Andong mask dance festival opens entries for 2026 TaLooK costume contest

The Andong International Mask Dance Festival is accepting applications for the 2026 TaLooK Contest, a costume competition to be held Oct. 4 at Mask Dance Park in Andong.

Held under this year's festival theme "Memories of the Mask, a Dance for All," the contest invites participants to blend traditional masks with contemporary clothing in a creative showcase aimed at reimagining mask culture.

Applications are open until 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 20 and must be submitted by email.

Applicants must submit an entry form, a personal information consent form, and front, left-side, right-side and rear photographs of themselves wearing their contest outfit.

The contest is open to all ages. Participants may use traditional masks or original handcrafted designs, and there are no restrictions on costume style — entries are encouraged to reflect each participant's own ideas and personality. Teams of up to two people are permitted.

The total purse is 7.9 million won ($5,830), with prizes awarded to 20 teams. The grand prize winner receives 2 million won, followed by a gold prize of 1 million won, silver prizes for two teams at 800,000 won each, bronze prizes for three teams at 500,000 won each, merit awards for five teams at 200,000 won each, and participation prizes for eight teams at 100,000 won each.

Full contest details and application forms are available on the Korea Jeongsin Cultural Foundation website and the Andong YMCA blog. Inquiries may be directed to the Andong YMCA.

"This contest will be an open stage showing that mask dance is not an art form reserved for performers on a stage, but something all of us can enjoy," said Kwon Jae-hwan, a team leader at the Korea Jeongsin Cultural Foundation. "We hope many people with creative ideas for reinterpreting tradition will take interest and participate."