Three Koreans win Tchaikovsky Competition in violin, cello, voice Son Ji-hoon, left, Lee Young-eun, center, and Kim Gye-hee, Korean winners of the 2023 International Tchaikovsky Competition in the categories of voice, cello and violin, respectively, are seen in these photos captured from the competition's homepage. Yonhap Three Koreans have won first prizes in the International Tchaikovsky Competition in the categories of violin, cello and voice, its website showed Friday.Kim Gye-hee and Lee Young-eun clinched the gold medals in violin and cello, respectively, becoming the first Korean laureates in the competition's instrumental music categories. Tenor Son Ji-hoon was named the winner of the voice category.Kim, 29, studied at the Curtis Institute of Music in the United States, Seoul National University in Korea and the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich in Germany, having won the George Enescu, Andrea Postacchini, Munetsugu and Gnessin Junior International Music competitions.She played Tchaikovsky's "Violin Concerto inJun 30, 2023
Music festival brings attention to DMZ Singers perform during the opening concert of the DMZ Open Festival at Imjingak Peace Park in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, May 20. Courtesy of Gyeonggi Provincial GovernmentBy Ko Dong-hwanThe isolated neutral ground between North and South Korea, now a rich natural reserve of wildlife and a model of preserved ecology, has begun hosting music festivals to inject energy into the secluded sector. The DMZ Open Festival, taking place to the south of the inter-Korean border region throughout November, was launched by the Gyeonggi Provincial Government and its sub-agency Gyeonggi Tourism Organization. The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) was designated following the Korean War armistice in 1953. Since then, the vast stretches of land sandwiched between the two countries have remained, for the most part, quiet and untouched.The festival's opening concert was held at Imjingak Peace Park in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, on May 20. Performers included an ensemble of Western-gugak fusion music, the military marching band from the I Corps of the Republic of Korea Army, a children's choir and rock band Guckkasten.Jun 8, 2023By Ko Dong-hwan
Baritone Kim Tae-han wins Queen Elisabeth Competition Korean baritone Kim Tae-han performs during the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels, Saturday (local time). Courtesy of Kumho Cultural Foundation22-year-old becomes first Asian male singer to win prestigious competitionBy Dong Sun-hwaBaritone Kim Tae-han won the prestigious Queen Elisabeth Competition for voice, becoming the first Asian male singer to pull off the feat since the addition of the voice section in 1988.The 22-year-old was crowned the winner during an awards ceremony in the Belgian capital, Saturday (local time). The youngest among all finalists, Kim will receive 25,000 euros ($27,000) in prize money. Launched in 1937, the Queen Elisabeth Competition is a contest held in Brussels, Belgium for career-starting classical violinists, pianists, singers and cellists.“I am very glad to get a good result after working hard,” Kim said through Kumho Cultural Foundation, Sunday. “I am so happy that I cannot think of anything right now … (In the days ahead,) I would like to have lots of opportunities to perform as an opera singer. I will work even harderJun 4, 2023By Dong Sun-hwa
Soprano Sumi Jo to launch singing competition named after her next year Korean soprano Sumi Jo speaks during an interview with Yonhap News Agency in Brussels, Belgium, in this June 3 photo provided by the Korean Cultural Center Brussels. YonhapRenowned Korean soprano Sumi Jo has said that an international classical singing competition named after her will be launched in France next year.The inaugural "Sumi Jo International Singing Competition in Castle" is scheduled to take place from July 15-21, 2024, at Chateau de La Ferte-Imbault, a medieval castle near Paris, Jo said in an interview with Yonhap News Agency on Saturday.It is the first time that a Korean classical singer is launching a singing competition named after himself or herself. Jo was staying in Brussels as a jury member of the Queen Elisabeth Competition for voice, in which Korean baritone Kim Tae-han won the top prize, becoming the first Asian male singer to win the prestigious competition.Jo, one of the most accomplished stars in Korea's classical music scene, said she hopes the new competition will pave the way for up-and-coming vocalists to have promising opportunities in the world classiJun 4, 2023
Hybe Labels Japan's boy band TEAM to release 2nd EP next month Hybe Labels Japan's boy band &TEAM is seen in this photo provided by the music label under K-pop powerhouse Hive. Courtesy of HybeHybe Labels Japan's first boy band TEAM will release its second EP, "First Howling: WE," on June 14, the music label under K-pop powerhouse Hybe said Monday. The new album is composed of six songs, including title track "Firework" in Korean and Japanese versions, as well as "Blind Love," "Road Not Taken" and the Korean version of "Scent of You."During "KCON Japan 2023" held in Tokyo on Sunday, the team said it will increase activities in Korea following the release of the second EP. (Yonhap)May 15, 2023
INTERVIEW Meet New Hope Club, a 'Super Chic' British pop trio George Smith, left, and Reece Bibby, members of British pop trio New Hope Club, speak during an interview with The Korea Times at the newspaper's office in central Seoul, April 26. Korea Times photo by Yun Da-beenBritish boy band releases collaborative single with K-pop group P1HARMONYBy Dong Sun-hwaBritish pop trio New Hope Club ― consisting of Reece Bibby, Blake Richardson and George Smith ― first turned heads in Korea in 2020 with its dance-pop track, “Know Me Too Well.” The catchy song, featuring Mexican singer Danna Paola, clinched the No. 7 spot on the international music chart on Melon ― a major music streaming platform with some 7.5 million monthly active users. A legion of listeners in Korea said they feel emotionally connected to the tune, which came from the opposite side of the planet. The band's next releases like “L.U.S.H.” (2022) and “Getting Better” (2022) also succeeded in garnering positive reviews, helping it rev up its presence in the birthplace of K-pop. “I think that is the power of songwriting,” Bibby, a vocalist,May 12, 2023By Dong Sun-hwa
Girl group Ive: 'Unpredictability' is our musical charm K-pop girl group, Ive, pose during the news conference for its new album "I've Ive," held at a Seoul hotel, Monday. YonhapIve, a leading K-pop girl group whose previous songs have all become huge sensations, cited "unpredictability" as its charm during a press conference Monday to mark the release of its first studio album.Debuting in December 2021 with the single "Eleven," the sextet instantly skyrocketed to stardom as the song swept domestic music charts. The group then rose to the top position among fourth-generation K-pop girl groups with its three follow-up singles, "Love Dive," "After Like" and "Kitsch," became megahits.Last year, Ive made history by receiving both a rookie award and the top honor for K-pop artists in various year-end music awards ceremonies."I think unpredictability is our musical charm," member Liz said when asked what makes Ive stand out from other girl groups during the news conference held at a Seoul hotel. "We do songs of diverse genres without being restricted to one genre, while giving variations to our voices and bringing different feelings whenever weApr 10, 2023
PHOTOS Korea Times spring concert Chairman Seung Myung-ho of The Korea Times and the Hankook Ilbo, front row seventh from left, Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon, front row sixth from left, and Korea University President Kim Dong-won, front row seventh from right, pose with ambassadors and dignitaries during a reception before The Korea Times' annual spring concert at Seoul Arts Center, Thursday. The 18th concert, co-hosted by the paper and its sister publication the Hankook ilbo, was held to support Busan's bid for the World Expo 2030. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulViolinist Han Soo-jin performs during The Korea Times' annual spring concert at Seoul Arts Center, Thursday. The 18th concert, co-hosted by the paper and its sister publication the Hankook ilbo, was held to support Busan's bid for the World Expo 2030. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-sukConductor Hong Seok-won and the Korean National Symphony Orchestra greet guests at the Korea Times' annual spring concert at Seoul Arts Center in Seoul, March 23. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-sukGuests at the Korea Times' annual spring concert chat before the concert at SeoulMar 23, 2023
INTERVIEW 'The Flag': Kwon Jin-ah's love letter to people chasing their dreams Promotional image for singer-songwriter Kwon Jin-ah's new EP, “The Flag” / Courtesy of AntennaKwon Jin-ah imparts a message of hope through new EPBy Dong Sun-hwaLove is one of the most universal themes in music, but it is not the only subject that singer-songwriter Kwon Jin-ah wants to address. The 25-year-old, who has a thirst for self-exploration and self-improvement, always seeks to craft songs about diverse issues that reflect her own journey and growth.For her latest release, “The Flag,” Kwon draws inspiration from people who passionately chase their dreams against all odds. She lifts up their spirits with her mellifluous voice, conveying a message of hope and encouraging listeners to continue on. The EP, which is fronted by the lead single, “Raise up the Flag,” hit shelves on March 2.“At first, I did not really intend to write a song that encourages people, but 'Raise up the Flag' naturally became an inspirational song as I worked on it,” Kwon said in a recent email interview with The Korea Times. “It was quite a coincidenceMar 21, 2023By Dong Sun-hwa
Pianist Son Yeol-eum says Mozart music feels like 'home' to her Pianist Son Yeol-eum plays a Mozart piano sonata during a press conference at Kumho Art Hall Yonsei in Seoul, March 14. YonhapKorean pianist Son Yeol-eum said Tuesday that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's classical music has always been at the center of her heart and playing the composer's complete piano sonatas made her feel at home.Son said she initially floated the idea of recording a couple of Mozart sonatas but decided to play the list of sonatas from beginning till the end. Her new album, "Mozart: Complete Piano Sonatas," is set for release on Friday."Mozart's music feels like my mother tongue. It has been always at the center of my fingers and heart, and the kind of music I can very comfortably accept," the 36-year-old said in a press conference held at Kumho Art Hall Yonsei in western Seoul.Son, who served as an art director for Pyeongchang Daegwallyeong Music Festival from 2018 to 2022, said she had studied various repertoires for events and collaborative projects in recent years, but felt truly free when playing Mozart's sonatas."I studied several repertoires over the past years aMar 14, 2023
