The Japanese Culture Club, commonly known as J-Pop club, strives to teach Carlmont students both the traditional and pop culture aspects of Japan.
The club mostly focuses on bringing together people who are interested in Japanese culture and creating an engaging and fun environment. However, that is not all they do.
J-pop Club also learns and choreographs a dance performance for Carlmont’s annual Heritage Fair in February.
“It’s a really fun dance,” said club member Liana Feigelson. “I think it is cool how it incorporates both modern hip-hop and traditional Japanese styles.”
The members participating in the performance meet on Sundays to practice and learn the choreography.
“The choreography has been going really well. It’s slow going, but we are not a dance group so I’m not expecting perfection. I just want people to have fun while doing it,” said Nina Chung, the J-Pop club president.
Besides weekend dance practices, regular club members meet up every Thursday at lunch to hang out, play games, watch Anime, or watch presentations about Japanese culture.
“The club is made to be a place where you can find friends and people that are interested in the same things,” said Jaleyna Lara, the club vice president. “We’re like one big friend group, and that’s kind of our whole vibe.”
Like most clubs, the J-Pop club strives to build lasting connections and teach new things in a comfortable environment.
“I know people are sometimes embarrassed about liking different cultures, but I think it’s good to have a group of people who like the same thing,” Chung said. “It’s a way for people to enjoy what they want to enjoy without guilt or judgment.”
Some people might be hesitant to join a club because they don’t see the benefits of doing so. However, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, student participation in extracurricular activities can lead to greater academic success.
“If you are thinking of joining a club, whether it is a culture club or one that is performing, I say go for it. You will make more friends and become more involved with a tight-knit and comforting environment,” Feigelson said.
For more information about the Carlmont Japanese Culture Club, visit D26 on Thursdays at lunch.
