Between Tradition and K-Pop: My Journey Through South Korea

By Kaitlyn Bego, who studied abroad on the South Korea: K-Pop, Culture, and Critical Thinking program in Spring Break 2026.

March 8th :

• Starfield Library: When I entered Starfield Library, I immediately felt relaxed and at peace. The mix of classical and soft jazz music playing within the library truly created a serene and motivating environment to learn and almost drift into a meditative state. Lastly, the architecture of the library was fascinating and beautiful. Almost every wall from top to bottom was completely covered with books.
• Company Visit and Dance Class at Ktown4u: One of the most memorable parts of visiting Ktown4u was the lecture about the K-pop industry. Something that really stood out to me was how casually plastic surgery was discussed in relation to trainees. It was surprising and honestly a bit unsettling. After the lecture, we had a dance class where we learned part of a routine from a song by Jennie. It was a fun and refreshing experience, and the instructor created a welcoming environment for everyone.
• COEX Mega Stage: Experiencing COEX’s Mega Stage was a fantastic way to introduce us to the promotional strategies companies utilize to further the success of their artists. The artist we saw was a new sub-group called QQQ. They were interactive with the audience and fully involved in how they presented themselves to the public. In other words, there was no mediator or MC to navigate the event. QQQ had to lead the entire event themselves.
• Former Big Hit’s Entertainment building & BTS’ former frequently visited restaurant: Visiting Big Hit Entertainment’s former building and eating at the restaurant that BTS used to visit before becoming famous was quite eye-opening. Learning about the humble beginnings of BTS was special. It was a reminder to me, as an artist, to never give up on your dreams and to not despise small beginnings. It was amazing to see how a group with such humble beginnings blossomed into the influential powerhouse they are today.

March 9th :

• Hanyang University Visit: At Hanyang University, we were split into groups and given
  tours by student guides. Following the tour, we attended a lecture by Jason Bechervaise
  on the development of K-pop. A key takeaway was that K-pop’s global success has come
  through trial and error. While it has helped spread Korean culture globally, it also places a
  lot of pressure on the artists involved.
• SM Universe: At SM Universe, we toured facilities including a recording booth, practice
  rooms, dance studios, and a photo/video studio. The CEO explained that SM Universe extends training opportunities to aspiring K-pop artists. We also learned more about the many components involved in creating K-pop groups, including auditions, scouting, and intensive training systems.

March 10th :

• National Museum of Korea: This was one of the most memorable experiences of the
  trip. The highlight for me was the digital exhibition, which beautifully brought the history
  and stories of past Korean rulers and citizens to life through advanced technology and
  artistic interpretation. Many animations were inspired by artwork from the historical
  periods themselves, making the experience both immersive and meaningful.
• Seoul Museum of Art: This museum primarily featured abstract art. While I personally
  find abstract art difficult to interpret, I deeply respect the courage of the artists. The
  works addressed heavy topics such as the conflict in Palestine, the overturning of Roe v.
  Wade, and the emotional weight of unspoken confessions. This visit reminded me that
  even if art feels unfamiliar or difficult to understand, it can still hold deep significance
  and impact for others.
• HiKR Ground: This space highlighted the commercial and tourist-facing side of South
  Korea. It recreated environments such as convenience stores, K-pop music video sets,
  and karaoke rooms to capture what many perceive as the “South Korean experience.”
  Additionally, two other dance majors and I performed a self-choreographed hip-hop piece
  to a song by the group 88rising. Through collaboration and practice, we were able to
  present a creative and energetic performance that reflected our artistic growth.

March 11th :

• K-POP Museum in Gyeongju: This museum provided an in-depth look at the history
  and development of speakers. With guidance from a museum staff member and
  translation by one of our professors, we learned about a valuable collection of antique
  speakers. However, the highlight was hearing them in action. Each speaker produced a
  rich, unique sound that felt immersive and captivating.
• Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond: The beauty of this site was breathtaking. The
  architecture, illuminated by surrounding lights and reflected in Wolji Pond, created a
  serene and majestic atmosphere. Walking through the structures, I could easily imagine
  royal officials spending time there, which made the experience feel almost timeless.

March 12th :

• Bulguksa Temple & Seokguram Grotto: These sites introduced us to the historical
  practice of Buddhism in Korea. We saw traditional architecture, including a large bell and
  a stone Buddha statue. The bell is believed to cleanse the soul and promote spiritual
  clarity, while the statue is visited for blessings of fortune and prosperity.
• Gyeongju National Museum: This museum expanded on our understanding of Buddhist
  practices during ancient times. It featured many statues created by the Silla Kingdom,
  reflecting both religious devotion and cultural identity. As a Christian, I found it
  especially interesting to learn about another belief system and observe how religion and
  culture were intertwined in these artifacts.
• Traditional Korean Hanok: We concluded the day with a meal in a traditional hanok.
  The menu included bibimbap, miso soup, and various side dishes. Since bibimbap is my
  favorite Korean dish, I especially enjoyed the meal. The setting was smaller and more
  intimate than other restaurants we visited, with beautiful traditional architecture that
  enhanced the experience.

March 13th :

• Shopping in Hongdae: During our free morning, a few of us explored Hongdae. I found
  myself wishing that the U.S. had more areas with accessible street shopping and
  affordable food options. Before leaving, I bought a medium-sized My Melody plush, a
  character from the Hello Kitty franchise.
• National Gugak Museum: This museum focused on traditional Korean music. It
  showcased instruments and performances, but the most memorable part was a vocalist
  performing historically significant lyrics. Her powerful voice and emotional delivery
  made the performance deeply captivating.

March 14th :

• Farewell Cooking Class: To conclude our trip, we participated in a cooking class led by
  a chef who has worked on productions such as XO, Kitty and Squid Game. She was kind,
  efficient, and humorous. We learned how to prepare bibimbap, including seasoning meat,
  chopping vegetables, frying eggs, and plating the dish. The meal also included
  dumplings, miso soup, and Korean sweets.
  I was especially touched by the certificate and recipe she gave us, allowing us to recreate
  the dish at home. Additionally, the thoughtful gifts and cards from Dr. Frisch and our
  guide, Ms. Kay, made for a heartfelt conclusion to our trip.

March 15th :

• Returning Home: The journey back felt easier than the trip to South Korea, likely
  because I knew what to expect from a long flight. I also managed my time better by
  watching an entire movie series instead of individual films.
  After landing in Dallas, we experienced a delay due to weather near Charlotte and arrived
  home around 1 a.m. Despite the delay, I was in high spirits, excited to reunite with my
  family and share my experiences from the trip.