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From 'Geoje, Yahoo!' to Hong Myung-bo and Jensen Huang: Uijeongbu High School's Year in Viral Moments

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

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  • Uijeongbu High School students recreated viral internet memes and pop culture figures for their graduation photos.
  • This year's photos featured parodies of K-pop idol Minaami from tripleS, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, and former soccer coach Hong Myung-bo.
  • The school's tradition of creative graduation photos began in 2009, evolving from political satire to a focus on sports and pop culture after controversies.

Students at Uijeongbu High School in South Korea have once again captured the internet's attention with their elaborate graduation photos, this time parodying viral memes and prominent figures from pop culture and sports.

This year's photo collection, released by the school's broadcasting club, includes students dressed as K-pop idol Minaami from the group tripleS, known for her "Geoje, Yahoo!" catchphrase, and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, complete with his signature black leather jacket. The students also recreated a scene involving Huang and Korean business figures at a chicken restaurant. Former national soccer team coach Hong Myung-bo, who faced criticism for the team's performance, was also parodied.

Other parodies featured characters from popular dramas and movies, including "The Accidental Narco" and "The King and the Clown." Various cartoon and game characters like Pikachu, Super Mario, and Dooly also made appearances, alongside segments from comedy shows like "SNL Korea."

The Uijeongbu High School tradition of unique graduation photos started in 2009, initially gaining traction for its sharp political satire. However, following protests and controversy, the school significantly reduced political commentary starting in 2017. Now, the student council and teachers vet themes to avoid political satire, racial slurs, or content that could harm the school's reputation, with this year's focus leaning heavily towards sports and popular culture.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.