Awards Ceremony for Contributors to the Advancement of Culture and Arts to Be Held at Modu Arts Theater on November 7
Silver Crown Order of Cultural Merit to Be Awarded to Professor Emeritus Kim Hwayoung, Director Han Taesook, and Others
Pansori Sin
Novelist Hwang Sokyoung will be awarded the Geumgwan (Gold Crown) Order of Cultural Merit.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that it will hold the "2025 Cultural and Artistic Development Awards Ceremony" at 2 p.m. on November 7 at the Modu Arts Theater in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. A total of 33 individuals will be honored, including 17 recipients of the Order of Cultural Merit, 5 winners of the Republic of Korea Culture and Arts Award (Presidential Commendation), 8 recipients of the Today's Young Artist Award (Ministerial Commendation), and 3 recipients of the Proud Parents of Artists Award (Ministerial Plaque of Appreciation).
The Order of Cultural Merit is the highest honor among government awards, presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of culture and the arts and the enhancement of national culture. The "Geumgwan" (Gold Crown) is the highest grade, awarded to pioneers or senior figures in their respective fields. This year, Hwang Sokyoung, a writer in the field of literature, will be honored with this distinction.
As one of Korea's leading novelists, Hwang Sokyoung has led the flow of Korean literature for over half a century, contributing to social healing and reflection through his profound sense of social issues. In particular, through works such as "Jang Gilsan," "Princess Bari," and "The Road to Sampo," he has realistically depicted the lives of ordinary people. His realist approach, based on field experience and in-depth research, is recognized for highlighting the social role of Korean literature. Last year, his novel "Mater 2-10" (original title: "Cheoldowon Samdae") was introduced to English-speaking audiences and was shortlisted for the International Booker Prize. In addition, 22 of his works, including "A Familiar World," have been translated into 22 languages and published in 65 editions, earning him recognition as a first-generation writer who has elevated the status of Korean literature abroad.
The Eungwan (Silver Crown) Order of Cultural Merit will be awarded to four individuals: Kim Hwayoung, Professor Emeritus at Korea University, who contributed to the development of Korean literature and Korea-France cultural exchange by translating major French literary works such as the complete works of Albert Camus and works by Jean Grenier for 50 years; Han Taesook, theater director, who has established a unique aesthetic in Korean theater and contributed to the development of the performing arts through more than 50 years of creative work, including "Cello," "Princess Deokhye," and "Oedipus"; Yoo Heeyoung, member of the National Academy of Arts, who established the original style of "color field abstraction" and contributed to the advancement of Korean art through a lifetime of creative evolution; and Cho Seongryong, head of Cho Seongryong Architects, who has contributed to the development of Korean architectural culture by designing outstanding architectural heritage such as the Asia Athletes' Village Apartments, Seonyudo Park, and the Lee Ungno Birthplace Memorial Hall over 40 years.
The Bogwan (Precious Crown) Order of Cultural Merit will be presented to five individuals: Kwon Youngmin, Professor Emeritus at Seoul National University, who contributed to the historical systematization and globalization of modern Korean literature through numerous works including "A History of Modern Korean Literary Criticism" and "A History of Modern Korean Literature" volumes 1 and 2 over 50 years; Na Inyong, member of the National Academy of Arts, who composed more than 150 works including choral, symphonic, concerto, instrumental, and operatic pieces, contributing to the development of Korean music over five decades; Yang Sungwon, Professor of Orchestral Studies at Yonsei University, who has enhanced the status of Korean music through his active career as a cellist on prestigious international stages such as the Th??tre des Champs-?lys?es in Paris and Lincoln Center in New York; Lee Kangso, artist, who led experimental contemporary art movements in the 1970s through groups such as "Sincheje" and the "Korean Avant-Garde Association (AG)," establishing a nationwide foundation for activity and contributing to the advancement and globalization of Korean art through exhibitions at the Paris Biennale and Sydney Biennale; and Jung Youngsun, head of Seoan Landscape Architecture, who, as a first-generation Korean landscape architect, contributed to the advancement of landscape design with projects such as Gwanghwamun Square, Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail, and Seonyudo Park.
The Ok-gwan (Jade Crown) Order of Cultural Merit will be awarded to four individuals: Kim Hyungbae, cartoonist, who contributed to the development of comics and webtoons through works such as "Robot Taekwon V" and the "Golden Wing" series for children, science fiction, and war comics, and served as chairman of the Korea Manhwa Contents Agency; Choi Kyungman, holder of Seoul Metropolitan Intangible Cultural Heritage Samhyeonyukgak, who contributed to the transmission and preservation of traditional music through active work such as "Hojok Pungnyu for Gugak Orchestra and Hojok" and served as artistic director of the National Gugak Center Folk Music Orchestra and Buyeo-gun Chungnam Gugak Orchestra; Kim Ara, theater director, who contributed to the development of Korean theater and the nurturing of future generations by directing more than 60 works including "Equus" and "The Four Great Tragedies of Shakespeare," founding the theater company Mucheon, and establishing a theater academy over 40 years; and Shin Sangho, artist, who, for over 60 years as a ceramist, professor, and museum director, expanded the realm of contemporary Korean ceramic craft, led the craft world, and elevated the status of Korean ceramics with works collected by major museums such as the Guggenheim Museum.
The Hwagwan (Flower Crown) Order of Cultural Merit will be awarded to three individuals: Choi Shingyu, CEO of Choi Creative Lab, who, as a first-generation creator of K-content, contributed to the globalization of Korean culture and arts by developing content for children and youth such as "Hello Carbot" and "Top Blade," producing and broadcasting numerous animations including SBS's "White Heart Baekgu," and expanding into overseas markets; Yoon Seokgu, advisor to the Korea Children's Song Association, who contributed to the spread of children's song culture by writing lyrics for children's songs since 2008, donating children's song materials, founding the Korea Children's Song Association, and organizing the National Chick Creative Children's Song Festival; and Heo Youngil, Professor Emeritus at Korea National University of Arts, who contributed to the development of dance through his roles as professor and dean at the Korea National University of Arts School of Dance, director of the World Ethnic Dance Research Institute, and executive director of the Seoul International Dance Competition, fostering professional dancers, promoting international exchange, and restoring traditional dance culture.
The Republic of Korea Culture and Arts Award will be presented to five recipients: the Paper Culture Foundation (General Culture), novelist Eun Heekyung (Literature), Choi Woojung, Professor of Composition at Seoul National University (Music), Lim Dowan, head of the theater company Ladder Movement Institute (Theater), and the late photographer Park Youngsook (Fine Arts). Each recipient will receive a Presidential Commendation and a cash prize of 10 million won.
The Today's Young Artist Award will be presented to eight individuals in eight categories: novelist Sung Haena (Literature); composer Lee Haneuri, a sophomore at Korea National University of Arts (Music); Kim Junsu, member of the National Changgeuk Company (Korean Traditional Music); Park Chunhyo, playwright of the Tony Award-winning "Maybe Happy Ending" (Theater); Choi Hojong, former associate principal dancer of the National Dance Company (Dance); Yang Jungwook, artist (Fine Arts); Yoo Euijeong, ceramist (Crafts); and Kim Youngbae, head of Drawing Weeks Architects (Architecture). Each recipient will receive a Ministerial Commendation and a cash prize of 5 million won.
The Proud Parents of Artists Award will go to three individuals who raised their children to become outstanding artists: Kim Hyeyoung, mother of drummer Lee Taeyang; Song Soondan, mother of singer Song Gain (real name Jo Eunsim) and ajaeng player Jo Sungjae; and Kim Sungwon, mother of contemporary artist Kim Hyunwoo (stage name Pixel Kim). Each will receive a Ministerial Plaque of Appreciation and a prize worth 4 million won.
The ceremony will open with a performance by dancer Choi Hojong, recipient of the Today's Young Artist Award. This will be followed by congratulatory performances by singer Song Gain, daughter of Proud Parents of Artists Award recipient Song Soondan, and National Changgeuk Company member Kim Junsu, also a recipient of the Today's Young Artist Award. At the "Modu Lounge," an exhibition space will be set up to showcase the achievements and activity photos of the awardees, and a photo zone will be available for taking pictures.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has presented the Republic of Korea Culture and Arts Award since 1969 to express gratitude and encouragement to cultural and artistic figures who have contributed to the development of Korean culture and the arts, in conjunction with "Culture Day" (the third Saturday of October). In 1973, the Order of Cultural Merit was introduced to further elevate the honors, and since then, outstanding contributors to cultural and artistic development have been recognized annually.
Kim Youngsoo, First Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated, "I sincerely extend my congratulations and respect to the 33 recipients who have contributed to the development of Korean culture and the arts and promoted Korean culture worldwide with their outstanding originality and brilliant artistic sensibility. The Ministry will continue to invest intensively in the core areas of Korean culture and the arts, including literature, music, performance, and fine arts. We will also provide systematic and policy support to foster a free creative environment where artists can focus on their work with peace of mind, and to support the growth of young artists, including children, adolescents, and youth, thereby realizing the dream of a 'Cultural Powerhouse Korea.'"
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