Hanyang University's An Won-bi wins the overall Grand Prix at the Korea International Contemporary Dance Competition

[Financial News] Hanyang University said on the 8th that An Won-bi, a student in its Department of Dance and a member of the 2023 cohort, won the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award after taking the overall Grand Prix at the 2026 Korea International Contemporary Dance Competition.
The overall Grand Prix is the competition's highest award and is given to just one of the gold medalists across all categories. An followed her gold medal in the senior women's division with the overall Grand Prix, a remarkable achievement. The prize money is 2.5 million won.
The winning work, 'Unnatural,' was choreographed by An herself. It portrays, through the physical expression of contemporary dance, how in modern society—where people are compared with others and consumed—norms and reason take precedence over instinct and emotion, and human movement gradually becomes unnatural and uniform. The work was praised for showcasing not only technical polish but also An's distinctive style and movement.
“While preparing the piece, I studied deeply ‘the person I am,’ and through that process I was able to grow and find my own style,” An said. “I sincerely thank the professors and instructors in the Department of Dance who did their best to guide me, the seniors, juniors and classmates who prepared with me, and my parents.”
The competition's final round, co-hosted by the Korea Dance Association and the Cheonan Foundation for Arts and Culture, was held at the Cheonan Arts Center from September 28 to 30. Hanyang University's Department of Dance student Shin Seo-jin also received the Cheonan Mayor's Award, while Na Won-a received the Organizing Committee Chairperson's Award. 

[email protected] Kim Man-gi Reporter