Byeolsan, Joayong, Boogi and Seochi Win Grand Prizes at 2025 Character Awards

Characters from local governments and public institutions won a series of grand prizes at the 2025 Korea Character Awards in November 2025. News of the awards came out one after another between Nov. 25 and Dec. 1.

Yangju's Byeolsan and Yongin's Joayong

Byeolsan, the social media character of Yangju City, Gyeonggi Province, won a grand prize after scoring high in creativity, popularity, industrial value and global potential. Byeolsan was created in 2022 and has passed 80,000 YouTube subscribers. Yangju City has held events built around Byeolsan, including the first Yangju City Nationwide High School Chef Competition, the Byeolsan Run (a running event) and Byeolsan hikes on Bulgoksan Mountain. Joayong of Yongin Special City, Gyeonggi Province, also won a grand prize at the same awards.

Seoul's DIDIMI in Dongdaemun and Seochi in Seodaemun

DIDIMI, the character of Dongdaemun District, Seoul, won a grand prize. DIDIMI also released a 2025 version of its KakaoTalk emoticons. Seochi, the character of Seodaemun District, also won a grand prize. An inflatable Seochi sculpture at the Hongje Waterfall cultural complex has become a popular photo spot.

Busan's Boogi and Gwangju Metropolitan City

Boogi, the character of Busan Metropolitan City, won a grand prize. On Boogi Town, a Naver Smart Store shop, 16 companies have listed about 200 products, and collaboration packages with Lotte and Nongshim have also come out. Along with Boogi, Busan's characters include Dori, Bori and Bukangi. Gwangju Metropolitan City also won a grand prize. Gwangju won an excellence award at a local government and public character festival in September, followed by the grand prize in November. Gwangju's characters include Bitdori and Bitnayeong.

Teachers' Pension's Yeongomi

Teachers' Pension (Korea Teachers' Pension) developed new characters Yeongomi, Yeonkobi, Rungi and Dungsil to mark its 50th anniversary. Yeongomi, its new lead character for the 50th anniversary, received a grand prize honor at the 2025 Korea Character Awards. The agency said it plans to expand new content and campaign collaborations with public institutions.

Six of the seven award-winning characters on record are local government characters. Their activities varied, from YouTube and events to emoticons, sculptures and collaboration products.