This year, the recipients of the Jeong Jin-ki Media Culture Award for Knowledge and Cultural Creation are installation artist Seo Do-ho, actor Lee Byung-hun, and musical producer and CEO of Odi Company, Shin Chun-soo.

Seo is a representative Korean artist who has gained international recognition by showcasing his unique artistic world. He has created various installation works themed around 'home' using fabric, and has been praised for resonating with people around the world through Korean aesthetics and emotions.

He has held exhibitions at world-renowned art museums, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. Seo expressed his thoughts, stating, "I believe that artists have a responsibility to strive for the common good of humanity," and added, "I feel a greater sense of responsibility with this award."

Lee is a leading actor in South Korea with a global fanbase. Recently, he has been loved by domestic and international fans not only for his role as Go Hun-hyun in the film 'Victory' but also for 'Squid Game.' He is one of the few Korean actors who have appeared in Hollywood blockbuster films and is at the forefront of the current K-content craze. In his acceptance speech, Lee remarked, "I feel like I received this precious award just by quietly acting," and added, "I will understand it as a call to work harder and contribute more to our film industry."

Shin has been recognized for elevating the standard of Korean musicals and promoting their excellence to the world. He became the first Korean to be a full member of the Broadway League and is currently serving as the president of the Korean Musical Production Association, leading the development of Korean performances. The Odi Company he founded is praised for rewriting the history of Korean musicals. Works born from Shin's hands, such as 'The Great Gatsby' and 'Jekyll & Hyde,' have received great love from audiences both domestically and internationally.

The Economic Management Book Award was given to Professor Lee Cheol-hee from Seoul National University and Professor Kim Hyun-chul from Yonsei University College of Medicine.

Professor Lee's book, 'The Disappearance of Workers,' examines Korea's population issues and labor market from an economic perspective. It discusses ways to respond to the decline in population and workforce. Professor Lee stated, "I think I received the award because of the importance of the population issues Korea is facing," and added, "I will continue to strive to write in a way that more people can understand and spread the word widely."

Professor Kim, an economist with a medical background, addresses how to enhance the welfare and happiness of the people in his book 'The Moment When Economics is Needed.' He emphasizes that economics is necessary in every moment of life. He usually advocates for data-driven policies and conveys in his book how experimental and data-based economics can make people happy. The essence is that economics is not a rigid discipline made up of numbers but a warm discipline that saves lives.

On the day of the award ceremony, families also attended to share in the joy of the awards. Seo's mother, Jeong Min-ja, a senior advisor to the Beautiful Foundation, along with his wife and two daughters, shared in the happy moment, while Shin and Kang Geon-woo, CEO of NLB, and Professor Kim's family also drew attention by their presence. Jeong Hyun-hee, chairperson of the Jeong Jin-ki Media Culture Foundation, expressed, "It seems that the event became more cheerful and enjoyable with the judges, nominators, awardees, and their families together. I thank everyone who traveled a long way to be here."

[Choi Won-seok, Reporter]