10 winners share hope, courage at award ceremony

Gender Equality and Family Minister Kang Eun-hee smiles with grand prize winner Ban Jun-hwi, a fifth grader at Yeongil Elementary School in Seoul. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

By Kim Se-jeong

Late autumn drizzle ushered the 10 winners of the fifth Korea Multicultural Youth Awards organized by The Korea Times, into the awarding ceremony at the Korea Press Center in Seoul, Monday, where they were lauded for their academic performance, language proficiency and exceptional behavior among other traits.

They were from all over Korea ― Seoul, Incheon, Daejeon, Mokpo and Goheung, and South Jeolla Province.

The award ceremony, which lasted about an hour, included messages of congratulation and encouragement, and applause from family members, foreign diplomats and other dignitaries.

“Congratulations to all you winners. You can do anything as long as you keep your confidence up,” Kang Eun-hee, minister of gender equality and family, said. Besides awarding the top prize winner, she congratulated each winner personally after the ceremony and accepted photo requests as if they were her own children.

Ecuadorian Ambassador Oscar Herrera Gilbert poses with Kim Su-min, a representative of Masongjungang Elementary School’s Student Council, after presenting him with the outstanding volunteer group award. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

Ten winners were called out to the stage and received a plaque and a bouquet of flowers.

Kim Joon-sik, the chief judge and honorary chairman of Asian Friends, noted the language talent among the winners. He reminded people of the importance of a diverse society. He also stressed the need for education among Koreans who aren’t familiar with cultural diversity.

At the end of the ceremony, Hwang Min-woo, better known as “Little Psy,” an aspiring dancer and musician, took to the stage and performed a captivating dance to the world-famous “Gangnam Style.”

Hwang was a special award winner in the first awards in 2012.

The 11-year-old boy in a white tuxedo and sunglasses hopped, jumped and slid across the stage for 15 minutes, presenting a quality K-pop performance. His reputation was already established when he received the award four years ago, but the performance this time proved that he has improved a lot, and that anything is possible for the young boy, despite his different cultural background, as long as he tries and keeps his confidence. This also raised expectations of what this year’s winners will be like and how much they will improve in four or more years.