[Asia Economy Reporter Seomideum] Writer Lee Geum-i (in the writing category) and illustrator Kwon Yoon-duk (in the illustration category) have been selected as South Korea's candidates for the Hans Christian Andersen Award (HCAA), a prestigious international children's literature award. Writer Yoo Eun-sil has been named as South Korea's candidate for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA). The candidates were decided at the regular general meeting of the Korean branch of the International Board on Books for Young People (KBBY) held on the 18th.
The Andersen Award was established in 1956 to honor Danish fairy tale writer Hans Christian Andersen. Every two years, it recognizes authors and illustrators who have contributed to the development of children's literature. Each country's Andersen committee recommends their national representative to the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), and an international jury selects the final winner. In 2022, writer Lee Su-ji received the Andersen Award.
Lee Geum-i (61), nominated in the writing category, is a leading figure in South Korea's children's and young adult literature scene, debuting in 1984 with the short story "Young-gu and Heuk-gu." Her works include the steady seller trilogy "You Are also a Sky Lily," "Sohee's Room," and "Finding the Hidden Path," as well as "Yujin and Yujin," and historically based titles such as "Aloha, My Mothers" and "Hey, You Can't Go There?"
Author Kwon Yoon-duk [Photo provided by the International Board on Books for Young People Korea Section (KBBY)]
Kwon Yoon-duk (63), nominated in the illustration category, debuted in 1995 with the picture book "Man-hee's House." Rooted in Korean painting and folk art traditions, she has created realistic images. Her representative works include "Siridongdong Geumidongdong," "The Cat Only I Imitate," "Flower Grandma," "Pikaia," "Sixteen," and "Brave Tiger."
The KBBY Andersen Award Committee stated about Lee Geum-i, "After reviewing whether she reveals Korea's uniqueness while evoking universal emotions for foreign readers, and whether she is a writer who grows alongside today's children and youth, Lee Geum-i was the author who easily surpassed the high hurdles."
Regarding Kwon Yoon-duk, they added, "We highly evaluated her clear identity as an artist who expresses the language of picture books as visual signs, as well as her international recognition and aesthetic qualities."
The Lindgren Award was established by the Swedish government in 2002, the year Astrid Lindgren, author of "Pippi Longstocking," passed away. Each year, representatives from various countries recommend writers, illustrators, and storytellers, and the final winner is selected. In 2020, writer Baek Hee-na became the first Korean to receive the Lindgren Award.
Author Yoo Eun-sil [Photo provided by International Board on Books for Young People Korea Section (KBBY)]
Yoo Eun-sil (49), nominated as South Korea's candidate, became a children's writer in 2004 by publishing "My Name is Baek Seok" in the quarterly magazine "Changbi Children." Her representative works include the fairy tales "My Lindgren Teacher," "Mago Grandma Who Came to Our House," "Reasonable Lee Yoo-jung," "The Flag Boy," "Birth of Ilsu," and the young adult novel "Outskirts." In 2010, "Reasonable Lee Yoo-jung" was selected as an "Honor List" work by IBBY member countries.
The KBBY Lindgren Award Committee explained, "Yoo Eun-sil's literary world, which pursues endless passion for literature and sharp social insight, closely aligns with the spirit of the Lindgren Award."
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