The fifth annual Progress@Play Social Impact Digital Art Competition has successfully concluded with an award ceremony at George Mason University’s Korea campus. This year’s competition was supported by the Incheon Metropolitan Office of Education and the Game Culture Foundation.
This year’s competition centered on creative ideas and sustainable solutions to emerging social issues and attracted a record 255 teams of middle school, high school, and university students from Korea and abroad. Participants presented their ideas through various digital formats, including animations, webtoons, computer games, videos, and illustrations. Notably, many submissions focused on the psychological and social effects of social media, reflecting concerns shared across generations.
The ceremony brought together student finalists and their families, as well as Mason Korea leadership and staff, and Computer Game Design Program faculty James Broderick and John McGrew. Special guests included Cheolsoo Son, director of secondary Education at the Incheon Metropolitan Office of Education, and Hyunkyung Kim, director of the Game Culture Education Center at the Game Culture Foundation.
“This year’s entries offered sharp insights into the social issues driven by social media,” said Broderick, an assistant professor of computer game design who also served as a competition judge. “While previous years often explored traditional themes like the environment, human rights, and aging, this year reflected a shift toward challenges faced by digital natives—including online performative culture and psychological effects of social media. It signals an expanding spectrum of social awareness among youth.”
Entries were evaluated by Mason Korea’s Computer Game Design faculty and external experts for social impact, quality, creativity, and artistic merit.
The top prize in the middle/high school division was awarded to Hyunbi Kim of Korea Animation High School for the project "Have You Seen the Southern Land?" while Yoonsik Kang of Sejong University took first place in the university division with "Omniscient."
All winners received cash prizes. Middle and high school awardees also earned a certificate from the superintendent of the Incheon Metropolitan Office of Education and a $2,000 scholarship (USD) upon admission to Mason Korea.
“This competition has created a meaningful platform for students and the public to engage with Korea’s evolving social issues,” said Joshua Park, campus dean of Mason Korea. “Through our Computer Game Design Program and Korea Serious Game Institute, Mason Korea delivers a distinctive practice-based education. We remain committed to strengthening collaborations with academic, industry, and public-sector partners to serve as a trusted global hub for innovation and learning.”