The Church of God has continuously hosted character education programs, serving as a guiding influence for students during their formative years. On January 23, during the winter school break, a character education session was held at Seoul Gonghang Church as part of the ASEZ STAR Good Student Project. About 400 students and parents from the Gangnam West area attended the event.
The keynote speaker for the day was Professor Yang Dae-woong, an adjunct professor at Seoul Media Institute of Technology, who delivered a lecture titled “Becoming a Path Like Spring, Building the Road to the Future.” Through psychological concepts such as the placebo and nocebo effects, Professor Yang emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive mindset. He explained that words and thoughts possess the power to overcome challenges, encouraging students to develop confidence by believing in their own potential. He further illustrated his message by citing historical figures such as Kim Chun-chu and Abraham Lincoln, who achieved positive outcomes by cultivating inner strength. Concluding his lecture, Professor Yang said, “Even when you face obstacles in the future, I hope you overcome them with a positive attitude and that your path ahead will be as beautiful as a road in spring.”
Throughout the session, students listened attentively to the professor’s warm and thoughtful guidance. They took notes on memorable points and responded with laughter and applause to his vivid explanations and relatable examples.
Ryu Eun-hye, a member from Seoul, shared, “What stayed with me most was the message that having a positive mindset helps us achieve our goals. Whenever I face difficulties in the future, I will tell myself, ‘Things will work out,’ and push through.” Jee Jung-eun, a parent from Seoul who attended the lecture with her three children, commented, “When adolescents are disciplined without understanding, it often leads to resistance. Through character education like this, I believe children can reflect on their own and move forward on the right path.”
