Shinjang High School Theater Club Wins Grand Prize at Hanam Youth Drama Festival
Seven distinct honors, including the top group award, went to the Shinjang High School theater club “Poker Face” at the 16th Hanam Youth Drama Festival, vision21.kr reported on November 6, 2026. The troupe claimed the group grand prize with their original production titled Mirror.
Original Play Explores Youth Concerns on Stage
The award-winning work Mirror was written by a third-year student identified in the report by the surname Kwon. The production centers on the perspectives and worries of teenagers, capturing their daily experiences on stage. To build the production, students handled everything from script analysis and acting to directing, stage design, sound engineering, and prop preparation. Rehearsals continued across weekdays and weekends.
Individual Honors Recognize Behind-the-Scenes Roles
Alongside the group grand prize, the production earned six individual citations. A student with the surname Cho won the individual acting grand prize, while Kim received the top acting prize, and Uhm secured the excellence acting award. Additional honors went to Jang for sound design, and Kwon for directing as well as receiving a civic merit commendation.
Theater club faculty advisor Kwak noted that the students balanced their regular coursework with rigorous rehearsals. Baek Siyan, a lead instructor who has coached the club for three years, stated that the experience helped students discover their own potential and learn the value of collaboration. Shinjang High School, led by Principal Hwang Jeong-suk, plans to continue funding cultural and arts programs that foster student creativity and teamwork.
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