Korea Zinc selects Baek Hyun, Yun I-rang as 2026 Metalsmith of the Year

Korea Zinc announced Tuesday that it has selected Baek Hyun and Yun I-rang as the final recipients of the 2026 Metalsmith of the Year award.

The Metalsmith of the Year award was established in 2013 to support the creative work of talented metal craftspeople and promote the development of metal craft in South Korea. Korea Zinc has sponsored the award every year and has directly organized it since 2023.

Korea Zinc accepted applications for the 2026 award from Sept. 4 to Sept. 8. Eligibility was open to metal craft or jewelry artists who hold South Korean citizenship and are 45 or younger, with active work over the past decade — either as individuals or teams.

The award's jury conducted a roughly month-long selection process comprising a first round of document screening followed by a final round of portfolio review and interviews. Based on applicants' portfolios, activity records and physical works, the jury selected Baek and Yun as the final recipients.

Baek has produced works distinguished by organic curved surfaces using traditional sheet-metal forming techniques, while Yun has presented pieces that balance restrained form with practical utility through refined craftsmanship. Both artists were recognized for upholding the values of traditional metal craft while consistently exploring contemporary form.

Korea Zinc will present each winner with a prize of 10 million won ($7,460) and a special exhibition. The awards ceremony and exhibition opening are scheduled for Dec. 1 at Yéol in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The special exhibition runs through Dec. 6 and is open to the public.

"We extend our congratulations to Baek Hyun and Yun I-rang, who have built their own distinctive artistic worlds while carrying on the values of traditional metal craft," a Korea Zinc official said. "We will continue to support talented metal craftspeople so they can focus on their creative work and grow, and we will work to advance Korean metal craft and broaden its reach."

Meanwhile, Korea Zinc has been carrying out a range of corporate social responsibility initiatives, including a recent biodiversity conservation effort in which it joined the National Institute of Ecology, the Korea National Park Service and local citizen scientists to release 90 artificially bred larvae of the endangered tiger beetle species into their natural habitat within Taean Haean National Park.