2013's best new content brightens up cultural sphere

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yoo Jinryong (right) delivers an Eun-gwan, or Silver Crown, Order of Cultural Merit to President Gil Hwan-young of the Korea Broadcasting System (KBS) during the Korea Content Awards 2013 ceremony held on December 13. (Photo: Jeon Han)

Creators of smash-hit content in 2013, from movies, dramas and entertainment shows to cartoons, video games and documentaries, were spotlighted at the Korea Content Awards 2013 held at COEX in southern Seoul on December 13#.

With some 350 attendees, including Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yoo Jinryong and PresidentHong Sang-pyoof the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), the awards ceremony announced a total of 32 winners this year in the following five categories: the broadcasting and image industry; graphic novels and comics; animated material and cartoons; newly created characters; and, lastly, successful content in an overseas market.

Award winners pose with well-known cartoon characters for a commemorative photo at the Korea Content Awards 2013 on December 13. (Photo: Jeon Han)

President Gil Hwan-young of the Korea Broadcasting System (KBS) was awarded an Eun-gwan, or Silver Crown, Order of Cultural Merit for his contribution to spreading Korean culture in other parts of the world and to helping boost the exchange of culture and arts between nations through KBS's broadcasting of popular dramas, K-pop and documentaries.

Presidential awards went to six lucky nominees: CEO Lee Tae-hun of Opus Pictures which produced the blockbuster "Snow Piercer"; director Um Joon-young of RoiVisual who directed the animated children's TV series "Robocar Poli"; writer Park Hye-ryun for the drama series "I Can Hear Your Voice"; writer Lee Woo-jung for the smash-hit TV show "Grandpas over Flowers"; author Park Heung-yong who created the comic book "Yeung nyeon" (零年) "The Age of the Silent Rain" (unofficial translation); and, lastly, Tuba Entertainment which produced the cartoon series "Larva".

Winners of the presidential award at the Korea Content Awards 2013 pose for a group photo. (Photo: Jeon Han)

"Our national content industry exports this year surpassed USD 5 billion", said the culture minister at the ceremony. Honoring the winners for having brightened up the nation's culture, the minister said, "They played such a leading role in improving the nation's status by using creative content as an engine for future growth".

By Jeon Han, Sohn JiAe
Korea.net Staff Writers
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