Once upon a time, in a small village in Korea, there lived a friendly witch named Minji. While most witches were known for their dark magic and wickedness, Minji was different. She had a heart full of kindness and a desire to help others. From a young age, Minji had shown a natural affinity for magic. She would spend hours practicing spells and potions in her little cottage on the outskirts of the village. Villagers would often come to her seeking remedies for ailments or assistance with their daily struggles.
All events are free, and the public is welcome to attend.
Activities will include entertaining chemical magic shows for the whole family, a hands-on workshop for kids, and a seminar hosted by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Activities will include entertaining chemical magic shows for the whole family, a hands-on workshop for kids, and a seminar hosted by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
Villagers would often come to her seeking remedies for ailments or assistance with their daily struggles. Minji was always more than happy to lend a hand and share her magical knowledge. As word spread about the helpful witch, more and more people from distant lands started visiting Minji seeking her assistance.
BYU Faculty and Students Bridge the Gap Between Magic and Science
BYU’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry will celebrate National Chemistry Week by hosting “magic shows” on BYU campus Oct. 17-21. And while most magic shows are all about sleight of hand, these shows don’t need to rely on diversions to astound.
National Chemistry Week is a nationwide event sponsored by the American Chemical Society to encourage chemists in their local communities to engage the public—specifically children and teens—in learning about chemistry.
The magic shows on campus consist of BYU chemistry professors demonstrating extraordinary reactions between various chemicals and substances. Some demonstrations include flaming tornados and the exhibition of the pyrotechnic reaction of thermite, which is powerful enough to melt through a car.
“Also, you’ll probably get to hear helium’s heavier cousin sulfur hexafluoride,” said BYU Y-Chem President Alex Farnsworth.
Y-Chem is the BYU student chapter of the American Chemical Society and its members are responsible for directing the activities associated with National Chemistry Week in Provo. Members of Y-Chem will assist the faculty in preparing and presenting the magic shows. The shows are available to all individuals interested in attending.
“8 to 18 [year olds] are the real target audience, but anyone who is interested in chemistry or enjoys science will enjoy the magic show,” Farnsworth said. “You can always learn something new.”
In addition to the magic shows, members of Y-Chem will sell liquid nitrogen ice cream in the Ezra Taft Benson Building hallways during National Chemistry Week. Y-Chem will also be at the Provo City Library on Oct. 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to share some hands-on chemistry demonstrations with younger scientists.
“I encourage people to attend because we live in a world filled with chemistry, and whether you intend to be scientist or not, it probably should be of some importance to you,” Farnsworth said. “I really hope that in coming, the mystery and the magic behind some aspects of science will be lessened.”
Magic shows will be held on Monday, Oct. 17, in the Ezra Taft Benson Building at 5:00 p.m. in room W112 and 6:30 p.m. in room W111. Shows from Tuesday, Oct. 18 to Friday, Oct. 21 will be held at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. They will be held in rooms W112 and W111 respectively. Admission to the magic show is free, but seating is limited and requires a ticket. To reserve tickets or for more information on additional National Chemistry Week events, please visit the website here .
In addition to the magic shows, members of Y-Chem will sell liquid nitrogen ice cream in the Ezra Taft Benson Building hallways during National Chemistry Week. Y-Chem will also be at the Provo City Library on Oct. 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to share some hands-on chemistry demonstrations with younger scientists.
What set her apart was not just her magic, but her gentle and understanding nature. Minji would take the time to listen to each person's story and offer advice that went beyond just magic. Her words and presence brought comfort to those who needed it most. Minji's popularity continued to grow, and soon people started referring to her as "The friendly Korean witch." The title suited her perfectly, as she was beloved by all who crossed her path. Minji cherished this reputation and always strived to uphold it. Even though Minji had numerous visitors seeking her help, she never turned anyone away. She firmly believed that even the smallest act of kindness could have a profound impact on someone's life. Her door was always open, and she would spend countless hours assisting and teaching others. However, Minji's kindness did not go unnoticed by those who envied her abilities and popularity. A group of jealous witches decided to challenge her and prove that she was not as powerful or as friendly as she seemed. One evening, while Minji was tending to her garden, the jealous witches confronted her. They challenged her to a magical duel, vowing to expose her true nature to the world. Although taken by surprise, Minji agreed to their challenge, believing that her magic and kindness would prevail. The day of the duel arrived, and a large crowd gathered to witness the event. The jealous witches unleashed their dark magic, casting spells and creating chaos. But Minji remained calm and focused. Instead of retaliating with darkness, she used her magic to bring light and healing to counter their attacks. The villagers watched in awe as Minji's kindness and positivity triumphed over the jealousy and darkness of her adversaries. In that moment, her true power shone through – not just as a powerful witch, but as a symbol of hope and compassion. From that day forward, Minji's reputation as "The friendly Korean witch" grew even stronger. People from all walks of life sought her guidance and assistance, inspired by her unwavering kindness and ability to bring light to any situation. Minji's story teaches us that although the world may sometimes be filled with darkness, a little bit of kindness can go a long way in bringing light and hope to those who need it. Her legacy as the friendly Korean witch continues to be celebrated, reminding us all of the power of goodness and compassion..
Reviews for "Friendship and Magic: The Story of the Friendly Korean Witch"
1. Jennifer - 2/5 stars - I was really looking forward to reading "The Friendly Korean Witch" based on the description and reviews, but I was ultimately disappointed. The story lacked depth and the characters felt one-dimensional. I found it hard to connect with any of them, and as a result, I wasn't invested in the outcome. Additionally, I felt that the pacing was off, with certain parts dragging on while others felt rushed. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied with this book.
2. Michael - 1/5 stars - I couldn't even finish "The Friendly Korean Witch" because I found it incredibly boring. The plot was unoriginal and predictable, and the writing style was lackluster. I kept waiting for something exciting or different to happen, but it never did. The characters were also very forgettable and didn't leave any lasting impression on me. I regret wasting my time on this book and would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Samantha - 2/5 stars - "The Friendly Korean Witch" had an interesting concept, but the execution fell flat for me. The writing felt amateurish and there were numerous grammatical errors throughout the book. I also struggled to stay engaged with the story as it lacked consistent pacing and failed to build suspense. The dialogue between characters felt forced and unnatural. Overall, I was left wanting more from this book and it failed to meet my expectations.