The Spirit of Integrity Revived in Bonghwa: The First Stage of the "Lee Mongryong Selection Contest"

The Spirit of Joseon Scholar Seong Iseong
Reborn as Youth Cultural Content

The virtuous scholar Lee Mongryong from history will come to life once again on the stage in Bonghwa this fall of 2025. Bonghwa County in North Gyeongsang Province announced on September 30 that the finals of the "1st National Lee Mongryong Selection Contest" will be held on the special stage of the Songi Festival on October 18.

Imongryong Selection Contest Poster

This event is a nationwide cultural competition modeled after Seong Iseong, a renowned incorruptible official of the mid-Joseon Dynasty, seeking a modern-day Lee Mongryong who embodies integrity, justice, and spirit.

◆ Seong Iseong, the Incorruptible Official, Poses a Question to the Youth

Seong Iseong, originally from Gapyong-ri Gyeseodang in Mulyamyeon, Bonghwa, gained fame for his clean and upright politics after passing the state examination and serving as a secret royal inspector. Bonghwa County organized this selection contest to pass on his spirit to the younger generation.

Eligibility is open to unmarried men in their 20s and 30s from across the country who have graduated from high school or higher. After applications opened on April 21 and the first round of document screening, 40 candidates were selected. In the second preliminary round held at Bonghwa County Office on September 20, the final 20 contestants were chosen through self-introductions, talent presentations, and a Q&A session with the judges.

◆ Festival Stage: The Reunion of Chunhyang and Mongryong

The finals are not simply a handsome man contest. Contestants will present their own interpretations of what it means to be an incorruptible official in the modern era, and the ultimate winner will be selected based on these presentations.

The event will feature a performance by guest singer Son Taejin, as well as a special stage by Kim Doyeon, the winner of the "2025 Global Chunhyang Selection Contest," symbolizing the reunion of Chunhyang and Mongryong.

Additionally, a congratulatory performance by Kos Tan Histe, the grand prize winner of the Global Song Festival, will add to the diverse program that blends Bonghwa's traditions with a global flair.

◆ The Honor of the "Mongryong Award" as the Face of Bonghwa

The grand prize winner will receive the "Mongryong Award," a prize of 7 million won, and will be appointed as an ambassador for Bonghwa County. The winner will go on to represent the region by promoting Bonghwa's festivals, agricultural specialties, and tourism marketing.

Park Hyunkook, the governor of Bonghwa County, stated, "The Lee Mongryong Selection Contest is a cultural event that reinterprets Bonghwa's history and identity through the eyes of the youth," emphasizing, "It will become a new cultural asset where traditional values and the younger generation come together."

"This contest is significant because it goes beyond a simple appearance-based competition, highlighting traditional values of integrity and spirit through the participation of the younger generation. It marks a moment when Bonghwa takes a leap as a cultural stage that connects tradition and the future."

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