With only two days left until 2025 Rachios: Rise Higher, Hanyang University’s spring festival, anticipation is mounting. On May 15, the 53rd General Student Council, HY-R, revealed the celebrity performance lineup via Instagram, further fueling the excitement. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, hands are hard at work to bring the festival to life. The Festival Planning Task Force (FPTF), operating under the Central Steering Committee, is coordinating the event in close collaboration with the student council. From negotiating with Seongdong District Office to liaising with campus stakeholders, their days are packed with nonstop planning and problem-solving. What’s happening backstage right now? NewsH visited the site to find out.

The FPTF is a special committee established twice a year under the Central Steering Committee. According to Park, “The FPTF consists of five teams: Festival Operations, Main Stage, Booth Planning, Facilities & Safety, and Media. We handle the logistics and execution to help the General Student Council deliver a fun and safe festival.”

Each team plays a crucial role: the Festival Operations Team manages overall logistics, while the Main Stage Team oversees performances at the outdoor amphitheater and content planning. The Booth Planning Team designs booth content and coordinates external and student organization booths. Facilities & Safety monitors safety protocols and communication channels, and the Media Team is responsible for promotional content such as merchandise, videos, and graphics. “As the festival draws closer, every day passes in a blur,” Park said, “but thanks to the passion of our team leads, things are running smoothly.”

Park described the relationship with the General Student Council as “inseparable.”

The FPTF works out of the council’s seminar room, enabling constant collaboration. “The council’s External Relations Department connects us with sponsors, the Branding Department creates HYU League content, and the Administrative Office supports budget execution,” Park explained. “It’s a deeply interconnected effort.”박 단장은 총학생회와의 관계를 "떼려야 뗄 수 없는 끈끈한 관계"라고 표현했다.  

Rachios is a full-scale operation. From organizing major performances to assigning booth space and securing corporate sponsors, every detail matters. The team must coordinate with the district office, event agencies, and Hanyang University’s administration. Juggling academic responsibilities alongside festival prep, they often work into the night. Their goal remains constant: turn students’ dreams into reality.

“Entertainers aren’t the only ones taking the stage,” Park said. “We also have the Hanyang Song Festival with HUBS, RHooters cheerleading performances, and student club showcases. Our job is to respond to all these needs.”

Cho Han-nah (Department of Applied Art Education, 3rd year), head of the Media Team, added, “Copyright is a major consideration in promotional materials. We’re analyzing reach and maximizing channel use to make sure the festival reaches everyone.”

Coordinating with various campus groups proved to be the most challenging aspect of the job. Park remarked, “There are so many stakeholders involved in the festival that it’s impossible to accommodate every single request, which is unfortunate.” He added, “Ultimately, we’re often put in a position where we have to take one side over another, and that carries a lot of pressure.” Nonetheless, he emphasized the team’s genuine dedication, saying, “We always stay focused on one thing—how we can make the festival more vibrant and enjoyable for everyone.”

Contrary to popular belief, Rachios is not funded by tuition. “Most of our budget comes from corporate sponsors,” Park clarified. “The vice director and External Relations team work tirelessly to bring in sponsors, and every cent goes back into the festival and student welfare.” The FPTF also handles booth applications and logistics, including safety assessments of food trucks and placement based on fire hazards.

When asked for a memorable story, Park recalled a humorous yet serious issue: restroom access. “There was a problem last year when students couldn’t use the cafe restrooms,” he said. “The topic sparked surprisingly passionate and thoughtful discussion—it was one of those moments that was both funny and sincere.”

Designing festival merchandise is one of the key ways to express the unique identity of RACHIOS. When asked about the intent behind this year’s goods and what was prioritized during production, Park responded:

“Our main focus was to differentiate the merchandise from last year’s and create something that would really catch students’ interest. So, we chose a different sports theme this time. Since festivals involve lots of movement, body temperature rises quickly and clothes are prone to getting dirty. Comfort has a direct impact on how much people enjoy the event, so we put a lot of effort into finding high-quality fabric that offers both breathability and durability.”

As one of Seoul’s three largest university festivals, along with Yonsei’s Akaraka and Korea University’s Ipsilenti, safety is paramount. “Safety is our highest priority,” Park emphasized. “We finalized cooperation with Seongdong Fire Station and Hanyang Police Precinct early on.”

In 2025, for the first time, walkie-talkies will be shared between staff and emergency services for real-time communication. Pre-event safety training will also be held. Facilities & Safety Team Leader Lee Gun-ho (2nd year, Department of Public Policy) noted, “We’ve reinforced our response protocols significantly. All staff and patrol members will undergo safety training and be equipped for immediate joint responses.”

With Rachios just around the corner, meetings and final checks are in full swing. “It’s exhausting but rewarding,” Park said. “I’m especially grateful to every member of our team. The reason things are going so smoothly is because someone is always filling in where I fall short. My sincere thanks to all 116 of our members.”

To readers and fellow Hanyang students, Park added, “We’re working around the clock to make this year’s spring festival as exciting and safe as possible. Please enjoy it to the fullest. Thank you, and we hope to see you there.”

Behind every bright light and roaring cheer at 라오스 스포츠토토 lies the dedication of those who work quietly and tirelessly. Someone is fine-tuning schedules; someone is editing a single line of text late into the night. The stage is built upon their time and effort. On May 21, as you raise your voice under the glowing stage lights, take a moment to appreciate the ones who made it all happen.