Proud Dad Moment: Our Unexpected Grand Prize at the 27th Chungbuk 119 Fire Children’s Song Contest!

Hey everyone! 👋

June 23rd, 2026, became one of the most unforgettable days for our family. My eldest daughter participated in the 27th Chungbuk 119 Fire Children’s Song Contest (제27회 충북 119소방동요 경연대회) held at the Chungcheongbuk-do Education and Culture Center in Cheongju.

As a proud dad of three girls, I just had to share this heartwarming, thrilling, and completely unexpected story on our blog today!

💇‍♂️ Morning Jitters and Dad’s Special Hairstyling

The competition was divided into Kindergarten and Elementary school divisions, with a total of 19 teams (9 kindergarten and 10 elementary teams) from all over the province competing.

From the moment she woke up, my eldest daughter was incredibly nervous. She kept telling me, “Dad, don’t expect too much. As long as we don’t finish in last place, I’ll be happy!”

Despite her worries, she took the stage very seriously. Before heading out, she requested a special favor: “Dad, my hair cannot get messy during the performance. Please tie it back tightly and make sure it stays put!” So, I stepped up as her personal hairstylist for the day, pulling her hair back securely and freezing it perfectly in place with hairspray.

🏃‍♂️ Taking a Half-Day Off to Cheer Her On

To make sure I didn’t miss her big moment, I talked to my manager at work and took a half-day afternoon off. I rushed straight to the grand auditorium at the Chungbuk Education and Culture Center. The energy in the hall was amazing, with around 700 students, teachers, and parents cheering loudly.

Watching her up on stage, singing her heart out with her school choir, made me so proud. Her hair didn’t budge a bit, thanks to my morning styling session!

🏆 The Shocking Twist: We Won the Grand Prize (Daesang)!

After all 19 teams finished their incredible performances, it was time for the award ceremony.

They started calling out names for the participation awards, bronze, silver, and gold medals. As more and more schools were announced, my daughter’s school name was still nowhere to be heard. My heart began to sink. I thought, “Oh no, did they not place at all?”

But then came the final announcement for the Grand Prize (Daesang – 영예의 대상)…

And to our absolute shock, they called her school! 🎉🏆

My daughter, who was worried about finishing last, won the highest honor, the Chungcheongbuk-do Governor’s Award (충청북도지사상)! It turned out her elementary division team scored the highest in vocal talent, performance completion, and creativity.

✈️ Next Stop: The National Competition in September!

By winning the Grand Prize, her school has officially earned the privilege to represent Chungcheongbuk-do at the National 119 Fire Children’s Song Contest.

The national finals will take place over two days starting on September 16th at the Gwangju Art Center. We went from hoping not to be last to preparing for a national stage!

It was a day full of emotions—nervousness, pride, and ultimate joy. I am so glad I took that half-day off to witness this beautiful core memory. Way to go, my amazing girl! Dad is so incredibly proud of you. ❤️

🤖 119 Fire Children’s Song Contest: Quick FAQ

Q1: What is the purpose of the 119 Fire Children’s Song Contest? A: Hosted by the Fire Headquarters, the contest aims to help children naturally learn safety awareness, fire prevention rules, and the importance of daily safety through cheerful, easy-to-remember songs.

Q2: How are the performances judged in this competition? A: A panel of experts evaluates the teams based on three main criteria: Vocal Talent / Singing Ability (40 points), Performance Completion (30 points), and On-stage Creativity (30 points).

Q3: What happens to the Grand Prize winners of the provincial round? A: The Grand Prize (Daesang) winners from both the Kindergarten and Elementary divisions receive the Governor’s Award and qualify to represent their province at the National Competition held in September.