Less than seven years ago, a group of USC students came together to share their love for K-pop dance and music, forming the Kosmic Dance Club. The club, originally focused only on K-pop dance, is now reshaping to celebrate Korean culture as a whole.
The leaders of Kosmic Club are focused on expanding beyond its current 20 members. They said they want Kosmic Club to be a safe space for those who have an interest in Korean culture.
“The main focus of the club right now is we just want to focus on getting more members and just being a safe space for people who like Korean music or Korean media, whether it's like K-dramas, K-pop," said Alexandra Bourgeois, third-year business management student and club president.
Kosmic hosts a variety of social events, including watch parties for music videos, fancams and other Korean pop culture media. Other events include photocard exchange events, a spring showcase, trivia nights, craft events, dance pop-ups and an end-of-the-year potluck.
Dance has still remained a main focus of Kosmic Club, as it holds weekly rehearsals to prepare for showcases and events. The club is currently practicing for its annual dance performance at the SC Korean Festival on Nov. 1.
Haven Howards, third-year environmental studies student and club officer, first found the club through the Student Organization Fair during her freshman year. She said the atmosphere in front of the Kosmic Club's booth drew her in.
"It was just about to close, and I was like, 'Hmm, what's going on here?' And all of a sudden, I heard a beautiful melody. It was a Seventeen song. It was "Don't Wanna Cry", Howard said. "And I saw people dancing at the front too. They were doing a random (K-pop) dance. And I was like, 'Point me over there.'"
Noah Jones, third-year business management student and club officer, joined his sophomore year after hearing about the club through friends. He said he wanted to get involved in a campus club and connect to those with similar interests.
"So I joined Kosmic ... and I just really liked the club. So I just wanted to keep going," Jones said.
Bourgeois joined the Kosmic Club her freshman year after not knowing what club to join. She said that college students feel like they need a sense of community on campus, and the club became that for her.
"It was such a fun experience because I had people I knew and could communicate with and get in touch with, so that's what the club is for," Bourgeois said.
Since joining Kosmic Club, Howards has formed friendships with Bourgeois and Jones.
"Because I found (them), this is my space now. So mainly that audience and also the new K-pop fans, as well as old. So everybody's welcome. We're all inclusive here," third-year environmental studies student and club officer Haven Howard said.
Looking ahead, Kosmic Club plans to have more social events on and off campus to grow its membership. The leaders said Kosmic Club remains focused on its goal by ensuring it is a space where all USC students feel included.
More information about the club can be found on its Instagram.