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Kicker: COVER STORY

Sangmyung University Seoul and Cheonan Campus Festivals Return This May

By Sol-Mi Lim, Editor-in-chief

imsolver4@gmail.com

Festival Main Poster

  As spring returned to campus, Sangmyung University held its annual Daedongje festivals at both the Seoul and Cheonan campuses throughout May. University festivals are among the most anticipated campus events each year, offering students an opportunity to step away from academic pressure and enjoy performances, booths, and various cultural activities with their peers. This year, the Seoul Campus festival, organized by the student council “Gyeol,” took place from May 20 to May 22 under the theme “Daedongje Voyage: Our Route.” Meanwhile, the Cheonan Campus festival, led by the student council “Hanul,” was held from May 27 to May 28 with the theme “Daedongje Deer For U : Archive.” Although the two campuses presented different themes and programs, both festivals created meaningful spaces where students could participate, communicate, and build shared memories. Through booths, performances, events, and student-led activities, this year’s Daedongje showed that a campus festival is not only a time of enjoyment, but also an opportunity to strengthen the university community.

Blue Waves Across Seoul Campus

             At the Seoul Campus festival, the theme “VOYAGE : Our Route” shaped the overall atmosphere of the event. Held from May 20 to May 22, the festival filled the campus with a lively spring mood for three days. As the festival title suggested a journey or voyage, the campus was colored by the blue dress code, creating the image of waves spreading across Sangmyung University. Along with the theme, various booths organized by departments, clubs, and the student council “Gyeol” were prepared across the campus throughout the festival period. These booths included food, games, and creative activities that allowed students to enjoy the festival in different ways. Rather than simply serving as places to eat or play, the booths became spaces where students met new people, shared conversations, and felt a stronger sense of belonging to the university community. Through these student-led programs, the Seoul Campus festival presented not only entertainment but also the creativity and cooperation of Sangmyung students. Beyond the visual atmosphere created by the blue dress code, the festival offered students an opportunity to actively participate in campus culture. Student organizations and departments prepared a wide variety of booths that reflected their creativity and individuality. From food stands and game booths to interactive experience programs, students could explore different activities throughout the campus. Many participants noted that these programs encouraged communication between students from different majors and grades, creating a more connected campus environment. As students spent time together outside the classroom, the festival strengthened the sense of community that is often difficult to experience during a busy academic semester.

When the Voyage Turned Into a Concert

            The Seoul Campus festival also featured a powerful performance lineup that drew much attention from students during its three-day run from May 20 to May 22. Various stage programs, including student performances and invited artist performances, created a festive mood across the campus. The lineup included Jannabi, Blase, Mirani, fromis_9, Cherry Filter, Kim Seungmin, and SOLE, offering a wide range of music from band sounds to hip-hop and K-pop. These performances became one of the main highlights of the festival, bringing students together in front of the stage. As students sang along, cheered, and enjoyed the music, the campus turned into a shared concert space. The performances not only provided entertainment, but also created a moment of unity where students could temporarily step away from academic pressure and enjoy the energy of campus life.The festival stage was not limited to invited artists. Student performances also played a significant role in creating the festival atmosphere. Music clubs such as “Yaenol” and “Sorimawool” prepared special performances after weeks of practice and rehearsal. Their performances demonstrated the passion and dedication of Sangmyung students while providing opportunities for student musicians to share their talents with a larger audience.

Another memorable event was the Jaha Singing Contest, which showcased the diverse talents of students across the university. Contestants who passed the preliminary round performed in front of hundreds of spectators, presenting various musical styles and stage concepts. The contest winner, Ahn Jeong-woo from the Department of History Contents, impressed the audience by combining a calm opening performance with an energetic trot stage. His creative approach and confidence on stage received enthusiastic applause from the audience and became one of the memorable moments of the festival.

Cheonan Campus Stored Its Moments in an Archive

             The Cheonan Campus festival, titled “Deer For U : Archive,” carried a different but equally meaningful atmosphere. Held from May 27 to May 28, the two-day festival was organized by thestudent council “Hanul” under the slogan “Collecting moments, becoming our story.” The festival aimed to turn students’ experiences into lasting memories. During the festival period, the campus offered food trucks, department and club booths, student events, and special goods. The student council also introduced festival goods such as uniforms, slogan T-shirts, and baseball jerseys, allowing students to take part in the festival mood more actively. These booths and goods helped students participate in the festival in their own ways, making each moment feel like a part of their own campus archive. In addition to the booths and festival goods, the Cheonan Campus festival emphasized participation and memory-making. Students were encouraged to create meaningful experiences through various events organized by departments, clubs, and the student council. The concept of an “archive” was reflected not only in the festival theme but also in the way students interacted with one another. Every activity, from visiting booths to attending performances, became part of a collective memory shared by the campus community. Through these experiences, students were able to strengthen friendships and create new connections that extended beyond their everyday academic lives.

A Stage Where Youth Became a Song

             The performances at the Cheonan Campus festival also played an important role in shaping the festive atmosphere during the two-day event from May 27 to May 28. One of the major events was the 36th “Sorae Sorae Gorae Gorae” singing contest, organized by Sangmyung University Educational Broadcasting Station SMBS. Under the theme “Filling a Scene of Youth with Song,” the contest was held at the outdoor theater on May 27 and welcomed both individual and team participants. With prize money prepared for winners, the contest gave students an opportunity to express their talent and passion on stage. In addition, club performances, student council events, and invited artist performances added excitement to the festival. Through these performances, the Cheonan Campus festival became a stage where students celebrated youth, music, and share memories. The singing contest attracted considerable attention because it allowed ordinary students to become the stars of the festival stage. Participants spent weeks preparing their performances and demonstrated both courage and creativity in front of a large audience. The event highlighted one of the essential values of university festivals: providing students with opportunities to express themselves beyond academics.

Throughout the two-day celebration, performances became a medium through which students shared emotions, energy, and memories. Whether watching from the audience or performing on stage, students contributed to the vibrant atmosphere that defined the festival. These moments reflected the youthful spirit of the university and reminded participants that campus life is enriched not only by studying, but also by cultural experiences and human connections.

  Overall, the May festivals at Sangmyung University’s Seoul and Cheonan campuses showed that a university festival is more than a temporary celebration. The Seoul Campus festival invited students to join a blue voyage filled with booths and performances, while the Cheonan Campus festival gathered each moment into an archive of campus memories. Although the two campuses had different themes, both festivals reminded students of the same lesson: meaningful campus life is created not only through individual achievement, but also through cooperation, participation, and shared experiences. Behind every booth, performance, and event were students who planned, prepared, and worked together to make the festivals possible. Through this process, the Daedongje became a space where students learned the value of responsibility, communication, and community. In the middle of a busy semester, the festivals gave students a chance to realize that the memories they build with others can become an important part of their growth. This year’s Daedongje left behind not only excitement and laughter, but also a lasting message that a stronger university community begins when students come together.