K-Arts and Chung Mong-Koo Foundation Successfully Conclude the 12th Gyechon Classical Music Festival

Organized by the Chung Mong-Koo Foundation and operated by K-Arts, the 2026 Gyechon Classical Music Festival took place from June 5 to 7. Under the theme “The Tune,” this year’s festival attracted approximately 16,000 visitors in total, with around 14,000 attending the main concerts. Now in its 12th year, the festival has been co-hosted by K-Arts and the Chung Mong-Koo Foundation since 2015, building on a partnership that began in 2009 with the founding of the Gyechon Elementary School Orchestra.

This year, Professor Lee Jihye of the Department of Instrumental Music joined as a new director, working alongside Executive Director Lee Yongmin. As an accomplished violinist, Professor Lee performed at the opening Starlight Concert with pianist Kim Songhyeon and violinist Kim Hyeonseo. She also led a music interview session in the newly introduced talk-concert program, "Unboxing Classical Music."

On June 6, cellist Han Jaemin, an alumnus of K-Arts, performed with the Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra under conductor Adrien Perruchon. Han presented Saint-Saëns’s Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 33. Later, he joined the orchestra for Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8 in G major, Op. 88, and the encore, performing within the ensemble. The performers—Han Jaemin, Kim Songhyeon, and Kim Hyeonseo—are all recipients of the Chung Mong-Koo Foundation scholarship.

In addition, flutist Professor Lee Yerin presented the CMK Ensemble, while the Solus of Seoul Brass Quintet performed the Sunlight Concert. Guitarist Park Kyuhee performed in the Moonlight Concert, and violinist Danny Koo and the DITTO Orchestra presented the grand finale. The festival also featured a variety of fringe events, including the Munhori River Flea Market, Gyechon Street Busking with local artists, and the “Take My Own Trash With Me” Green Campaign.