K-Pop Curiosity Inspires Film Director Dream... "Talk Talk Korea" Video Wins MCST Minister's Award

MCST Announces Talk Talk Korea Winners
55,250 Entries from 75 Countries; 124 Selected
Indonesian Participant's Video Wins Top Prize in Video Category

A video by an Indonesian participant about how her curiosity about K-pop led to her dream of becoming a film director won the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award at the international content contest "Talk Talk Korea 2026." Talk Talk Korea is a contest in which people from around the world create and share works inspired by Korean culture. This year marks its 13th edition.

On November 9, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) announced the 124 finalists selected for Talk Talk Korea 2026. This year, submissions were invited in four categories—video, photography, illustration and writing—under the theme "POV: You're in Korea." A total of 55,250 entries were received from 75 countries around the world.

In the video category, "From Curiosity to a Dream," submitted by Hosana Akaya Simau of Indonesia, was unanimously selected as the first-place winner and received the MCST Minister's Award. The work tells the story of how her curiosity about Korean popular music led to her dream of becoming a film director. Through her wish to be called "Director" someday, Simau shared how Korean culture has inspired her vision of the future.

Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister's Award winner "From Curiosity to a Dream." Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

In the photography category, "Korea Came to Me First," submitted by Niloufar Kashani of Iran, took first place. The work combines photos and writing to chronicle her daily life after she first encountered Korean dramas, began learning Korean and started cooking Korean food herself. Although she has not yet visited Korea, she vividly depicts how Korean culture has already become part of her life through colorful compositions and candid storytelling.

In the illustration category, "Once Upon a Time, the Blue Tiger," submitted by Heynimar Alexandra Ochoa Acuna of Venezuela, took first place. The work reimagines tigers, magpies and traditional cloud motifs—popular subjects in Korean folk painting—with a modern sensibility. Acuna drew on her experience of becoming interested in the Korean language and history after reading the Korean folktale "The Tiger and the Magpie" at age 11.

In the writing category, newly introduced this year, "It's Never Too Late to Discover Korea," submitted by Ana Moya of Venezuela, took first place. The work conveys the message that Korea is an appealing country that offers new excitement and inspiration at any stage of life.

The winning entries can be viewed starting today on the official Talk Talk Korea website and social media channels.

An exhibition of the winning entries will be held from November 17 to 22 at the Pocket Lounge on the second floor of HiKR Ground in Jung-gu, Seoul. From November 2026 through March 2027, an overseas touring exhibition will also be held at Korean Cultural Centers in three countries: Belgium, Austria and Spain.

An MCST official said, "This year's winning entries reflect people's affection for Korean culture and the experiences of people around the world who have found their own stories within it." The official added, "Through exhibitions in Korea and abroad, more people will be able to relate to the stories in these works and share their experiences through Korean culture."

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