Reporter Choi Gilsu Wins Grand Prize at the 2nd Buddhist Calendar Photo Art Contest

At the ‘2nd Buddhist Calendar Photo and Art Contest’ hosted by Doban HC, a project holding company of Jogye Order (President Ven. Joo Hye), Choi Gil-su, an art reporter from the head office’s comprehensive editorial department, won the grand prize with his illustration ‘Dongjaseung’ (Novice Monk).

On the 25th, Doban HC announced the winners, including the grand prize, gold prize awarded to Son Muk-gwang for the photo ‘Seoktap’ (Stone Pagoda), silver prizes to Kim Yoo-sik for ‘Pen Drawing’ and Jo Kyung-joo for ‘Acrylic Painting,’ bronze prizes to Park Woo-hyun for the photo ‘Mahaebul’ (Rock-carved Buddha) and Mo Dong-shin for ‘Lotus Flower,’ among others.

This contest received a total of 100 entries, including 79 photographic works and 21 art pieces. Prize money was awarded as follows: 3.5 million KRW for the grand prize, 2.5 million KRW for the gold prize, 2 million KRW for the silver prize, 1 million KRW for the bronze prize, and 100,000 KRW for honorable mentions.

Choi Gil-su, the grand prize winner, stated, "I planned this to convey a calm dream and hope to those enduring the tiring and difficult realities of daily life today. Through the twelve months of nature, I portrayed the happy daily life of a compassionate Dongjaseung and combined text and illustration with a positive copy message to offer a small comfort, positivity, and happiness to modern people."

Ven. Joo Hye, president of Doban HC, said, "The content discovered through this contest will be produced into calendars with various concepts and delivered to the Buddhist community. We hope for continued interest in future contests."