Alumnus Captures 2025 World Press Photo Award
Jae C. Hong ’06 (Photojournalism), staff photojournalist for the Associated Press, in April won the 2025 World Press Photo Award in the Singles (single-frame photograph) category for the Asia-Pacific and Oceania region, for a photograph that captured the emotional reunion between a woman and her Korean birth father after a 40-year separation.
In the image, entitled “Korea Adoption Fraud,” published May 31, 2024, Nicole Motta wipes away tears as her birth father, Jang Dae-chang, cries as he faces the opposite way.
“The photo was inspired by seeing adoptees returning to Korea to find their biological families,” said Hong, who was notified of his win April 17. “Nicole’s story was very personal and emotional, showing the challenges faced by adoptees due to adoption fraud. Covering a story like this requires sensitivity and patience because portraying people respectfully is important.”
It was Hong’s first time winning the World Press Photo Contest. “This win motivates me to continue telling important stories and giving a voice to people who need to be heard,” he said.
Hong credits CSUN with laying the foundation for his photojournalism career, particularly the supportive faculty and creative environment he found there. The university’s strong Department of Journalism within the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication — especially the writing courses and work on The Daily Sundial staff — helped Hong build essential storytelling and collaboration skills and offered valuable real-world experience, he said.
“[CSUN] was a great place where teachers really cared about their students, encouraging us to think creatively and understand the world better,” he said. “My time there gave me confidence and taught me how to tell powerful stories through photography.”
Looking back on his time as a Matador, the award-winning photographer considered what he would tell his younger self, as an aspiring photojournalist.
“Don’t be afraid to ask questions or make mistakes. Every challenge you face is an opportunity to learn and grow,” he said. “Stay curious and open minded — it will help you in everything you do.”
The post Alumnus Captures 2025 World Press Photo Award first appeared on CSUN Newsroom.
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