Seokwon Hong

Seokwon Hong, the 12th artistic director of the Busan Philharmonic Orchestra, is celebrated as a “young master”. He has established himself as one of the leading conductors in Korea’s classical music scene and is known for his ability to blend classical music with opera, ballet, and contemporary works. After earning his bachelor's degree in orchestral conducting from Seoul National University, Hong completed his diploma and concert exam at the Hanns Eisler School of Music in Berlin. 

Hong was recognised by the German Tonkünstler Association (DTKV) as one of the “Maestros of the Future” and won third place at the Herbert von Karajan Young Conductors Award. He later served as Chief Conductor at the Tyrolean State Theatre in Innsbruck, Austria. His successful conducting debut was the operetta “Die Fledermaus” by Johann Strauss, one of Austria’s most renowned and beloved works. 

In South Korea, Hong has conducted numerous opera productions with the Korea National Opera, including “La Traviata” in celebration of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, “Nabucco” for the reopening of the National Theater of Korea, and the Korean premiere of “I Vespri Siciliani”. Additionally, in collaboration with three national Korean music institutions (Korean National Opera, National Symphony Orchestra, National Choir), he presented the opera “Tcheo Yong” in France, Germany, and Austria to celebrate the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. In 2023, he received recognition for his performances with the Korean National Symphony Orchestra (KNSO) in Germany and the Czech Republic. 

During his tenure as artistic director of the Gwangju Symphony Orchestra, he released the album “Beethoven, Isang Yun, Barber” with pianist Yunchan Lim under Deutsche Grammophon, conducted the Korean premiere of Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 13 “Babi Yar”, and was invited to perform concerts in Texas, USA. 

Through his participation in the Seoul Arts Center Orchestra Festival and his commitment to making classical music accessible to a broader audience in the city of Gwangju as artistic director of the Gwangju Symphony Orchestra, Hong steadily expanded his reputation. Since taking over the Busan Philharmonic Orchestra in July 2024, all eyes have been on him. Expectations are high that he will further elevate the status of classical music in Busan.