The contest was held by the K-Book Promotion Association and publishers from March to November 2020. Participants were to read and write an essay on Sohn Won-pyung’s Almond, Baik Sou Linne’s Chamdamhan bit (참담한 빛 Wretched Light), Choi In-hun’s The Square, Pyun Hye Young’s Evening Proposal, Park Min-gyu’s Double Side A and B, Kim Hye-jin’s Jungangyeok (중앙역 Central Station), I Hyeon’s Geu yeoreumui Seoul (그 여름의 서울 Seoul That Summer), or Jeong Soyeon’s My Neighbor Younghee. Of the 23 participants, six (one first prize, one second prize, and four publisher prize winners) received awards.