K-Pop Competition Ignites Fullerton With 120 Student Performers

A K-Pop competition hosted by the Fullerton School District drew more than 120 students and packed crowds to The Source Mall in Buena Park, marking a major cultural event for the community.

Students from Five Middle Schools Battle Onstage

Held on April 9, the K-Pop Battle of the Bands featured five student groups from Beechwood, Fisler, Nicholas, Parks, and Ladera Vista School of the Arts. Each team of five students delivered high-energy song and dance routines, the result of six months of rehearsal.

Audience members filled every seat and lined the balconies, erupting in cheers after each performance. The competition created an electric atmosphere that spilled across multiple levels of the mall.

Parks Middle School Claims Top Prize

After the performances, a panel of judges—including district officials and professional performers—announced the results. Parks Middle School took the grand prize. Fisler earned Best Vocals, while Nicholas received Best Choreography.

Superintendent Robert Pletka, who attended the entire event with a smile, pledged to continue the competition annually. “This is a meaningful event that allows both Korean and non-Korean residents to celebrate Korean culture together,” he said.

First-of-Its-Kind Program in Orange County

The K-Pop competition began in fall 2023, the first program of its kind among school districts in Orange County. Over 120 students auditioned—both Korean American and students of other ethnicities. Fifty were selected for training, and 25 advanced to form the five final teams.

Jeannie Shim, who teaches Korean in the district, admitted she was unsure what to expect. “I worried students might not be interested,” she said. “But over 120 showed up. Watching them prepare so passionately made me proud.”

Julienne Lee, Superintendent of Buena Park School District, also attended to show her support for the event.

The district’s embrace of K-pop reflects a broader shift in public education, where cultural relevance and student engagement are driving new programs—and turning school events into celebrations that reflect the real lives of the communities they serve.

BY SANGHWAN LIM [lim.sanghwan@koreadaily.com]