South Korean students parody global figures and trends in viral graduation photos
Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Uijeongbu High School students released their 2026 graduation photos, parodying prominent figures and events of the year.
- Parodies included former national football coach Hong Myung-bo and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.
- This tradition of creating topical graduation photos has continued for approximately 17 years.
Students at Uijeongbu High School in Gyeonggi Province have continued their unique tradition of creating topical graduation photos, releasing their 2026 class images which feature elaborate parodies of prominent figures and events from the year. The school's broadcasting club, UHBS, shared the photos on Instagram, showcasing the students' creativity and engagement with current affairs.
This year's parodies cover a wide range of subjects. Students recreated scenes involving former South Korean national football team coach Hong Myung-bo, referencing his intense "FIGHT" remarks from the "Road to North America" documentary and his notable gaze during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Another notable parody features Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who visited South Korea earlier in the year, with students donning his signature black leather jacket and holding graphics cards.
The collection also includes parodies of popular culture and entertainment. Students mimicked characters from the Netflix series "_All of Us Are Dead_" and the SBS drama "_Chief Detective 1958_," which achieved high viewership ratings. Additionally, the students paid homage to the trending idol group Le Sserafim and their hit song "_Antifragile_," which topped the Melon charts with its "_Geojedo Yah-ho_" catchphrase.
This distinctive tradition has been ongoing for about 17 years, with students beginning to brainstorm ideas at the start of the school year to capture the essence of the year's most talked-about moments. The annual release of these photos has become a highly anticipated event, celebrated for its humor and sharp commentary on contemporary society.
You know the word? Fight.
Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.