From Hyeon to Keyboard... The World Swept by 'K-Classic'

Im Yunchan, Youngest Winner Ever of Van Cliburn Piano Competition
Violinist Yang Inmo and Cellist Choi Hayoung Sweep Major International Contests
Corporate Support from Kumho and Hyundai Motors Plays a Role

Pianist Yunchan Lim, winner of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in the United States. Photo by AP=Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] K-Classic is sweeping the world. Pianist Lim Yunchan (18) became the youngest winner in history at the 16th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition held on the 18th (local time) in Fort Worth, Texas, USA.

Following Yang Inmo (27), who won the 12th Jean Sibelius International Violin Competition on the 29th of last month, and Choi Hayoung (24), the winner of the cello category at the 2022 Queen Elizabeth Competition on the 4th, Koreans have consecutively swept the top awards at major international competitions recently held. In particular, at the Van Cliburn Competition, Lim set a record for two consecutive Korean winners following the previous 15th competition winner in 2017, Sunwoo Yekwon.

On the 17th, Lim Yunchan showcased overwhelming skill by performing Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 in the final round held at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, USA. Audiences who watched his performance on YouTube eagerly voted for him. Based on this, he received the gold medal along with the Audience Award and the Beverley Smith Taylor Award for best performance of a contemporary piece.

"I wanted my music to deepen through this competition. I think my sincerity reached the audience." This is Lim Yunchan's comment on winning through emotional communication with the audience.

The success of Korean classical prodigies including Lim Yunchan is based on full support from corporations. Since 2020, the Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-Koo Foundation has selected Lim Yunchan as an 'OnDream Cultural Arts Talent' and has been supporting him. The foundation supports talents according to the philosophy of its founder, Chung Mong-Koo, Honorary Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, which is to ensure that no student with talent and ability gives up on their dreams due to financial difficulties.

Additionally, it is noteworthy that Yang Inmo and Choi Hayoung, who swept international competitions this year along with Lim Yunchan, all come from the Kumho Young Artists program, a classical talent support program by the Kumho Cultural Foundation. Choi Hayoung debuted through the Kumho Young Artists Concert in 2006, Yang Inmo in 2008, and Lim Yunchan in 2015.

In particular, since its launch in 1977, the Kumho Cultural Foundation has provided unparalleled support to the classical music world. Domestic representative performers who have stood out in the classical field and grown into world-class artists through the foundation's support include pianist Cho Seongjin, who won the Chopin Competition in 2015, pianists Kim Sunwook, Son Yeol-eum, Sunwoo Yekwon, violinists Kim Bomsoli, Shin Jiah, Lee Ji-hye, Lim Jiyoung, cellists Ko Bongin, Moon Taeguk, and others.

Immediately after winning, Lim Yunchan said at a press conference, "I have lived only for music, but I still have a lot to learn," and shared his aspiration: "(My dream is) to give up everything and live in the mountains playing only the piano." Lim added, "I will become an adult by Korean age next year, and I participated in this competition to check how mature my music has become," and said, "In front of music, everyone is a student, so I have a greater desire to learn more."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.