[Interview] A Festival Made Together, A Tradition Continued Together – Behind the Scenes of Preparing ‘Hosang Daedongje: PANTHERA’ 

The signature festival of Korea University Business School, Hosang Daedongje, is returning this year with a fresh new subtitle: PANTHERA. In particular, this year’s festival carries symbolic significance that goes beyond being a mere student event, as it is being prepared in celebration of Korea University’s 120th anniversary in 2025. 

With the festival now scheduled for September, the name Daedongje officially adopted, and joint planning underway with the university administration, this year’s Hosang Daedongje is set to bring many changes. To learn more about these developments and the preparations behind them, we sat down with Student Council President Jeho Choi and Vice President Seungmin Yoo to hear the behind-the-scenes story and their vision for the future of the festival. 

Q1. What is the biggest difference in this year’s Hosang Daedongje compared to previous years? 

-President Jeho Choi: 
The biggest change is the timing. In previous years, the festival was typically held in May, but this year it has been moved to September. It wasn’t originally planned in connection with the university’s 120th anniversary. Rather, the Student Council began organizing the event independently, and through discussions with the university administration, it naturally developed into a collaborative effort. 

-Vice President Seungmin Yoo: 
There has been a tendency for many events to be concentrated in the first semester, so we wanted to create a meaningful festival for the fall semester as well. Since 2025 marks the 120th anniversary of Korea University, preparing a festival that also commemorates this milestone made the planning even more meaningful. 

Q2. What meaning and message are embedded in the name “Hosang (虎商)”? 

-President Jeho Choi: 
Hosang is a compound of Ho (虎)—the tiger, which symbolizes Korea University—and Sang (商), meaning business. It embodies the identity and pride of the Business School. The official name this year is “Korea University Business School Hosang Daedongje: PANTHERA”, with Panthera being the Latin term for tiger. In the past, we simply used the name “Hosangje,” but to elevate it from a one-time event to an established brand, we decided to add “Daedongje.” Upon reviewing past materials, we found records where the term “Hosang Daedongje” was used, so we felt it wouldn’t seem unfamiliar. 

-Vice President Seungmin Yoo: 
The term Hosang may feel unfamiliar to students who entered the university after the COVID-19 pandemic. We felt the need to rebrand it in a more intuitive and persuasive way. By adopting “Daedongje,” a common naming convention for university festivals, we restructured the name as “Hosang Daedongje.” Just as the name suggests, we hope students can feel the unique symbolism and pride associated with Korea University Business School. 

Q3. What was your main focus when planning this festival? 

-President Jeho Choi: 
Our primary goal was to create a festival that everyone could enjoy together. We didn’t want it to be an event catered to only a select group of students, but rather one that all members of the Business School could take part in and feel a sense of belonging to. 

-Vice President Seungmin Yoo: 
Instead of centering the festival around just a few main events, we aimed to encourage broad participation through a diverse range of programs. In addition to booths, pubs, and performances, we also prepared a garden party on the Business Lawn to ensure there was something for everyone to enjoy. 

Q4. Who are you working with to prepare this festival, and how are the roles divided? 

-President Jeho Choi: 
The Student Council is taking the lead in planning the festival, and externally, we’re working closely with the 120th Anniversary Committee, the Dean’s Office, and the Public Relations Team. The festival preparation team is organized into five departments, which collaborate organically based on their respective roles. 

-Vice President Seungmin Yoo: 
Each department operates according to its designated responsibilities. 
△ The Planning & Operations Department manages booths, pub operations, safety protocols, and overall coordination. △ The Stage Production Department is in charge of planning the main performance and stage-related programs. △ The Finance & Partnerships Department handles collaboration with external vendors and manages the budget. △ The Art Direction Department oversees festival branding and visual content production. △ Lastly, the Career Events Department organizes career-related programs such as the garden party and competitions, in collaboration with the university administration. Thanks to each team fulfilling its role diligently, the festival preparations have been progressing smoothly and reliably. 

Q5. What has been the most difficult part or unexpected challenge in the preparation process so far? 

-President Jeho Choi: 
The most unexpected part was that we ended up preparing the festival in collaboration with the Business School administration. It was initially planned as an independent student initiative, but in pursuit of a richer, more meaningful event, the administration offered enthusiastic support—and we’re truly grateful for that. 

-Vice President Seungmin Yoo: 
As the scale of the festival expanded, it evolved from a student-led event into one closely connected to the university as a whole. This naturally brought about administrative and logistical challenges. It hasn’t been easy to take full responsibility for all aspects of the process from a student’s standpoint, but we’ve done our best to approach it with a strong sense of responsibility. 

Q6. What are some of the main programs planned for this year’s Hosang Festival? 

-President Jeho Choi: 
In addition to booths, pubs, and stage performances, an academic forum is scheduled to commemorate the 120th anniversary of Korea University. We plan to invite selected award recipients and create an opportunity for meaningful interaction with alumni. 

-Vice President Seungmin Yoo: 
On the second day of the festival, a garden party will be held on the Business Lawn. It will bring together graduates and current students, and in a time when such intergenerational exchange is increasingly rare, we hope it will serve as a meaningful occasion for connection. 

Q7. How are you promoting and communicating to encourage student participation? 

-President Jeho Choi: 
We’re approaching the festival’s naming and design with care to ensure it isn’t seen as “an event only for those already interested.” Our goal is to establish it as a recognizable brand that all students can relate to and feel a part of. 

-Vice President Seungmin Yoo: 
We’re running dedicated social media accounts and using card news and video content as promotional tools. During the festival, we also plan to set up photo booths around the Business School campus to create a welcoming environment where students can naturally engage with the festivities. 

Q8. What message would you like to convey to Business School students through this festival? 

-President Jeho Choi: 
Through this festival, I hope students can feel a sense of pride in being part of the Business School and experience the joy of coming together as a community. More than just an event, I hope it becomes a lasting and meaningful memory. 

-Vice President Seungmin Yoo: 
It’s rare—even compared to other colleges—to have a college-level festival of this scale. I hope this festival becomes a symbolic event that bridges the past, present, and future, allowing students to feel proud of being part of a tradition they are helping to carry forward. 

Q9. As President and Vice President, what thoughts or sense of responsibility have you felt while preparing this festival? 

-President Jeho Choi: 
As many former presidents have said, the festival is the largest and most impactful event during a Student Council term. With that comes a deep sense of responsibility—but also immense fulfillment. I’m especially grateful to our Vice President, who has stood by me throughout this journey, and to every member of the executive committee who has been working so hard to make this festival a success. 

-Vice President Seungmin Yoo: 
While the festival itself lasts only a short time, its preparation takes months of effort behind the scenes. At every step, I’ve been thinking about how we can better reach and connect with our fellow students. I’ve received tremendous support from the President and all the executive committee members, and I sincerely thank each and every one of them for their dedication and teamwork. 

Q10. What moment are you personally looking forward to the most in the festival? 

-President Jeho Choi: 
I see the stage performance as the climax of the festival. It’s the moment where all our hard work comes together, so I’m especially eager to see how the students respond. I’m also looking forward to the new university-hosted program on the second day, which is being introduced for the first time this year. 

-Vice President Seungmin Yoo: 
While I’m also excited about the stage events on the first day, I’m personally most looking forward to the garden party on the second day. It’s rare to have an occasion where juniors and seniors come together like this, and I hope it becomes a meaningful moment that leaves lasting memories. 

Q11. Any final words to fellow Business School students? 

-President Jeho Choi: 
To those who will join us in the future: I’ve never once regretted choosing Korea University Business School. My campus life has been incredibly rewarding, and I truly believe our school excels both academically and in spirit. To my fellow students—thank you for placing your trust in me. I will do my best to prove that your choice was the right one. 

-Vice President Seungmin Yoo: 
We’re working hard to live up to the trust you’ve given us. To future students: I hope you make the most of all the unique opportunities that only Korea University Business School can offer. Enjoy every moment to the fullest. 

Q12. Any advice or encouragement you’d like to give to the next student council who will plan the future festival? 

-President Jeho Choi: 
Since the festival hasn’t concluded yet, I hesitate to give concrete advice—but if I could offer some encouragement: a festival is one of the few events where you get to see real-time reactions from your peers, and that makes the experience incredibly rewarding. I hope you keep that in mind and prepare with excitement and anticipation. 

-Vice President Seungmin Yoo: 
It may be challenging to match the budget or scale of this year’s Daedongje, but by incorporating meaningful elements—such as career or academic content like the second-day program—you can create something with even greater depth. Most importantly, never forget the effort and dedication of your fellow executive members. Support and encourage one another throughout the process.