(view) 2020 Talk Talk Korea 1st Contest Challenge

Talk Talk Korea 2020, the biggest global contest for Korea-related content, runs through Sept. 15. Shown in the photo is the K-pop boy band ATEEZ, the 2020 PR ambassador for the Korean Culture and Information Service. (Korean Culture and Information Service)

By Xu Aiying and Lee Jihae

Talk Talk Korea 2020, the biggest global contest for Korea-related content, began on May 15 for a four-month run.

The Korean Culture and Information Service (KOCIS), an affiliate of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, has held the annual contest since 2014, with the inaugural event jointly run with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. With approximately 30,000 foreign nationals participating every year, the contest is considered to greatly contribute to promoting a positive image of Korea worldwide.

This year’s competition is open to more people as Koreans as well as non-Koreans can participate.

The contest is divided into three sections each with two categories. A combined 90 works will be announced as award winners in six themes. The first section runs through June 30 under the themes of “How Hallyu Changed Me (TikTok videos)” and “Korean Pop Music (K-pop), Dance (cover) and Songs (YouTube videos).”

The second from July 1-31 will cover “Korea-related Objects (photos)” and “Unique Experiences Related to Korea (illustrations).” And the third from Aug. 1 to Sept. 15 will focus on “Korea’s Strengths (YouTube videos)” and “Introduction to Korean Vocabulary (YouTube videos).”

Participants can create works on the aforementioned topics for submission on the contest’s official website (https://www.korea.net/TalkTalkKorea). The six grand prize winners will each receive a free trip to Korea for four nights and five days, during which they can experience Korean culture firsthand. They will also get autographed CDs of the K-pop group and KOCIS promotional ambassador ATEEZ, the latest smartphones and more prizes.

KOCIS will also promote the award-winning works online through its multi-language portal site www.korea.net and its YouTube and social media accounts. An exhibition of these works will also be held in Korea during the second half of the year.

xuaiy@korea.kr