UF Students Celebrate Seollal, Korea’s Lunar New Year, Blending Tradition and Modern Culture

Gainesville, FL – The Reitz Union Grand Ballroom at the University of Florida came alive on Sunday night as students celebrated Seollal, the Korean Lunar New Year, with a vibrant display of performances and cultural activities. The event, organized by the Korean Undergraduate Student Association (KUSA), drew approximately 150 attendees eager to experience and share in the traditions of Seollal.

What is Seollal?

Seollal (설날) is a traditional Korean festival and national holiday commemorating the first day of the Korean lunisolar calendar. As Wikipedia details, it’s one of the most important holidays for Koreans worldwide, observed in both North and South Korea, as well as by the Korean diaspora. The date varies each year as it’s based on the lunar calendar; in 2026, Seollal fell on Tuesday, February 17th, though the UF event was held a few days later to accommodate student schedules. Stripes Korea notes that Seollal is a time when families traditionally travel and gather, similar to the Christmas and New Year season in the United States.

A Fusion of Tradition and Modernity

The UF celebration showcased a dynamic blend of traditional Korean customs and contemporary influences. Performances included dances, a ukulele sing-along, and a captivating taekwondo demonstration. Students also staged skits exploring generational differences within Korean culture, highlighting the tension between those who prioritize strict adherence to tradition and younger generations embracing modern trends like K-dramas and K-pop.

Performances and Cultural Exchange

Shreya Singh, an 18-year-old UF biochemistry freshman and a second-degree black belt in taekwondo, performed with the UF Taekwondo Club. The group incorporated K-pop music, specifically “Thank U” by Ateez, into their demonstration. Graciela Strand, a 23-year-old computer science senior, performed a ballet solo to BTS’s “Lie,” expressing her personal struggles with mental health through the choreography. Multiple dance groups, including Floridance, the Assemble Dance Company, and Genesis Dance Crew, also presented choreographed routines.

Finding Community and Cultural Connection

For some students, like KUSA co-presidents Andrew Kim and Caron Choe, the event provided a space to navigate their cultural identity. Kim, who grew up in Colorado, shared that he felt “cut off” from his culture due to a lack of Korean representation in his hometown and found a sense of belonging at UF. Strand, who is half-Cuban, expressed her appreciation for cultural exchange, stating that the event felt like “a celebration of language, culture and dance, all the things I love.”

Seollal Traditions

While the UF event incorporated modern elements, it still honored the core values of Seollal: remembering one’s roots, expressing gratitude towards family, and sharing wishes for good fortune in the new year. As Stripes Korea explains, families traditionally enjoy special foods, perform ancestral rites, and play traditional games during Seollal.