Essay
Topic: "Can the past shape the present?"
International Writing Contest
Commemorating the first anniversary of Han Kang's Nobel Prize in Literature
- The 1st Yonsei International Writing Contest -
「Next Voices – Seeking the Next Generation of Han Kang」
The 1st Yonsei International Writing Contest Topics
-
Category 1
-
Category 2
Book review
Target book: I Do Not Bid Farewell by Han Kang
(Munhakdongne, 2021) -
Category 3
Short-Form Video
Topic: A free-form Short-Form Video (60–90 sec)
recreated with inspiration from Han Kang’s work
Eligibility
Domestic and overseas youth and young adults(Born between Jan. 1, 1990 and Dec. 31, 2010)
- Participation as a “group” or a “team” is not permitted.
- Each individual may submit no more than one entry per category.
- The domestic/overseas distinction is based on nationality.
Submission Period
Wed., Oct. 15, 2025 – Fri., Nov. 14, 2025, 11:59 PM
How to Participate
-
STEP.1
Register for the Contest
Start Your Application
- Click the “Apply Now” button.
- Log in or sign up.
- Fill out the online application form.
- Check the official guidelines and themes.
-
STEP.2
Choose Your Category & Prepare
Choose your category and prepare your work.
- Essay : Topic - "Can the past shape the present?"
- Book review : Target book - I Do Not Bid Farewell by Han Kang (Munhakdongne, 2021)
- Short-Form Video : A free-form Short-Form Video (60–90 sec) recreated with inspiration from Han Kang’s work
- Check the required length, format, and file conditions carefully.
-
STEP.3
Submit Your Work
Submit your work within the application period.
- Submission Period : Wed., Oct. 15, 2025 – Fri., Nov. 14, 2025, 11:59 PM
- File name format: [Name_Category_Domestic/Overseas]
- A confirmation email will be sent after submission.
-
STEP.4
Evaluation & Results
All submissions will be evaluated by the judging panel.
- Evaluation criteria: relevance to the theme, creativity, literary expression, and completeness.
- Announcement: Fri., Nov. 21, 2025
- Results will be posted on the website and sent via email.
-
STEP.5
Awards Ceremony
Join the award ceremony at Yonsei University.
- Date & Time: Thu., Dec. 4, 2025, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Venue: Grand Ballroom, Baekyangnuri, Yonsei University (with live online streaming)
- Includes award presentations, readings, and exhibition of winning works.
Time Order 09:30–10:00 Register to participate 10:00–10:20 Opening Ceremony 10:20–10:40 Screening of award winning films 10:40–11:10 Awards Ceremony 11:10–11:20 Winner's Thoughts 11:20–11:30 Reading of the winning work 11:30–11:40 Closing Ceremony 11:40–11:50 Group photo shoot
Competition format
※Essays and reviews: When quoting, please indicate the source.
| Category | Rules and Format |
|---|---|
| Essay |
|
| Book review |
|
| Short-Form Video |
|
-
Essay
- Length: 2–3 A4 pages
(about 1,800–2,600 characters including spaces) - File format : MS Word
(body text 11pt, footnotes 10pt, line spacing 1.5 ) - Language: Korean
- File name : [Name_Essay_Domestic/Overseas]
- Length: 2–3 A4 pages
-
Book review
- Length: 3–4 A4 pages
(about 2,600–3,600 characters including spaces) - File format : MS Word
(body text 11pt, footnotes 10pt, line spacing 1.5 ) - Language: Korean
- File name : [Name_BookReview_Domestic/Overseas]
- Length: 3–4 A4 pages
-
Short-Form Video
- Length: 60–90 sec, less than 500MB
- File format: vertical short-form video, MP4 file, HD (1080×1920 pixels)
- Language: : There are no restrictions on the language used in the video; however, Korean subtitles must be included to aid understanding, and the project description must also be written in Korean.
- File name: [Name_ShortVideo_Domestic/Overseas]
Review Procedure
※ The review schedule and
related matters are subject to change.
| Division | Schedule | Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Announcement & Receipt | October 15-November 14, 11:59PM | Application receipt | - |
| Pre-Screening | November 15 | Review of compliance* for submitted works *Period for disqualification checks (e.g., plagiarism, duplicate submissions) |
- |
| First Review | November 16-18 | Evaluation by a panel of (**) reviewers according to the evaluation criteria | Review Committee(internal/external) |
| Second Review | November 19-20 | Evaluation by a panel of (**) reviewers according to the evaluation criteria *41 award-winning works to be selected |
Review Committee(internal/external) |
| Announcement of Winners | November 21 | Announcement on the website and individual notification | - |
| Awards | December 4, 9AM ~ 12PM | Presentation review and awards ceremony (online) | - |
-
Announcement & Receipt
- Schedule : October 15-November 14, 11:59PM
- Details : Application receipt
-
Pre-Screening
- Schedule : November 15
- Details : Review of compliance* for submitted works
*Period for disqualification checks (e.g., plagiarism, duplicate submissions)
-
First Review/h5>
- Schedule : November 16-18
- Details : Evaluation by a panel of (**) reviewers according to the evaluation criteria
- Notes : Review Committee(internal/external)
-
Second Review
- Schedule : November 19-20
- Details : Evaluation by a panel of (**) reviewers according to the evaluation criteria
*41 award-winning works to be selected
- Notes : Review Committee(internal/external)
-
Announcement of Winners
- Schedule : November 21
- Details : Announcement on the website and individual notification
-
Awards
- Schedule : December 4, 9AM ~ 12PM
- Details : Presentation review and awards ceremony (online)
Evaluation Items
※ Evaluation shall be conducted by a panel of judges consisting of professors and relevant experts.
| Evaluation Item | Score | Essay | Book Review | Short-Form Video |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Relevance to Topic | 25 points | Does the writing closely connect with the topic “Can the Past Help the Present?” | Do the analysis and review sufficiently reflect the core themes and meanings of We Do Not Part? | Do the sentiments or messages expressed in the video align well with the ethos and thematic intent of Han Kang’s works? |
| Creativity & Critical Perspective | 25 points | Does it demonstrate original viewpoint and interpretation, and critically reflect on the established ways of thinking or social perspectives? | Based on understanding of the work, are new perspectives, critical viewpoints, and personal insights presented? | Do original directing, novel interpretation, and visual/sensory expression demonstrate critical or creative attempts? |
| Clarity of Communication & Expression | 20 points | Are the topic and argument conveyed clearly with composition that ensures consistency and readability? | Is the review developed with a logical structure, and do supporting evidence and expression assist in reader comprehension? | Are the message and emotion conveyed clearly, and do directing and expression effectively reach the audience? |
| Completeness | 15 points | Are structure, grammar, spelling, and formatting fully observed? | Are structure, grammar, spelling, and formatting fully observed? | Are the technical aspects of video—shooting, editing, directing, sound, subtitles—sufficiently complete? |
| Resonance | 15 points | Does it move the reader emotionally and evoke reflection and empathy? | Does it enable readers to empathize with the work’s meaning and appreciation, aiding in understanding? | Does the video convey emotion and evoke empathy in viewers? |
-
Essay
- Relevance to Topic(25 points)
: Does the writing closely connect with the topic “Can the Past Help the Present?” - Creativity & Critical Perspective(25 points)
: Does it demonstrate original viewpoint and interpretation, and critically reflect on the established ways of thinking or social perspectives? - Clarity of Communication & Expression(20 points)
: Are the topic and argument conveyed clearly with composition that ensures consistency and readability? - Completeness(15 points)
: Are structure, grammar, spelling, and formatting fully observed? - Resonance(15 points)
: Does it move the reader emotionally and evoke reflection and empathy?
- Relevance to Topic(25 points)
-
Book Review
- Relevance to Topic(25 points)
:Do the analysis and review sufficiently reflect the core themes and meanings of We Do Not Part? - Creativity & Critical Perspective(25 points)
: Based on understanding of the work, are new perspectives, critical viewpoints, and personal insights presented? - Clarity of Communication & Expression(20 points)
: Is the review developed with a logical structure, and do supporting evidence and expression assist in reader comprehension? - Completeness(15 points)
: Are structure, grammar, spelling, and formatting fully observed? - Resonance(15 points)
: Does it enable readers to empathize with the work’s meaning and appreciation, aiding in understanding?
- Relevance to Topic(25 points)
-
Short-Form Video
- Relevance to Topic(25 points)
: Do the sentiments or messages expressed in the video align well with the ethos and thematic intent of Han Kang’s works? - Creativity & Critical Perspective(25 points)
: Do original directing, novel interpretation, and visual/sensory expression demonstrate critical or creative attempts? - Clarity of Communication & Expression(20 points)
: Are the message and emotion conveyed clearly, and do directing and expression effectively reach the audience? - Completeness(15 points)
: Are the technical aspects of video—shooting, editing, directing, sound, subtitles—sufficiently complete? - Resonance(15 points)
: Does the video convey emotion and evoke empathy in viewers?
- Relevance to Topic(25 points)
Prize Details
(Prize Money) Total prize pool of KRW 20.5 million(Top prize KRW 3 million))
(Honors) A total of 41 awards including the President of Yonsei University Award
| Category | Division | Number of Awards | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of | Prize (per work) | |||
| Overall | Grand Prize | 1 | KRW 3,000,000 | |
| Essay | Domestic | Excellence Award | 1 | KRW 1,00,000 |
| Merit Award | 2 | KRW 500,000 | ||
| Honorable Mention | 5 | KRW 300,000 | ||
| Overseas | Excellence Award | 1 | KRW 1,00,000 | |
| Merit Award | 2 | KRW 500,000 | ||
| Honorable Mention | 5 | KRW 300,000 | ||
| Book review | Domestic | Excellence Award | 1 | KRW 1,00,000 |
| Merit Award | 2 | KRW 500,000 | ||
| Honorable Mention | 5 | KRW 300,000 | ||
| Overseas | Excellence Award | 1 | KRW 1,00,000 | |
| Merit Award | 2 | KRW 500,000 | ||
| Honorable Mention | 5 | KRW 300,000 | ||
| Short-Form Video | Excellence Award | 1 | KRW 1,00,000 | |
| Merit Award | 2 | KRW 500,000 | ||
| Honorable Mention | 5 | KRW 300,000 | ||
| Group Award(Monami Award) | - | KRW 4,000,000 Prizes worth | ||
| Total | 41 awardees | KRW 20,500,000 | ||
Awards Ceremony
Thu., Dec. 4, 2025, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM / Grand Ballroom, Baekyangnuri, Yonsei University
-
Grand Prize
1 Winner (Integration)
KRW 3,000,000 -
Excellence Award
A total of 5 people in domestic and overseas Division
KRW 1,000,000 -
Merit Award
A total of 10 people in domestic and overseas Division
KRW 500,000 -
Honorable Mention
A total of 25 people in domestic and overseas Division
KRW 300,000 -
Group Award
KRW 4,000,000
Prizes worth
Important Notices
-
1
All information entered in the application form, Consent to Provide and Collect/Use Personal Information, and Work Collection and Use Agreement must be true and accurate.
-
2
The use of AI and ghostwriting is strictly prohibited.
-
3
Submissions must be original works, and manuscripts and videos (including music and images) must not infringe others’ copyrights or rights of publicity.
-
4
If plagiarism or rights infringement is confirmed, the entry shall be automatically disqualified, and all related legal and ethical responsibility rests with the entrant.
-
5
Submissions must not have received prizes/awards in other competitions. If duplicate submission after winning is discovered, the award shall be canceled and the prize money shall be reclaimed.
-
6
For the purpose and public interest of the contest, the organizer may adapt, produce, and utilize award-winning works as derivative works (including partial editing, modification, or adaptation).
-
7
Copyright to the submitted work initially belongs to the entrant; upon payment of the announced prize for winning entries, however, such payment shall be deemed fair consideration, and the organizer shall acquire the right to use the copyright (including rights of reproduction, public performance, exhibition, distribution, rental, etc.).
-
8
All submitted works will not be returned.
-
9
Any disadvantage arising from failure to observe all of the provisions above rests with the participant, including any disadvantage due to omissions or errors in the submitted documents.
-
10
Review scores shall not be disclosed, in principle, and objections to the review process and results shall not be accepted.
-
11
Taxes and public charges related to prize money shall be borne by the awardee (team). Accordingly, prize money shall be paid net of taxes.
-
12
The call details and schedule may be changed due to the organizer's circumstances.
