Jung-Hwa Arts College Launches Inaugural ‘Manhwagyeong’ Cosplay Festival

Jung-Hwa Arts College officially hosted its first annual cosplay festival, “Manhwagyeong,” on June 22, 2026, at its Daehak-ro campus. The event featured competitive performances from 14 student teams and highlighted the intersection of digital media, visual design, and pop culture performance. The festival serves as a platform for students in the Department of Convergence Arts to showcase their technical skills in character design and stage production.

What Defined the Inaugural ‘Manhwagyeong’ Festival?

The festival, whose name translates to “kaleidoscope,” was designed to reflect the college’s identity by gathering diverse artistic talents into a single, cohesive showcase. According to Jung-Hwa Arts College, the event was organized to integrate the specialized curricula of its visual design, webtoon animation, and game graphics departments. The competition required participants to present original interpretations of characters from webtoons, animations, and video games. A panel of judges, including professional cosplay creator Myboo, evaluated the teams based on costume craftsmanship, character portrayal, and stage direction.

Who Won the Competition?

The top honors were awarded to a team of students from the webtoon animation department: Baek Hee-won, Jang Yun-seul, and Jeong Da-eun (class of 2026). The winning trio noted that the preparation process—which involved collaborative character development—was as significant as the final performance. Following the stage competition, participants held a public cosplay parade near Marronnier Park, allowing students to engage directly with the local Daehak-ro community while in character.

How Does the Festival Support Creative Education?

The festival is part of a broader push by the college to connect student work with the local cultural infrastructure of Daehak-ro. Kang Min-ji, department chair for Visual Design, Webtoon, and Game Graphics, stated that the event serves as a practical application of the students’ academic training. In addition to the cosplay competition, the college hosted a flea market and an international exchange exhibition titled “SPECTRUM” at the Jung-Hwa Space. This exhibition, which remains open until June 29, 2026, features collaborative works from students at Jung-Hwa Arts College alongside peers from institutions in Japan and China.

Event Quick Facts

• Date: June 22, 2026
• Location: Jung-Hwa Arts College, Daehak-ro Campus
• Participants: 14 student teams
• Key Judge: Cosplay creator Myboo (430,000 YouTube subscribers)
• Supporting Organizations: Ministry of the Interior and Safety; Korea Social Contribution Association

The transition from classroom-based learning to public-facing festivals reflects a growing trend in arts education where institutions leverage pop culture events to increase student visibility. By integrating international exchanges like the “SPECTRUM” exhibition with localized events like the cosplay parade, the college aims to provide students with a multifaceted portfolio of creative experiences.