Korea National University of Arts President Kim Daejin Concludes Four-Year Term with Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" Performance

Pianist Kim Daejin, the ninth president of the Korea National University of Arts, concluded his four-year term by performing Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 14, the "Moonlight Sonata."

The Korea National University of Arts announced that at 3 p.m. on the 25th, a retirement commemorative performance for President Kim was held at the Lee Eoryeong Arts Theater on the Seokgwan Campus in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, under the theme "The Calling of Art." Kim assumed office on August 26, 2021, and his four-year term ended on this day.

Kim Daejin, president of the Korea National University of Arts, is playing the piano at the retirement commemorative performance held on the 25th at the Lee Eoryeong Arts Theater on the Seokgwan Campus in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul.
Photo by Yonhap News

President Kim received a plaque of merit and a plaque of appreciation, and personally performed on stage. In addition to the Moonlight Sonata, he played Schubert's Impromptus No. 2 and No. 3 from Op. 90.

In his farewell speech titled "Now, Looking Back," Kim reflected on the past four years, saying, "It was a time of endurance, but also the most valuable and precious period of my life."

He went on to say that the two directions he considered most important as president were fostering a horizontal school culture and expanding the university's scope. Regarding the university’s expansion, he mentioned that world-class artists such as Lim Yunchan and Jeon Mincheol have grown at the school.

In closing, Kim stated, "The environment for arts education is changing rapidly, and deeper innovation is needed to nurture artists with humanistic thinking and creativity. Just as Beethoven strove to surpass his own limits and Schubert pursued beauty to the very end, as I performed today, I ask that you steadfastly carry on this spirit."

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