제 26 호 2025 Daedong Festival - Festival of Sangmyung University
Kicker: SM NEWS
2025 Daedong Festival
- Festival of Sangmyung University
By Chae-yun Lee, Reporter
What is the most anticipated day of the year for college students? A day packed with mouthwatering food, electrifying performances by student clubs, and surprise appearances by celebrities usually only seen on TV—it can only be the university festival. For students, the festival is more than just an event; it’s a brief yet exhilarating escape from academic pressures. This year, that excitement returned once again. Sangmyung University’s signature festival, Daedongje, was held on the Seoul campus from May 7 to May 9 under the theme “Wave.”
Picture 1: 2025 Daedong Festival <WAVE> poster
Booths That Brought the Festival to Life
To celebrate the festival, various student councils and academic departments operated booths with unique themes and menus. Dishes such as grilled pork belly with bibimmyeon, yakisoba buns, and flame - grilled skewers attracted constant lines. Among them, the mala xiang guo booth run by the Department of Food and Nutrition stood out for its exceptional popularity. On Everytime, students commented that it was “genuinely delicious” and “surprisingly generous in portion.” The menu selection — reflecting the current popularity of spicy mala flavors among young people — often sold out, proving its strong appeal throughout the event.
Picture 2: Menu of Sikyung Banjeom (Food and Nutrition Department)
Rain Did Not Stop the Show
Performances were a central part of this year’s festival. On the first night, Kim Hye - rim, Lee Mu - jin, and Seo In - guk took the stage, followed by Chungha, Psy, and MAKTUB on the second. Despite heavy rainfall on Friday, students in raincoats stayed until the end, showing remarkable spirit.
Picture 3: 2025 Daedong Festival star line-up
Student clubs also played a key role in energizing the campus. From SMU Square near the bus stop to the small stage in front of the Student Union Building, music, dance, and performance groups brought color and sound to every corner of the festival. Their dedication added warmth to even the wettest moments.
Next Year, Higher Hopes
Although the weather presented challenges this year, the passion of students and organizers carried the event through. The three - day celebration reminded everyone that rain could not dampen the spirit of college life. With improvements in logistics and hopefully clearer skies next time, next year’s Daedongje has the potential to shine even brighter. Students are already looking forward to what the 2026 festival will bring — and how the next “wave” will once again sweep across campus.
Sources:
https://www.instagram.com/smu_wave/
https://everytime.kr/370450/v/343577650
