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Tongyeong, South Korea

2025 ISANGYUN Competition ends on a high note

Competitions

Youbien Lee wins this year's cello edition, chaired by grandmaster Arto Noras

Cellist Youbien Lee of South Korea was awarded the first prize at the 2025 ISANGYUN Competition in Tongyeong, South Korea. The competition, which alternates annually between cello, piano, and violin, was open this year to cellists aged 15 to 30.

Lee’s victory was announced after a final round on Saturday at the Tongyeong Concert Hall, where she performed Dmitri Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 1 with the Tongyeong Festival Orchestra under the baton of Leoš Svárovský. In addition to the top honor and a cash prize of KRW 30,000,000 (approximately $20,600 USD), Lee was also the recipient of the UNESCO City of Music Special Prize, chosen by audience vote.

“I’m truly honored and grateful to receive such a prestigious award,” Lee said during the award ceremony. “I learned so much from all the other participants and have deep respect for every one of them.”

The jury, chaired by renowned cellist Arto Noras, awarded second prize to fellow Korean cellist Jeri Lee, who also received the Seong-Yawng Park Special Prize for a promising Korean musician. The third prize was awarded to Andrew Ilhoon Byun of Canada, who also earned the Isang Yun Special Prize for his masterful interpretation of Yun's "Espace I for Cello and Piano." Fourth prize (KRW 5,000,000) went to A-Hyeon Choi of Korea.

Beyond the cash awards, the laureates are set to receive significant career opportunities. Youbien Lee will perform in events organized by the Seoul Arts Center, the Gangwon Art & Culture Foundation, and the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization. Furthermore, all winners have been awarded solo engagements with major Korean orchestras, including the Busan Philharmonic Orchestra, Gwangju Symphony Orchestra, and Incheon Philharmonic Orchestra.

Cellist Youbien Lee

A Legacy of Excellence

The ISANGYUN Competition, named for the celebrated Korean-born composer Isang Yun, begins each year on November 3rd, the anniversary of his passing. Since its admission to the World Federation of International Music Competitions (WFIMC) in 2006, it has been recognized as a leading platform for launching the careers of young musicians. It holds the distinction of being the first competition in Korea and the second in Asia to join the UNESCO-affiliated WFIMC.

The 2025 edition continues a tradition of identifying world-class talent, with past winners including acclaimed musicians such as cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan, violinists Yu-Chien Tseng and Jinjoo Cho, and pianists Yunchan Lim and Sofia Gulyak.
 

Jeri Lee, Second Prize

Andrew Ilhoon Byun, Third Prize

Prizes
First prize: Youbien Lee(25), Berlin
Second prize: Jeri Lee(16), Seoul
Third prize: Andrew Ilhoon Byun(27), New York

Jury
Arto Noras (Chair), Kangho Lee, Maria Kliegel, Clive Greensmith, Jian Wang, Doo-Min Kim, Andreas Vierziger, Hiroyasu Yamamoto, Louise Hopkins

Artists
Tongyeong Festival Orchestra/ Leoš Svárovský, Conductor
 

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Discovering Tomorrow

In a significant addition to the 2025 ISANGYUN Competition, the Tongyeong International Music Foundation successfully held a three-day Young Artist Forum & Showcase from November 6-8. The event, organized in collaboration with the World Federation of International Music Competitions and supported by several Korean cultural institutions including the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, provided an invaluable platform for emerging musicians. A distinguished roster of international experts, including Päivi Pousar (Secretary General of the International Jean Sibelius Violin Competition), David Marecek (CEO of the Czech Philharmonic), and Sisi Ye (CEO of the International Schoenfeld String Competition), offered hands-on career advice and led critical discussions on navigating the evolving classical music landscape. Participants gained direct insights from the highest levels of the industry, covering topics from artistic management to global competition strategies, thereby enriching the competitive experience with practical, forward-looking professional development.

 

©WFIMC 2025