YonGoJon

Seoul University is the undisputed top university in the nation. The 2nd and 3rd place spots are a bit more fuzzy. Yonsei University; where I was an exchange student, and Korean University; where I lived this last summer, are rival schools. Every year they meet for 5 different sporting games as a way of competition.

Yonsei University calls these games YonGoJon.
Korea (Goraeya) University calls these games GoYonJon.

We saw the soccer game which was in a large sports stadium south-east of the river. If my friends didn't tell me the details I would have missed the event. And after all it is a lot more fun to go with friends then to go alone.

Right before the game started they showed a bunch of videos teasing and taunting each other. These were hilarious. They included a number of well known actors and actresses promoting one school or the other. One of my favorite actresses was promoting the other side; so sad.

I had no idea our school had so many flag wavers. I say again, so many flag wavers. Everyone in the stands were doing choreographed dances. But there is no way that they flag wavers could lead the dances. Which is why each university had three stages set up for the main cheer squad leaders. Let's take a closer look at those costumes. And what about the competition, Korean University?

I grabbed some audio with the still camera so you can hear part of one of the cheers. And if the crowds were now as hyper as you wanted, simply set off some fireworks to liven things up.

The game ends and everyone heads towards the field to continue to dance and cheer. I noticed how tongue-in-cheek the rivilary was as conga lines of Korea Univ students were coming to our side. So for kicks we conga'd over to the other side as well, where we weren't exactly alone.

Yonsei's mascot is an eagle which Korea's is a tiger. The tiger costumes looked more like Tony The Tiger but Yonsei students call them kitties. So I got a picture with some of the Korea cats before heading over to Sinchon; the happening place near Yonsei University. Besides the dancing and break dancing in the streets, there was a stage set up with a concert going on. Tradition states that if you go to a store as a group and start chanting and cheering they will give you free food and drink.