Korea National University of Education is a specialized institution dedicated to training future educators. As the only comprehensive teacher-training university in Korea, preparing teachers for all levels — from kindergarten to high school — KNUE offers a unique academic environment. But campus life at KNUE extends beyond just classes and lectures.
At KNUE, student-led extracurricular activities play a vital role in shaping campus culture. Among these activities, clubs lie at the heart of students interactions, creativity, and community building. In this article, we take a closer look at some of the vibrant clubs that bring energy and engagement to our campus life.
Clubs at KNUE are typically categorized into different categories based on their primary focus. Academic clubs aim to enhance understanding in specific subject areas. Sports clubs promote fitness and enjoyment through physical activity. Performance clubs, regardless of genre, regularly host shows and events. Social service clubs focus on volunteering and community outreach, while religious clubs offer space for spiritual fellowship.
That said, these classifications aren’t always so clear-cut. For example, GTU (Global Teacher’s University), a club that promotes multicultural education, is categorized under the social service category. Meanwhile, Vibe, a travel club, is classified as a sports club. These examples show that while categories help structure club activities, there remains significant overlap and flexibility. So, what kinds of clubs fall into each category?
Each category will introduce its affiliated clubs. The following introductions are based on information submitted directly by each club. First, let’s explore the clubs in the academic category.
COMA: Black-and-White Photography Club
We are COMA, a club devoted to the art of black-and-white photography. Each semester, we hold two outdoor photo sessions and a regular exhibition to showcase our work. We also lend out cameras to our members! If you enjoy photography or want to express your own unique perspective, then maybe you’re already a “COMA-in”.
Delight of Spirit: Poetry Creation and Appreciation Club
We write and share poetry. Our relaxed and welcoming atmosphere is one of our greatest strengths. On weekdays, members can join informal poetry sessions where we gather in small groups to read, discuss, and appreciate poems. Once a semester, you can also participate in our exhibition with poems you’ve written yourself.
Troublemaker: Question Makers Club
We are Troublemaker. Here, members come up with their own questions on topics they care about — and share them with others. We also build our friendships through regular meetings like mock classes and study groups. We’re looking forward to meeting future Troublemakers who are ready to dive into the fun!
Bright Star’s Spring: Astronomy Club
BS is a club for anyone who loves stargazing and the wonders of the night sky! You can deepen your knowledge of celestial objects while also connecting with students from all across campus. Every week, we gather to look at the stars through our telescopes — and share some late-night snacks, too. Each semester, we also host fun events like MT trips, cherry blossom walks by the Musimcheon Stream, and a two-day trip to Gyeongju for our “Moonlit night in Silla” program.
Sign Dialog Hub: Board Game Club
SDH is all about board games. Whether you’re a board game pro, just getting started, or just looking to meet new friends while having fun, everyone is welcome! With over 2000 games in our collection, you can join in at your own pace — no pressure at all.
The following are introductions to clubs in the performance category.
ARSNOVA: Orchestra
ARSNOVA is an orchestra that performs classical music and a wide range of other genres in both full-orchestra and ensemble formats. As one of the larger clubs on campus, ARSNOVA offers a great opportunity to connect with students from various departments through music. Experiencing how different instruments come together to create a single piece of music is truly unforgettable.
Dream & Dancing: Dancing Performance Club
D&D is a club made up of students who love dancing and performing on stage. Every year, we present two major performances featuring original choreography created by our members. We also perform at major campus festivals like Daedongje and Dongdongje. Beyond campus, we participate in guest shows and exchange programs, connecting with more people through dance. In 2025, we plan to recruit new first-year members in the second semester, so if you dream through dance, D&D is the place to be!
K-Groove: Hip-Hop and R&B Club
We are K-Groove — a club that writes, composes, and produces its own original songs! You can listen to our music on the official K-Groove YouTube channel. If you’re into hip-hop or R&B, we’d love to have you join us!
PEAN: Punk Rock Band
We are PEAN, the ultimate punk rock band! Our club is one of only two official punk rock clubs in the entire country. We mainly play energetic music by bands like Crying Nut and No Brain. Each semester, we perform in regular concerts and on festival stages, and we also collaborate with the KAIST punk rock club for an annual joint concert.
Maek: The Traditional Korean Percussion Club
Our main activities include regular performances, seasonal training sessions, and weekly practices. We mainly perform Jinju Samcheonpo 12-cha Nongak, a regional style of Nongak (Korean traditional drumming), as well as Samulnori and collaborative percussion pieces with Han Yul. One of our most important traditions is the Nongak training program held during summer and winter breaks. For about a week, we visit the Jinju Samcheonpo 12-cha Nongak Training Center, where we learn directly from masters in the field. This experience not only improves our skills but also strengthens the bond among members. New members are welcome starting from the summer training — come and discover the powerful energy of Korean traditional rhythm with us!
Moderato: Pop Band
“Songs for everyone, by us” — Moderato is a pop band club that embraces a wide range of musical genres and aims to create music everyone can enjoy. The club fosters an open and cheerful atmosphere where members can freely express themselves through music. Each semester, Moderato hosts regular concerts and performs at major campus festivals. Additionally, the club produces cover videos that are shared on its official Instagram account.
MadPiano: Piano Club
MadPiano welcomes all students who share a passion for the piano. The club offers regular small-group sessions that help even beginners develop their skills and enjoy the learning process. Each semester, MadPiano holds the “Mafia Concert” at Café Mare, and once a year, members present a formal recital to showcase their musical growth.
Voicien: Voice Acting Performance Club
Voicien is a voice acting club best known for its distinctive “live dubbing performances,” where members provide real-time voiceovers for animations or foreign films with the original audio removed. In addition to stage performances, the club holds voice acting study sessions, creative projects, mentorship programs, and guest performances at local kindergartens. Through these activities, members are encouraged to discover their authentic voice and build confidence in vocal expression. Voicien recruits new members every spring and stages two to three performances each semester.
Hanulim: Choir Club
Hanulim delivers messages of love through one unified voice. The club brings all members together to sing a wide range of genres, including art songs, children’s songs, and film soundtracks. Each semester, Hanulim presents a choral concert that offers audiences a memorable and harmonious musical experience.
Other performance clubs include Daphné (Guitar club), Eorné (Theater club), and Han Yul (Korean Traditional Instruments club). Except for Voicien, most performance clubs recruit new members during the second semester, and all interested students are encouraged to apply.
The following are clubs under the religion category.
Campus Crusade for Christ
CCC provides a space to experience the love of Christ, grow as disciples of God, and pray that His love may fill the world. One of CCC’s greatest strengths is its welcoming community of faithful mentors and companions. CCC accepts new members year-round and warmly welcomes anyone seeking to know the love of the Lord.
Teachers Evangelical Mission: Christian Educators’ Fellowship
Guided by the mission statement “God has called you to be a teacher” (Ephesians 4:11), the Teachers Evangelical Mission is a community that nurtures future and current educators in love, faith, and spiritual growth. The group organizes weekly worship services, evening gatherings, morning quiet time (QT), and discipleship training sessions. What distinguishes this community is its shared vision, which unites pre-service and in-service teachers from across the country. The club welcomes new members year-round and invites anyone with a calling in education to join in fellowship.
Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship
With the motto “God’s kingdom on campus and in the world,” IVF gathers weekly to read the Bible, pray, and share reflections on faith and life. The club offers a welcoming space for open, thoughtful discussions about spirituality and the world around us. There is no specific recruitment period — anyone interested is welcome to join at any time. If you’re seeking a place to grow in faith and share life together, feel free to reach out!
Other religious clubs include the Catholic Student Association, DRIM, and JDM. Most religious clubs accept new members throughout the year, so if you're interested, don’t hesitate to reach out and get involved!
Now, let’s take a look at the clubs in the social category.
Global Teacher’s University
GTU is a club dedicated to strengthening global and multicultural teaching competencies among future educators. Members prepare for language certification exams, discuss international issues, participate in mentoring camps at multicultural elementary schools, and engage in related contests and academic events. GTU supports pre-service teachers in becoming globally-minded educators, ready to thrive in diverse classrooms.
Saranghamae: Community Service Club
We visit local children’s centers to help elementary and middle school students with homework, play soccer or board games, and even offer guidance on personal concerns. By joining the club, you can easily fulfill the graduation requirement of ‘community service hours’ within the school.
Seoroollim: Educational Debating and Service
This is Seoroollim, where logic meets compassion! We are the only debate club at Korea National University of Education, focusing on educational debates and volunteer teaching activities. We host regular discussions on educational topics and participate in volunteer programs on a non-regular basis. Members also enjoy various social activities, including MT, regular meetings, and running booths at school festivals. If you’re passionate about communication and education, Seoroollim is the perfect place for you!
Nexts are the clubs in the sports category.
PLAY: Sports Cheerleading Club
PLAY is a cheerleading club that combines acrobatic stunts and choreographed routines, performed in uniform. Through participation in competitions and guest performances, members gain unique experiences and lasting memories. As a full-body sport, cheerleading also helps improve overall fitness and stamina — one of PLAY’s biggest strengths.
Roman FC: Football Club
Roman FC is home to over 80 soccer enthusiasts united by their love for the game. We hold regular matches on Wednesdays and Fridays (7:00-9:00) and Sundays (19:00-21:00). We also engage in exchange matches with the university’s official soccer team, alumni teams, and soccer clubs from other universities. Additionally, an internal futsal tournament is planned in the near future. Roman FC welcomes new members at any time. For inquiries, please contact the club president (010-3024-9152) or reach out via their official Instagram account.
Diamond: Baseball Club
Diamond is our university’s baseball club! We were the runners-up in the 2022 Heungdeok Jikji League (Saturday Division) and placed third in 2023. This year, we’re once again competing in the Cheongju Heungdeok Jikji League. As an official KUBA (Korea University Baseball t-ball Association) member team, we also participate in national tournaments every year. We hold regular practices every Friday on the main sports field. For more information, check out our Instagram @knue.diamond.
Vvibe: Travel Club
One, two! Three, four! We are Vvibe! Vvibe is the only travel club in Gangnae! Every semester, we organize trips to various destinations with our members. If you enjoy traveling and want to make new friends, why not join Vvibe and embark on an exciting journey together?
Taedong: Taekwondo club
Taedong, the KNUE’s opening club, is for anyone passionate about Taekwondo. The club focuses on poomsae, breaking, and Ri Kwon, a unique blend of Taekwondo and dance. Through regular practice, the club performs at Daedongje and hosts an annual performance called Taedongje. We’ll be recruiting new members in the second semester, so stay tuned!
In KNUE, there is a vibrant array of student clubs, where students freely engage in activities that reflect their personal passions and interests. As a university dedicated to training future educators, KNUE inevitably experiences a certain degree of regional and structural isolation. Nevertheless, these diverse clubs play a vital role in creating opportunities for students to connect, express their individuality, and build a dynamic community. Through continued active participation in club activities, we look forward to fostering an even more inclusive and vibrant student culture.