Winners of 5th Korea Multicultural Youth Awards - 1
Kim Dae-cheol
Special jury award winner
Kim yearns for space
Kim Dae-cheol, 16, has always dreamed of becoming an astrophysicist.
He has three siblings. Since his Japanese mother cannot make money due to the language barrier, his father is the sole breadwinner in their family. Under this circumstance, he has carved his way toward his goal without private education.
Two science investigation awards on nature observation and integrated science, respectively in 2014 and 2015 prove his potential.
“For Kim, reading is the tool to understand the way of the world. He always reads, not only about science but also liberal arts and philosophy,” said his teacher Kim Kyung-ja from Daejeon Daecheong Middle School, who has taught him for three years.
Kim’s personality is inspiring for classmates, besides his academic ability. That he got the prize for good conduct three years in a row shows that he is both loved by students and teachers.
“I think the prize for good conduct is the most valuable award in school. That’s why I highly speak of his attitude,” the teacher added.
Kang Ji-yeon
Special Semoon Chang award winner
Kang is a role model in the classroom
Kang Ji-yeon, 18, is a good friend to all of her classmates.
“When counseling with students, they often tell me ‘I want to be like Kang to get along with others,’” said her teacher Seol Jae-in from Daeil Foreign Language High School in Seoul. Kang doesn’t hesitate to speak to isolated friends and takes care of others under conflict.
Since middle school days, Kang has studied without private education, making the best use of independent study time and asking questions of school teachers whenever she has them.
Kang is also a leader of a non-verbal performance club and also has led a volunteer group at the school.
She is particularly good at Russian, which is a core reason for receiving Semoon Chang award. She hopes to major in Russian at college as well.
Based on her Russian skill which is quite rare in Korea, Kang dreams of becoming a diplomat. She enjoys playing basketball unlike most girls her age. One day, she will be a diplomat equipped with brain and brawn.