Echoes of Unforgettable Festival Memories
The beginning of the new semester is filled with the excitement of freshmen awaiting the most anticipated part of university life — the festival season. University festivals in Korea offer a unique experience by blending decades-long traditions with modern elements. The Sungkyun Times (SKT) will introduce the festival culture at Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) ahead of upcoming events, including the annual Daedongje in May, and share tips on how to fully enjoy it.
Welcome to K-Festival Wonderland
-The Rhythm of Youth
University festivals hold immense significance in Korean culture and are often considered the highlight of one’s academic life. Generally referred to as daedongje, they were named to embody the purpose of fostering unity and interaction among students, alumni, and the local community. According to the National Archives of Korea, they date back over 600 years to Sungkyunkwan, the only national university during the Joseon Dynasty. However, the modern form of university festivals originated at Kyung Hee University in October 1956, and by the 1960s, many institutions followed as well. Common elements of present-day festivals include interactive booths, student run bars, and performances. Several departments and clubs organize booths to promote club activities, while others run uniquely themed student-run bars that offer foods and drinks. Another essential component is the performances, where campus clubs showcase their well-rehearsed sets, and popular artists fill the campus with lively cheer. Through these elements, university festivals offer students a chance to explore new experiences and recharge.
-United as One, Double the Joy
At SKKU, two main festivals, Daedongje and ESKARA, add vitality across the Humanities and Social Sciences Campus (HSSC) and Natural Sciences Campus (NSC). Daedongje, which is in May, takes place on both campuses for two days each in separate weeks. Meanwhile, ESKARA, which celebrates the school’s founding anniversary, is held in September for two days and alternates between campuses every other year. One key element of SKKU’s festivals is the cheerleading event. Before and after the artists’ stages, the Kingo Cheerleaders elevate the audience’s excitement and promote unity through cheer songs. These performances engage students as active participants, encouraging them to put their arms around their fellow Kingos’ shoulders and become one with the crowd. To allow students to enjoy such festivities with ease and without neglecting their academic responsibilities, SKKU has also implemented several changes during this time. For instance, they increased the number of shuttle buses operating between HSSC and NSC, enabling Kingos to enjoy the festival regardless of their campus. This also gives them an opportunity to experience a campus they may not frequently visit, fostering a broader sense of university culture. Also, in 2024, online lectures were recommended during ESKARA to help students balance their school work with festival participation. Through these efforts, SKKU festivals have been established as events that break down physical barriers between campuses, bringing the Kingo community together.
Riding the Highs and Lows
-Waves of Kingos
Festivals on campus extend beyond school events; they serve as a platform for students to gain diverse skills. Although it is important to put effort into one’s field of study at university, activities such as club participation, volunteering, and various cultural events are equally crucial for gaining social experience. These events allow students to take a break from their daily lives, relieve stress, and create unforgettable memories with people they cherish. In addition, university festivals also foster school spirit. For example, at ESKARA, SKKU’s symbolic deep green color was chosen as the festival’s theme. Festival merchandise, including jerseys, bandanas, and cheering towels, was designed in the said color, encouraging a deep green dress code and creating a cohesive atmosphere throughout the campus. Celebrities who performed at the festival also wore the school merchandise, reinforcing SKKU’s identity and contributing to its brand image. In an interview, Hong Ye-young (Sophomore, Department of Business Administration) shared, “Wearing school merchandise and enjoying performances with my peers gave me a deep sense of belonging.” The shared experience of wearing the same colors and enjoying the moment strengthens the psychological connection among students, playing a crucial role in creating a sense of community.
-The Gravity of the Wave
In some cases, however, campus festivals bring undesirable consequences, with some issues lowering students’ satisfaction. First, as campus festivals tend to be open to the public, students sometimes struggle to take complete pleasure in their own festivals. The 2024 ESKARA reinforced bag checks and designated separate entry times for SKKU students and external visitors. However, despite these efforts, some visitors still occupied key spots with large cameras to record celebrity performances and formed long lines early in the morning, causing inconvenience for students trying to attend classes around the campus. Moreover, overcrowding at these events raises safety concerns. This is especially true when celebrities perform, as audience members wait long hours in overcrowded spaces to hold their spots, increasing further congestion. In fact, during last year’s festival, some attendees collapsed in the middle of performances. Park Chae-eun (Sophomore, Department of Business Administration) stated, “I was concerned about safety because the audience kept moving forward to see the celebrities, which increased the crowd density.” If these issues persist, the original goals of university festivals to foster connection and belonging could be undermined, emphasizing the urgent need for improvements.
Shaping the Perfect Wave of Festival Joy
-Catch the Wave of a Festival for All
To successfully manage university festivals, organizers must create an environment that satisfies its students and make efforts to solve festival-related issues. In an interview with the SKT, the 57th student council S:CATCH shared that the above concerns had been recognized through student feedback, and efforts will be made to address the issues during upcoming festival planning. Beyond this, exploring successful examples from other universities is also essential. For instance, Korea and Yonsei University previously addressed the issue of large crowds during celebrity sets by keeping the line-up confidential until the performance day. Similar solutions can prevent excessive congestion and enhance the positive elements of university festivals. By referencing various examples, SKKU can continue to prioritize Kingos over external visitors and develop concrete solutions to address drawbacks. Since the festival’s primary purpose is to foster a sense of belonging, it should evolve by gathering students’ opinions and creating an environment where all students can comfortably enjoy it.
-Tips for Kingos to Enjoy the Festival
The following tips will help Kingos thoroughly enjoy SKKU’s festivals!
TIP 1
Kingos must claim a wristband to enter the performance area. However, since the most anticipated part of the festival, student and artist performances, usually take place in the afternoon or evening, Kingos can first enjoy the festival and obtain the wristband during their free time instead of waiting in line too early.
TIP 2
Food trucks are situated around the campus during the festival, offering simple meals like fried chicken and chicken skewers, as well as snacks like ice cream and churros. These food options are great for recharging while enjoying the festival atmosphere and exploring student-run booths.
TIP 3
The SKT recommends that Kingos take photos at photo zones set up on campus as a way of commemorating the youthfulness of one’s twenties. In particular, using the SKKU-4-cut photo booth, which offers seasonal SKKU-themed frames, will help Kingos commemorate a priceless time in their university life.
TIP 4
The festival runs from around noon until approximately 11 p.m. When entering the main stage area after a long day outdoors, do not forget to bring an unopened bottle of water to stay hydrated! Since temperatures can vary throughout the day, it is also a good idea to bring a jacket.
Lastly, all festival details, including the line-up, announcements, and promotions, can be found on the S:CATCH (@skku_scatch_hssc, @skku_scatch_nsc) and ESKARA (@skku_eskara) Instagram pages. By checking their Instagram stories, Kingos can stay updated on real-time festival information and enjoy the experience to the fullest.
Memories made during festivals will remain a memorable page of one’s university story long after it ends. However, for every SKKU festival to be remembered as more than a mere event, but as a true festival, active participation and feedback are needed from every Kingo. Only then can its value shine, filling Kingos with the energy to navigate their daily lives and embrace new challenges through the semester.