Penn State’s K-Pop Music and Dance cultivates ‘inclusive’ community – The Daily Collegian

Language is no boundary for Penn State’s K-Pop Music and Dance (KPMD) organization as it bonds over a shared love of the same music and dance.

Although the group is known for its choreographed performances to K-pop tunes, it also aims to include anyone with an interest in the music, President Aly De Marco said.

For Gabi Cuascut, the organization helped her grow from never wanting attention to becoming dance captain.

“I want to see myself in every opportunity. I want to try out for these things, and I want to get the main parts because there’s so much joy from having your friends cheer you on from the side,” Cuascut, a third-year studying biology, said.

While Melissa Lam is not a performer, she still finds fulfillment in being a member.

“I really enjoy watching everybody else perform,” Lam, a third-year studying forensic science, said. “It makes me so proud to watch them.”

The organization not only provides a way for dancers to showcase their skills, but a community for anyone interested in K-pop music and culture.

“I found the BTS carpool karaoke … I was just immediately drawn to their energy as a group, and I spent the next five hours that night just watching whatever I could,” Cuascut said.

While not all members “got sucked in literally overnight,” they still have a deep connection with the music.

“It was really refreshing to see a bunch of Asian faces for once,” Lam said. “These are Asian people that aren’t being ridiculed in the popular media.”

Many of the members have an affinity for the K-pop “idols.”

“They are so inspiring,” Ana Meilan said. “Their work in general makes me want to put more effort into everything I do for my own life.”

The members of KPMD have found a place to embrace their passion but said it wasn’t always an accepted interest in their lives.

“‘Why do you like this?’ It’s the same as liking football, it’s the same as celebrating for your favorite team,” De Marco, a third-year studying linguistics, said. “Because it is not based in America and not for men, it’s shown as weird.”

Meilan, a second-year studying neurobiology, said she used to receive rude messages from boys in her high school after posting about BTS.

“Why do you like those ‘girls’ so much? Do you think you’re Chinese or something?” the messages read.

Now in college, the members have found friends who embrace a common interest.

“One of the reasons I came to Penn State was because of this club. I knew I was going to feel welcome because of my interest in K-pop,” De Marco said.

Lam spoke to how the group is not only inclusive but welcomes a wide range of students.

“We’re a really diverse group,” Lam said. “There’s just so many different people here, and they all have different stories.”

De Marco said the club aims to make sure even “casual listeners” feel welcome.

“We’ve got like a little community here, we can all talk and be ourselves.”

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