At Hoover High School, the Korean Club offers a welcoming space for students to explore and celebrate Korean culture in exciting ways.

Led by President Ava Chae and Vice President Yanie Dullas, the club continues to grow by sharing Korea’s rich history through videos, traditional food, music, games, and fun cultural events.

“In this club, we focus on Korean culture,” Chae said. “We’re able to dive deep into old Korean traditions with fun Kahoot games and YouTube videos.”

She added that Korea’s recent rise in global popularity has also helped spark interest in the club. “Korea has gained popularity due to people’s interest in K-pop and K-dramas. This helped our club grow and attract new members.”

As president, Chae’s goal is to help members gain a deeper understanding of Korean culture—both its traditions and its modern influences. “I try to make everyone feel welcome by greeting them with a smile and being friendly,” she said.

Vice President Dullas shared her role in keeping the club active and engaging. “I encourage people to join and give ideas for what to do at our meetings,” she said. “I hope members develop a deep appreciation for Korean culture and make new friends. If they aren’t taking the class already, I hope they’re encouraged to learn Korean as well.”

The club celebrates Korean culture through engaging activities and themed events. One of the most memorable, Chae recalled, was inspired by the hit Korean show Squid Game.

“The players in the show had to play childhood games with a twist, which included violence,” Chae explained. “The show gained a lot of attention, so we decided to host a day where we played some of those childhood games together—without the violence, of course. Everyone was engaged and had a great time.”

Food is also a big part of the club’s activities. Members often bring or make their favorite Korean dishes to share.

“The most common foods we make are buldak and ramen—you can never go wrong with those,” Dullas said.

Club member Suzy Mouradian added, “Besides eating Korean food, I enjoy doing Kahoots about Korea and playing other games.”

Beyond the activities and food, members agree that what makes the Korean Club truly special is its sense of community and the opportunity to share Korean culture with others.