Before the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), there were numerous opportunities for people to actively immerse in arts and culture. Watching plays at Daehak-ro, a famous district of theater and performing arts near Hyehwa station and appreciating works at exhibitions or design fairs are just some of the many methods in which people engaged socially before the pandemic. However, due to the prolonged influence of COVID-19, there have been restrictions on people’s involvement in arts and culture. Korea University’s (KU) performances and art clubs have been facing similar situations in carrying out their usual activities, but they have managed to find their unique ways to cope with the situation. 

With the spread of COVID-19, performances and art clubs have been unable to practice in groups due to social distancing rules prohibiting the gathering of more than a certain number of people. In addition, as performance schedules have been canceled frequently, opportunities for students of these clubs to stand on stage have dwindled. Even worse, as it became difficult to attract and recruit new members due to this situation, more and more clubs began to suffer from the lack of new members. However, some of the performances and art clubs at KU have demonstrated unique ways to carry out their activities. The Granite Tower (GT) interviewed Han Sunah (’20, Statistics), the president of PUREUNSORAE, and Kim Naeun (’21, Sociology), a member of LoGS, on how they are continuing their club activities amidst raging COVID-19. 

KU’s Pungmulpae, PUREUNSORAE

PUREUNSORAE, established in 1988, is a pungmulpae, which is a word that refers to the Korean traditional band music club, of the College of Liberal Arts. Since last year, it has been performing nongak, a form of traditional farmers’ music, in North Jeolla Province and collaborating with various community organizations that strive to preserve traditional culture. It conducts regular practices every week for pangut performances, a series of plays of Korean traditional band music, and its own anniversary events. 

GT Due to COVID-19, opportunities for performances and practices are decreasing. How are you managing PUREUNSORAE?

Han Because of the nature of performance clubs, especially when it comes to pungmulpae, teamwork is very important. Therefore, I try to help build intimacy among the club members. Fortunately, everyone participates very actively. However, It is a pity that not all members can participate due to the social distancing policy, but we are steadily running small-scale practices. We decided to focus on improving our individual capabilities for now so that we can properly perform as soon as the situation gets better.

GT Are you planning to perform any time soon? If so, how are you preparing for it?

Han We are preparing for two kinds of performance events to be held towards the end of the year: an external performance and a regular performance. The external performance is an event with other universities’ pungmulpae where we showcase pangut from various regions. The regular performance will consist of individual pangut shows, so it is crucial to boost individual skills for this. I think the biggest difficulty expected in the preparation process is the prohibition on gatherings. Since both performances include pangut, for which more than five people have to gather, I am worried about how to solve this problem.

GT Do you think the transmission of PUREUNSORAE’s culture within the club is being done properly?

Han PUREUNSORAE has an annual traditional event called the Gugujeol event, which is held on September 9, its date of foundation. Since entering KU last year, I could not actually host this event, but I heard that it was a very big event where even the founding members of the club would visit. Although the Gugujeol event cannot be carried out due to COVID19 at the moment, it will be revived as soon as the situation gets better.

KU’s A Cappella Club, LoGS

LoGS, a shortened name for Leaning on the Great Stream, was established in 2005 as a central a cappella club at KU. LoGS has participated in the university a cappella festival, the Seoul Metro University Culture Festival, and the Meritz Arts Volunteer Group A cappella Competition and was registered as a central club of KU in October 2010. Since 2014, it has been in charge of the events at KU’s Ipselenti – Jiya Hamsung and The Annual Ko-Yun Games.

GT What motivated you to join LoGS as a freshman?

Kim Actually, I was interested in joining a performance club from the point I entered KU. Even though I was aware that club activities would be affected by COVID-19 and most of the face-to-face activities would be restricted, I decided not to be discouraged by these difficulties. If I give up everything, there would be no opportunity for me to meet new people at all. I thought, “I would rather go and participate in club activities as much as the situation allows.” With that in mind, I applied for the central a cappella club, LoGS.

GT As a freshman, which activities of LoGS are you looking forward to participating when the situation with COVID-19 gets better?

Kim I look forward to being a part of large-scale projects where many people can join and prepare for the a cappella performance. Moreover, if the situation with COVID-19 improves and there is a chance to interact with other universities’ a cappella performance clubs, I look forward to having face-to face meetings with them.