Traditional music, vibrant performances and the smell of authentic Korean cuisine filled campus Saturday night as Korean Night invited students and community members to experience “Korea Through the Ages.” Hosted by the Korean Students Association at Kearney, the annual event celebrated Korean culture through food, performances and interactive activities.
Jashna Samuel, event coordinator for KSAK, said authenticity made the event meaningful.
“Korean Night celebrates Korean culture in a meaningful way because it’s presented by Korean students themselves, which makes it authentic and personal,” Samuel said. “At the same time, it’s also supported by students who genuinely appreciate and love Korean culture.”
The theme allowed the team to highlight both historical traditions and contemporary culture, making the program engaging for attendees of all ages.
When developing this year’s theme, board members explored a variety of creative ideas.
“We wanted to tell a story with the event, so everything from the food to the performances could connect in a meaningful way,” Samuel said.
The event featured traditional Korean dishes, cultural game booths and performances spanning generations. It included a traditional fan dance, a 1990s K-pop selection and a contemporary hit released just months ago. A student band also performed Korean soft rock.
To complement the performances and food, organizers also incorporated interactive elements that encouraged attendees to engage with the culture in hands-on ways. While specific activities varied, Samuel said the team wanted attendees to leave with a sense of connection to Korea’s history and traditions.
While many people associate Korea primarily with K-pop and K-dramas, organizers said they wanted to highlight the country’s broader cultural history.
“There is a lot more to Korea than just K-pop,” said Anh Ho, the social media manager and designer of KSAK. “There’s history, tradition and culture that people don’t always get to see. We wanted to bring something fresh.”
The event was not just about showcasing Korean culture.
“I always tell my students that this is about giving back to the community,” said Young Park, a board member for KSAK. “We are grateful that we are here. Many of the students in KSAK are international students, and if we weren’t in as good of a community as we are, there would be many challenges.”
Planning the event required months of coordination, with responsibilities divided based on individual strengths and interests. Weekly meetings, dance practice and constant planning filled the KSAK members’ time. The three dance routines performed by KSAK students featured unique moves choreographed by the dancers.
Not only did KSAK members plan dances, but they also learned skills that will help them in the future.
“It was really fun for me,” Ho said. “This is the way that I actually learn for my future career. That’s why I took the position of designer and social media manager for KSAK. This is how I learn for my future.”
The goal for KSAK members wasn’t just to have attendees learn about Korean culture.
“I just want our board members and our attendees to have fun,” Ho said. “They can learn something from Korean culture, but, to be honest, I just want them to have fun. I would just like everyone to take it as an experience.”
Photos by Chloe Walchesky / Antelope Staff
