Pianist Lim Yun-chan recalls ‘hellish’ student years in Korea
Lim says country’s fierce competition culture left deep scars
Pianist Lim Yun-chan holds the Piano Award trophy and the Young Artist Award trophy he received at the Gramophone Classical Music Awards ceremony in London, Oct. 2, 2024. Yonhap
World-renowned pianist Lim Yun-chan, 21, who now resides in the United States, has drawn public attention after comments resurfaced from an interview in which he described his years in Korea as “hellish” and said he once “wanted to die.”
In an interview published on Aug. 22 by Italian daily La Repubblica ahead of his performance at Teatro Petruzzelli in Bari, Lim spoke candidly about his painful memories of growing up in Korea’s high-pressure education system.
Asked whether he missed Korea while living abroad, he replied, “No. My final years of study in Korea were extremely painful. It felt like being in hell, and at times I wanted to die.” He added that he now returns to Korea “only when I have concerts.”
Lim pointed to Korea’s intense culture of competition as the main reason behind his struggles.
“Korea is small and densely populated, so competition is fierce. Everyone wants to get ahead, and sometimes that leads people to hurt others,” he said.
“When I began to gain recognition around the age of 17, even politicians and businessmen put unnecessary pressure on me,” he recalled. “It made me deeply unhappy.”
His remarks have struck a chord online, with many Korean netizens expressing sympathy. Comments on social media included: “People here really do get jealous easily" and “The competition is brutal, especially during school years — even among parents.”
Others described Korean society as one “where everyone chokes one another and refuses to let go,” sparking renewed debate about the nation’s entrenched culture of competition.
Pianist Sohn Min-soo, left, and Lim Yun-chan perform during their duo recital. Courtesy of MOC Production
Global success continues abroad
Lim currently lives in Boston, studying at the New England Conservatory under his longtime mentor, pianist Sohn Min-soo, who moved there in 2023 after teaching at the Korea National University of Arts.
Born in 2002, Lim began playing piano at 7, graduated at the top of his class from Yewon School and entered the Korea National University of Arts.
He first gained international recognition by winning the Isang Yun International Piano Competition in 2019 and made history in 2022 as the youngest-ever winner of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition at age 18.
His recording “Chopin: Études,” released last year, swept three categories — Recording of the Year, Instrumental Award and Newcomer Award — at the BBC Music Magazine Awards in April, marking the first time in the event’s history that a single album had won in all three.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.