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.
Pianist Lim Yun-chan donates 100 mil. won to support pediatric patients
Pianist Lim Yun-chan / Courtesy of Daewon Cultural Foundation
By Anna J. Park
Renowned Korean pianist Lim Yun-chan and his management agency, Moc Production, donated 100 million won ($72,500) to Seoul’s Catholic Medical Center to help support the treatment of pediatric patients.
The Catholic Medical Center, which is affiliated with the Catholic University of Korea, said earlier this week that the donation was made at Lim’s request and is intended to be used entirely for the treatment of pediatric patients.
In accordance with Lim’s wishes, the hospital has established the "J.S. Bach Fund," named after the composer whose piece Lim performed. The fund will be dedicated to supporting the treatment of critically ill children.
The donation came from the proceeds of Lim’s sold-out solo recital series in Korea, held March 23-25 at the Aram Nuri Arts Center in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, north of Seoul.
Lee Hwa-sung, president of the Catholic Medical Center, expressed gratitude for the donation.
"We hope this donation will provide support to children and families who face obstacles to receiving proper treatment in difficult circumstances. We will ensure that the fund is managed transparently and in full accordance with the donor’s intentions,” Lee said.
Moc Production also emphasized that the donation reflects Lim’s personal commitment to giving back through his artistry.
"This donation, driven entirely by Lim Yunchan’s own will, exemplifies how artistic endeavors can be transformed into a force for public good," the agency stated.
Born in 2004, Lim rose to global fame in 2022 when he became the youngest-ever winner of the prestigious Van Cliburn International Piano Competition at the age of 18. He signed an exclusive contract with British label Decca Records in October 2023 and released a complete recording of Chopin’s Etudes as his debut album. In 2024, Lim won both the Gramophone Classical Music Award in the piano category and the Young Artist of the Year award for his debut album.