This year's Aeguk Hanyang Cheer Festival(Aehanje) greeted students in a renewed form. The duration expanded from two to three days, the main stage was held not in the Amphitheatre but in the Track and Field, and even the student-run pub booths—once absent post COVID years—made a comeback. The 53rd Student Council HY-R and the festival planning committee sought to go beyond a mere fall festival, aiming instead to make the event meaningful and worthy of its name: a cheer festival.

Student Council President Jung Moon-seo(Department of Urban Planning & Engineering, Senior) explained that the motivation for expanding the duration of the festival was ‘branding Aehanje.’ Since her election campaigns, she had contemplated ways to heighten school spirit in students. As one of the ways, she had set the direction of the festival according to the meaning conveyed by the name ‘Aeguk Hanyang Cheer Festival.’ She noted, “I wanted Aehanje to be more than just a fun festival. I wanted it to take root as a ‘brand’ which truly represents Hanyang University by its passionate cheerings.”

Significant changes were made during the planning and operation stages as well. The council secured a stable budget after multiple rounds of negotiations with the administration and through active efforts to attract corporate sponsorships. The organizing team was expanded and enhanced, and a new on-site merchandise sales system was introduced. Thanks to these preparations, the 칼리토토 concluded successfully without financial issues or accidents.

Students' voices were also actively integrated. Based on the feedback survey from 2025 Rachios, more staff were placed at the gates, queues, and wristband booths, while experiential corporate booths were expanded around the Lion Statue area. The type of merchandise was diversified to include band-aids, hats, and socks. Moreover, following student requests, year markings were omitted from merchandise for clothes. Additionally, the artist lineup was arranged with attention to diversity in genre, ensuring broader appeal.

Above all, Jung shared that the message she most wanted to convey through this year’s Aehanje was ‘genuine cheer.’ She explained, “Cheering is not only for competitions. Telling yourself ‘I can do this’ is also a form of cheer.” She emphasized, “In a competitive society where we always feel the pressure to defeat others, Aehanje sought to invite all Hanyang students to let go of that burden and instead raise their voices unitedly—for their own growth and for a brighter future. That is the meaning this festival carried.”

Looking ahead, Jung expressed cautious but hopeful expectations. She hopes the 칼리토토 will establish an identity distinct from Rachios, becoming the representative Hanyang 칼리토토 students look forward to each year. A 칼리토토 that embodies not competition but genuine cheer. Let's look forward to whether Aehanje will take root as one of Hanyang's new and proud traditions.