On-site university graduation ceremonies return to Korea, but not without problems

Students of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies' graduating class of 2023 take photos during its commencement ceremony on Feb. 17. [CHANG YOON-SEO]

Live commencement ceremonies are returning to university campuses three years after Covid-19 prompted schools to shut them down in favor of streamed ceremonies, but some students are still having a tough time attending their own graduations.

One 24-year-old student in Korea University’s graduating class of 2023, identified by his family name of Kim, was nearly denied a spot at his own graduation because the school set a 200-person cap on its commencement ceremony this Friday.

Korea University had been holding smaller commencement ceremonies in its less spacious auditorium instead of the main gym with attendees plummeting due to Covid-19.

The school decided to receive more people this year after the academic affairs office was bombarded with complaints from students who couldn’t secure seats.

“My parents and I wanted to attend the ceremony because it symbolizes the finish line,” Kim said. “I hope the ridiculous number cap goes away in the future.”

Over the last three years, many universities replaced commencement ceremonies with YouTube live streams. This year, however, some schools are again hosting on-site ceremonies. But with more students wanting to attend ceremonies, would-be attendees face some old-fashioned competition.

Korea University began receiving applications from students for graduation caps and gowns on Feb. 15, but its website crashed with the influx of applicants.

“I entered the website exactly when registration opened like I was registering for courses, but it was already closed,” said Huh Ji-won, a 27-year-old student in the class of 2023 at Korea University. “I waited three hours to pick up a set.”

Korea University said it prepared a plentiful 5,000 sets of caps and gowns, but the server couldn’t handle so many applicants.

After the crash, several students wrote posts on Korea University's online forum offering money to rent a cap and gown.

Other schools resumed on-site graduations in their own special way.

Hankuk University of Foreign Studies held several ceremonies at once on Feb. 17, each college with its own online and on-site venues.

Graduating classes could spend time and take photos with families and friends while the school president’s commencement speech and awards ceremony were streamed online.

“Taking photos with friends lets me feel the graduation vibe,” said Lee Soo-ah, a 24-year-old graduate.

Chung-Ang University had a 5-day-long graduation from Feb. 13 to 17. To disperse the crowd, it held events in different venues throughout the campus, including flower giveaways, souvenir sales and photo spots.

BY CHANG YOON-SEO [sohn.dongjoo@joongang.co.kr]