Earlier this school year, a new club formed under the supervision of culinary teacher Greta Yazel-Marzon called the K-Pop Haven Club. The club is hosted on Tuesdays after school in F104 and aims to embrace Korean music, culture and Korean ideas.

     Korean pop, K-Pop, is not confined to just the popular Korean group BTS. There are other groups and artists and the club makes important notice of this by not focusing solely on the one band. They listen to a variety of what Korean pop music has to offer.

     “This club listens and expands the variety of K-Pop, makes crafts based on Korean Culture and celebrates the creation of Korean ideas and K-pop itself. [We enjoy] BTS, EXO, NCT 127, BLACKPINK, TWICE, GOT 7, MONSTA X and so many more. These groups are so unique and eye-catching because they each bring their own sound to the table, making each song different from each other,” junior Jilana Carter-Brown said.

     The club’s formation came about when there was an idea of bringing together K-Pop fans and helping people be more understanding about why the music is enjoyed by so many. It is meant to be a learning experience rather than just a listening club.

     “The club began as an idea from Shawniece Knox and Mrs. Yazel. While Shawniece was in my nutrition class last year, they realized they both loved K-Pop. The idea was sparked by their conversations and they realized that many people loved K-Pop, but didn't know each other in the school. They started the club for those students and it has taken off as many others fill in leadership roles and have great ideas. The club has a great future ahead of itself,” Yazel-Marzon said. 

     With flashing lights, interesting music, and fun dances behind it all, K-Pop catches many people’s eyes throughout multiple different communities. Unlike many other genres of music with stereotypical fanbases, K-Pop does not have a specific group of people who listen to the music.

     “The Idols and musical influences span so widely that anyone can appreciate it. The dancing attracts many people to K-Pop as well. People love to learn the dances from the performances as well as learning the language through singing the songs,” Yazel-Marzon said. 

     Warren Central is a large campus, with plenty of room for students to feel lost in the crowds of popularity and whether or not they fit in. With that being said, the K-Pop Haven club gives students a place to feel like they belong with other kids who share their own interests. 

     “This club brings together friends who would not ordinarily meet at Warren. All different grade levels meet here,” Yazel-Marzon said.

     The members of the K-Pop Haven club strongly encourage anyone and everyone to come out to take part in this inclusive group.

     “I believe people should join this club so they can expand on different cultures and listen to music they wouldn't think would be good. K-Pop is different, yet special, and is open to every single person,” Carter-Brown said.