Eun Sun Kim Achieves the Cover of Arte Magazine • July 2024
Seoul, Korea
Photo by Koo Bonsook
Arte Magazine
The Leading Conductor
베를린필 지휘한 최초의 아시안 마에스트라
Eun Sun Kim is one of the most notable conductors in the world these days. Since making her debut on the international stage, she has recorded numerous ‘firsts’. Arte recently met Kim, who visited Korea to work with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra for the first time in two years.
Kim has 20 years of experience as a conductor, creating a dialogue with her fingertips, but the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra is the only Korean orchestra she has worked with. This is because most conductors have only worked overseas. “I’ve never worked as a conductor in Korea, so when I was rehearsing with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, English came out (laughter).”
“The answer is always in the score.” Kim, who was studying abroad, made her name known on the international stage by winning the Jesus López Cobos International Opera Conducting Competition held in Spain in 2008. On the competition stage, Kim, who did not know how to speak any Spanish at the time, experienced the performance she wanted just by conducting. “I waved my hands after studying the score, and the music came out just as I thought. Even though I couldn't say a word to the members. At that time, I thought maybe I wasn’t that bad and that I could make it my career.”