Q. What are the format and time limits for short-form and long-form videos?
A. There are no restrictions on video format. Short-form videos must be 60 seconds or less, and long-form videos must be between 2 minutes and 3 minutes 30 seconds.

Q. Can I apply to multiple fields in the Speaking Category? What about the Pronunciation Category?
A. You may apply to only one field in the Speaking Category (either short-form or long-form). However, you may also apply to the Pronunciation Category even if you applied to the Speaking Category. If one participant is selected as a winner in both categories, the award will be granted only for the category with the higher prize amount, and duplicate awards will not be given.

Q. How is the internship candidate selected?
A. One winner who is currently enrolled in a university (or graduate school) in Korea will be selected from the winners of the Speaking and Pronunciation categories for a The Korea Times Summer Internship. Interviews will be conducted with winners who wish to apply, and the final selected candidate will work as an intern for approximately two months.

Q. What cases will result in a deduction of points?
A. Points will be deducted only in the following cases:
· Short-form video exceeds 1 minute, or long-form video is under 2 minutes or exceeds 3 minutes 30 seconds
· Reading directly from a script while filming (except for the Pronunciation Category)
· Excessive cut editing that is deemed to interfere with evaluation
· Using an AI-generated voice in the video

Q. Can we apply as a team?
A. Yes. Team applications are allowed for up to three (3) people, and all team members must appear in the video. Each member must also submit an individual application form.

Q. How is a team’s score calculated?
A. The team’s speaking score is calculated as the average of the individual scores of all members. For example, if A scores 90 and B scores 70, the team score will be 80.

Q. Can I apply with my face covered?
A. Applications with a covered face (e.g., wearing a mask) are allowed only for religious or personal reasons. However, if you are shortlisted as a potential winner, you may be required to complete an additional identity verification and Korean proficiency confirmation process by revealing your face to the organizers only, to ensure a fair evaluation.

Q. What is the deadline for video submission?
A. The submission deadline is 11:59 p.m. (KST) on May 7 (Thursday).

Q. Is attendance at the award ceremony mandatory?
A. Yes. Attendance is mandatory. Participants residing in Korea must attend in person, and participants residing overseas must attend online. If you cannot attend due to unavoidable circumstances, your award may be revoked.

Q. Do winners need to submit additional documents?
A. Yes. Winners must submit supporting documents and required information for prize payment. If any false or fraudulent information is found, the winner’s eligibility will be revoked.

Q. When and how can I receive the Certificate of Participation?
A. Certificates will be sent in a batch via Gmail in June, after the award ceremony, to applicants who requested them. If you entered an incorrect email address on the application or cannot receive Gmail, it may be difficult to receive the certificate individually. We appreciate your understanding.

Q. What happens in cases of plagiarism or copyright issues?
A. In the event of plagiarism or copyright infringement (including plagiarism from other speaking contests), all responsibility (including legal disputes) rests with the participant, and the award may be revoked even after winners are announced.