KIDA IV Interview Series 1: Champion and Finalists!

KIDA IV Interview Series: 

Champion and Finalists

BELATED KIDA IV Interview Series. Apologies in the delay. 

GRAND CHAMPION

CUDS 1 (Tae Yeong John Kim and Nam Chul Kim)

Please introduce yourselves

Hi my name is Taeyeong Kim and I am a debater from CUDS. NC and I love games to the extent that we waste our prep time playing games, we love talking to many people and we just love coming to these tournaments as we can do both at the same time :)

How was the Final Round? What were your thoughts and feelings before and after the round?

Before the round me and NC were really excited as we just won the Semi-Prep round as OG which was the round we were really worried about. Plus as NC has never lost a BP final as long as he got to the final, we were all pumped up with adrenaline and excitement. Another thing we were quite excited was that everyone had this expectation that the final motion was going to be really nice and fun so we were all up to that. The moment we saw the motion so many feelings came to my mind. The first thing was that I wished Yoonhoo Jung was also in the finals. The main reason was that because we actually did the exact motion during our CUDS session and it was an extremely messy and sloppy debate. Plus since Yoonhoo was in that session as well, it would have been really fun if he was there with us. Plus because I picked OG during the draw, this was the most terrifying fact as NC wasn't there when we had that motion during session. So we just kept our cool and prepared a completely new OG case and we went through with it. After the debate, both NC and I thought it would be a miracle if the OG won this debate. Plus so far in my BP career, it was always hard for me to get 1st place in a final so I also thought it would be a miracle if we got 1st place especially when we were OG. We really just got lucky :) 

How was KIDA IV for you in general? Share with us the good, bad, and the ugly

KIDA IV was an extremely good experience for me as the dates were perfect, the adjudicators with good feedback, the high quality debaters I had to face, but just on the aspect that so many diverse societies getting together to work on such a huge project was very inspiring to see. The CAP being so diverse alongside with the Org Com comprising of such diverse universities was something you don't see every day.

The good things about KIDA IV alongside with the diversity and Korea University hosting a tournament that I could participate was also the fact that NC had sacrificed his birthday to come all the way to participate in this wonderful tournament. Although some people criticize us of composing of a team like this, I still feel it is the first and last chance to team up with NC in a BP tournament. Plus since we didn't fight a single time, this was also something nice to appreciate :)

The bad things about KIDA IV are normally the things that can't be controlled by anyone :) Things like the energy policy of the University or the icy cold weather.  It was that good of a tournament. 

Just on a personal note regarding the ugly, I was not that pleasant with the Beer drinking game that we had to drink the beer on the fastest pace. MJ dragging me to the front without knowing what the game is, me drinking my best but ending 5 seconds later to everyone, proving to KIDA that I can't drink as fast as other people wasn't the best experience I could have.

What were your best and worst motions? How were the debates for those motions?

On a personal note, I feel the best motion was either round 3 or round 6 of the preliminary rounds. For round 3 I really thought it was an interesting and new motion, yet not so burdensome for the OG to set up a reasonable case. As we were OG and came up with a doable case, it was quite nice and enjoyable to debate for the people who really need the help. Round 6 was nice and enjoyable on the aspect that I felt it was really well balanced for all four teams. It really challenges debaters to come up with nice extensions and it also puts the burden on opening teams to twist the already set ideas in society. The debate was once again interesting not only in the debate, but also seeing Jinseok and NC sweating their pants down on trying to end the debate quickly. 

The least debatable motion I would pick is round 2. Excluding the fact that assuming it was possible trend going on, I feel the burden is a little too high for the government side to prove something that is not possible right now. I guess even if it was the best debaters doing the government, I felt it’s still extremely easy for the opposition to prove already existing values of the current society and also has the moral high ground on the idea of punishment which in my personal perspective are easy to get persuaded. But yet again it does depend based on adjudicators.

As a composite team, how did you make a team and how was the teamwork?

I wouldn't necessarily call our team a composite team but I feel that the reason me and NC teamed up was because we never participated in a BP tournament. We teamed up three times for 2011 Spring KNC, 2011 UADC and 2012 UADC but never in a BP team. But since we teamed up several times in the past, the overall dynamics were very nice and we felt like we were doing okay. We never fought; never had disagreements and we always folded our ego in a situation where the other opinion makes more sense. Plus as CUDS members we just kept practicing more and more.

Who did you find the hottest at KIDA IV?

NC!

Who was the most inspiring speaker for you at KIDA IV?

I would have to say both speakers from the team Lam Chops. I always get criticism that I'm speaking too fast and no one can understand me. To some extent I feel that both speakers are the style that I would want to go to. The economy of words and their slow manner is something that allows not only debaters to feel persuaded, but the general public as well which is something that inspires me greatly.

 Who was the most inspiring adjudicator?

None other than Aditya Mitra. During the six preliminary rounds Aditya adjudicated three of them. All three rounds the results were understandable, and I bought all three of them. He really imposes understandable and fair burdens to all teams which is an aspect I feel is lacking in South Korea overall. Constructive feedback was good and it was nice how he incorporated how we could have improved when he was explaining his result.

Any last words?

It was an honor to have interviewed my the DPI once again and I just hope to see a 2nd KIDA IV next year!!!

FINALISTS

OO: LAM CHOPS (Abel Lam and Matthew Leung)

Please introduce yourselves:

Hi, we are Abel Lam and Matthew Leung from team Lam Chops who just competed at the inaugural KIDA IV 2013! Abel currently is taking up Law at the London School of Economics, while Matthew is doing a Masters of Laws at the Australian National University.


How was the Final Round? What were your thoughts and feelings before and after the round?:

Matthew: Inevitably, you always are anxious about the Grand Final, and what motion has been chosen by the adjudicator core.  Particularly given the dynamics of British Parliamentary style debating, the motion can really challenge you depending on which faction you represent during the debate.  Needless to say, that feeling was well justified given the (rightfully) challenging debate motion for the Grand Final.  But it is always good to challenge yourself each and every time if you want to develop personally as a debater.  We always prefer the more "meaty" matter heavy debates given that you can draw upon your own knowledge and research.  But philosophical debates can be enjoyable too where there is wide latitude to debate.

Abel: The final round was rather relaxed. Partly due to the philosophical nature of the debate, it was not something that would arouse interest in me, particularly after a long night a drinking and a series of debating beforehand.

How was KIDA IV for you in general? Share with us the good, bad, and the ugly:

Matthew: KIDA IV was great, with plenty of fun times catching up with wonderful debaters, and making new friends.  What was particularly nice about KIDA IV was the use of subsidized foreign judges to help diversify the judging pool.  It really is important, particularly at open tournaments to have such depth and diversity of experience given that open tournaments will draw teams from different countries and regions from around the world!  Admittedly though, the motions were sometimes very vague, which can cause problems if the opening government faction has difficulty in properly setting up the debate. 

Abel: The good is always to see old friends (Hyewon, Tim, Eunji, Daniel, Joe, HKU people and many many more etc...) and making new ones. It's also finally a change that I'm debating instead of judging. Ah, and, for those who know me, the best is simply, and has to be, having loads of pajeon and makgeolli! Unfortunately, I lost my phone at KIDA IV, which is a serious put-off. But I really appreciated those who helped me along!

What were your best and worst motions? How were the debates for those motions?:

We are definitely split on which was the best motion.  Abel preferred round 3 on the motion that "THW ban portrayals of negative images of Africa by international organizations as a means to raise fund", whereas Matthew preferred round 6 on the motion that "THW ban sinful industries to lobby government".  Matthew's opinion is that it was a great principled debate, that combined with some heavy matter material.  As for the motions in general, it would have been better to mix up the debates between principled debates and matter heavy debates.  The over-emphasis on principled debates (that culminated in a philosophical debate in the grand final) was unbalanced. We collectively agreed that the worst choice of motion (not necessarily the motion itself) is probably the Grand Final. Although it could potentially be a very interesting debate, it is not one that would manifest itself in the grand final (and indeed, it did not). Something more contextual and engaging would have been preferred, see Round 3 or 6.

Who did you find the hottest at KIDA IV?:

Matthew: Where do we begin?!?!?! Hahaha!!

Who was the most inspiring speaker for you at KIDA IV?:

That would have to be NC.  Who else would give up celebrating their birthday by attending a debating tournament?

Any last words?

We look forward to coming back next year!

CG: KU4 (Ahyeon Cho and Junbin Yun)

Please introduce yourselves 

Hello, I am Ahyeon Cho from KU. I was KU4 in KIDA IV and my team mate was Junbin.

How was the Final Round? What were your thoughts and feelings before and after the round?

To be honest, I didn't know that we were going to be advancing to the final round because I did a horrible speech in the semi round. Also, I didn't know if I even wanted to advance because I wasn't sure if I was going to make a fool of myself in front of so many people. When we chose Closing Government I was relieved because I wasn't ready to make a case as opening, but after we got the motion I panicked because we didn't have any idea on what we our extension would be. The motion was such a philosophical motion and I for one wasn't sure how to handle that kind of motion.

Junbin was definitely a HUGE help. Like all the other rounds once again he was the calm one who thought of the framework on the way we were going. I cannot say that I am 100% satisfied with the speech I gave but I think I could have done much worse a without my lovely team mate. After the round I was just relieved that everything was over and very thankful to my team mate. 

How was KIDA IV for you in general? Share with us the good, bad, and the ugly.

KIDA IV was kind of different for me because the tournament was held at the school I go to. It was much easier to go to the competition every day because I just went straight from my home. I feel kind of bad because I think I could have done much better sharing with other participants of KIDA IV about Korea University.

But I think that the people of KIDA IV did such a great job running a smooth competition on KU campus. The faculty of KU is not the easiest or the most generous people to work with, but you guys pulled it off! Kudos!

What were your best and worst motions? How were the debates for those motions?

The worst motion for me was the motion for round 2, Assuming such technology exists, THW force egregious criminals to virtually experience the crimes they have committed. We were the closing opposition for this motion and I was the member. The problem was that I did not know that the motion had the word "virtually" in it until I finished my speech, so I kept mentioning about how this is actively and physically violating the criminals. Thankfully we did get 1st on that motion and my angel-like team mate did not give me any embarrassment for the mistake I made. But I did panic right after I found out the motion included "virtually" and I apologized to my team mate. 

I would have to say the best motion for me was the motion for round 6, THBT 'sinful' industries (such as but not limited to alcohol, tobacco, and guns) should be stripped of the right to lobby. We were the Closing Government. It was just a good motion for me because I think we thought of a really good extension as well as a good effort overall. 
   

Any last words?

KIDA IV was such a good learning experience for me. Every time I participate in a tournament like this I am reminded of how many smart people there are in the world and how I am a failure at life, lol. But all jokes aside, KIDA IV was another reminder that there are so many intelligent people in the world and that there is a lot to be learned from them.

CO: FDU-PKU 

(Won Chian Lim, and Andrew Cheong)

Please introduce yourselves 

My name is Chian Lim, some of you would call me by my family name, Won! I'm a third year student majoring in Law at Fudan University, Shanghai. Currently, I’m the team manager of the Fudan English Debate Team.

How was the Final Round? What were your thoughts and feelings before and after the round?

The final was definitely harsh. My partner and I didn't really have much to talk through during preparation and it got harder during the round when our top half practically grabbed everything they could. It took me a few days to finally figure out a better approach to explain why some lives are more important than the rest.

How was KIDA IV for you in general? Share with us the good, bad, and the ugly.

Everything was great at KIDA IV, the food, the people, the timing and all! The motions were especially interesting as most debates were pretty new for me! THE UGLY would probably be that I did not get to debate about religion *BOOHOO. haha

What were your best and worst motions? How were the debates for those motions?

Honestly, there wasn't a best motion for me as I hard a pretty difficult time trying to follow up with my superb partner in all the debates! I don't think there was a worst motion, but the worst debate round i had was the plastic lifestyle debate: 7 males and 1 female talking about what feminism meant was just ridiculous. hahaha

Who did you find the hottest at KIDA IV

Ahhh the hardest question always, especially when it's a tournament in South Korea! My pick would be the cutest DCA, YOUNGCHO LEE. The few days at KIDA IV was probably the best dress Young Cho I’ve saw thus far! HAHA

Who was the most inspiring speaker for you at KIDA IV?

This is hard. I look up to many debaters, inspiring in various manners! NC, Taeyoung, Matthew, Abel, Andrew and all! The most inspiring for me would be Matthew. The style and fluency in his speeches were amazing! I guess that the gap between a native speaker and a second language speaker! 

Who was the most inspiring adjudicator?

hahaha. everybody?

END.