korean essay writing competition 2021

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int'l sijo competition

wisijo competition

2025 Essay Competition Rules and Information

Deadline: february 28, 2025 (11:59pm cdt).

Online Application Form

Adult division (age 19-30 years)

Topic :" O. Cuniculi " by Pyun Hye-Yong

You may draw comparisons with other writers or provide a close reading of the story on its own terms. Be sure to explain the reason for your interpretation or comparison.

Read the story "O. Cuniculi"

Senior division (grade 9th - 12th)

Topic : " Kapitan Ri " by Chon Kwang-yong

Read the story " Kapitan Ri "

Junior essay division (grade 8 and younger)

Folktales index

Korea has a rich tradition of storytelling, and its folktales reflect important aspects of its history and culture. Many of the old historical texts are full of local legends and myths. Folk tales can be entertaining and educational, but they can also strike a deep chord in our personal lives, and many Korean folktales demonstrate the universal tragedies and triumphs of daily life in the family.

Topics : Each topic refers to the list of Korean folktales found on our 2025 folktales index page . Please make sure to select a folktale under the "2025 Essay Competition" list . When writing your essay, please be sure to include specific references to the tale you chose to write about.

Write an interpretation of a folk tale of your choice. Why do you think it was created? Which character do you relate to best?
If you could change one of these folk tales, what would you change and why?

Divisions : adult (age 19 - 30 years), senior (grade 9th - 12th), and junior (grade 8th and younger)

Essays must not exceed 1,000 words in length.
Junior division students should refer to our folktales index when choosing a folktale to write about and select one of the stories listed there. Please choose only one topic and folktale to write about.
Entries must be submitted through our website .
One entry per category per contestant is permitted. (Contestants are permitted one essay and one sijo entry.)
Essay division age limits do not have a lower limit, but the sijo adult division is limited to age 19 and older. If a pre-college student would like to compete in the adult essay division and pre-college sijo division, s/he must create two separate application accounts.
All entries must be written in English.
Contestants' names cannot be written in their entries.
We reserve the right to use all submitted pieces in future publications of the Sejong Cultural Society with no compensation to the authors.
We reserve the right to not award any prizes.
Winners are generally announced by early June . This estimate is subject to change depending on the number of total entries received; a more accurate estimate will be posted on our website soon after the competition deadline.
All essay and sijo submissions must be the participant's original work. Any use of AI assistance must be disclosed, and excessive reliance on AI may lead to disqualification, as the competition values authentic human creativity. All submissions will be checked for AI use and plagiarism.
The copyright for the future publication of sijo and essay belongs to their respective authors. However, we kindly request that you acknowledge the Sejong Cultural Society if your work is later published online or in print. The Sejong Cultural Society retains the right to publish any works related to its programs in print, online, or in a future anthology.
Adult division: First ($1,000), Second ($750), Third ($500)
Senior division: First ($500), Second ($400), Third ($300)
Junior division: First ($300), Second ($200), Third ($100)
Honorable mention (for all divisions listed above): Friends of Pacific Rim Awards ($50 each)
Winners' works may be published in the Korea Times Chicago or the Korean Quarterly or Azalea : A Journal of Korean Literature and Culture, published by the Korea Institute at Harvard University.