Student Organization Cheongrang Hosts 2025 Yuso Culture Festival “Gohanora”

-Modern reinterpretation of traditional Yuso culture creates a platform for dialogue between youth and society

-Flash mob, choir, Bidap (royal reply) ritual, and diverse programs held on September 20 at SKKU’s Myeongnyundang

Sungkyunkwan University’s student cultural organization Cheongrang (靑浪) hosted the traditional culture festival “2025 Yuso Culture Festival: Gohanora” on Saturday, September 20. The event began at SKKU’s Bicheondang and extended throughout the Jongno area, culminating at Myeongnyundang.

Gohanora is a modern reinterpretation of Yuso (儒疏), the tradition in which Confucian scholars of the Joseon Dynasty submitted petitions to the king. The festival, organized annually by SKKU students, seeks to carry forward and reimagine this cultural heritage.

This year’s highlight was Sohaeng (疏行), a program that reenacted the procession of scholars delivering petitions to the king. About 300 students dressed in traditional scholar’s robes (danryeong) paraded from Sungkyunkwan Munmyo through Jongno and back to Myeongnyundang. Along the way, they performed songs and dances, showcasing the fusion of traditional and youth culture while passing landmarks such as Sungkyunkwan, Changdeokgung Palace, Insadong, and Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Following the Sohaeng, a flash mob wishing for the success of the petitions was staged at Myeongnyundang. Performances also featured SKKU’s choir and the dance club from Korea National Sport University. At 4:20 p.m., SKKU’s Confucianism Humanity Education Center, Cheon-seung Lee, presided over the Bidap (批答) ritual, delivering a symbolic reply to the youth petitions. This ceremony not only recreated a Joseon-era tradition but also emphasized listening to the voices of today’s youth.

This year’s Gohanora was also linked with the “2025 Korea Youth Petition Project.” Under the theme “Ideas to Promote Empathy and Exchange in Youth Society,” selected representatives (Sodu, 疏頭—petition leaders) presented petitions on behalf of youth. The Director of Confucianism Humanity Education Center then responded, symbolizing dialogue between generations.

The event was structured into three stages: ▲Daeuisa (大議事): Opening ceremony at Sungkyunkwan ▲Sohaeng (疏行): Parade through Jongno ▲Soban (疏班): Petition presentation and Bidap ritual at Myeongnyundang. Through this process, the festival created a platform for communication among students, the local community, and the nation at large.

Cheongrang leader Haena Yoo (Class of 2024, Department of Classical Chinese) stated: “The 2025 Gohanora is not just about reenacting tradition, but about carrying forward the youth spirit of raising one’s voice for a better tomorrow. I hope this festival allows many people to rediscover the essence of Yuso culture and the value of our traditional heritage.”