The government will host an open competition for creators of various art forms from around the world, promising up to $2,500 for the winner who best captures the essence of Korea in their work.

Hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, "Talk Talk Korea" is an annual open competition inviting any foreigner outside of Korea to submit their works through the contest's website from Friday to Aug. 31.


This year's edition is themed "Experience the essence of Korea," aiming to evoke participants' experiences with Korean culture through their submissions, the Culture Ministry announced Friday.

There are a total of five categories: "Promotion Video,” "Art & Craft,” "Motion Graphic,” "Photo Book,” and "Meme & Challenge," all centered on Korean culture.

The Culture Ministry will conduct four rounds of judging to select a total of 80 winning entries from first to fifth place from each category. Online votes by the general public will also contribute to the calculation. The winners will be announced on Sept. 30.

First place winners in each category will receive a nine-day trip opportunity to experience Korean culture firsthand, while first, second and third place winners across all categories will receive specially crafted award "buttons."

The second place winners will receive a smartphone, third place winners a tablet, fourth place winners an smartwatch and fifth place winners an Amazon gift card.


First place winners in the "Promotion Video” and "Meme & Challenge" will also receive cash prizes of $2,500 and $1,500, respectively.

K-pop girl group WOOAH featured as this year's promotional group and explained the details of the competition in a YouTube video posted on the Koreanet YouTube channel on Friday. An additional video of the girl group making sample works for the competition will be uploaded in July, according to the Culture Ministry.

"We hope that through this competition, diverse Korean stories experienced by participants will be shared worldwide, allowing people everywhere to share the excitement and emotion within those stories," said Culture Minister Yu In-chon.

To find out more about WOOAH, visit Celeb Confirmed!

BY KIM MIN-YOUNG [kim.minyoung5@joongang.co.kr]