Pianists Yoo Sungho & Sun Youl Named Co-Winners of the 19th Seoul International Music Competition

Pianists Yoo Sungho and Sun Youl, both alumni of the Department of Instrumental Music at the School of Music, were named co-winners in the piano category of the 19th Seoul International Music Competition. Established in 1996, the competition aims to promote cultural exchange and discover and nurture young talent from around the world through music. The competition is divided into three categories—piano, violin, and voice—with one category featured each year. This year’s competition focused on the piano.

Yoo and Sun emerged as the top prize winners after competing against six finalists at Doam Hall, Seoul Arts Center, on December 12 and 13, 2024. Meanwhile, Jung Jiwon, also an alumnus of the Department of Instrumental Music, placed third, and Bae Jaesung, another alumnus of the department, secured fifth place—further elevating the prestige of the School of Music.

Yoo Sungho (28), who claimed first place, graduated with top honors from both Sunhwa Arts Middle and High Schools. At K-Arts, he studied under pianist Kim Daejin, completing both his undergraduate and graduate studies summa cum laude. He then earned a master’s degree from the New England Conservatory in Boston under the guidance of pianist Dang Thai Son. Yoo is currently pursuing the concert exam program at the Hannover University of Music in Germany under the world-renowned professor Arie Vardi.

Sun Youl (24), the co-winner of first place, graduated from Yewon School and entered K-Arts through the arts gifted selection program while enrolled at Seoul Arts High School. Since 2022, Sun has continued his studies in France. After graduating from the Schola Cantorum in Paris in 2023, he is currently studying at the École Normale de Musique de Paris. Sun has studied under pianists Olivier Gardon, Daejin Kim, and Yoon Youjin.