On Saturday, April 12, 2025, the UBC Asian Centre came alive with energy and excitement as students, faculty, volunteers, and special guests gathered for the 2025 Quiz on Korea: Canada Preliminary Round. Co-hosted by the UBC Korean Language and Culture Program and the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Vancouver, the event celebrated the growing global enthusiasm for Korean language and culture, while offering students a platform to showcase their knowledge and passion.
Organized by Korea’s national broadcaster, KBS, Quiz on Korea is a global competition that invites winners from preliminary rounds held around the world to represent their countries in a final televised contest hosted in Korea. The Canadian preliminary round at UBC was a vibrant reminder of the power of cultural exchange and community spirit.
Warm Welcome and Inspiring Messages
- Dr. Ross King
- Consul General Kyun Jong-ho
The event began at 10:30 AM with a warm welcome from Consul General Kyun Jong-ho, who highlighted the significance of language and cultural learning in fostering international understanding. Next, Dr. Ross King, Professor of Korean Language and Literature at the UBC Department of Asian Studies, addressed the audience and emphasized UBC’s long-standing commitment to Korean studies and cross-cultural dialogue.
The speeches set a tone of encouragement and celebration, acknowledging the dedication of the students and the importance of embracing diverse cultural experiences.
Dynamic Series of Quiz Sessions
With over 40 enthusiastic participants in attendance, the preliminary round unfolded with a dynamic series of quiz sessions conducted entirely in Korean.
Participants answered challenging questions that tested not only their language skills, but also their understanding of Korean history, proverbs, traditional culture, modern lifestyles, and the global phenomenon of K-pop.
The quiz was structured into multiple rounds, offering students opportunities to demonstrate their breadth of knowledge across various themes. Between quiz sessions, students engaged in interactive activities that brought additional energy and camaraderie to the event.
Jegichagi Game Competition (제기차기)
One highlight was the Jegichagi (제기차기) game competition—a traditional Korean hacky sack game where participants competed for prizes by keeping the jegi airborne for as long as possible. This friendly challenge sparked laughter, cheers, and moments of playful competition.
Rock-paper-scissors tournament (다대일 가위 바위 보)
Following the second round of quizzes, students participated in a spirited rock-paper-scissors tournament (다대일 가위 바위 보), with winners receiving exclusive UBC Asian Studies merchandise. These interactive elements not only allowed students to relax and connect with one another, but also deepened their appreciation for traditional and contemporary aspects of Korean culture.
Zonic’s K-pop Dance Performance: Ending on a High Note
In a special performance that truly captured the spirit of the day, the talented K-pop cover dance team Zonic took the stage, electrifying the audience with dynamic choreographies to “Billionaire” and “Drip” by BabyMonster. Their performance added a vibrant and celebratory mood, showcasing the global influence of Korean popular culture and left a lasting impression on everyone in attendance.
The integration of traditional games, academic knowledge, and pop culture made the event a holistic celebration of Korea’s rich and evolving identity.
Recognizing Excellence and Achievement
🥇 Renee Zhang — Grand Prize (Galaxy Tab) and Canada’s representative at the Quiz on Korea Finals in Korea
- 🥈 Vivian Zhi-Ting Fung
- 🥉 Mirai Ohishi
- 🎖️ Jonathan Keigan (4th Place)
- 🎖️ Leon Zorn (5th Place)
As the quiz rounds came to a close, the event moved into a heartfelt awards ceremony, recognizing the remarkable efforts of the top performers. We proudly congratulate:
- 🥇Renee Zhang — Grand Prize (Galaxy Tab) and Canada’s representative at the Quiz on Korea Finals in Korea
- 🥈Vivian Zhi-Ting Fung
- 🥉Mirai Ohishi
- 🎖️Jonathan Keigan (4th Place)
- 🎖️Leon Zorn (5th Place)
The first-place winner, Renee Zhang, is a graduate of the Asian Language and Culture program (with a focus on Korea) and will travel to Seoul later this year to compete in the final global round. We send her our best wishes for continued success and are proud to have her represent Canada on the international stage.
Participants and guests then gathered for group photographs to commemorate the memorable day, followed by a shared meal of Korean-style boxed lunches(도시락), offering a relaxed conclusion to a morning full of learning, excitement, and community connection.
A Grateful Reflection
The success of the 2025 Quiz on Korea Canada Preliminary Round would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of many individuals and organizations. We extend our deepest appreciation to the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Vancouver, the UBC Korean Language and Culture Program, and the Department of Asian Studies for their partnership and support.
We are especially grateful to the instructors, Jeonghye Son, Eurie Shin, and Jungeun Hong for their leadership and coordination, and to the student volunteers Gunwoo Lee, Cecilia Park, and Youngwan Choi, whose enthusiasm and hard work helped make the event a seamless success.
Above all, we celebrate the dedication of every participant, whose commitment to learning and cross-cultural understanding was truly inspiring.
We look forward to welcoming even more students, alumni, and community members to future events as we continue to build a vibrant community centred on Korean language, culture, and shared experiences at UBC.
