INTERVIEW 'My music has no meaning, only sound': 19-year-old composer Lee Hanurij

Composer Lee Hanurij poses after an interview at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Friday. Korea Times photo by Hong In-ki

Korean composing prodigy Lee Hanurij, born in 2006, is quickly gaining recognition for his abstract, sound-driven compositions that challenge expectations.

From pianist Lim Yun-chan’s recent recitals in Korea and abroad to upcoming performances by the Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra, his works are being featured at some of the country’s most high-profile classical events.

In an interview held at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts on May 23, the 19-year-old shared his artistic philosophy: “I don’t compose to express a meaning or concept. I’m more interested in exploring the intrinsic possibilities of each instrument and the acoustic relationships between them.”

Lee began his musical journey at the age of 4, learning piano and violin. A turning point came in elementary school when he first heard the second movement of Scriabin’s "Piano Sonata No. 3."

Moved by the experience, he began scribbling on manuscript paper instead of practicing, prompting his parents to encourage him to pursue composition more seriously.

In 2016, he joined the gifted program at the Seoul Arts Center and later enrolled at the Korea National University of Arts, where he is now a sophomore.

Lee’s compositions are largely atonal and focused on texture, flow and timber. One of his latest works, “Unselected Ambient Loops 25-25,” a 40-minute orchestral piece for traditional Korean instruments, marks his first foray into Korean traditional music. The piece centers on repetition and sonic layering, and is significantly longer than any of his previous compositions.

Even his titles reflect his experimental nature. The piano solo “Round and velvety-smooth blend,” performed by Lim Yun-chan during recent recitals, takes its name from a beverage label.

“I don’t want the title to give away anything about the music,” he said. “It should stand apart from the sound.”

Composer Lee Hanurij / Korea Times photo by Hong In-ki

Creative energy

Lee’s creativity extends beyond his compositions. His website blends Korean, English and Japanese text, in a nod to his interest in Japanese composers.

The unique spelling of his name, “Hanurij,” was also his choice. Originally named Hanul, a clerical error when registering his birth certificate resulted in “Hanuri.”

He later added a “j” to the romanization, inspired by Eastern European composers, like Ondrej Adamek, whose names end in a similar fashion.

Now preparing for further studies in Europe, Lee is studying German and English, while drawing inspiration from composers like Beat Furrer and Unsuk Chin. “Exploring the work of living composers in my own way gives me creative energy,” he said.

Lee met Lim Yun-chan at Yewon School in 2019. “He was a senior, I was a freshman,” he recalled. “We have very different tastes — he’s deeply rooted in classical pianism while I’m focused on contemporary music — but we’ve had lots of musical conversations.”

With a distinctive approach that emphasizes sound over symbolism, Lee Hanurij is establishing himself as one of Korea’s most compelling young composers — charting his own course with quiet confidence and striking originality.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.