Seoul Odyssey Diaries -> YeonGoJeon – Let the game begin

Hey beautiful friends & enemies~

It’s been a while, huh? I’ve been so caught up with school and homework lately. I knew it was going to be tough, but I had no idea just how many assignments and how much homework I’d get. Since I’m at least trying to be a decent student, I’ve been pushing through it all, trying to get everything done on time.

But enough about homework… Let’s talk about something way more exciting: YeonGoJeon (연고전)! For those who aren’t familiar, YeonGoJeon is one of the biggest sporting events in Korea, a rivalry between Yonsei University (연세대학교) and Korea University (고려대학교). This year, the event was packed with energy, as students from both universities came together for five major sports competitions: baseball, ice hockey, basketball, rugby, and football. It’s not just a sporting event—it’s a massive celebration of school spirit and tradition.

Since three of my best friends are at Yonsei, I had the chance to tag along and experience the games. Honestly, the atmosphere was so exciting! It wasn’t just the games themselves, but the overall spirit of the event that got me hooked. What really stood out to me were the cheer songs and the dance routines that everyone knew. No matter where you were, you could feel the energy building up around you. It was like everyone was a part of something much bigger than just a simple competition. The whole vibe was so contagious—it made you want to jump in and cheer along, even if you didn’t know anyone around you. I never thought I’d have so much fun chanting with hundreds of strangers, but here we are! I was totally caught up in the excitement.

Aside from the sports, the event was filled with incredible moments. I loved seeing all the students supporting their teams, wearing their school colors, and just having fun together. The sense of community was so strong—it wasn’t just about winning, but about sharing those experiences and celebrating together. I think that’s what made YeonGoJeon such a special event. Even if you weren’t a huge sports fan, you could still enjoy the festive atmosphere and cheer on the teams.

As I’ve mentioned (probably way too many times by now), three of my best friends are attending Yonsei, which means I get to tag along to a lot of their events. One of my friends, N, recently joined an after-school table tennis club, and she invited me to come with her to the rugby game. Let me tell you—it was one of the best experiences I’ve had in Korea so far. Not only was the game itself thrilling, but N’s table tennis club friends are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. They made me feel so comfortable, and I instantly felt like I was part of the group. It was such a nice surprise to meet such warm and welcoming people.

The best part was that this whole experience gave me a deeper appreciation for the tight-knit communities that university events like this create. It’s one thing to attend a game as a spectator, but it’s a completely different experience when you’re part of the crowd—cheering, dancing, and laughing with people who share the same energy. It really makes you feel like you’re part of something bigger than yourself.

So yeah, while homework and assignments have been taking over my life recently, events like YeonGoJeon remind me of how much fun life can be, and how important it is to take a step back and enjoy these moments of community and excitement.

All in all, YeonGoJeon was one of the most thrilling experiences I’ve had so far, and I’m already looking forward to next year. I also can’t wait to join N at more of her club events and hopefully get even more involved in the university spirit here. Until then, back to the grind of homework and assignments, but at least I’ve got some great memories to look back on!