Name the K-dramas that have been adapted into Japanese or Chinese versions.
What is the fandom name of NewJeans?
These were just two of the many questions asked during a K-pop and K-drama quiz night for KIMEP students during the Geeks Club gathering on Feb. 25. More than 30 students battled through four intense rounds in what became Geeks’ biggest-ever K-culture event.
The quiz featured eight teams of four players each, competing under the watchful eyes of eight judges and four fact checkers. Danial Yermanov hosted the competition with Geeks Club President Timur Abuov overseeing the evening.
A First for Geeks
Organizing this event was a long and challenging process, Abuov said.
“We spent a long time preparing for this quiz because it’s our first time holding an event this big,” he said. “At Geeks, anyone can propose an idea, and we make it happen. This time, someone suggested K-culture, and we went with it.”
Despite a short registration period, all eight team slots were filled as planned, proving the demand for K-culture events at KIMEP, said Abuov, adding this quiz was not for casual fans—it was designed for true K-pop and K-drama experts.
Intense and Competitive Atmosphere
Korean student Kim Ju Ha said she was surprised by the energy – and the knowledge – in the room.
“I didn’t expect so many people to be this into K-pop,” she said. “There were older fans screaming and getting hyped over classic K-pop groups—it was amazing to see! I also liked how the quiz had very specific questions, like ones about K-dramas featuring split personality themes.”
“It was more difficult than my midterms,” said Aizhan Umarova, a second-year student. “The competition was so intense, but it made me feel even closer to my friends because K-pop is something we all love.”
However, the difficulty level wasn’t the only challenge—the high stakes and the strategic format of the final round made it even more thrilling.
Stealing Points and Strategic Moves
By the last round, only four teams remained, each with a chance to claim victory.
In this stage, each team was given three questions to answer. If a team failed to answer correctly, the turn was passed to a competing team—but the team stealing points had to be chosen strategically.
“You couldn’t steal points from the team that had just stolen from you,” said Abuov. “That rule was in place to prevent an endless loop of teams targeting each other back and forth.”
This rule added a layer of strategy to the game, forcing teams to think carefully about whom to challenge. A wrong move could give another team a major advantage, making this final stage a mix of knowledge, tactics, and risk-taking.
While many participants enjoyed the event, some said they felt the oral rounds could be improved for future quizzes.
“There were too many participants, so it was hard to determine the winners,” said Arujan Abdykulova, a first-year, political science student. “I think the oral rounds should be done through Kahoot next time—it would make scoring easier.”
Others, like Anel Beissen, first-year student majoring in international relations, praised the event’s entertainment factor, despite some minor hiccups.
“The host got a little confused at times, but overall, this was the first time I saw such fun and engaging content at a university event. I really hope we get more events like this in the future!”
A Memorable Prize
Despite the challenges, most attendees said the Geeks did a fantastic job organizing the quiz.
“One thing about Geeks is that their events are always well-organized,” said Beissen. “There’s always food, a great venue, and a professional atmosphere. I hope they keep bringing unique events like this to KIMEP.”
At the end of the night, the winning team, “Jungkook,” emerged victorious.
“We didn’t think we’d win,” the team members admitted. “The quiz structure was really engaging, and the difficulty level was about 50/50. Some questions were easy, while others were really tricky!”
Their grand prize? A 40,000 KZT certificate to Meloman, a store beloved by music and entertainment fans.
In Case You Were Wondering…
For those still wondering, K-dramas adapted into Japanese or Chinese versions include “Boys over Flowers”, “You are beautiful”, and “Good Doctor”. And NewJeans fans proudly call themselves Bunnies – just like the group’s playful, nostalgic charm.