Hwaseong Special City to Host '2026 Byeolbyeol Hwaseong Awards' AI Commercial Contest with 60 Million Won in Total Prize Money
Hwaseong Special City (Mayor Jeong Myeong-geun) announced it will host the '2026 Byeolbyeol Hwaseong Awards' AI commercial contest.
Applications will be accepted from September 21 to October 18 on the contest's official website. Anyone residing in South Korea can participate regardless of region, gender, age, or nationality.
This year's contest theme is "Happiness for All, Greater Hwaseong." The contest categories have been expanded to three categories: AI short-form video, AI commercial, and AI CM song, broadening the range of options so that citizens unfamiliar with video production can also participate using music.
Prior to the main application period, a pre-registration event will be held from September 14 to 20. Participants who register in advance on the contest's official website can receive information about the categories, specifications, and other details, allowing sufficient time to prepare their works.
The city plans to select a total of 21 award-winning works. The total prize money is 60 million won, with the grand prize winner in the AI commercial category receiving 10 million won. This represents the highest level of prize money among contests hosted by local government entities.
The winning works will be showcased not only through external exhibitions but also through various city promotion channels including the city's official YouTube, social media, and smart administrative bulletin boards. The city plans to use works created directly by citizens as official promotional content for Hwaseong Special City, thereby expanding citizen-participatory city promotion.
Hwaseong Special City has been hosting the AI commercial contest for three consecutive years, having first introduced a commercial contest using generative AI among local government entities nationwide in 2024.
Additionally, the city will host the AI Expo 'MARS 2026' at COEX in Seoul in November. In the administrative sector, the city is also implementing various policies as an AI-leading city, including △establishing an AI urban data platform △demonstrating on-device AI fire detection △and pilot operation of AI welfare guidance service 'Welfare Spring.'
Oh Seok-man, Director of Public Relations, said, "AI is no longer a tool only for experts, but a means for anyone to express their thoughts and stories," adding, "This year, we have added short-form video and CM song categories, allowing citizens to participate in more diverse ways. We hope each person will creatively capture their vision of 'Happiness for All, Greater Hwaseong.'"
천의현 대표이사 euihyun@suwonilbo.kr