67th National Academy of Arts Award Held: Kim Gitaek, Lee Geonyong, and Yang Jeongsu Honored

Hwang Yuwon, Jung Hana, Shin Changyong, Jeon Yeeun, and Jang Hyerim Honored as Young Artist Award Recipients
Celebrating Emerging Talent in Literature, Music, and Dance

This year's recipients of the National Academy of Arts Award of Korea are (from left in the photo) Kim Gitaek, poet in the literature category; Lee Geonyong, composer in the music category; and Yang Jeongsu, contemporary dancer in the dance category.

[Asia Economy, reporter Kim Heeyoon] The National Academy of Arts announced on September 5 that it held the 67th National Academy of Arts Award and the 1st National Academy of Arts Young Artist Award ceremony, presenting the National Academy of Arts Award to three recipients and the Young Artist Award to five recipients.

The National Academy of Arts Award has been presented annually since 1955 to artists who have made significant contributions to the advancement of the arts in South Korea. The award covers four categories: literature, fine arts, music, and theater·film·dance. Including this year, a total of 223 recipients have been honored. Awardees receive a certificate, a medal, and prize money of 50 million won.

From March to April, the Academy accepted nominations for both the National Academy of Arts Award and the Young Artist Award. Through preliminary and final selection committees for each category, the final recipients were chosen at the 69th regular general meeting held on June 30.

This year’s National Academy of Arts Award recipients are: Kim Gitaek, poet in the literature category; Lee Geonyong, composer in the music category; and Yang Jeongsu, modern dancer in the dance category.

Kim Gitaek, born in 1957, has been recognized for over 30 years of consistently writing poetry noted for its delicate descriptions since his debut in 1989. His works have been translated into various languages and introduced abroad, contributing to the international exchange of Korean literature.

Lee Geonyong, born in 1947, has built a wide-ranging musical career spanning instrumental and vocal music, as well as both Western and Korean traditional music. He has also served as the president of the Korea National University of Arts and as the director of the Seoul Metropolitan Opera Company, leading the creation of Korean operas and earning this honor.

Yang Jeongsu, born in 1953, is a founding member of Korea’s first modern dance company, the Korea Contemporary Dance Company. Over the past 40 years, she has created more than 300 works and served as the artistic director of the first international edition of the Modern Dance Festival (MODAFE), being recognized for her contributions to the internationalization of Korean modern dance.

The Young Artist Award recipients are: Hwang Yuwon, poet, and Jung Hana, novelist, in the literature category; Shin Changyong, pianist, and Jeon Yeeun, composer, in the music category; and Jang Hyerim, Korean dancer, in the dance category.

Hwang Yuwon, born in 1982, debuted in 2013 after winning the Munhakdongne New Writer’s Award. He recently published the poetry collection "Supernatural 3D Printing" and is gaining attention as a promising young poet through his active creative work.

Jung Hana, born in 1982, debuted in 2005 and has published a total of 11 collections of short and full-length novels, winning the Munhakdongne Writer’s Award and the Kim Yongik Novel Literature Award. Recently, her 2017 novel "Intimate Stranger" was adapted into the drama "Anna," drawing significant attention.

Shin Changyong, born in 1994, is an active young musician performing both domestically and internationally. In 2018, he became the first Korean to win first prize at the Gina Bachauer International Artists Piano Competition, achieving remarkable results on the global stage.

Jeon Yeeun, born in 1985, has contributed significantly to the development of Korean creative music through her commissioned works for the National Opera Company, the National Symphony Orchestra, and others, composing operas, orchestral pieces, and chamber music across various genres.

Jang Hyerim, born in 1986, is a next-generation choreographer who has demonstrated the diversity of Korean dance through creative and captivating choreography. Her artistic achievements have been recognized on prestigious international stages in countries such as Brazil and Italy, raising the profile of Korean dance worldwide.

The Young Artist Award, newly established this year, is presented to artists under the age of 40 who have shown outstanding creative achievements or accomplishments for at least five years and demonstrate great promise for the future. Two recipients are selected per category, each receiving a prize and 25 million won in prize money.