By Kathleen Whalen
Center Editor
    When asked what kind of animal he would be if given the chance, Hyunsoo Kim replies, “a wolf, because they are cool.” However, this funny and personable senior clearly has little in common with the ferocious animal. Known around campus as much for his dance skills as his helpfulness, Kim has made his mark here at LGHS.
 
    After living in North Seoul, Korea, for 16 years, Kim moved to Los Gatos three years ago with his mom and brother, Ian, a sophomore. He describes LGHS as the antithesis of school in Korea. There, the students stayed in one class, while the teacher rotated. “I didn’t like education there,” remarks Kim, “I just studied for finals.” At LGHS, he takes a much more active part in his schooling. His affinity for math makes him well suited for his position as senior class Treasurer. But he contributes much more to this office than counting numbers: “Hyunsoo is the perfect example of a good leader,” says Leadership teacher Tiffany Hamm, “He’s humble, with a positive attitude. He’s always one of the first people to help out with something.” 

    Coming to LGHS, Kim didn’t know much English or any of his fellow students. Such a situation might be stressful, but he quickly adapted. Kim describes overcoming his shyness as one of his greatest accomplishments here.  “Hyunsoo is really outgoing,” says senior Kyle MacClean. Fellow senior Jack Schweitzer states, “He has a unique sense of humor. But he also really loves ‘that’s what she said’ jokes. And he has these shirts that he always wears that says ‘Knowledge is King’. It’s like his motto.” MacClean also adds that “He’s also definitely the best dancer [in Happy Feet.]” 

    Kim became involved in Happy Feet, LGHS’s infamous dance troupe, through his group of friends, but people in Korea “don’t dance much.” As a freshman, Kim started taking hip hop classes and has continued with his hobby ever since. His aptitude for dance is reflected in his preferred musical genres, French techno and of course, hip hop.

    Kim says that hip hop music in fact influences his way of dress in addition to his dance moves. “It’s called ‘street style’ in Korea,” he reveals. Kim goes back to visit Korea in the summer, sometimes for two weeks and other times for two months. “North Seoul was really crowded,” Kim says of his hometown, “It has lots of public transportation and people don’t get cars until they get a job or go to college.” Kim names a Lotus or VW GTI as his dream vehicle, though you can catch him cruising in a Jetta GLI. 

    Although MacClean says he can see Kim “as a backup dancer for Gwen Stefani, like a Harujuku girl,” in ten years, Kim himself aspires to pursue a more serious career in aerospace engineering. After high school, Hyunsoo plans to attend college in the US.  

    Over the past year and a half, Kim has built up a reputation as an unexpected comedian, dance prodigy, and well-rounded and worldly student.  He has lent us his talents through leadership positions, made us laugh until our stomachs hurt at Thursday Night Live, and in these and many other ways has contributed to making LGHS an even better place to be.