I began my journey as a student reporter in November 2024 and concluded it in August 2025. It was a little over half a year, a meaningful journey that became more than just reporting—it was a stepping stone to acquiring new skills.
Last November, I joined the university student reporter program organized by Asia Journal. The program was designed for young people to select a single incident, gather opinions from those around them, and write an article to deliver various perspectives from different age groups. During this short but enriching period, I came to realize once again the power of writing, reporting, and words.
The most memorable moment from this experience was covering the LA wildfire. Until then, I had only encountered the event through articles, but when I began investigating it myself, I realized the situation was far more serious than I had thought. At the very start of the new year, massive wildfires broke out in the Los Angeles area, burning more than 40,000 acres and resulting in casualties. Over 12,000 homes and businesses were destroyed, making it one of the most devastating disasters in scale. It was also regarded as one of the worst incidents due to its ties to environmental and climate change issues. When I received the photos at the time, the smoke was so thick that it was hard to see ahead, showing just how dangerous the situation was. The fire, which began on the 7th, did not reach high containment rates until the 24th.
Writing the article weighed heavily on me. I realized that perspectives on a single event can differ widely depending on who you ask. I learned the importance of listening to public voices and approaching incidents from multiple angles rather than from a single viewpoint. Through my time as a student reporter, I understood that a journalist must listen carefully to people’s stories and record them truthfully. I also learned that an article is not just a record but a mirror that reflects and conveys an event.
As I concluded this program, I also graduated from university. I will never forget the Asia Journal reporter program that accompanied the last chapter of my college life. From now on, I will use this experience as a stepping stone to become a dedicated journalist who consistently reports important events to the public. I realized that writing is not only about delivering information but also about carrying a perspective on the world and the responsibility that comes with it. Going forward, as both a journalist and a citizen, I will continue to listen to more voices and work to share them.
US ASIA JOURNAL K-UNIV REPORTER
Liyeon Kim
