KNSO unveils first program under new music director Roberto Abbado

The Korean National Symphony Orchestra on Thursday unveiled its 2026 program, marking the first full season led by new music director Roberto Abbado. The 71-year-old Italian maestro will make his official debut in the role at a concert on Jan. 11, 2026, featuring a program that includes Respighi’s "The Fantastic Toy Shop," Verdi’s “The Four Seasons” from opera "Les Vepres Siciliennes" and Rossini’s William Tell Overture. While the inaugural concerts signal that the distinctive “directness of exp

Dec. 4, 2025

W7.85tr budget set for 2026 cultural sector support

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced Wednesday that its 2026 budget has been finalized at 7.85 trillion won ($5.35 billion), an 11.2 percent increase from 2025. The ministry said the increased funding is designed to accelerate what it calls the “300 trillion-won K-Culture era,” strengthening the cultural sector as a national strategic industry while expanding public access to culture, tourism and sports. The largest increase appears in the content sector, which has been allocate

Dec. 3, 2025

Korean ‘Life of Pi’ premieres in Seoul, challenging theatrical boundaries

Korean ‘Life of Pi’ premieres in Seoul, challenging theatrical boundaries in survival and imagination, arrived in Korea this week with a Korean-language version, marking the first non-English rendition of the show

Dec. 3, 2025

Arete Quartet: Korean ensemble shares Czech soul with the world

When the Arete Quartet, one of Korea’s most closely watched young chamber ensembles, began discussing their first recording, the choice of repertoire came almost instinctively. Rather than starting with the standard Beethoven-Mozart canon that they could have chosen, the group took an unconventional leap: Czech composers Leos Janacek and Josef Suk. Their affinity for Czech music did not develop out of curiosity alone. A defining moment came at the 2021 Prague Spring International Music Competiti

Dec. 1, 2025

'My last chance': Eric Lu on overcoming pressure to win Chopin Competition on second try decade later

American pianist Eric Lu returned to the 2025 Chopin Competition 10 years after taking fourth prize, a move that fits a familiar story in classical music: artists coming back to one of the world’s toughest stages, pushed by ambition, pressure and a highly competitive field. “I felt that while my career was going well, it was not at the level that I have the ambitions for,” the 27-year-old pianist told reporters Monday in Seoul. But when the final results came out, Lu’s story took a turn. Instead

Nov. 25, 2025

Four young Korean classical stars land ICMA nominations

Four prominent Korean classical musicians have been nominated for the 2026 International Classical Music Awards, underscoring the growing global profile of Korean performers across major categories. Recordings by pianists Cho Seong-jin and Lim Yunchan, along with violinists Kim Bomsori and Park Sueye, were named among the 307 audio and video productions selected this year. The nominations span 18 countries and 101 labels, with the final list including productions that were proposed by at least t

Nov. 21, 2025

Three ways to prepare for cold weather

If you’re looking for a contemplative yet lively place to spend the weekend, head to the second Humanities and Culture Festival at Dongdaemun Design Plaza on Saturday and Sunday. This year’s theme centers on reconnecting in an age marked by isolation and competition. The festival’s signature “Gentle Conversations” event gathers renowned writers, filmmakers, doctors, psychologists and performers for intimate talks exploring empathy, everyday resilience and the ties that bind individuals and commu

Nov. 21, 2025

Sound of Slovenia reverberates in Korea for first time

The Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra — one of Europe’s oldest ensembles, with a history stretching back more than 300 years — makes its Korean debut this week with a three-city tour visiting Daegu, Seoul and Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. Although Slovenia and South Korea have maintained diplomatic relations since 1992, exchanges between the two countries remained limited until recently. The opening of the Slovenian Embassy in Seoul in 2022, followed by Korea’s establishment of its own mission in Lj

Nov. 19, 2025

Wagner’s epic 6-hour ‘Tristan und Isolde’ makes its long-awaited Korean premiere

With a total running time of 340 minutes, including a 40- and 30-minute intermission, Wagner’s “Tristan und Isolde” will make its long-awaited Korean premiere through a rare collaboration under Jaap van Zweden. The production brings together the Korea National Opera and the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as a roster of Wagner specialists, for a music drama that turns the universal themes of love and death into a transcendent musical experience through heavy use of chromatic harmony and th

Nov. 18, 2025

Maestros, emerging talents converge for KBS Symphony's 70th anniversary season

The KBS Symphony Orchestra’s 2026 season unfolds as a celebration of its 70-year musical journey, bringing together world-renowned maestros with a powerful lineup of international guests and rising Korean talent. With maestros' offerings ranging from Mahler and Shostakovich to Bruckner, and Sibelius, the season runs under the theme of "70 years of Melody, an Everlasting Resonance." Kicking off the new season is Chung Myung-whun, one of Korea’s most revered conductors and the orchestra's first "h

Nov. 17, 2025