Youth and College Mascots Born From Votes and Contests in 2025

In 2025, youth facilities and colleges used votes and contests to decide the names and looks of their mascots. In some places, young people chose the name by vote. In others, enrolled students designed the mascot themselves. Five mascots were born this way between May and November.

Asan Youth Foundation's ARO, a Name Chosen by 1,224 People

The Asan Youth Foundation held a vote on its character's name in May 2025, during the Seongwoong Yi Sun-sin Festival. A total of 1,224 citizens and young people voted, and the name was set as ARO. ARO is a star-shaped cat character created through a 2025 contest.

Gangseo Youth Center's Funfuni, Youth Azit's First Mascot

Youth Azit at the Gangseo Youth Center, Seoul, picked its first official mascot, Funfuni, through a youth vote in June 2025. Funfuni is a character with a small sprout on its head. Youth Azit is developing the character through youth participation.

SEOULTECH's Technyong, 320 Entries

Seoul National University of Science and Technology (SEOULTECH) held a black dragon mascot contest in July 2025. The contest received 320 entries, and Technyong was born from it. The university also released Technyong's applied poses, emoticons and a manual.

Jeonju Vision College of Korea's Kkumiho, a Naming Contest With 1.85 Million Won in Prizes

Jeonju Vision College of Korea held a naming contest for the fox character that ranked first in an on-campus preference survey, and chose Kkumiho in September 2025. The prize money was 1.85 million won ($1,300). After the top entry, Kkumiho, the names Elli and Biurang were chosen for the excellence and honorable mention awards.

Kyungnam University's Handami and Kusomi, Designed by Students

The counseling center of Kyungnam University's College Life and Culture Center unveiled the student-designed mascots Handami and Kusomi at a contest awards ceremony in November. Handami won the top prize, and Kusomi won the excellence prize. The two characters became the counseling center's official mascots.

All five places chose their mascots through votes and contests. One name vote drew 1,224 participants, and in one place, student designs became official mascots as they were.