Ko-Yeon-Jeon

School spirit at Korea University (KU) is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before.

Each fall, KU faces off against our rival Yonsei University in football (soccer), ice hockey, baseball, basketball, and rugby. But this isn’t just another college rivalry. It’s the event of the year. The entire campus comes alive with preparation, anticipation, and energy.

1. Preparation

Before classes even began, all exchange students attended Cheering Orientation, where we were introduced to the roughly forty songs that make up KU’s cheering list. Each song has its own dance. And yes, we were expected to familiarize ourselves with all of them.

I still get chills thinking back to how fun these dances were. Even if you’re not a dancer (like me), you’ll fit right in. Some moves include swaying arm-in-arm with your neighbors, rowing an invisible boat, and my personal favorite: the “chicken” dance, mocking Yonsei’s eagle mascot (which we consider a chicken). But nothing beats the wild forward-bending dance where everyone bends their upper body forward and back in sync. Imagine hundreds of students moving together so fast that it looks like a red wave pulsing through the crowd. It’s chaotic, hilarious, and surprisingly very tiring. By the next morning, my friend, a full-time KU student, texted me, “Is your back okay?” Turns out, cheering at KU is a full-body workout.

Thankfully, KU takes safety seriously. Water bottles are handed out, there are rest breaks, and everyone looks out for one another.

Familiarizing yourself with 40 songs is not easy. Therefore, a week later, we had a SECOND cheering orientation, led by KU’s incredible cheerleaders. Dressed in their iconic uniforms, they performed each routine, hyping up the crowd and giving us one last chance to perfect our moves before the big day.

1. Game Day

When the long-awaited Ko-Yeon-Jeon finally arrived, my friend and I left campus at 8 A.M. with our red jerseys and headbands. The event was held at Goyang Sports Complex, about an hour away by train. As soon as we arrived, we joined the line for face paint and photos.

Once inside, the energy was electric. The stadium was split down the middle– half crimson for KU, half blue for Yonsei. And as the games began, so did the chaos.

You might assume you’re there to watch the games, but at KU, cheering is the main event. Led by the cheerleaders, thousands of students jump, sing, and dance nonstop. Song after song, we followed the cheerleaders’ guide, bonding with the people around us through laughter, movement, and school pride.

If you’re wondering how you will know when your team scores, you’ll feel it. Literally. Once KU scores, water is shot up into the air and lands on the students in the stands. My KU buddy had warned me to bring a change of clothes and an umbrella. I didn’t listen… and I definitely learned the hard way.

1. Celebration in Anam

By the end of the weekend, KU won three out of five games, officially taking the title of the Ko-Yeon-Jeon winner. The sense of pride after the last game was unforgettable.

But the celebration didn’t stop there. After the games, students flooded back to Anam, the KU neighborhood, for a massive street celebration. Roads closed for parades and live performances, restaurants filled with friends having meals and drinks together, and cheering continued well into the night. While I didn’t stay out long, I could see how deeply this event connected the KU community.

My friends and I celebrated the win with some Yonsei fried chicken. Victory tasted wonderful~

The Ko-Yeon Games are more than just sports-- they’re a display of unity, energy, and pride that define what it means to be part of Korea University. Whether you’re a full-time KU student or just here for a semester, it’s an experience that stays with you forever. It really contributed to my study abroad experience. I highly recommend coming in the fall semester to experience this part of KU culture.