The third KCTV Multicultural Awards were given out at a ceremony here at company headquarters last week. Here’s Joseph Kim with profiles of some of the winners.

18 years ago, 하시구찌 가스미, a Japanese woman married a Korean man.

Living with her husband’s parents in a thatched-roof house, she started her newlywed life.

Sometimes she couldn’t help crying at the bug infested squat toilet, but her positive attitude has made her to be the best wife and daughter-in-law now.

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Hashiguchi Kasmi / Award winner
It was warm and cozy sleeping in the thatched-roof house. During the winter, my mother-in-law heated the house by burning firewood in the kitchen.
<씽크 : 하시구찌 가스미/결혼이주여성>
"초가집에서 잠을 자는 것도 왠지 편안한 느낌이 들었습니다. 겨울이 되면 저녁에 어머님은 부엌에 가셔서 나무로 불을 때고, 구들방을
----------수퍼체인지------
따뜻하게 데워주셨습니다."

하시구찌 가스미 won the top prize for the KCTV public essay contest.
Multicultural families face obstacles on a daily basis, from language and communication barriers to prejudice against foreigners.

After experiencing ups and downs, people who have settled down in Jeju gathered together in the third KCTV multicultural awards ceremony and public essay contest.

A Chinese woman, Cho Ok-ran received the grand prize, as she has made a model family, overcoming prejudices as an ethnic Korean raised in China. Despite the difficulties she faced, she went to graduate school and got a job.

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Cho Ok-ran / Award winner
I have worked hard to overcome my struggles living in Korea and I am proud of myself. I consider this a reward for my endeavors.
<씽크 : 조옥란/결혼이주여성>
"한국에 와서 나름대로 열심히 살았다고 자부합니다. (이번 대상은) 열심히 산 대가라고 생각합니다."

Understanding and loving different cultures, 오원종 and 고은희 received the happy family prize and 혼다 테쯔로 received the special contribution prize.

As examples of good students, Heo Seung-ho and Lee Yoo-jeong who are from multicultural families, received the promising future prize.

Not only diligent in his studies, Seung-ho is also a member of the school handball team. He expressed his gratitude to those who have supported him.

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Heo Seung-ho / Award winner
I am very happy that I pleased my parents.
<현장 씽크 : 허승호/다문화 가정 자녀>
"기분이 좋고요. 부모님께 기쁨을 드려서 기분이 더욱 좋습니다."

At the KCTV multicultural awards ceremony and public essay contest, multicultural families who have overcome difficulties living in Korea found strength and support with each other, sharing a common story.

Joseph Kim KCTV