What was Lee Hanurij’s path to studying composition at the Korea National University of Arts?

At age 10, Lee studied composition at an academy for music prodigies affiliated with the Seoul Arts Center. He later studied at the Korea National University of Arts; in 2024, he also won the composition category of the Bartok World Competition, and his work was performed at numerous classical music festivals.

Korean composer Lee Hanurij wins top award at Geneva Competition

Q: What work won Lee Hanurij first prize in the Geneva Competition composition category?

Lee won with “Stuff #1” in the final round of the competition. He also swept all six special prizes, including the Audience Prize, the Young Audience Prize and the Student Prize.

Q: Why did Lee Hanurij describe the Geneva Competition as special for composers?

Lee said the competition provides a favorable environment for composers to advance their work. He called winning a big honor and thanked the jury.

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Summary

Korean composer Lee Hanurij won first prize in the composition category at the Geneva Competition in Geneva on Wednesday. His work “Stuff #1” earned him the top award, and he also received all six special prizes. Lee said the win was a big honor and praised the competition’s supportive environment for composers. He is studying at the Korea National University of Arts.

Key Facts

Lee won the Audience Prize, the Young Audience Prize and the Student Prize among the six special prizes.
Lee began studying composition at an academy for music prodigies affiliated with the Seoul Arts Center when he was 10.
In 2024, Lee won first prize in the composition category of the Bartok World Competition, and his work has since been performed at numerous classical music festivals.
The Geneva Competition was established in 1939, and its composition competition is held every two years.

By Yonhap

Published Nov 12, 2026 11:51 am KST

Korean composer Lee Hanurij / Korea Times file

Korean composer Lee Hanurij has won first prize in the composition category of the prestigious Geneva Competition.

The 20-year-old clinched the top prize with his work "Stuff #1" at the final round of the music competition held in Geneva on Wednesday, according to the competition's website.

Lee also swept all six special prizes, including the Audience Prize, the Young Audience Prize and the Student Prize.

He called the win a "big honor" and thanked the jury, noting how the Geneva Competition is special as it provides a favorable environment for composers to advance their work.

Currently studying at the Korea National University of Arts, Lee studied composing at an academy for music prodigies affiliated with the Seoul Arts Center at the age of 10.

In 2024, he won first prize in the composition category of the Bartok World Competition, and his work has since been performed in numerous classical music festivals.

The Geneva Competition is a prestigious music contest established in 1939. The composition competition is held every two years.

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