UChicago Moot Court Places Second in National Competition

By Alina Kim, Arts Editor / February 19, 2022

After weeks of practice, the student-run RSO competed with 26 other universities for the National Moot Court title from January 21-23.

The Fleeting “Eternals” Flies Too Close to the Sun

By Alina Kim, Arts Editor / January 11, 2022

A well-intended portrayal of diversity and human imperfection, "Eternals" winds up deficient in other important storytelling aspects.

The Suicide Squad Reboots Franchise With Guts and Glory

By Alina Kim, Arts Editor / October 10, 2021

Despite some pitfalls, James Gunn's "The Suicide Squad" reboot suggests a promising future for the franchise.

CPOST Research Finds New Right-Wing Extremist Demographic Trend in Capitol Insurrection

By Alina Kim, Arts Editor / June 8, 2021

Led by political science professor Robert Pape, the research found that middle-class and middle-aged citizens without previous connections to the alt-right formed a large majority of the violent mob at the Capitol insurrection.

39. In, De-ed

By Chris Jones, Alina Kim, Cooper Komatsu, and Nish Sinha / May 12, 2021

“Godzilla vs. Kong” Is Absurd and We Know Exactly Why

By Alina Kim, Arts Editor / April 18, 2021

"Godzilla vs. Kong" scrambled to be anything and everything all at once and ended up being exactly what we expected it to be: nothing more than two monsters beating each other up.

38. New Year’s Rockin’ Eve

By Chris Jones, Alina Kim, Cooper Komatsu, and Nish Sinha / April 13, 2021

Kenjiro Lee’s “PRIMAL” Says It’s Okay to Scream

By Alina Kim, Arts Editor / February 28, 2021

The Maroon sits down with alum Kenjiro Lee to talk virtual theater, an incessant need to let it all out in "PRIMAL," and a particular megaphone that just happened to be there.

I KNEW I Smelled a Rat!: A Review of “Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical”

By Alina Kim and Gabi Garcia / January 19, 2021

The first musical of its kind, "Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical" sends a message that truly, anyone can theatre.

Professor Lima Used Pokénomics! It’s Super Effective!

By Alina Kim, Arts Editor / November 23, 2020

Professor Victor Lima sat down with the Chicago Economics Forum to discuss "Pokémon Go," battle game theory, and a rather massive collection of TMs—to be exact, 300 of each.

“The Savior’s Sister” Needs Salvation

By Alina Kim, Arts Editor / October 26, 2020

Indie author Jenna Moreci’s The Savior’s Sister delivers a fast-paced fantasy romance with believable characters, but suffers from uninspired and inconsistent plotlines.

Red Is Lowkey Sus: A Political Reflection on “Among Us”

By Alina Kim, Arts Editor / October 5, 2020

Now with over 86 million downloads, the violent nature of the gameplay in "Among Us" appeals to the cynicism and impatience of the frustrated and socially distanced in quarantine.

Caffeine Around UChicago: When Your Coffee Pot Isn’t Enough

By Alina Kim, Saumya Jain, and Isabella Cisneros / September 15, 2020

Whether you are seeking a dose of caffeine for a midterm paper writing boost, a game of pool with your friends, or pursuing your dream of becoming a barista, here are some student coffee shops and two off-campus favorites for you to check out.

“Clone Wars”: The Siege of Mandalore Is Our Binary Sunset

By Alina Kim, Arts Editor / June 2, 2020

In the second of two "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" reviews, we witness the chilling end of the Siege of Mandalore arc and say our goodbyes to the Skywalker Saga.

Oh, My Dear Clone Wars. How I’ve Missed You!

By Alina Kim, Arts Editor / May 21, 2020

In the first of two "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" reviews, we take a closer look into the reintroduction of the animated galaxy far, far away and its half-brilliant, half-disappointing buildup to the Siege of Mandalore.

Ariel Salmon: Reflections on the Rise of Digital Media

By Alina Kim, Arts Editor / May 18, 2020

Ariel Salmon sits down with The Maroon to discuss the process of the finalization of her thesis on Black conservatism, and how Snell manages to keep their house culture alive amid quarantine.

“Beastars”: The Bewildering Escape That Was, In Fact, Not Escape

By Alina Kim, Arts Editor / April 20, 2020

Netflix hit "Beastars" appears to be a bizarre distraction from our strange quarantine, but it serves as another reminder of the grim reality that humanity faces day by day.

The Paradox of Control in “Occam Ocean”

By Alina Kim, Arts Editor / March 6, 2020

Éliane Radigue’s experimental composition, performed last week at Bond Chapel, demonstrates the paradoxical difficulty of exerting absolute control over musical performance.

The Self-Defeating Irony of Progressive Animation

By Alina Kim, Arts Editor / March 3, 2020

In an entertaining iteration of the Hannah Frank Memorial Lecture Series, Mihaela Mihailova tears into animation's unfortunate tendency to fall into an ironic tension between progressivism and conservatism.

Samson Young: Silver Moon or Golden Star, Which Will You Buy of Me?

By Alina Kim, Arts Editor / October 31, 2019

At the Smart Museum, Samson Young’s debut U.S. exhibition warns us about the ways dreaming about a technological utopia could bring about a dystopian future.

Opening Day: Bread, Butter, and Power

By Jad Dahshan and Alina Kim / October 21, 2019

In "Bread, Butter, and Power", Meleko Mokgosi adapts a historically exclusionary European genre painting tradition for a postcolonial, southern African context.

Where to Get Your Groove on at UChicago

By Alina Kim, Arts Editor / September 22, 2019

From ballet to hip-hop, swing dance to K-pop, the College community is bursting with opportunities for the kinetically inclined to stretch their feet.

Ricky Novaes Doesn’t Want to Write the Next Harry Potter

By Alina Kim, Arts Editor / June 3, 2019

Fourth-year Ricky Novaes reflects on the road less taken.

The Wind Blew Me Away, but Aminé and Co. Reeled Me Back in

By Alina Kim, Arts Editor / May 27, 2019

Our associate editor really hated the rain. Everything else, not so much.

Kissin’s Ferocity and Uchida’s Velocity Charm the CSO

By Alina Kim, Arts Editor / May 27, 2019

Mitsuko Uchida and Evgeny Kissin bring different styles to the CSO stage with similarly resounding levels of success.

“Yellow Face”: Is It Merely Skin-Deep?

By Alina Kim, Arts Editor / May 17, 2019

David Henry Hwang’s “Yellow Face” was performed at the Logan Center last weekend, bringing viewers face-to-face with issues of whitewashing, identity, and the American Dream.

Winter Is Coming: A Third-year’s Perspective on Musicianship and Academics

By Alina Kim, Arts Editor / May 3, 2019

Third-year Eli Winter talks with The Maroon about his musical inspirations, debut album, and student-musician life.

“Endgame”: Cinematic Lessons Hitherto Undreamt Of (Spoiler-Free)

By Alina Kim, Arts Editor / April 29, 2019

The conclusion of the Avengers saga is an exhilarating success, but also teaches us lessons about our modern film industry and pop culture.

Mission Accomplished—SASA Performance a Bold Success

By Alina Kim, Arts Editor / April 11, 2019

SASA celebrated the many cultures of the University’s South Asian community with an exciting night of music, dancing, and a hopeful message of acceptance, unity, and diversity.

Professor Austin Carson Spills Secrets About Spilling Blood

By Alina Kim, Arts Editor / March 15, 2019

Professor Austin Carson explains the politics behind secrecy in covert operations, ultimately concluding that it is a strategy in a power-grab for escalation control.

The Hidden World Falls Short of a Happy Landing

By Alina Kim, Arts Editor / February 25, 2019

As a moviegoer who loves character-driven stories, I feel like The Hidden World failed to improve upon the characters who have been so well thought out in the first two movies.

10 Letters a Day Keeps the President’s Headway

By Alina Kim, Arts Editor / February 21, 2019

Author of “To Obama: With Love, Joy, Hate and Despair” Jeanne Marie Laskas gives talk at 57th Street Books.

Behind the Floating World, the Weight of Reality

By Alina Kim, Arts Editor / February 7, 2019

Activist Michelle Hartney offers alternative tour audio highlighting the neglected histories of oppression behind the ukiyo-e paintings in a recently closed Art Institute exhibit.

“Photograph 51” Is Worth a Thousand Words

By Alina Kim, Arts Editor / January 21, 2019

A Court Theatre production pays homage to the female scientist responsible for the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA.

Black String Ensemble Treads Line Between Ancient and Modern

By Alina Kim, Arts Editor / January 17, 2019

The Korean music group blends sounds from old and new instruments, creating possibilities for cross-cultural harmonies.

Art Institute Soars With Paintings of the Floating World

By Alina Kim, Arts Editor / December 19, 2018

Currently on display at the Art Institute is an exhibition exploring the evolution of Japanese beauty standards and cultural politics through 17th–19th century ukiyo-e paintings.

UChicago Symphony Orchestra Displays the Power of Prokofiev

By Alina Kim, Arts Editor / December 3, 2018

The UChicago Symphony Orchestra and guest soloist William Hagen, delivered a suspenseful performance of Prokofiev on Saturday.

TwoSet Violin Perfects Their Practice

By Alina Kim, Arts Editor / November 29, 2018

Combining classical music and comedic stunts, the Australian duo brought virtuosic flair to Nichols Concert Hall last Sunday.

UChicago Chamber Orchestra Brings Storytelling to Center Stage

By Alina Kim, Arts Editor / November 19, 2018

Conductor Matthew Sheppard and guest performers Jeffrey Bay and Patrice Michaels delivered a delightful performance last Saturday at the Logan Center.

Michelle Obama Graces the Seminary Co-Op

By Alina Kim, Arts Editor / November 15, 2018

“When called a personal hero, she broke out into a huge grin and thanked everyone for their love and support.”

38th Annual Humanities Day Celebrates the Life of the Mind

By Kiera Yu and Alina Kim / October 25, 2018

Humanities Day has gathered hundreds of community members in celebration of debates, history, and discovery for nearly 40 years.