Tables were packed in the U-SU Los Angeles Rooms with students all with a single interest, K-pop. 

“K-pop fan culture is like a little thing of its own,” said CSI student assistant Andrea Dominguez. “There’s different terms that you use, different items that you have that if you’re a K-pop fan you will know. So that was what we were trying to get into, having a space for K-pop fans to be themselves, appreciate the music, meet new people and just get excited about K-pop in general.” 

The Center for Student Involvement hosted the event “Stop, Drop & K-pop!” on Sept. 14, at the Student Union. The event was free for all enrolled students on a first-come, first-serve basis. New Jeans, Twice, and various songs from K-pop artists were played as attendees partook in the various activities at the event.

Black and pink balloons along with confetti streamers were strung along the room. Students grabbed snacks, participated in trivia games, took pictures at the photo booths and traded photocards.

“If someone is a K-pop fan, they will have a photo card on their backpack, even on their neck or anything like that,” Dominguez said.

People crowded around the table where photocards were available to be traded, looking for their favorite idol.

“How do you even explain photo cards?” said child development major Liz Cuevas. “They’re like an addiction. That’s how I explain them.” 

Every K-pop album comes with at least one photocard. What group member you receive is entirely based on luck. Freshman Krystal Rosas said that the surprise is what makes collecting them enjoyable.