Donald Keough, News Editor–
Slayter Union’s third floor buzzed with chattering on Nov. 8 as a packed-audience settled in for Denison K-pop Dance Group’s annual event, “COUNTDOWN,” which included 14 student performances to K-pop music.
Reed Nobili ‘27 started the show as this year’s emcee, and after introducing the first dance the performance began. Students cheered as the first dance began, and kept the energy high until the end of the night.
“It was awesome, there was a lot of energy,” Charlie Kuchler ‘26 said. “I thought the dancers were really into it. I think this is probably the best year I’ve seen.”
He also said that he enjoyed this year’s emcee, saying he also “brought a lot of energy and was a lot of fun.” Kuchler also knows many of the performers.
“A lot of them are my friends and I know how much work they put into this, so it’s good to be here to support them,” Kuchler said. “I know they enjoy dancing, so it’s fun to see the passion that they’re bringing.”
Mariel Drost ‘27, DKDG’s co-president, also said that she thought the event was “one of our most successful countdowns” since they began these performances in 2021.
“In the past couple years we’ve really improved a lot,” Drost said. “As a group, we’ve focused a lot more on synchronization and fundamental dance techniques, which we haven’t really done in the past. I think it’s really paying off.”
Drost said that some of the improvement came from how much the group has been practicing. But they also have a smaller group this year which has helped in some ways.
“I think being able to be a tighter knit group allows us to help each other more,” Drost said.
Although the smaller group has allowed them to focus more during their practicing, it’s tougher for DKDG to perform at every event they’ve been invited to.
“There’s a few organizations on campus that have invited us to perform at their fundraising events, and since we have less people than we have had in the past, it’s harder to get a group together with short notice,” Drost said. “It’s a double-edged sword.”
Drost said that she can’t believe the event is over.
“It always amazes me how it always creeps up,” Drost said. “We do all this work in preparation, especially in the three weeks leading up to the show. We have a room booked out in Mitchell or in Hoaglin with a mirror every single evening. It’s crazy that all that work is just for that one hour period.”