February 17, 2026
2026 Korean Literature Essay Contest:
We are pleased to announce the Korean Literature Essay Contest, organized by the Korean Language Program within the East Asian Languages and Cultures department and supported by the Center for Korean Studies. This contest is open exclusively to attending undergraduate and graduate students at UC Berkeley who are interested in Korea and Korean literature. The featured book for this year's contest is "Second Chance Convenience Store (불편한 편의점)" by Ho-Yeon Kim.
How to Participate:
- Register for the contest
- Read the novel (available in English and Korean)
- Write a 1,000 -1,200 word essay in English
- Submit your essay
Key Dates:
Registration Deadline: Feb 28, 2026
Eassy Submission Deadline: March 31, 2026
Winners Announced: April 24, 2026 (Korean Day)
Prizes:
- 1st Place: $1000 (1 winner)
- 2nd Place: $700 (2 winners)
- 3rd Place: $300 (3 winners)
- 4th Place: $100 (3 winners)
Questions? Contact us at: jungpark@berkeley.edu
Korean Langauge Program | Center for Korean Studies