The University of Utah came alive with the sights, sounds, and flavors of Korea at this year’s Bopsim Korean Festival, held on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, at the A. Ray Olpin Union.
What began as a small cultural showcase just a few years ago has now grown into Utah’s largest celebration of Korean food, music and community—drawing more than 10,000 visitors from across the state to experience the best of modern and traditional Korean culture.
From sizzling street food and colorful hanbok to electrifying K-pop performances and dynamic taekwondo demonstrations, the festival offered something for everyone. Organized in partnership with Cupbop—the Salt Lake City–based Korean BBQ in a cup brand—Bopsim captured the heart of what it means to share culture through food, music and joy.
“Bopsim has become a meeting point of Korean and Utah culture,” said Junghun Song, the chief executive officer of Cupbop and the founder of the Bopsim Festival.
“We want people to experience the energy and warmth of Korean food and community—that’s the meaning of ‘Bopsim.’ It’s about strength through good food.”
This year’s festival also included a special “Celebrating Korea” preview event at the Hinckley Institute of Politics, featuring remarks from Dok Kwon, the Chief Operations Officer of Cupbop and performances that explored the festival’s theme of belonging and cultural exchange. The timing made the celebration even more meaningful, coinciding with the 11th anniversary of the University of Utah Asia Campus (UAC) in Incheon, South Korea—a reminder of the U’s growing ties with Korea and its people.
As one of the festival’s sponsors, the University of Utah Asia Campus hosted an interactive booth to introduce visitors to its Incheon campus and global learning opportunities. Students and staff shared stories about life at the Utah Asia Campus, study-abroad programs, and how the U connects students in Utah with peers from around the world. The booth also featured photo displays, and giveaways, and traditional Korean games that delighted visitors, sparking lively conversations with festival-goers eager to learn more about the university’s international presence.
Throughout the day, attendees explored dozens of booths showcasing Korean calligraphy, skincare, fashion, games and art. Local dance teams performed K-pop routines to cheering crowds, while families lined up for beloved favorites like tteokbokki, bulgogi and Cupbop’s famous rice bowls.
For many, the festival was more than just entertainment—it was a space to connect, learn and celebrate together.
“Events like Bopsim show how connected our global community really is,” said Eliza Coe, a Communication major who studied at the Utah Asia Campus and now works as a UAC student ambassador. “It’s exciting to see people from so many backgrounds come together to enjoy and appreciate Korean culture.”
Supported by numerous sponsors, including the Korean Cultural Center of Los Angeles and Imagine Your Korea, the 2025 Bopsim Festival demonstrated how food and culture can bring people closer—and how the University of Utah continues to foster global understanding and connection right here on campus.