Announcement regarding the Korean Literature Appreciation Contest

As usual, this year the Korean Studies Department of the Faculty of Oriental Studies at the Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities is organizing a "Korean Literature Appreciation Contest". Participants are open to all students, both within and outside the university. The work to be read and reviewed this time is "Blow, Wind, Blow" by Kim Hye Jung, a 319-page book published in 2014.

“The story is about a journey undertaken by two girls to the 'Silk Road' of China. There's Lee Eun Sung – a violent child who prefers using her fists to solve problems, a long-time nightmare for her classmates. There's Bo Ra, an ostracized girl who, whenever bullied, feels relieved by stealing something from her friends. And there's Mi Ju, the older sister leading the journey, a mature girl who has experienced a reckless youth and left her mark on this arduous path. Instead of going to a juvenile detention center, these two girls choose the long, arduous journey along the 1200km 'Silk Road.' Initially envisioned as a beautiful and gentle Silk Road, a must-visit tourist destination, Eun Sung is utterly disappointed, something she never even dreamed of.” I had to walk every day along a desolate, dusty, and windy road in the hot, dry weather of the desert, and I had to deal with unfamiliar food that didn't suit my taste. There were times when I felt discouraged and wanted to give up, moments when I wanted to turn back, preferring to face the loss of freedom and the strict education at the Center. But each step was a step towards maturity, an broadening of my perspective on life, and my thoughts and feelings changed, making me feel like a true "adult."

The work features a wonderful blend of past and present, with the narrative naturally shifting between childhood memories and the thoughts and experiences of present life. After that arduous journey, Eun Sung comes to understand and accept the love of the mother she had long hated and distanced herself from, realizing her mistake in previously using violence to solve everything like a thug. As for Bo Ra, who had once run away, unwilling to return to the land where she was isolated, she finally completes her journey and returns.

Following the characters' footsteps, readers can see their own youthful impulsiveness and recklessness reflected within them, and perceive the journey as a miracle that completely transforms the thoughts and perceptions of these once-misguided children. Ultimately, the work establishes a completely new and effective method of educating teenagers in modern society.

With its gentle, clear, and natural style of everyday conversation, author Kim Hye Jeong immediately captivated readers from the beginning of the story. Furthermore, each step of the narrative seems to follow the Silk Road to different regions, revealing the unique cultural characteristics of various Chinese ethnic groups with remarkable clarity and allure. Korean readers have embraced and loved this work as a novel phenomenon in modern literature. And I believe Vietnamese readers will also seek out this work because of the captivating and genuine literary values ​​it offers.”

Students interested in participating should note the following deadlines for registration, submission, and the awards ceremony.
Registration and submission deadline: September 1st via email.thuygiang.hq@gmail.com

Participants should submit their personal information, including full name, date of birth, major, and school, to thuygiang.hq@gmail.com at the end of their entry.
The deadline for submitting complete articles (maximum 7 pages, font size 13, 1.5 line spacing) is [date missing]. The awards ceremony is tentatively scheduled for the end of September.

Prize structure: 1 first prize, 2 second prizes, 3 third prizes, and 5 consolation prizes with extremely attractive and valuable rewards.

We look forward to receiving the interest and registrations of students both inside and outside the university.
Any questions can be directed to Ms. Nguyen Thuy Giang via the email address above.
Please remember to submit your assignments on time.