Savoring Black Day the Koreno way

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — HallyUP’s Black Day celebration reached new heights this year through a savory partnership with Paldo Vina (Koreno) that breathed new life into the authentic taste of Korea’s favorite singles’ holiday.

Marking the end of the tripartite Hallydays series, a two-day booth was set up in the College of Arts and Letters New Building Basement from April 28 to 29. Following the back-to-back couple-themed holidays from Red Day to White Day, Black Day rolled around to remind single individuals of their well-deserved break. After all, Koreans treat this as an unofficial holiday every April 14th to either commiserate or celebrate being single.

HallyUP members Monica and Dion during their shift, with the booth readily prepared.

Booth goers turned the venue into a bustling hub of activity and played a fun round of a custom “shoot the ball in the wall” with a chance to win three different prizes, depending on their score. K-pop albums and posters, HallyUP merchandise, candies, and even a photobooth were available for everyone’s indulgence.

Different prizes laid out on the table.

But what distinguished this festivity from the rest is the annual Korean tradition of wearing black and eating black bean noodles. With Paldo Vina (Koreno)’s jjajangmyeon, this cultural practice hit a little closer to home.

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With the booth open to students, staff, and all members of the UP community, everyone who passed by had their shot at taking home the grand prize, no other than Koreno Chajang in its original and spicy flavors, as well as the chef’s special Koreno Chajangmen.

Lucky booth goers who won two packs of Koreno Chajang and one K-pop album.

On May 6th, Paldo Vina took HallyUP’s culinary venture to the next level by arranging an exclusive product tasting in line with Koreno’s initiative to explore the palate of today’s generation.

Small cups of noodles being distributed to the taste-testers.

The all-female Paldo Vina on-ground team neatly prepared forkful samples of their upcoming signature noodles. Evaluating the perfect chewy texture and deep flavor profile that define the Koreno brand was an honor and indeed a mouthwatering experience.

Paldo Vina Philippine representatives together with HallyUP members.

Thanks to the generosity of our Major Sponsor Paldo Vina, HallyUP bridged the gap between classic and modern flavors, making Black Day 2026 its most appetizing yet.

Article by Shaniah Marie Atienza, Irish Erika Decastillo, Leian Mariel Gervacio