K-pop has taken the world by storm in recent years, and the Kennesaw State Seoul in Kennesaw Performance Team is at the center of the K-pop fandom on campus. Dancer and club videographer Edward Valdez plays an integral role in raising the team profile on campus.
Valdez first heard about the club through involvement in other student organizations. He joined the K-pop dance performance team during the 2019 fall semester. Although K-pop is all about the music videos and performance, the club did not initially have anyone focused on video production. Valdez decided to take on the role out of necessity.
Valdez noted it is difficult asking someone outside the organization to record and edit for the team, as they do not really understand the purpose and ideology of the club.
“We are a performance team and the best way to market ourselves to people that do not know us is through YouTube videos,” Valdez said. “So, we needed someone that could regularly do it for us.”
Though he did not have much experience in video editing, Valdez’s background in art and design came in handy. Through his work as a videographer for the club, he has expanded his portfolio and his design skills.
“Videography is definitely an important aspect in any kind of design work,” Valdez said. “So, I think it helps me have a better eye for things other than static things — something that is still is easy for me to look at and critique, but something that is moving is still very new to me.”
Because the videos are an essential part of campus image, it is important that they are entertaining and eye-catching. Valdez prefers a creative approach to editing videos that highlight group skills.
“It is important to have an eye and a vision for the videos. It’s important to know what can be aesthetically pleasing to others and to yourself,” Valdez said. “I do not just want it to be a video of people dancing, I want it to be different and interesting.”
Although having the position as the videographer has taught Valdez new skills and helped him expand his resume, his favorite part is the people in the club and their enthusiasm for K-pop.
He notes that every semester brings new people, so he is always interacting with fresh faces. Everyone has different reasons to love dancing to K-pop. This aspect of his role is something that he loves about the club and the overall experience.
“Sometimes it is not necessarily the dancing they like. It is the music and it is about all the appreciation for K-pop in general,” Valdez said.
The role of Valdez is beyond essential to the dance team mission at KSU, in addition to his own dancing talent for their performances.
“Knowing that I can help the team both in front and behind the camera, that is what I am really proud of,” Valdez said.
