyond her studies related to France, she is now working to raise her university's cultural status in addition to her academic achievements. This SMT reporter met Professor Moon Si-yeun, the current President of SMWU who ran under the slogan of "Proud Sookmyung" to become a leader of Sookmyung and the world.

 

Before beginning the interview, please introduce yourself to Sookmyungians.

Hello, I am Moon Si-yeun, and I joined the Department of French Language & Culture at SMWU in 1984. After graduating, I went to France to earn my master's and doctoral degrees. Then I returned to Korea and was appointed as a professor in 1997 and have held that position ever since.

 

You graduated from the Department of French Language & Culture, and now you are currently a professor in the same department. What first made you interested in French culture?

Like many students who are interested in exchange between cultures in this department, I initially enrolled in this major as I was interested in diplomacy. Before that, I didn't even know how to speak French, so I think I was more interested in cultural exchanges than French culture itself. So, even though I am not currently involved in diplomatic activities for a public institution, it seems like I am engaged in international work in the private sector, like being active in several related academic fields. Eventually, I ended up doing what I love in a different way.
 

 

It seems that you have been exposed to various artistic fields in terms of cultural exchange with France. As a professor of French, we are curious to know what you particularly like about French literature.

My favorite genre is comedy rather than tragedy, so when I wrote my doctoral thesis, I mainly wrote about comedy. What I find positive about French people's lives is their comedic, reversal-style perspective that lightens the weight of life. In this respect, rather than a specific French literary work, I like the fact that it's mostly funny and absurd comedies that lightly tackle philosophical and heavy topics. My students who came to me after graduating also said that they were able to adopt a more leisurely attitude towards life and feel optimistic through French culture. Even if such changes are not visible, I think they change our values in life and help us a lot.

 

What lessons from your past experiences have shaped who you are today?

Before I went abroad to study, my experiences were limited because I was focused on studying rather than meeting many people. Then I went to France, met the people there and experienced their laid-back culture, and I felt envious. I realized the importance of enjoying life to the fullest, like the term YOLO, which means "you only live once." Even though that experience may not have completely changed my life, I think it definitely brought about changes in my values ​​and the rhythm of my life.
 

 

We would like to ask what learning attitudes you would like to encourage among language major students, including those in the department in which you teach.

I believe that language majors should be able to master at least one language. These days, translation machines like DeepL have developed so much that people may not feel the need to study languages, but knowing a language is like opening a new window because it gives you insight and allows you to understand a new world. Especially in countries that are highly dependent on exports, global talent is needed, and to achieve this, studying foreign languages ​​is necessary. It doesn't have to be French, but I hope you can learn at least one language and become a significantly high-level leader.

 

You have not only served as a professor but also held various positions on campus like the secretary of the Research Institute of Asian Women and the director of the central library. Especially when you worked as the library director, do you have any memorable experiences?

At that time, we invited former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and film director Park Chan-wook to our library, and so many students signed up for these special lectures that the website server crashed. I thought if these lectures were held at the central library, it would have a great impact on the students. Based on these experiences, I wanted the library to be recognized as a place that opens the door to the future, a space where students can prepare for their own futures. So, I remember a lot about inviting those speakers by using the development fund at that time.
 

 

Beyond focusing on French culture, it seems that you are also interested in the globalization of culture itself. What are some areas where you feel the need for globalization?

It seems that globalization of food and goods has developed a lot, but if there is something that has not yet been globalized, it is "perception." Only when we have an attitude and awareness that can accept multiculturalism, will the related systems function properly. To globalize perception, knowing the languages ​​of other countries and understanding their positions are necessary.

 

As a promise in the presidential election, beyond mentioning the importance of globalization, you also emphasized improving student welfare. What kind of support do you think students need most now?

For student welfare, I think that although part-time jobs are good for students because they provide them with social experience, scholarships should be increased so that students can secure study time and reduce part-time job hours. Moreover, it is important to give experience as a gift in addition to financial support. While it may feel good for students to earn some cash immediately, it will definitely stay in their memories for a longer time if they get to see the world and gain insight through overseas activities such as the global exploration group. Currently, there are just six teams selected from the global exploration group, so I would like to increase this number and create experiences and memories that have value beyond money, beyond a livelihood.

 

With many universities trying to evolve, is there anything else you are planning to do to secure the future competitiveness of SMWU?

In order to enhance the school's competitiveness, it is important to first secure the number of students and then focus on improving their quality. This approach mirrors Korea's broader population challenges: without a steady influx of students, schools risk facing financial difficulties. In other words, increasing the quantity of students is a prerequisite for enhancing the quality of education. In our case, the number of international students is lower compared to other universities. Therefore, it is vital to reduce student attrition and actively attract more foreign students to strengthen the school's internationalization and ensure its future competitiveness.
 

 

You once said in the election pledge that you want to make SMWU a Hallyu-centered university, and we were wondering how you are planning to do this.

We are planning a summer school in May 2025, which will help generate interest among international students and showcase what our university has to offer. Leveraging influencers who come to the school to highlight SMWU's advantages through special programs will be beneficial. To further develop SMWU into a global university, I aim to increase partnerships with companies in the cultural content sector. This will provide students with valuable practical experience and open up specific career opportunities.

 

What kind of president would you like to be, and how would you like SMWU to grow in the future?

It is challenging to please everyone, but if students can genuinely feel the positive changes at the school, I think that's a success. Although differing opinions are inevitable, bringing people together is needed. Even if my tenure as president doesn't receive universal acclaim, I hope to be recognized for having established a solid financial foundation that supports SMWU during this period. Also, I would like to assist SMWU's continued growth. My goal is to transform our university into a small but robust global university, one that students can proudly call their own.
 

 

Finally, what would you like to say to Sookmyungians who are striving to achieve their dreams?

Don't just dream when you sleep, dream while you're awake. Growth comes from having a vision. Without a dream, it's easy to settle for mediocrity, but with a dream, you can get closer to achieving it. It's crucial to focus on long-term goals rather than getting caught up in short-term gains. Dreams are the engine that makes you grow, that represent the future, so envisioning your future is the key to pursuing something that truly excites you. Once you have a dream, being proactive is essential. I often see talented students who struggle with confidence. So, I encourage you to be more confident and take the initiative in your life.

 

MOON SI-YEUN

- Sookmyung Women's Univ., (B.A.) Department of French Language & Culture (1988)
- Professor of Department of French Language & Culture, SMWU (1997~)
- Awarded the Chevalier of the Order of Merit for Education by the French Government (2007)
- Awarded the Officier of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French Government (2012)
- Vice President of Korean Federation of Women Professors (2020~)
- President of the World Association for Hallyu Studies (WAHS) (2021~)

 

Lee Park Jeongeun / Culture Section Editor
smt.lpje@gmail.com
Seo Kang Seoyoon / Reporter
smt.sksy@gmail.com