By Sunghyun Bae, Juncheol Ahn
Cogito is one remarkable club. Having produced several representatives to global competitions as well as students who went on to study at SNU, Harvard, and Oxford, Cogito is arguably the best English debate team in Korea. This year’s members continue that tradition, bringing their own styles, stories, and ambitions to the table. From dismantling arguments with surgical precision to building lasting friendships through practice and tournaments, Cogito is as much a family as it is a debate team. In this article, we introduce some of the individuals who define Cogito today — their journeys, their achievements, and their visions for the future.
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Cogito’s prestige lies not only in its track record but also in the dedication of members like Charlie(HAFS 20th). “Although not frequent in recent years, Cogito produced many members of WSDC Korea, the national team for English debate. Members have strong pride in the rich history of the club, and always aspire to be better debaters,” Charlie explained. That legacy, paired with mentorship from academically well-rounded upperclassmen, has helped alumni reach top universities such as Harvard, Oxford, and Seoul National University.
Charlie’s own debate journey began in an elementary school English academy. “They had an English debate class, where I first gave logically crafted arguments. The teachers encouraged me to start competitive debating, which started the exciting journey,” he recalled. One of his most meaningful wins came at the 2023 YTN-HUFS English Debating Championship, one of Korea’s most prestigious tournaments. “Our team broke first, won the EFL league, and I was awarded 1st best speaker. The preparation, the teammates, even arguing about the Little Mermaid movie — it all made it unforgettable.”
Having also competed abroad, Charlie has seen the contrasts between Korean and international debating. “It’s hard to perform at your best while adjusting to a new country. Plus, home teams often have an advantage with locally specific motions. There are even cultural differences, like whether audiences can give verbal signals during speeches.”
For Charlie, debate is as much about camaraderie as competition. “In debate, you naturally talk to each other when crafting a case. Through tournaments, sparring, and hosting HAFSDC, we’re not just teammates; we become friends.” Practices are demanding — “a lecture on debate skills followed by an impromptu round with 30 minutes of prep” — but newcomers adapt quickly with feedback and encouragement.
As captain, Charlie emphasizes balance. “It’s to be smart, not stubborn. Too many debaters only know how to argue, never to co-operate. Debating should teach you how to analyze different ideas, not cling to one for life.” For him, fun and excellence are the same thing: “Debate is a sport, and sports are fun. Once you start winning and debating with passion, you learn that.”
To those unsure if they belong in Cogito, Charlie’s advice is simple: “You never know until you try. Some people excel at English speaking, others at logic and rebuttals. With practice debates, you’ll see if you have great potential.” And if he had to sum up Cogito in three words? Charlie laughs: “Fun. Cool. Sexy. Because we are.”
Duchan(HAFS 20th) is a dedicated member of Cogito with talents that span from chess and piano to debate. Known for his thoughtful approach and clear weighing, he focuses on getting to the heart of each motion and presenting his case with precision. As the 20th captain of HMUN, he brings a blend of logical thinking and diplomatic perspective to the team.
For Duchan, debate started as a summer challenge in his third year of middle school. “I pushed myself hard for about a month, just trying to understand how debate worked,” he recalled. After preparing for HAFS admissions, joining Cogito felt inevitable. “I decided I’d try for the sake of my good memories from a few months back.”
One of his proudest moments came last year, competing in a tournament with fellow Cogito members. “It was really a moment where teamwork felt so crucial. The experience helped us develop more as a team,” he said. For someone who describes Cogito as “a society where thoughts clash and [the] status quo [gets] challenged,” the club has become a second home.
When preparing for a round, Duchan starts by breaking down key terms in the motion — “since that usually plays a major role in deciding victory and defeat” — then develops strong arguments and anticipates rebuttals. High-stakes tournaments don’t rattle him. “Once you accept there are going to be people who are really good, you can clear your head and focus solely on what you have to do. I think of winning as a bonus point — it’s special when you get it, but there’s no pressure losing it.”
Being part of Cogito has changed him deeply. “Debate is part of life — in elections, discussions, even everyday conversations. Knowing how to debate makes you more comfortable in those situations and boosts your confidence.” Outside competition, the most valuable skill he’s gained is precise and compelling logic: “You get faster at reaching conclusions and more concise in explaining them.” Cogito is special, because “The team is really united. We discuss, we push each other, we spar. We give feedback and connect with each other — it feels like a place where you can really be comfortable.”
His advice to anyone considering Cogito? “The most important thing in debate is confidence. Have conviction for [your] decision.”
Lee Ann(HAFS 21st) is not someone who grew up doing debate. Instead, her experience in Model United Nations (MUN) sparked her interest in it. She explained, “Cogito is actually how I first got into debate. Before that, I had been doing MUN for several years, which gave me practice with public speaking and structured argumentation. Since I already enjoyed that environment, I was curious to explore debate in a more direct and competitive format.”
Lee Ann emphasized that Cogito’s strength lies in its encouraging atmosphere and its focus on growth. “What makes Cogito special is that while it’s competitive, people are also supportive, so you’re not just debating to ‘win’ but also to improve together.”
When preparing for debates, Lee Ann always plans her final statement first and then leads the rest of her speech toward it, aiming for a smooth, steady, and effective delivery. While competitions can feel overwhelming, she has her own way of coping. “Honestly, I would say I am a person who doesn’t work so well under pressure. So in high-stakes tournaments, I try to calm myself by treating the round like just another practice debate.”
Cogito also makes sure juniors never feel isolated. Seniors actively support them in both preparation and reflection. “During preparation, more experienced members help newer ones develop arguments and gather evidence,” Lee Ann said. “And during and after the debate, seniors give constructive feedback, share strategies, and highlight areas for improvement.”
Finally, she offers advice to students who are unsure about joining. Lee Ann highlights the welcoming spirit of the team and encourages newcomers to take the leap. “First of all, don’t hesitate to join! Cogito is a warm, caring community of hardworking and intelligent students who are always willing to help each other improve. Even if you’re unfamiliar with debate, all you need is the commitment to learn and grow. Everyone starts somewhere, and in Cogito, you’ll find the support and guidance to gain skills, confidence, and a sense of belonging.”
Charlie, Duchan, and Lee Ann each show different sides of what makes Cogito strong — whether it’s competitive drive, logical clarity, or steady encouragement. What they share is a sense that Cogito isn’t just about winning rounds, but about improving together and building lasting connections. At the end of the day, Cogito is a place where students push each other to think harder, speak clearer, and grow with confidence — on the debate stage and beyond.
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