Contest (gongmojeon)

Meaning

A contest is an event that collects manuscripts within a set period, judges them and awards prizes or contracts. The large web novel contests are run by platforms (Munpia, KakaoPage, Naver Series, Novelpia); publishers, broadcasters and local governments run others. There are two formats: submission contests, where a finished manuscript is entered, and serialization contests, where the work is posted on the platform during the contest window and judged on reader response as well as by a panel. Korean web novel contests are mostly the latter. Eligibility often carries a length condition such as "30 episodes or 120,000 characters", and grand prizes run from tens of millions of won into the hundreds of millions. Drama script contests are run by broadcasters and producers and ask for one or two episodes plus a synopsis.

Why it matters

A contest is the fastest route into official serialization for a newcomer. Even without winning, performance during the contest window often leads to scouting. Preparation has two keys. First, read the rules: genre restrictions, length, completion status, whether previously published work is allowed, and AI-use policy. Since 2025 to 2026, many major contests have stated that manuscripts produced with generative AI are excluded from judging or have awards revoked, and some require an AI-detection report. A writer who used AI anywhere in the process must check the exact wording ("no AI use" versus "no AI-generated manuscripts"). Second, contest serialization is decided early. Judges and readers both make up their minds within the first five episodes.

Example

Rules checklist (example)

• Genre: fantasy, martial arts, modern fantasy; romance fantasy excluded → my work qualifies
• Length: 30+ episodes or 120,000+ characters within the window → 15 in reserve + 15 during
• Publication history: unreleased on other platforms only → free-board posts must be deleted; rules confirm "eligible after deletion"
• AI: "manuscripts using generative AI are excluded" → the word is "using". Ask the organizer whether brainstorming counts
• Adaptation rights: winners grant the organizer a right of first negotiation → not exclusivity, confirmed

Checking five lines took thirty minutes, and those thirty minutes prevented a disqualification.

Common mistakes

• Not reading the rules. Most disqualifications are for insufficient length, prior publication or AI-policy violations. All of it is in the rules.
• Improvising a new work for the contest. Writing thirty episodes during the window with no reserve produces weak episodes. At least half in advance.
• Aiming only at the prize. The real yield of contest serialization is readers and scouts. The report card remains even without a win.