Kookmin University (President Jeong Seung Ryul) held the “80th Anniversary Open Concert” at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22, at the university’s main athletic field to mark its 80th anniversary. The performance was broadcast on KBS1 at 5:40 p.m. on Sunday, October 18, the university’s founding anniversary.
 
This Open Concert was one of the 10 major commemorative projects that Kookmin University is undertaking to celebrate its 80th anniversary and prepare for the next 100 years. It was organized as an occasion for members of the university community who have shared its history and the local community to gather and celebrate the university’s new beginning.
 
Approximately 5,500 people, including current students, faculty and staff, alumni, and local residents, attended the performance. The stage featured Kim Hye-hyun, a Class of 2020 alumna majoring in dance in the Department of Performing Arts (choreographed by Kang Kyung Mo, Dean of the College of Arts), and faculty members from the Department of Music’s Orchestral Performance program (violinists Kim Sunghae and Hwang Soon Bin, violist Shin Yoon Kyung, and cellist Woo Ji Yeon), as well as Koyote, Gummy, Dynamic Duo, Soran, Jo Jeong-min, Amutda Band, Kim Yong-bin, KISS OF LIFE, SINCE, and H//PE Princess, who all connected with the audience. In particular, singer Jo Jeong-min, a Class of ’06 alumna majoring in piano in the Department of Music at Kookmin University’s College of Arts, added special significance to the event.
 
Kookmin University community members kicked off the day’s performance. Alumna Kim Hye-hyun and the faculty of the Department of Music’s Orchestral Performance program presented an opening performance that seamlessly blended string music with contemporary dance to the third movement, “Summer,” from Vivaldi’s *The Four Seasons*, receiving an enthusiastic response. Alumna Kim Hye-hyun previously placed third overall and first in the contemporary dance category on the Mnet variety show *Stage Fighter*.
 
Kookmin University aimed to reflect on its past 80 years of history through music while simultaneously marking the beginning of the next 100 years together. President Jeong Seung Ryul emphasized, “Over the past 80 years, Kookmin University has grown into a leading institution in South Korean higher education, having overcome countless challenges and changes,” adding, “This progress is thanks to the students nurturing their dreams on campus, the professors and staff who have dedicated themselves to education and research, the alumni who are bringing honor to our alma mater across society, and the support of the local community that has cherished and cheered on the university.” President Jeong continued, “Although we differ in generation, life experiences, and perspectives, we can share the same emotions and cherish the same memories when faced with beautiful music,” adding, “I hope this day will remain a beautiful memory in the hearts of all attendees for a long time to come.”
  
Kookmin University is treating its 80th anniversary not merely as a commemoration of its past history, but as a turning point to prepare for the next 100 years. With the vision of being “a university that sets the standard for higher education,” the university plans to pioneer new paths in education and research beyond existing frameworks under the spirit of “Make the Rule, Break the Rule.” As part of this initiative, the university is pursuing ten major commemorative projects, including the declaration of Korea’s first “Quantum Campus” and the announcement of its mid- to long-term development plan, “KMU VISION 2035: EDGE,” as well as the production of official academic regalia, the DBEW International Design Award, the development and distribution of proprietary typefaces (Ha-ong and Seonggok), the online compilation of Kookmin University’s 80-Year History, the construction and launch of a satellite carrying a university emblem, and the groundbreaking for a building in front of Bukak Hall and the building in front of the main gate.
 
A Kookmin University official stated, “To mark the 80th anniversary of the university’s founding, we are carrying out projects and events in various areas, including history and academia, the future and sustainability, global affairs, community and social contribution, educational innovation, culture and the arts, and public relations and development support,” adding, “This open-air concert is also one of the 10 major commemorative projects organized to reflect on the 80-year history of Kookmin University and share our vision for the next 100 years.”

△ Members of the Kookmin University community, alumni, and local residents are attending an open concert celebrating the university’s 80th anniversary.

△ Kookmin University President Jeong Seung Ryul delivers a welcome address on stage at the open-air concert commemorating the university’s 80th anniversary.