33 Keys to Understanding Korean Wave, Hallyu! #25 K-Classic -The Korean Musical Mystery 

#25 From Kyung-wha Chung to Yunchan Lim...

KOREA, a classical music competition powerhouse

*Note to Readers

The columns published in the Zoom section of NYCultureBeat contain selected excerpts—typically the opening paragraphs—from each chapter of the book 33 Keys to Understanding the Korean Wave: Beyond BTS, Parasite, and Squid Game (2025). These previews are meant to introduce the book’s themes and tone.

The complete book—featuring 33 updated chapters and new cultural insights—is available in both paperback and hardcover editions:

Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F7HYLVCL

Hardcover: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F7HZ34Y3

© Sukie Park. All rights reserved. These excerpts are for preview purposes only and may not be reproduced in full or redistributed.

GOLD MEDALIST Yunchan Lim(18), SILVER MEDALIST Anna Geniushene(31), BRONZE MEDALIST Dmytro Choni(28). Photo: The Cliburn

“For the past 15 years, South Korea has been increasingly present in the field of Western classical music. The Queen Elisabeth Competition in Belgium is a good example. In 1995, there was not a single Korean candidate in the first round. In 2011, there were 22, and for the first time that year, a Korean singer won the prestigious competition. The same trend can be seen in all 55 big international music competitions. Never before, throughout the history of music, has such an artistic phenomenon been observed.

What is going on in this country? Why is the sudden infatuation with music so different from that of Far Eastern culture? This film intends to answer these and many other questions by going to the heart of Korean society.”

-The Korean Musical Mystery (2012) by Thierry Loreau-

Belgian film director Thierry Loreau explored the secrets of Korean classical musicians’ success in the 2012 documentary, “The Korean Musical Mystery.”  Loreau is an oboist and holds a master’s degree in musicology from the University of Brussels. Since 1983, he has been making documentaries about classical music.

25. K-Classic: The Korean Musical Mystery   352

A Legacy of Victory: Korean Competition Winners    352

K-Classic Generation   353

Myung-whun Chung’s 1974 Homecoming Parade   355

Sarah Chang: A Violin Prodigy Beyond Competitions   356

Jennifer Koh’s View on Music Competitions   357

Korean Musicians in America’s Top Orchestras    358

Unsuk Chin: First Asian Siemens Laureate   360

Eun Sun Kim: First Woman to Lead U.S. Opera   361

K-Classic and the Grammys   362

From Sumi Jo to Richard Yongjae O’Neill   363

Koreans at the Grammys: Pop, Rock, and Classical   363

K-Classic Milky Way  364