Atop the auditorium’s dark-lit stage, 18 dancers holding floral-embellished fans glide in unison. Their tulip-pink hanboks bloom as they twirl, and with their arms raised above their heads, the fans resemble butterflies fluttering for nectar. Eventually, through carefully deliberate steps, they arrange themselves into a blossom formation where each person con-
stitutes a petal that symbolizes the everlasting grace of nature.

Buchaechum, or Korean Fan, serves as one of the many iconic features in South High’s annual Cultural Heritage Night. The performance on December 1 demonstrated our diverse and talented student body that masterfully blends tradition with modernity.

“I think being born in America, it’s really hard to get in touch with your culture,” said Zoey Ling, the Asian Culture Club’s Activities Coordinator and Chinese Ribbon Dance teacher. “[Cultural Heritage] brought me back into my culture. The cool part is being able to meet people from the same background and getting to spread it.”

The event, which had been interrupted by COVID but returned in 2022, evolved to present fourteen acts this year: Chinese Yo-yo,Wushu, Ribbon Dance, and Lion Dance; Korean Techno, Drums, Fans, Rock Band, and Taekwondo; African American Step and Afrobeats Dance; Hispanic Bachata and Cumbia; Hebrew Ridukim and Song; South Asian Desi Techno; and lastly, Japanese Dance. The groups were overseen by the International Club, which ensured quality in their performances throughout the summer and three-month-long practice period.

“It takes a lot of time,” said Grace Nah, ACC’s co-chair, as well as the KTechno and JDance teacher. “A lot of thinking goes into it.We’re always cleaning, we always want to look synchronized, and we have a lot of spirit.”

This year’s main surprise came in the form of a Wushu and Taekwondo collaboration that contained interchanging scenes and flashing red-to-blue lights. Choreographed by TKD instructors Ryan Shin, Ryan Pu, and Arthur Yeung, alongside Wushu instructors Juls Chan, Simone Chan, Erica Jiang, and Chengguo Wei, the action-packed performance brought many amazed gasps from the crowd. However, the true spectacle was the Star Wars-themed lightsaber duel where Wushu members and TKD members faced off in a rollercoaster of drama. From triumphs to betrayals, halfhearted banter to full-fledged battles, the comedic timing and use of props elicited joyous and rambunctious laughter from the audience.

Taekwondo also melded with one of the most anticipated acts, Korean Techno, in a short but sweet couples dance. KTechno leaders Grace Nah and Angela Wu incorporated complex, bold choreography across 18 dancers dressed in black and white. Their sharp moves were backdropped by popular K-Pop songs, such as SEVENTEEN’s “Very Nice” and ENHYPEN’s “Bite Me,” which demonstrates the recent but rapid diffusion of K-Pop in our student body.

The Hebrew Culture Club similarly performed a novel act by deviating from reading illustrative poetry about Jewish history. Ri- kudim, a dance routine containing both contemporary Israeli and traditional Jewish folk/pop music, was choreographed and led by Shira Lichter, Talia Soto, and Melanie Weinreich. Dressed in the colors of the Israeli flag and a gold wrap skirt adorned with bell-like fixtures, the 18 performers sang “Hatikvah,” Israel’s national anthem and waved their nation’s flag.

Other notable highlights include acts accompanied by contemporary song choices, such as Chinese Yo-yo with Taylor Swift’s “Out of the Woods” and Korean Rock Band with New Jean’s “OMG.” The performers’ costumes, from the traditional lehengas of Desi Techno to the trendy soccer jerseys of African American Step, enhanced the performances. The Hispanic Culture Club additionally debuted Cumbia, a folkloric partner dance choreographed by co-teachers Jasmine Flores and Kairi Weistbrot to create a stunning display of fabric and
movement.

The night ended with all of the groups gathering for a final bow, emblematic of the unity our student body represents. Their multicolored and multicultural attires illuminated by bright smiles mirrored the equally jubilant crowd whose applause could be heard from the halls. “Cultural Heritage is a really big event at South High,” Ling concluded. “We want to make sure that it’s special for people to remember.”