This week, South Korea’s weather agency launched its seventh annual climate awareness campaign with a creative twist: the “달콤기후” contest, a play on words blending sweet and spicy flavors to represent the dual nature of climate change science. Organized by the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), the initiative invites citizens to express their understanding of greenhouse gases, climate impacts and future weather patterns through art, poetry, and short videos—including a modern category for AI-generated content.
The contest, officially titled the 7th KMA “Dalcum Climate” Competition, runs from April 23 to June 12, 2026, and is open to all South Korean nationals. Participants can submit entries in three main categories: design (including drawings and calligraphy), storytelling (specifically four-line poems or 사행시), and video (short-form content, now expanded to include generative AI-assisted productions). According to the KMA’s official announcement, the theme encourages personal reflections on climate change experiences, hopeful messages for action, and innovative interpretations of the term “달콤기후”—which the agency defines as a shorthand for the dual potential of climate science to bring either benefit or harm depending on how actively it is applied.
Dr. Mi-seon Lee, Administrator of the Korea Meteorological Administration, emphasized that the contest aims to deepen public engagement with climate science by making it accessible and expressive. “We want people to not just learn about climate change, but to feel it, interpret it, and share their own stories through creative formats,” the agency stated in its press release. This year’s addition of an AI video category reflects broader efforts to integrate emerging technologies into science communication, particularly among younger audiences.
Entries will be evaluated through a two-step process: expert review followed by public verification. A total of 40 works will be selected for awards, including the Grand Prize (Minister of Climate, Energy, and Environment Award), Excellent Prize (KMA Administrator Award), and several honorable mentions across categories. Winners will be announced on July 22, 2026, and featured on the KMA’s official website, climate information portal, and the national communication platform Sotong24.
The contest is coordinated by the KMA’s Climate Change Monitoring Division, with inquiries directed to the official organizing committee at 070-7039-4373. Submission guidelines and promotional materials are available on kma.go.kr, climate.go.kr, and sotong.go.kr. As of April 24, 2026, the campaign is actively promoted across the agency’s digital channels, including social media platforms where regional weather updates continue to be shared alongside contest announcements.
By framing climate science through familiar cultural concepts like taste and creativity, the KMA’s Dalcum Climate Competition represents a growing trend in environmental outreach: using local language, humor, and artistic expression to bridge the gap between technical data and public understanding. Whether through a brushstroke, a poem, or a 15-second AI-generated clip, participants are invited to contribute to a national conversation about what our changing climate means—not just scientifically, but personally.
For those interested in participating, official rules, submission forms, and past winners can be accessed through the KMA’s contest portal. Updates on the judging timeline and winner announcements will be posted regularly on the agency’s news section leading up to the July 22 results date.
Have you taken part in a climate awareness campaign that used art or storytelling to make science feel personal? Share your experience in the comments below, and consider passing this along to anyone who believes creative expression can help us better understand the planet we share.