A Feast of Hanshi at Hamyang Hyanggyo... Literary Figures from Across the Nation Gather

Honoring Okgye No Jin
Enthusiasm for Creative Poetry Reaches New Heights

Hamyang Hyanggyo in Hamyang-gun, South Gyeongsang Province, announced that it held the "5th National Hanshi Literary Contest" at Gowoon Gymnasium in Hamyang-eup, Hamyang-gun on May 3.

This event was organized to continue the legacy of traditional Hanshi (classical Chinese poetry) creation and to promote literary exchange. Around 200 participants, including literary figures, students, and parents from all over the country, took part. The competition was divided into two categories: the general division and the student division.

The contest was held under the theme of honoring the scholarship and virtues of Okgye No Jin, a renowned upright and filial official of the mid-Joseon period. The general division competed in the seven-character regulated verse (Qiyan lüshi) format, while the student division participated in the seven-character quatrain (Qiyan jueju) format. Participants showcased their skills by composing poems based on the rhyme scheme of the Ming (名) group of the Daehanshinun Gyeong (經) rhyme, which was announced on the day of the contest.

Hansibaekiljang Photo

This year's contest drew particular attention for maintaining traditional rules while also experimenting with changes in format. It adopted the "Sugu Bulapwoon" method (not requiring rhyme at the poem's end) and excluded tonal patterns from the mandatory evaluation criteria, thereby enhancing participants' creativity. Unusually for a traditional Hanshi competition, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) was encouraged, suggesting new possibilities for combining classical literature with modern technology.

The judging was centered on the beauty of composition and grammatical completeness achieved through quotations from Okgye's works, as well as the balance of the poems, including parallelism in couplets and lines. Four experts participated in the judging panel. As a result, in the general division, the grand prize went to Kim Kyung-Du, with four entrants including Jeong Sangho winning the second prize, six including Ha Jaeseol receiving the third prize, and twelve including Jeong Youngsu earning honorable mentions. In the student division, Ha Jiwoo won the grand prize, Kim Kangin received the gold prize, and Kim Kanggeon won the silver prize.

The total prize money was approximately 19 million won, with the general division grand prize winner receiving 1 million won and the student division grand prize winner receiving 500,000 won.

Jeong Moonsang, the head lecturer, stated, "This contest, held in Hamyang, the hometown of virtue, was a meaningful occasion to reflect on Okgye's upright life and scholarly spirit," adding, "The submitted works will be published in a book and used as materials to promote Hamyang's culture and history."

Meanwhile, Okgye No Jin was a scholar-official of the Sarim faction in the mid-Joseon period, known for his academic achievements, administrative excellence, and filial piety. Born in Hamyang, he passed the state examination and served as the magistrate of Jirye, the governor of Gonyang, and the governor of Jinju, earning a reputation as an incorruptible official for his people-centered administration. He was posthumously honored with the title "Munhyo" and is enshrined at Changju Seowon and Dangju Seowon. His collected works, "Okgye Munjip," have been passed down.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.