KB Financial Group held a top prize ceremony on Nov. 25 at Kookmin Bank’s new Yeouido building for its Rewriting Daehan Is Alive lyric contest marking the 80th anniversary of Liberation.

The campaign is a project to create a song that the public can sing together by adding lyrics written by citizens to a melody by music director Jung Jae-il. KB Financial selected the entry by university student Han Seong-il as the top work for capturing the historical context of Liberation in authentic, modern language. It awarded the top prize and 8,150,000 won in lyric fees.

KB Financial reviewed 2,135 submissions received from Aug. 14 to Oct. 13. It chose the final winning entry after a first review and survey by employees and a final evaluation by Professor Seo Kyung-duk, artist Lee Sang-soon and a 31-member public panel.

The winning work received high marks for its message of hope, its singable rhythm and its creativity in linking daily life to historical value. It conveyed the idea that ordinary life today reflects the earnest dreams of those who devoted everything to independence, giving a strong impression to judges and the public panel.

KB Financial plans to release an official track with the new lyrics and a commemorative video on March 1 next year for the 107th anniversary of the March 1 Independence Movement.

A KB Financial official said the contest showed that although people remember history in different ways, the desire to carry on its spirit remains unchanged. The official said the campaign aims to become a small link that awakens memories through song and conveys the breath of Liberation to ordinary people today.