Hwaeomsa Red Plum Blossom Photo Contest Concludes Successfully... Grand Prize Awarded to Kwak Yunseop's "Blooming in Stillness"

Number of Entries Sees Significant Increase Compared to Last Year

The Red Plum Blossom Photo Contest held at Hwaeomsa Temple in Jirisan, Gurye, Jeollanam-do, concluded successfully.

Hwaeomsa, the head temple of the 19th district of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, announced the results of the 6th Red Plum Blossom·Wild Plum Blossom Photo Contest on April 26. This year's contest was held over 38 days, from February 27 to April 5.

This year, a total of 1,666 entries (506 by professional photographers and 1,160 by mobile phone users) were submitted, showing a significant increase from last year's 1,178 entries and demonstrating heightened interest.

2026 Hwaeomsa Red Plum Blossom Photo Contest Grand Prize Winner 'Blooming in Silence'.
[Photo courtesy of Hwaeomsa]

In the professional photographers' category, the Grand Prize (Chief Director's Award) went to "Blooming in Stillness" by Kwak Yunseop. The Excellence Award was given to "A Vow Blossoming in the Dawn under Hwaeomsa's Red Plum Blossoms" by Lee Jaehyung, and the Merit Award went to "Beauty at the End" by Lim Sunmi.

In the mobile phone category, "Red Plum Blossoms Seen Beyond the Door Handle" by Kim Hyangsuk won the Top Excellence Award (District Head Monk's Award).

Other notable winning works included "Sincere Prayer under the Red Plum Blossoms" by Baek Yongseung and "Harmony of Gakhwangjeon Hall and Red Plum Blossoms" by Lee Jeongae, among various others.

Venerable Wooseok, the head monk of Hwaeomsa, stated, "I hope that many people can find hope and courage through the red plum blossoms," adding, "We will continue to expand the temple as an open cultural space."

The winning works from this contest will be featured in next year's Hwaeomsa calendar, promotional materials, and Gurye-gun tourism promotions. The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place during the Buddha's Birthday celebration service on May 24.

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