New Wave of Young Koreans in Classical Music

The Korea National University of Arts celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, and during the last two decades the school has achieved great success.
Most of the recent finalists and winners of international music competitions have come from KNUA.
For example, four of the five Korean finalists at the Queen Elizabeth Music Competition in 2010, were from this university.
In fact, the school produced 17 of the award winners at 13 different international music competitions in this year alone.
22-year old Chyung Han-bin, a senior at the arts university, says quality classes and talented classmates are some of the school's strengths.

[Interview : Chyung Han-bin, Student Korea National University of Arts] "Everyone works so hard here, so if you don't put in your best effort you just feel ashamed of yourself. We are used to giving each other feedback and that's part of the great strength of this school".

The university also runs a prep school called the Korea National Institute for the Gifted in Arts.
The school is focused on identifying talented people at an early age.
16-year old Mun Ji-yeong is one of the students there.
She won the first prize at this year's Ettlingen International Competition in Germany, one of the world's most prestigious piano contests for musicians under 20.

[Interview : Mun Ji-yeong, Student Korea National Institute for the Gifted in Arts] "I've been taking lessons every week, which has helped me a lot in developing my musicality".

17-year old Yang In-mo, who won fourth place at this year's Joseph Joachim International Violin Competition Hannover in Germany, was a student at the Korea National Institute for many years before entering the university.

[Interview : Yang In-mo, Student Korea National University of Arts] "I think my music changed a great deal after I began taking lessons at the institute".

Private foundations have also lent their support to young musicians.
The Kumho Asiana Cultural Foundation has supported young talents since 1998, by selecting about a hundred young musicians every year and inviting them to give a solo recital at the Kumho Art Hall.

[Interview : Park Sun-hee, Chief Manager Kumho Asiana Cultural Foundation] "The recitals are a precious first experience for young artists to present themselves to audiences as professionals. We've seen that these young people draw a lot of motivation from the opportunity and the experience provides a strong foundation for their career".

The ability to identify talent at an early age has contributed to the increase in young talent from Korea, in addition to the strength of the Korean economy, which has made music more accessible, and the education system.
Park Ji-won, Arirang News.

Advertisement

Reporter : jiwonpark@arirang.co.kr