Where to hear Cho Seong-jin, Lim Yun-chan live in Korea in 2026Two of Korea’s biggest classical music stars, Cho Seong-jin and Lim Yun-chan, are poised to headline a stellar lineup of concerts in 2026, giving Korean audiences a rare opportunity to hear both pianists in solo recitals, chamber performances and accompanied by some of the world’s leading orchestras. For Cho, 2026 will be a particularly notable year, as Lotte Concert Hall named him one of its in-house artists this week. Cho, who in 2015 became the first Korean to win the International Chopin Piano Competition, is currently a resident artist with the Berlin Philharmonic. Cho is scheduled to appear twice at Lotte Concert Hall in southern Seoul in July, performing in a chamber concert on July 14 and a solo recital on July 19. At the chamber concert, he will share the stage with violinist and Berlin Philharmonic first concertmaster Daishin Kashimoto, principal clarinetist Wenzel Fuchs, principal horn player Stefan Dohr and violist Kyoungmin Park. At his solo recital, Cho will perform Bach’s Partita No. 1, Schoenberg’s Piano Suite, Schumann’s Carnival Jest from Vienna and Chopin’Dec 17, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Rwandan producer Mizzy brings traditional music, dance to 2025 Africa WeekThe 2025 Africa Week, an annual celebration of African cultures in Korea, will spotlight the continent’s rich music and dance traditions during this year’s edition. Co-hosted by the Korea-Africa Foundation and The Korea Times, the event brings vibrant performances and cultural exchange to audiences in Seoul. Among the highlights is a performance by a six-member troupe of musicians and dancers from Rwanda, who will take the stage Saturday with an energetic display of the country's cultural heritage. The troupe’s leader, Mizzy, said the show aims to create a moment of cultural connection between Korea and Africa. “We’re pleased to be in Korea. Come and find what we have in common,” Mizzy said in an interview with The Korea Times in Seoul, Friday. The group is set to perform "intore," Rwanda’s iconic traditional dance, accompanied by "gakondo," the country's traditional music. They have brought traditional instruments, including the "inanga," a Rwandan 8-string instrument, and the "ingoma," a traditional drum. “I know Korea has instruments similar to ours,” Mizzy said, refeDec 12, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
'KPop Demon Hunters' soundtrack, Stray Kids album rank No. 3, No. 4 on Billboard chartThe soundtrack of the Netflix animated film "KPop Demon Hunters" and boy group Stray Kids' new album "Do It" have both secured places in the top 10 of the U.S. Billboard main albums chart this week. Billboard said on Sunday (U.S. time) that the "Kpop Demon Hunters" soundtrack climbed two spots to No. 3 on the Billboard 200, compared with the previous week. Stray Kids' "Do It," which entered the chart at No. 1 a week earlier, slipped three places to No. 4. The K-pop octet had already set a milestone by sending eight consecutive albums to the top of the Billboard 200, a rare feat for any act on the chart. This week's No. 1 went to U.S. pop star Taylor Swift's "The Life of a Showgirl," which has now spent a total of eight non-consecutive weeks on the top. The Billboard 200 ranks the most popular albums of the week in the United States, measured by equivalent album units, comprising physical album sales, track equivalent albums and streaming equivalent albums. During the latest tracking period, the animation soundtrack earned the equivalent of 66,000 album units, while Stray Kids' "Do It" geneDec 8, 2025By Yonhap
Singer-actor Yim Si-wan makes solo debutSinger-actor Yim Si-wan debuted as a solo artist Friday with his first EP, "The Reason," his agency, SMArt, said. The EP features five tracks of varied moods, including the lead single of the same title and "Where I Need To Be." The title track is a medium-tempo pop song with a sweet message, "You are the reason for everything about me," backed by dynamic instrumental arrangements. "I personally like calm songs, but I also think onstage performance matters, so I tried to find a good balance between the two. I think these songs are comfortable to listen to," Yim said. "Though I still have much to learn, my time spent connecting with fans has been truly precious, so I prepared this album with all my heart to continue sharing more moments together," he added. Yim, who debuted as a member of the K-pop boy band ZE:A in January 2010, has since built a versatile acting career through prominent roles in TV dramas and films, such as "The Attorney" (2013), "Misaeng: Incomplete Life" (2014), and Netflix's "Squid Game" Season 2 (2024) and Season 3 (2025).Dec 5, 2025By Yonhap
Van Cliburn Piano Competition CEO to visit Seoul for artist forumLegendary pianist Lim Yun-chan has made one name familiar to many Koreans: the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition (VCIPC). Named after American pianist Van Cliburn (1934-2013), the competition was founded in 1962 and is regarded as one of the world’s premier piano events. Lim’s sensational victory at the 2022 edition — and the speedy rise that followed — turned the competition into a household name, even among those unfamiliar with classical music. This week, VCIPC CEO Jacques Marquis will visit Seoul to attend a forum on the future of classical music. He will speak about the future of classical music and meet aspiring young musicians hoping to follow in Lim’s footsteps on Friday and Saturday. The two-day event, “Beyond the Stage 2025: Next-Generation Artist Forum,” is organized by Arts Council Korea (ARKO), a government organization operating under the slogan “Arts for All.” Marquis is scheduled to speak at two sessions — one on marketing for classical musicians in 2025, and another on recording labels and livestreaming in the evolving music industry. “OurDec 2, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Beyond profit: Singer Lim Young-woong rewrites rules of fan culture in KoreaWhile global K-pop groups like BTS, BLACKPINK and NewJeans dominated international charts and attracted legions of young fans abroad, singer Lim Young-woong commanded an equally powerful presence at home — particularly among middle-aged and older Korean women. The 34-year-old ballad and trot singer has built a fandom comparable in size to that of IU, a singer-songwriter and actor. Known for his strong ticket sales and gentle public image, Lim is praised for both his versatile vocals and his considerate attitude toward fans. On Sunday, Lim held one of his sold-out concerts in Seoul and made the full show available for free on the local streaming platform Tving, allowing fans who failed to secure tickets to enjoy the performance in real time. The profit-free move surprised many in the Korean music industry. “To younger fans of K-pop idols who are used to feeling ripped off by expensive merchandise or mistreated at venues, what Lim’s team is doing can be quite eye-opening,” critic Kim Deo-heon said, noting the range of fan-centered services provided by Lim and his staff. “It’sDec 2, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Korean Chamber Orchestra celebrates 60 years with finale of Beethoven Symphony ProjectThe Korean Chamber Orchestra (KCO) will present Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1 and No. 5 in an upcoming concert in December, marking the ensemble’s 60th anniversary. The performance serves as the final celebratory event of the year and the culmination of the orchestra’s yearlong Beethoven Symphony Project. “This concert will mark the end of our journey for the KCO — and the first step toward a new beginning," according to the orchestra in a statement. “Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1 marked the beginning of his creative musical world. The chamber orchestra will offer audiences its characteristically rich, concentrated sound and delicate interpretation,” the KCO added. Regarding Symphony No. 5, the orchestra noted: “One of the world’s most famous symphonies, Beethoven’s 5th symphony embodies themes of struggle, perseverance and triumph. Under the artistic vision of Music Director Kim Min and conductor Choi Soo-yeoul, the orchestra’s dense, cohesive ensemble will come together to convey the powerful message of ‘Fate Symphony.'" The program will also feature Samuel BarberNov 19, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Chung Myung-whun, renowned soloists to lead KBS Symphony’s 70th anniversary seasonAs the KBS Symphony Orchestra prepares to celebrate its 70th anniversary in 2026, it is planning a series of large-scale performances featuring major conductors and renowned Korean soloists in the classical music world. Founded in 1956, the KBS Symphony Orchestra was the first orchestra in Korea to be affiliated with a broadcasting organization. It played a significant role in raising public awareness of classical music and providing wider access to the genre. The 2026 lineup prominently features Korean maestro Chung Myung-whun, a former chief conductor of the orchestra. Even after stepping down, Chung has continued to collaborate with the orchestra; next year he will conduct Mahler’s Symphonies No. 4 and No. 5 at project concerts on March 13 and Oct. 12, respectively, after leading Symphonies No. 1 and No. 2 this year. He is also expected to conduct a concert version of Bizet’s opera, "Carmen," on April 18. Other conductors in the spotlight include Eliahu Inbal, who will conduct Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 13 on Feb. 28; Marek Janowski, who will lead Bruckner’s Symphony No. 4 oNov 18, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
FEBC-Korea honors Korean War veterans with fall concertFar East Broadcasting Company (FEBC)-Korea commemorated fallen soldiers of the 1950-53 Korean War and the 75th anniversary of the Incheon Landing Operation with its annual fall concert at Lotte Concert Hall in southern Seoul, Tuesday. The event coincided with U.N. Veterans International Memorial Day, designated to honor soldiers who fought under the United Nations flag during the war. Korea has observed the day since 2007. The concert’s lineup featured soprano Jungwon Choi, tenor John Noh, bass-baritone Yoo Myung-heon, the Mostly Philharmonic Orchestra and the FEBC Children’s Choir. The 100-minute program opened with John Williams' "Superman" theme song by the Mostly Philharmonic, followed by Choi and the children’s choir performing a medley from “The Sound of Music” and the Christian hymns “How Great Thou Art” and “Precious Lord, Take My Hand.” Noh then took the stage, moving the audience with a solo performance of “Grace,” followed by a duet with Choi of the hymn “Amazing Grace” and the Korean folk song “Arirang,” accompanied by pipe musician Byun Woo-rim.Nov 13, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Musical gala celebrates Korea Times' 75-year legacy, power of musicTo mark its 75th anniversary, The Korea Times brings the magic of musical theater to the concert stage with a gala “The Musical,” helmed by music director and conductor Kolleen Park. Featuring Kang Hye-jung, Michael K. Lee and Choi Jae-rim, the concert pays tribute to the legacy of Korea's oldest English daily and the universal language of music. Born to a Korean father and Lithuanian American mother, Park made her debut as music director for the Korean original musical "The Last Empress" in the 1990s and has since led major productions including "Aida" and "She Stars!" over the past three decades. Her experience extends to large-scale events and concerts, such as serving as director for the opening ceremony of the 2014 Asian Para Games and, more recently, directing the opening and closing ceremonies of the 106th National Sports Festival in Busan in October. A constant challenger in her own right, Park is also active on stage as an actor, best known for her portrayal of Diana in the musical "Next to Normal." This summer, she broke new ground by taking on the traditionally male roleNov 6, 2025By Kwon Mee-yoo
