The 2025 Korea Picture Book Award has recognized some of the most innovative and impactful picture books in both fiction and nonfiction categories. The grand prize for fiction went to‘A Dot, a Line, and a Bird’, written and illustrated by Jo Oh, while the nonfiction category was awarded to‘Wow, the Stylish Ones!’, written and illustrated by Kim Yudae. These works were selected from a competitive field of 456 entries, with nine titles ultimately chosen as winners.
Ceremony and Background
The ceremony took place at Ferum Tower in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 10th, where the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, along with the Publication Industry Promotion Agency of Korea, announced the results. This award, established in 2023, is now in its third year and aims to celebrate exceptional Korean picture books while supporting their global outreach.
Winners and Their Achievements
The fiction grand prize winner,‘A Dot, a Line, and a Bird’, was praised for its metaphorical themes and emotional depth, which contrast human civilization with the beauty and destruction of nature. Its illustrations further enhanced the storytelling, making it a standout entry.
On the other hand,‘Wow, the Stylish Ones!’stood out for its creative approach to scientific informational books, offering detailed yet accessible insights into the world of beetles. Both authors received the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister’s Prize and a cash award of 15 million Korean won.
Special Prizes and Newcomer Award
In addition to the grand prizes, six special prizes were awarded. Among them:
- Kim Dong-sungfor‘Kim Gun, Crazy About Flowers’(Borim Publishing)
- Eom Jeong-sunfor‘If You Touch an Elephant’(Uri School)
Each of these authors received the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister’s Prize and 10 million Korean won.
Other special prize recipients included:
- Choi Kyung-sik, Oso-ri, and Hong Ji-hyefor‘Memories of Architecture’(Sakyejeol Publishing)
- Cho Soo-jinfor‘Friends of Gyeongbokgung Palace’(Eohung Daechukjeon)
- So Yoon-kyungfor‘The Boy in the Bronze Helmet’(Bombit Publishing)
- Gong Eun-hyefor‘Cheers’(Maum Mojah)
These authors each received the Publication Industry Promotion Agency of Korea Director’s Prize and 7 million Korean won. Additionally, the newcomer award was given toMin Byung-kwonfor‘Come In’(Gilbut Children’s Publishing), who also received the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister’s Prize and 7 million Korean won.
All nine publishing companies involved also received 3.5 million Korean won as part of the awards.
Future Plans for Global Export
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has outlined plans to support the global export of the winning books. This includes promoting them through an integrated publishing export platform and an English webzine. The ministry will also provide sample translations and connect the authors with major international book fairs next year.
Conclusion
The 2025 Korea Picture Book Award highlights the growing influence of Korean picture books on the global stage. With a focus on creativity, education, and cultural expression, these works represent the best of what the country has to offer in children’s literature. As the industry continues to expand, the recognition and support provided by this award will play a crucial role in bringing these stories to readers around the world.
