Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Houston

The 23rd Overseas Koreans Literary Awards

The Overseas Koreans Foundation (OKF) opens up submissions for the 23rd Overseas Koreans Literary Awards (2021). Serving as a venue for interactions based on Korean literary creation, the Contest has helped to maintain the ethnic bond with overseas Koreans and provide an opportunity for Koreans at home to understand overseas Koreans since 1999. We look forward to your interest and participation in this year's event.
 

Hosted & Organized by: Overseas Koreans Foundation
Supported by: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ROK

1. Eligibility

○ Adults

 - Overseas Koreans who are citizens or permanent residents in their respective countries. Those who have resided outside of Korea for 7 or more years as of May 31 of 2021 are eligible as well.
○ Youth
 -Overseas Korean Youth who are citizens or permanent residents in their respective countries. Those who have resided outside of Korea for 5 or more years as of May 31 of 2021 are eligible as well.
  ‧ Elementary • Primary School Part: Ages 7~12 (international age)
  ‧ Middle • High School Part: Ages 13~18 (international age)
○ Korean Adoptees
 -Korean adoptees and their (grand) children who have citizenship in their respective countries
※ Former Winners/Grand Prize awardees are NOT eligible for submission in the same part.

2. Genres and Topics
 ○ Adult [Poetry, Short Novel, Memoir]
   -Poetry • Short Novel: Any
   -Memoir: (Auto) biographical narrative of the immigration and settlement process
  *Stories of writers themselves, their families and relatives

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 ○ Youth [Essay]
  Beautiful Global Koreans
   -My ‘Overseas Korean Language School’ episodes
   -My experience of visiting Korea or learning Korean
   -Topics such as ‘How I’ve felt proud to be Koreans,’ ‘What I’ve seen and experienced in my residing country,’ or any other ones.  

 ○ Korean Adoptees [Adoption Memoir]
  ‘Adoption stories I would like to share’
  -The applicant(adopted Korean or child of an adopted Korean)'s own experience

3. Judging Process & Prizes
 ○Judging Process: (1st) Documents Review → (2nd) Longlists Selection
                                  → (3rd) Finalists/Winners Selection
 *The panel of judges is composed of those who have expertise in each category.
 *Only the Finalists/Winners are to be announced.

 ○ Prizes: The 4 Winners, the 30 Finalists and 2 overseas Korean language schools will be awarded prize money of 41,300,000 KRW in total.

4. Submission
 4.1. When to Submit? From 9:00am. April 1 to May 31, 2021 (midnight, KST)
 ※ No late submissions will be accepted

 4.2. How to Submit? Online submissions accepted via the KoreanNet webpage
  - Please visit and register: www.korean.net
  - Find ‘Announcement’ or ‘The 23rd Overseas Koreans Literary Awards Popup’ on the site
  - Click on ‘Online Application’ button at the bottom of the announcement page.
    (Download the ‘official literary work text form(s),’ fill it/them out with your work(s), save and attach to the online application form)
  - Finish the application form, make sure to attach your work files and submit.

 4.3. Documents Required
  - Online Application Form: ‘Announcement’ tab on Korean Net webpage → Click ‘Apply’
  - Literary works: Download the ‘official literary work text form(s),’ from the announcement in Korean Net webpage (www.korean.net) and submit it as in file format
  - After the nomination, the Winners and the Finalists are required to submit documentation proving their eligibility (i.e., how long they’ve lived overseas, as guided in 1. Eligibility)
   ※Upon the submission, please delete any of your personal identification codes to protect personal information.

5. Winners Announcement and Ceremony
 ○ Announcement: The Prize Winners and the Finalists are to be announced on the KoreanNet webpage as well as individually notified
 ○ Ceremony: The Overseas Koreans Literary Awards Ceremonies are to be held at the nearest Korean Embassies and Consulates of each Winner/Finalist’s residence.

▣ Inquiries