South Korean conductor Chung set to become the first Asian to lead Italy’s prestigious La Scala.

Myung-Whun Chung conducts the Radio France Philharmonic orchestra during a rehearsal at the Maison de la Radio before its inauguration on November 14, 2014, in Paris.

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BUSAN, South Korea — The beautiful journey of South Korea’s K-pop artists reminds us of the rich heritage of classical music that has graced the world’s concert halls long before their time. Notably, “K-classics,” as South Korean classical music is fondly referred to, continues to achieve remarkable milestones. One shining example is the esteemed Italian opera house Teatro alla Scala’s recent choice of celebrated conductor and pianist Myung-Whun Chung as its musical director.

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The announcement from Milan’s La Scala in May heralded a new chapter for Chung, who will assume this cherished role when the current director, Riccardo Chailly, completes his contract in late 2026. He becomes the first Asian and second non-Italian to embrace this position, recognized as “one of the most beloved artists among the Milanese public.”

Chung’s remarkable journey with La Scala spans back to 1989, during which he conducted 84 opera productions and 141 concerts, becoming a cherished figure within the institution alongside legendary music directors like Arturo Toscanini and Claudio Abbado. Reflecting on his new role, Chung shared, “It feels like getting married after loving each other for 36 years,” during a heartfelt May 19 news conference at the Busan Concert Hall in South Korea’s second-largest city. Born into a deeply musical family as the second youngest of seven, Chung made his public debut as a pianist at just 7 years old, later moving to the U.S. at the age of 8. He has always cherished making music alongside his sisters, violinist Kyung-Wha and cellist Myung-Wha Chung. A pivotal moment in his career came in 1974 when he won second prize at the International Tchaikovsky Competition, propelling him toward greater heights. After moving to Italy in 1982, he immersed himself in the culture, even nurturing his own tomatoes and olives.

Chung has had the privilege of conducting some of the world’s most prestigious orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic and New York Philharmonic. His roles also extend to music director for notable institutions like Paris’ Opéra Bastille and the Seoul Philharmonic.

Renowned for his interpretations of Giuseppe Verdi’s operas, Chung excels in uncovering emotional depths within these timeless works. “Verdi’s ‘Simon Boccanegra is a personal favorite,” he reflected at last month’s news conference, emphasizing the noble attributes of the title character, Boccanegra, who embodies generosity and warmth.

As Chung’s star has risen, younger South Korean musicians have begun to shine brightly on the international stage. The country’s vibrant talent pipeline has produced exceptional virtuosos, such as Yunchan Lim, who became the youngest winner of the prestigious Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2022 at age 18, and Seong-Jin Cho, who made history as the first South Korean to win the International Chopin Piano Competition in 2015.

Shin Soo-jung, a professor emeritus at Seoul National University and a pianist who is a friend of Chung’s family, believes there are three key ingredients to South Korea’s flourishing success in music: an artistic temperament rooted in folk traditions, the unwavering support of parents—especially mothers—and the country’s growing economic strength, enabling young talents to pursue studies abroad.

After decades of enriching performances across Europe, Chung felt a deep calling to give back. He returned to Korea in 2005, focusing on conducting the Seoul Philharmonic to nurture new talent and foster artistic exchanges. He has spoken fondly of maestros such as Verdi, recognizing their humanitarian contributions. “His greatest work was that before he died,” Chung noted, “he prepared a retirement home for musicians, dedicating all his royalties to this place.”

Chung also points out the emotional connectedness shared between Koreans and Italians, highlighting their expressive natures and love for music. Both countries, as peninsulas, have rich histories of division and unity. Italy experienced reunification in the 19th century, accompanied by an unofficial anthem, “Va, pensiero,” from Verdi’s Nabucco, which premiered at La Scala in 1842. Chung has conducted this poignant piece, often igniting a heartfelt response from audiences.

Chung’s humanitarian aspirations center on the dream of reunifying North and South Korea through music. He conducted the Unhasu Orchestra from North Korea alongside the Radio France Philharmonic in Paris back in 2012 and later founded the One Korea Orchestra in 2017. His concerts have raised much-needed support for North Korean children, fostering hope and unity through the universal language of music. As challenges remain between the two Koreas, Chung’s vision of conducting an inter-Korean orchestra continues to shimmer on the horizon.