RC Hosts Y2K Party: A Tribute to the Aesthetics of the 2000s

The 2000s were a time of rising pop culture, trendy fashion, and music, which to this day has not left us, making this an iconic period that still heavily influences our modern-day trends. Given this era’s cultural relevance, what is a better way to celebrate such a memorable time than with a themed party? The Y2K party was hosted by the Appenzeller House at Yonsei’s Songdo campus. This event allowed us to feel some of that sweet 2000s nostalgia again and create memories for the incoming first-year students. 

The party was held on a Wednesday on April 5, 2023. The Appenzeller House decorated the venue with a red carpet and posters of popular movies that defined this era. The photo zone was a popular spot, and guests could pose with posters from films, such as Kill Bill, Twilight, Step Up, and, of course, Mean Girls. Many people left with amazing pictures taken on the iconic “red carpet photo booth,” which will be fantastic to look back on. 

The food at the party was a nostalgic feast, with pizza, sandwiches, and donuts served alongside soda. The Appenzeller House went the extra mile by offering alcohol-free beer and beer pong, having guests enjoy the party without the risk of overindulging. The drinks were served in red plastic cups, reminiscent of frat parties and the college party scene from popular movies.   

The dress code for the party was obviously 2000s-inspired, and as the iconic line from Mean Girls goes, “On Wednesdays, we wear pink!” Guests were encouraged to wear outfits that reflected the era’s fashion. Low-rise jeans, cargo pants, and oversized t-shirts were all popular choices, as were baby tees and chains. Remember the pink, of course! The guests came dressed to impress as the fashion show was as part of the party as the music and food were.

The music at the party was a mix of 2000s hits, with popular songs from artists, such as Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, and 50 Cent, playing all night long. The DJ played classic songs from that era, such as “Toxic” by Britney Spears, “In Da Club” by 50 Cent, and “Bye Bye Bye” by NSYNC, among others. The guests danced the night away, reliving their childhood and teenage hits. A party cannot be without some malfunctions, though, with the speaker audio cutting out at times, which did not stop the people from having fun. After some attempted fixing, the Zellers entertained themselves with getting to know their fellow students, beer pong, or more picture-taking at the photo booth. 

The Appenzeller House also provided fun activities, such as a trivia quiz testing the guests’ pop culture knowledge. The groups were divided creatively, with the distinct party invites determining the teams, which featured various icons of the 2000s, like Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Paris Hilton, and Rain. This was the time to test your knowledge of movies, music, and pop culture of the 2000s, which I personally proved to be far worse at than expected. Some people really shined at this quiz, with music listeners going wild at Shakira and Beyonce songs, and movie fanatics going as close to the screen as to guess a Leonardo Dicaprio movie. All in all, these activities really brought out our oldest memories of trying to win. 

One of the highlights of the night was the dance-off. Guests with prepared performances were invited to showcase their best dance moves to hit songs from the 2000s, including “Rude Boy” by Rihanna and “Replay” by Shinee. The performances were fierce and stunning, with the crowd going crazy. We witnessed the dancers give it their all, with fantastic acting performances as well. One of the most eye-catching moments had to be one of the dancers pouring water on themselves as a part of the performance in “Rude Boy” by Rihanna. The dance-off was a hit among the guests who enjoyed getting to let loose and support our talented Zellers.

The Y2K party was an excellent way for incoming first-year students to bond and make new friends. Although amid the week and the midterm period, this was a perfect opportunity to let loose and create lasting memories with friends. Some of the most colorful and fun pictures I have of the semester are from this Y2K Party. Despite the technical malfunctions, this meant that it was up to the Zellers themselves to make the event fun, which for many it was. The event created a fun and memorable experience for everyone in attendance, and many left with new friends and fond memories.