Winners Announced at Isang Yun Competition — Cello 2022

Korean cellist Jaemin Han has won first prize, worth KRW 30,000,000 (US $26,525)

Held until November 6, 2022, at the internationally renowned Tongyeong Concert Hall in South Korea, the Isang Yun Competition announced this year's prize winners, all of whom are from Korea.

The final round was accompanied by the Tongyeong Festival Orchestra and conductor Christian Vásquez. The competition was open to cellists born between November 1, 1991, and October 31, 2007.

First prize winner Jaemin Han will receive KRW 30,000,000 (US $26,525). He was also awarded the Seong-Yawng Park Special Prize and the UNESCO Creative City of Music Special Prize (audience prize). He performed Isang Yun's Concerto for Cello and Orchestra (1976) in the final round.

Second prize and the Isang Yun Special Prize went to Woochan Jeong, while third prize went to Deokyong Kim.

The 2022 jury comprised Ivan Monighetti (Chairman), Ole Akahoshi, Roel Dieltiens, Ophélie Gaillard, Yeonsun Joo, Laurence Lesser, Sangmin Park, Li-Wei Qin, and Troels Svane.

Presented by the Tongyeong International Music Foundation since 2003, the competition is held in remembrance of renowned Korean composer Isang Yun (1917-1995), to support emerging international soloists and promote cultural exchange among nations.

Held annually and alternating disciplines between piano, violin, and cello, previous prize winners include cellists Ella van Poucke, Christine J. Lee, Sang-Eun Lee, and Narek Hakhnazaryan.

As the youngest-ever winner of the George Enescu International Competition in 2021, Jaemin Han signed with KD Schmid for General Management this year.

He started playing the cello at the age of five and made his debut three years later in his hometown with the Wonju City Symphony Orchestra. A former student of Myung-Wha Chung, he is currently studying with Kangho Lee and Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi at the Korea National Institute for the Gifted in Arts.

A third prize at the Geneva International Music Competition, his additional accolades include performing at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics and winning first prizes at the Osaka International Music Competition 2015, International Cello Competition ‘David Popper’ for Young Cellists 2017, and International Dotzauer Competition for Young Cellists 2019.

Further highlights for the upcoming season include a tour of Korea with the Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg under the baton of Gustavo Gimeno, his New Zealand debut with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and Shi-yeon Sung, and a recital at the Tongyeong International Music Festival.