In a town that wears its history like a well-loved quilt, a local club adds patches woven of surprising cultural threads. From Camp Blount to our long-standing traditions like the Host of Christmas Past, Fayetteville has always celebrated its heritage. Yet amid the historic buildings and community events, local club members appreciate and experience the many layers of another heritage — Korean culture.
The Korean Jewels Club (KJC) meets at the Fayetteville-Lincoln County Public Library monthly on the second and fourth Tuesday from 5-7 p.m., drawn together by a shared love of K-pop, Korean dramas, and all things Hallyu. The library sponsors and hosts KJC, the library’s longest-standing club.
Various K-pop artists ignited the genre, including the global sensation known as BTS. This seven-member South Korean boy band captivated millions worldwide. Hallyu, or the Korean Wave, refers to the global rise in popularity of South Korean culture, particularly since the late 1990s. It covers various aspects of entertainment, including K-pop music, K-dramas, and films, and has significantly influenced cultural trends worldwide.
Mrs. Sherie Jacks, who co-founded the club in 2018 with her daughter, Dr. Lauralee Jacks, said, “In the beginning, BTS was rising in popularity around the globe, and our vision was to allow people who enjoyed Korean — or K-pop — music a chance to meet and enjoy music together. We also wanted to give people who were simply curious about why K-pop and Korean dramas were rising in popularity a place to come and learn about what we loved about the music and the dramas.”
With members ranging from teenagers to their 60s, the club welcomes anyone interested in or curious about Korean music, drama, and culture to attend a meeting.
A typical meeting includes sampling authentic Korean fare prepared from ingredients from area Asian grocers, a responsibility of KJC’s co-founders and its co-administrator, Mrs. Valorie Nickels-Brown. It also consists of a watch party with members suggesting their latest favorite songs or something older. Music is followed by an episode of a Korean or Chinese drama, again chosen from among those recommended by members.
“We also discuss events connected to K-pop, such as upcoming concerts or festivals in the area, such as Nashville or even Atlanta,” she said.
The club’s school administrators were honored to present a program to area homeschooled students.
KJC’s reach extends beyond local meetings with its significant online presence. The club’s Facebook group boasts over 200 members from around the globe, a connection that proved invaluable during the COVID-19 pandemic. The club’s co-founders extended the group’s influence by creating the “Dr. L and Super S Musical Gems Show,” a K-pop radio program garnering more than 60 regular listeners with continual growth. Before each club meeting, they host this radio show from the library. Interested listeners can tune in through the library’s website, making K-pop accessible to an even wider audience.
K-pop is like a colorful mosaic of sound and style, where catchy hooks and infectious beats create an exhilarating musical experience. Imagine a vibrant carnival where each song bursts with energy, intricate choreography dazzles the eyes, and the performers — like skilled acrobats — draw you into their world. It’s a blend of pop, hip-hop, and R&B that entertains and connects fans across the globe, turning music into a shared celebration of culture and creativity.
It’s no wonder the members look for various outlets to experience it as often as possible.
“Several times a year, we’ll have an outing where we meet together and eat at an Asian restaurant. We’ve been to 88 Buffet, Stone Age Korean BBQ, Garam, and I Love Korea restaurants in Huntsville. We went to the K-pop N More store and then ate at Bon Chon Restaurant in Smyrna,” Jacks detailed. “Seven of our members recently went to Nashville to see A.C.E in concert. We had 11 members attend the Mamamoo concert in Nashville. The A.C.E. concert was a highlight because it was the first concert for three of those who went.”
While language is an obvious challenge, several members are learning Korean, and many have learned to read the Korean alphabet, the Hangul, to pronounce the performers’ names more appropriately. The growth of the entertainment genre brings more avenues for tapping into shows and music.
“When we first started the club, we usually watched Asian movies and TV shows from Viki.com. There was a limited [number] of Korean dramas on the big streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime, but all of these are now creating and streaming their own K-dramas. Korean content seems to be rising worldwide,” Jacks noted.
As the availability of and access to K-pop entertainment grows, so does KJC’s mission.
Jacks said, “In the upcoming year, we’re excited to host and attend more events in order to boost community awareness of Korean music, drama, and culture. Our goal is to grow our membership and spread awareness of Korean culture. We’re hopeful that more people will come to the meetings so that we can introduce them to the music and the dramas that we love.”
There’s your standing invitation to a meeting of the Korean Jewels Club. GN
