Founded in 1954, The Granite Tower (GT) serves as Korea’s longest-running collegiate magazine written in English. This year marked the 69th anniversary since the publication of its first issue, which is customarily celebrated in a yearly gathering that brings together previous and current reporters of all ages and backgrounds. This year’s Changbokgan – the official name of the event – was held on the evening of Friday, November 17 at Korea University (KU) Alumni Hall and approximately 50 attendees joined the celebration.

The evening commenced with a gracious welcome and an indulgent buffet, as many guests look forward to in every edition. Emotionally poignant and insightful speeches from ex-members added a heartfelt dimension to the gathering, complemented by an unplanned elegant piano performance by one of the attendees. Afterwards, following a customary reflection on GT’s history and structure, the hosting Junior reporters engaged the audience with a quiz, testing their understanding of what had been explained. Ex-members who answered correctly were rewarded with a variety of prizes, emphasizing GT’s enduring appreciation for its contributors over the years.

Reflecting on the evening, fellow reporter Jung Haine (’22, Media and Communication) expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “I felt that it was a great opportunity to celebrate how far GT has come and hear from sunbaes that share the love for GT that we all have!” Every Changbokgan not only marks a milestone in GT’s rich history, but also highlights the magazine’s ability to foster a sense of community and appreciation among its past and present contributors.