Report by Fella Rifnawati
[Unpad Media Channel] Korean culture has created its own trend on the world stage. It is undeniable that Korean trends such as fashion, food, music, and others have become very appealing to Indonesians of various age, occupational, or gender backgrounds.
More than just a passing trend, Korean popular culture can also be developed into a potential platform for people’s interests and talents in these times. Universitas Padjadjaran students, under the guidance of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences Student Executive Board’s Academic and Achievement Department, have formed a Korean culture community under the name “Hangari Korean Club Unpad” which was established in 2015.
The Head of Unpad’s Korean Club, David Restu Mahesa, said that the establishment of the Korean Club was founded on the aspirations of a few Unpad students who are into Korean culture to have a place to congregate and express their interests and talents.
“The Korean Club is meant to be a platform or place to express Unpad students’ interests and talents regarding Korean culture. The Korean club also aspires to be an independent, modern, and intellectual community which develops with the times,” David exclaimed when contacted by the Unpad Media Channel team.
This community , which has around 60 members from various faculties, holds many engaging activities for its members. These start from Korean language classes (basic and intermediate), talent classes (vocal and dance), noraebang (karaoke), K-Competition, group Korean cooking, and other activities.
Aside from internal activities, the Unpad Korean Club also holds events on a national scale such as the 2023 K-Competition which was held from September to October 2023. The K-Competition is a competition around Korean culture. There are 6 competitions, those being Fan Art, K-Calligraphy, Cooking, Song Cover, Dance Cover, and Story Telling.
Currently, the Unpad Korean Club has two supervisors, Hengki Hiras and Shim In Lye, with Shim In Lye himself being a South Korean national. Aside from supervising the Korean Club, the two of them also have a business selling tteokbokki (a Korean delicacy).
“Hopefully the Korean Club keeps on operating, becomes a place for students to congregate and express their interests and talents and also becomes a community that is independent, modern, and aware to the world’s developments,” hoped David. (art)* (ICP)
