THE MUSTS

World

act fast. act right.

 “Threats from North Korean communist forces”

This was the justification that South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol used on national television to declare martial law in the country as he struggles for power with the opposition.

What is Martial Law Micael?

• Martial law establishes a temporary government by the military authorities on the grounds of an emergency or that the country's civilian authorities - parliament or the judiciary - are unable to function.

In practice, it's as if the president pressed a button and said: “Call in the military, because the country is under threat”. In doing so, some rules are broken and certain limitations can occur, such as:

• Restriction of the right to protest and express oneself;

• Restrictions on the movement of civilians to maintain order;

• The military occupying strategic areas and acting as a police force.

The real reason? The current president accused the opposition leader of being aligned with Kim Jong-un, North Korea's dictator, further reinforcing the tension between the two countries, already rivals since the war that ended in 1953.

Thousands took to the streets to protest and even clashed with the soldiers. Watch the videos here.

HOWEVER, the Democratic Party (center-left) quickly headed to Parliament for a possible session that could block martial law and, in the middle of the night, they managed to overturn the decree, with a final score of 190 × 0.

The relevance: I wanted to highlight this news, even though it hasn't really had a direct global consequence in the last two weeks -since it was overturned in one night - mainly because of the speed with which the Korean system acted to prevent it. South Korea suffered a lot during the war and it seems that the population still remembers it well. I think this story is a great reminder of the power of a population with a good memory.

What else around the globe?

• Ukraine: Peace agreement? Despite insisting that he would not give up any of his territory, Zelensky now seems to be willing to give up the 20% that is under Russian control, in exchange for his country joining NATO - the military alliance of Western countries. (Read)

• Australia: The Australian Congress has passed a law banning the use of any and all social networks by children under the age of 16 - making the country the first in the world to have such a law. The majority of residents seem to agree, since a poll showed that 77% of Australians agree with the ban. (Read)

• Belgium: After decriminalizing prostitution in 2022, Belgium has now become the first nation in the world to offer a series of labor rights to all sex workers operating in the country. (Read)

• Brazil: The New York Times has published a full-page report on how our Supreme Court has weakened the fight against corruption in Brazil. (Read)

  
  

  Bonus: The UN’s highest court started to ascertain what legal obligations some countries may have to mitigate the effects of climate change while also helping the most vulnerable nations withstand its impacts. Over 100 countries will send lawyers and other representatives to the Hague to make their cases through December 13. Last year, the UN asked the International Court of Justice to make its opinion. Last week, at the COP29 climate conference, countries came together to pledge $300 billion annually for climate finance by 2035, a deal that representatives of some of the most endangered nations found insufficient.

 Wicked by Jon M. Chu: Wicked has finally graced the cinemas, and it’s nothing less than a masterpiece. I am obsessed—and I'm not even a musical lover. Here, every element—from the acting and singing to the choreography and production—is executed with excellence, positioning it as a strong contender for many, many awards.

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo lead the cast with breathtaking performances. Their chemistry as Elphaba and Glinda is electric, and I swear, when they sing together, you are amazed. (Fun fact: They didn't record in the studio and then act with the track behind—everything is live singing, which makes it even more impressionable.) Their dynamic elevates the narrative, and to me, Ariana was born for this part—I could give her the Oscar right now.

• Director Jon M. Chu’s vision shines brightly, honoring the Broadway musical while daring to expand its universe. The film balances humor and heartache, and the cinematography captivates with vibrant colors, presenting a magical Oz that feels real and tangible, not just a CGI spectacle.

This adaptation remains faithful to the original, preserving iconic songs and lines while adding layers of depth through expanded scenes and numerous Easter eggs for fans. It is a celebration of friendship and identity—both political and revolutionary.

Whether you're a die-hard fan or a newcomer to the world of Wicked like me, this film is a must-watch. I went twice in one week, and it's the first time I've done something like that. And remember, any similarities between me and Glinda are not just a coincidence. (Rating 10/10)

Recently, one of my best friends (the one above) received an offer to move to London —his dream city —with a dream job. He hadeen living in Madrid for years and was genuinely happy there, but London had always held a special place in his heart.

Just days after receiving the news, he stumbled upon a forgotten text he had written over a year ago on his way back from a trip to London. In it, he wondered when he would be able to move there and what the future held for him. He vividly described his dream life in London, imagining his daily routine with remarkable clarity.

• We had forgotten about that text. It wasn't something he relentlessly pursued every day; instead, it was a dream he quietly nurtured, hoping it would eventually come true.

At the same time, as the year is finishing, I decided to tidy up my personal email and found an old draft filled with the names of leaders from my company, LinkedIn contacts, HR managers I planned to approach, and people I hoped would recommend me. This draft was over two years old, and I had completely forgotten about it as well. Now, it's been almost six months since I started working at this company - once my dream job, which had seemed so unattainable.

Reflecting on this, my friend and I realized how beautiful it is to think that invisible strings were tying us to our futures all along. We both had visualized and worked towards our dreams, but without ever feeling desperate about it.

"Trust the process" is a phrase easier said than done, but I invite you all to consider how many of the things you are living now were once dreams of your past self. It's beautiful to think that the future you deserve is already making its way to you. You just have to keep moving forward. 

Do your part and let the universe handle the rest.

This message is brief, but I hope it resonates with you. And Bruno, good luck on this new phase, you deserve the world.

With love,

Micael.

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