National Competition Showcases Excellence of Hapcheon Chunlan... High-Quality Entries Draw Attention

Promoting the Excellence of Hapcheon Chunlan and Highlighting the Value of Local Cultural and Tourism Resources
Over 530 Entries Submitted... Strengthening the Status of the Nation's Only Competition for Unnamed Chunlan Varieties

'The 7th Korea Chunlan Mumyeong Pum National Competition', an event to select unnamed Korean orchids (Chunlan) with future value, was held over two days from February 21 to 22 at the Hapcheon Multipurpose Gymnasium.

Hosted by Hapcheon-gun in South Gyeongsang Province and organized by the Hapcheon Orchid Association, the event once again solidified its position as the only national competition dedicated to unnamed Chunlan varieties in Korea, with a total of about 530 entries submitted this year following last year.

Hapcheon-gun, group photo at "The 7th National Competition for Korean Chunran Unnamed Varieties"

Among the entries, the grand prize for first place went to Ryu Jiho from Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi Province, who submitted a Sanban variety. The special grand prize for second place was awarded to Go Gwanghwan (Honghwa variety) and Ahn Byeongguk (Jungtuho variety), and the best prize for third place went to Kim Yubong (Danyeop variety) and Choi Sanggi (Jugeumhwa variety), producing a total of 68 award-winning works.

Chief Judge Shim Jaesang commented in his review, "The level of unnamed Chunlan varieties is rising year after year," adding, "In particular, this year saw the submission of even higher-quality Chunlan, and all 27 judges deliberated carefully to ensure fair and strict evaluation."

The opening ceremony of the competition, held on the 21st, was a grand event attended by local figures such as Hapcheon County Mayor Kim Yooncheol and Hapcheon County Council Chairman Jeong Bonghun, as well as orchid community leaders from across the country, including Hwasun County Mayor Koo Bokgyu from South Jeolla Province and chairpersons of orchid-loving associations nationwide.

This year's competition also featured various side experience facilities, including a promotional booth for Hapcheon Chunlan, a Chunlan planting experience booth, local pottery crafts, and a literary painting orchid booth, all of which drew the interest of invited guests and visitors.

Competition chair and County Mayor Kim Yooncheol stated in his opening address, "This event, which began in 2019, is now being held for the seventh time and has established itself as a unique event where the nation's only unnamed Chunlan varieties are exhibited. It has also been a meaningful occasion to promote the excellence of Hapcheon Chunlan."