▲ The poster of the festival, Courtesy of Kyobo Book CenterKyobo Book Centre, Korea’s largest bookstore chain, announced on Thursday that it will be expanding its annual handwriting contest to include a new category for foreign nationals. This marks the 10th iteration of the Kyobo Handwriting Contest, which is set to celebrate Korean handwriting and culture.

The newly added category is designed to foster a greater appreciation for the artistry of Korean script while offering foreign residents in Korea a unique opportunity to engage with Korean culture. The contest invites participants to write by hand either a sentence from a Korean book or their favorite K-pop lyrics.

The application period runs from August 1 through September 1, and the contest is open to all foreign nationals residing in Korea. Entries can be submitted via mail, in person at any Kyobo Book Centre location, or by email.

A panel of judges will review all submissions, and the winners will be announced on the Kyobo Book Centre website on September 26. The award ceremony is scheduled for October 11.

The grand prize winner will receive a gift certificate worth 1 million won (approximately $725), along with additional prizes. Three second-place winners will each be awarded a 200,000 won gift certificate and other supplementary prizes. This expansion of the contest underscores Kyobo Book Centre’s commitment to inclusivity and cultural exchange.

Sayart / Jason Yim, yimjongho1969@gmail.com