Anna Jiwon Park has been covering the politics at The Korea Times since the summer of 2024, when she joined the press pool for the Office of the President in Korea. Prior to that, she spent about five years reporting extensively on financial markets, regulatory authorities and the financial industry. She joined The Korea Times in 2019 after spending eight years as a broadcast journalist at Arirang TV, Korea’s leading global broadcaster, covering politics, defense and culture.
Star soprano Sumi Jo dedicates new album 'Mother' to all mothers
Sumi Jo and Federico Paciotti speak during a press conference held at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas in southern Seoul, Tuesday. Paciotti performs duets with Jo during her concert tour of Korea. Courtesy of SMI
By Anna J. Park
By Anna J. Park
Grammy Award-winning soprano Sumi Jo has returned with her newest album “Mother” and unveiled her tour schedule in Korea.
“This album is dedicated to all the mothers in the world,” Jo, 56, said during a press conference in Seoul, Tuesday. “I always hoped to make an album for mothers and finally I found the courage to do it. The 13 songs come not only from the classical music genre, but also from crossover and traditional Korean minyo songs."
“It was particularly hard to choose only 13 songs out of the countless musical pieces about mothers out there. I wanted to make an album through which everyone in the world could feel a mother's warmth as they listen to it, so I included traditional songs from Poland and Scotland as well.”
Jo said the album is special to her. Her mother, who discovered and nurtured Jo's musical talent from an early age, cannot recognize her anymore due to dementia.
“Since my mother cannot recognize me, it feels like she's going further away day by day,” Jo said. “So I hoped to dedicate this album to her. But it's not only for my mother, this is for all mothers out there who sacrifice their dreams and lives for their children.”
Sumi Jo speaks during a press conference held at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas in southern Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of SMI
Jo recounted that her mother was very passionate and strict about her music lessons, because it was her mother's long-cherished dream to become a soprano.
“From when I was very young, my mother always told me that I should be a great soprano, a dream she couldn't pursue due to marriage,” Jo said. “I heard her saying this to me two to three times a day.
“One day, when I was eight, I suddenly perceived her as a woman, not as my mother, who was living a very sad life. I mean, her married life was happy, but her personal life seemed to miss something, because she couldn't make her dream come true. I wanted to help her achieve her dream through me. She properly saw the musical talent in me, that's why she poured her dream into me. At that time, I couldn't understand her, but now I know that if she leaves me some day, she will be someone I will miss the most in the world.”
Remembering her mother's intense love, Jo included her favorite song, written by Dvorak in 1880, “Songs My Mother Taught Me.”
“It is a very famous music piece that my mother liked a lot,” Jo said. “I have already recorded this song on a previous album, but I recorded it again for this album in Prague with the Czech National Symphony Orchestra. It was amazing how wonderfully they performed. I am grateful that I can present good music to my mother.”
Sumi Jo speaks during a press conference held at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas in southern Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of SMI
She said she was particularly proud to create the album, as it came from her own love, too.
“You know I couldn't become a mother myself,” Jo said. “But I always carry this very big love with me, just like that of all mothers. I always perform with that love inside me to give it out to audiences and the people around me. I hope my music is something that oozes love.”
Her concert tour in Korea has begun. It covers eight cities, including Daegu, Busan and Jeju, wrapping up in Seoul, May 8, which is Parents' Day in Korea. She hopes her concerts will be places where audience members can strengthen their love of family.
Sumi Jo speaks during a press conference held at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas in southern Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of SMI
After the concerts in Korea, Jo will continue on a packed world schedule. She has a vocal recital at Wigmore Hall in London, May 12, followed by concerts and master classes in various places, including Japan, Norway and Italy. She will also perform with Andrea Bocelli in September in Italy.
Jo said she has now entered a new phase of life, where she is more focused on social activities that can benefit others, like giving master classes or being a judge at vocal competitions.
“After becoming famous with my opera work, I did a lot of solo recitals of my own,” Jo said. “Now I see that I have entered a phase of engaging in more social work. I love to devote my talents for good causes and especially want to be a help for young people.”
Sumi Jo. Courtesy of SMI