Lee Uk-bae’s Reinterpretation of Korean Folklore Wins Top Honor at BolognaRagazzi Awards

South Korean illustrator Lee Uk-bae wins the prestigious BolognaRagazzi Award in the Fables category for his contemporary retelling of a classic sun and moon folktale.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 2, 2026, 12:02 PM EDT

Source: The Korea Times

A Modern Lens on Traditional Korean Aesthetics

Lee Uk-bae, 66, is widely recognized for his ability to weave traditional Korean art styles and humor into narratives that resonate with modern sensibilities. "The Story of a Brother and a Sister" provides a contemporary reinterpretation of one of Korea's most famous folktales—the story of two siblings who escape a predatory tiger by ascending to the heavens on a rope, eventually becoming the sun and the moon. By winning in the Fables and Fairy Tales category, Lee has demonstrated that culturally specific narratives can achieve universal appeal through high-quality illustration and sophisticated storytelling.

Strategic Recognition in a Global Market

The BolognaRagazzi Award is often referred to as the "Nobel Prize of children's publishing," and Lee’s victory serves as a significant endorsement of the Korean "K-Picture Book" brand. The selection committee’s decision to focus on fairy tales in 2026 provided a unique platform for Lee’s work to stand out against thousands of global entries. This recognition is expected to trigger a surge in international rights deals for Lee’s catalog, particularly in European and North American markets where high-concept, culturally diverse picture books are currently in high demand.

Personal Reflection and Professional Milestone

Upon receiving news of the win, Lee expressed a "flood of complex emotions," noting that the book’s success mirrors the broader, often difficult journey of the Korean picture book industry. His social media statement touched upon the "ups and downs" faced by authors in a niche market, framing the award not just as a personal victory but as a validation of the resilience of South Korean creators. The official ceremony is scheduled for April during the Bologna Children’s Book Fair in Italy, where Lee will represent the vanguard of Korean illustrative art.