The "Baekho-gi" Provincial Youth Soccer Tournament, the biggest sports festival in Jeju, has successfully ended. While players ran hard on the green pitch, students in the stands cheered with so much passion that the whole stadium felt the heat of the spring.

1. The Dream Stage for Jeju Students

The Baekho-gi is the most historic and famous soccer tournament in Jeju. It’s not just a simple competition between schools; it’s a huge festival where the whole Jeju community comes together to celebrate.

2. Our Art in the Stands: "Body Section" Cheering

The highlight of Baekho-gi is the "Body Section" cheering. Students from schools like Ohyun and Jeju Jeil High wear their uniforms and move together to make huge pictures and letters.

In the past, some people thought this was forced, but now it has changed into a voluntary culture. In fact, 100% of my class (Class 1-8) chose to participate this year. As a member of the cheering section, I still remember practicing for the Baekho-gi and feeling disappointed when the event was canceled due to heavy rain.

However, even during the voluntary cheering, the sense of unity among students remained strong. No one forced us to stay in the rain; we chose to be there because we wanted to support our school together. Our class president said, "Studying is important, but communicating and working together as a team is also a great lesson." I totally agree with him.

3. Passion Beyond the Score

The games were very exciting. Although my school, Ohyun High, unfortunately lost early, we kept cheering for our players until the end. In the high school final, Jeju Jeil High School ultimately lifted the championship cup, but every student showed great respect for each other, regardless of who won or lost.

4. A Bridge to the Future: Beyond Controversy

Baekho-gi hasn't always been without challenges. In 2025, there was a significant social debate regarding the human rights of students during the forced training for the body section. This led to a formal complaint to the National Human Rights Commission of Korea, raising questions about the future of this tradition.

However, the scene at the stadium this year proved that we have found a better way. Instead of forced mobilization, we saw voluntary participation. Even when the heavy rain and lightning canceled our carefully prepared performance, the students stayed not because they had to, but because they wanted to. This shift from "obligation" to "autonomy" is what will keep this tradition alive.

Reporter’s Perspective: Memories That Shape Our Future
Though our school didn't win the trophy and the rain challenged our plans, the time I spent practicing with my friends remains a treasure that will last forever. Just like this year's Baekho-gi, where the process was more beautiful than the result, I realized that "Our Future" is built on these very moments of passion and unity.

The true legacy we leave behind isn't a trophy in a glass case, but a culture of joy and voluntary participation. When we return to this stadium years from now as adults, we will tell the next generation with pride: "We were the ones who turned this into a festival of true unity." Our future isn't defined by victory alone, but by protecting a spirit that we would want our children to inherit and enjoy just as much as we do today.