K-Pop Idols Taking Over Korean University Festivals: Viral Performances May 2026
- lewishooper1
- May 21
- 3 min read
Sunmi, Lee Mujin, RIIZE, and CORTIS: We Went Front Row for the Most Viral University Performances of the Year!
May in Korea is all about university battles as to who can secure the best or biggest name(s) in K-pop to perform on their campuses. Universities around the country transform their grounds into a massive open-air concert ground as the spring-summer season kicks off.
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Lewis Hooper from the Dojeon Media team visited KNU in Daegu last year to immerse himself in the K-pop scene and said it was amazing! This year, the "takeover" is more literal than ever, with top-tier idols and rising rookies trading music show stages for university stadiums.
Lee Mujin and Sunmi
The Dojeon Media team is thrilled to see that seasoned stars are back this year to retain their festival powerhouse status! Lee Mujin headlined the Hangang University Song Festival, and Sunmi continues to dominate the campus scene. Sunmi's high-energy performances are the perfect match for that all-electric university atmosphere.
RIIZE
Another favorite is RIIZE! RIIZE is well known for being festival kings in their own right, as they have managed to secure prime performance spots in some of the more major universities such as Incheon National University and Soongsil University. RIIZE's ability to draw massive crowds was already evident during their 2025 fall tour, making them one of the most anticipated acts of the current spring circuit and an act that is in high demand this year.
CORTIS
CORTIS is new to the university festival scene and is also HYBE's newest rookie group. This actually makes them a significant choice to perform this year, as they performed at Dankook University on May 13th and Hongik University on May 14th. At the same time, they are also fresh off their REDRED show, which was a success with the GEN Z audience.
The Festival Spirit
University festivals in 2026, often called Daedongje, are famous for their high-octane energy and carnival-like atmosphere. When our writer Lewis Hooper attended the concert in Daegu, he was surprised by how involved the audience was in the show and the event compared to similar concerts he had previously attended. Korean campuses are packed with student-run food booths, flea markets, and interactive games that keep the atmosphere up right until the last moment! They really are a great way to see some of your favourite K-pop acts in person!
How to Get Tickets
Getting hold of tickets for these events is extremely competitive. Many of these universities give priority to their own students through a 'student zone' wristband system. It is also possible for non-students to attend, like Lewis Hooper did. Entry is usually free for the general standing areas, but you should arrive early to secure your spot before the event is full. Some ticketing sites like KKDAY and KLOOK also run events from Seoul to nearby cities.
Final Thoughts
The Dojeon Media team really thinks that the 2026 university festival season is more in demand than ever. University festivals are not only important for the idols' promotions, but they are also a strategic step in selling merchandise, tour tickets, and fan meetings. Campus stages really have become a playground for some of K-pop's most elite.
Have you ever been to a Korean University K-pop festival? If so, then we would love to hear about your experience in the comments below!
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