Youl Sun
In 2024, pianist Youl Sun achieved a remarkable triple crown at the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition, winning the First Prize, the Audience Award, and the Student Jury Award. In the same year, he also claimed the Joint First Prize at the Seoul International Music Competition, receiving high acclaim for the depth and refinement of his artistry. Known for his outstanding virtuosity and musicality, he gained international attention in April 2023 by winning Second Prize and the Audience Award at the Viseu International Piano Competition in Portugal. He went on to earn top prizes at the 2023 Isang Yun International Competition, the 2024 Istanbul Orchestra’Sion International Piano Competition, and the Maria Canals International Music Competition.
His early successes began with First Prize at the Nanpa Music Competition, followed by victories at the Suri, Sungjung, Ewha–Kyunghyang, Kookmin Ilbo–Hanse University, and Korea Chopin Competitions. Internationally, he has been awarded First Prize and the Polonaise Prize at the Asia–Pacific International Chopin Competition, Second Prize and the Schubert Special Prize at the U.S. e-Piano Junior International Competition, and the Shinhan Music Award in the piano category.
Youl Sun has collaborated with renowned conductors including Antoni Wit, Massimo Zanetti, Mark Russell Smith, Adrien Perruchon, Jonggi Lee, Jooyoung Jung, Seokwon Hong, and Seungwon Lee. He has performed with the Minnesota Orchestra, Philharmonic Korea, Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra, Gyeongsangbuk-do Provincial Symphony Orchestra, Hankyung Arte Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Tongyeong Festival Orchestra.
His performance venues include prestigious halls such as the Cortot Hall in Paris, Seoul Arts Center, Lotte Concert Hall, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Kumho Art Hall, Gyeonggi Arts Center, Keimyung Arts Center, Gwangju Bitgoeul Citizens’ Culture Hall, Andong Culture & Arts Center, and Tongyeong Concert Hall. He has appeared at festivals and concert series such as the 2021 Gyeonggi Piano Festival, Yamaha Rising Pianist Concert, Choi In-Ah Bookstore Concert, ArtM Concert, Kumho Young Artist Concert, Kumho Prodigy Concert, The House Concert Close-up Series, July Festival, Peace & Piano Festival Discovery Concert, NWA Young Pianist Concert Series (2019), KNUA Beethoven 250th “Sturm und Drang,” and the International Art Hall Series (2019–2020), as well as numerous solo recitals.
Through an ever-expanding repertoire and performance activity, Youl Sun has established his own musical identity, captivating audiences with his refined touch, exceptional technique, and distinctive interpretations. His 2022 recital at the Seoul Arts Center was lauded for its flawless pacing and artistic depth over a demanding two-hour program. Passionate about both solo and collaborative performance, he formed the Haram Duo with pianist Jaesung Bae, appearing together in the 2023 “Special Rachmaninoff Series” at the Seoul Arts Center’s Inchoon Art Hall and the “Brunch Concert” at the Andong Culture & Arts Center.
He has also appeared as concerto soloist in Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra under Massimo Zanetti (2021), Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1 at the “11 o’clock Concert” presented by Hanwha Life and Seoul Arts Center (2022), and Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with Philharmonic Korea under Adrien Perruchon (2023).
A graduate of Yewon School and an honorary graduate of Seoul Arts High School, Youl Sun entered and completed his studies at the Korea National University of Arts through its gifted program. Since 2022, he has pursued advanced studies in France, graduating from the Schola Cantorum de Paris (2023) and École Normale de Musique de Paris (2025). He has studied under Olivier Gardon and Daejin Kim, and currently receives artistic support from the Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-Koo Foundation.
