Pianist Lim Yunchan achieves triple wins at BBC awards for debut album
Lim secured the prestigious Recording of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, and the Instrumental Award, marking a historic moment as the first time a single album has garnered three awards in one year at the event.
Furthermore, he is the first artist ever to win both the Newcomer and Recording of the Year awards simultaneously.
"Given that 2024 saw the release of many outstanding albums, I did not expect this outcome at all, and I'm so grateful," he said according to the website. "I strive always to harmonize what my heart tells me with what my mind dictates."
Charlotte Smith, editor of BBC Music Magazine, said, "That the artist at the center of these three prestigious awards should just have celebrated his 21st birthday is downright astonishing. But Lim Yunchan is no ordinary artist."
Released in April last year, Lim's "Chopin: Etudes" has already earned widespread global acclaim. It previously won the Gramophone Classical Music Award in the piano category, where he was also named Young Artist of the Year. (Yonhap)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
3 days ago
- Korea Herald
When K-pop stays abroad: The rise of export-oriented idol groups
Idol groups turn to overseas markets as saturation in Korea makes domestic success harder to achieve, say critics In the age of global K-pop, not all idol groups shine equally at home and abroad. Fans and insiders are describing a growing number of acts as 'export-oriented idols' — groups who debut in Korea but quickly shift focus to international activities due to lackluster local reception. While some idols still enjoy popularity across the board — such as BTS and Blackpink, who command massive fan bases both in Korea and worldwide — others are far more prominent overseas than they are domestically. Groups like Dreamcatcher, ARTMS, Kep1er and Enhypen have built their careers largely through global tours and overseas fandoms, with limited exposure or fanfare within Korea. Even Stray Kids and Ateez — among the most visible K-pop groups in the US and Europe — perform primarily in overseas stadiums while maintaining a relatively smaller presence locally. The disconnect has sparked questions about why some idol groups appear to "skip" Korea entirely, despite being products of its music system. According to music critic Lim Hee-yun, the divide is rooted in how the industry has evolved. 'The overseas K-pop market has grown dramatically, while the domestic one is shrinking,' Lim said, Friday. 'In Korea, competition is too fierce. New idol groups debut constantly and general interest in idols has declined.' Lim points to shifts in listening habits as part of the problem. 'Unless you're in the top five, it's hard to chart or create buzz. Fans are more likely to stick with artists they already follow or stream songs recommended by algorithms. The days when a new idol group could instantly become a public sensation are gone.' This saturation has made the Korean market harder to penetrate, particularly for mid-tier or rookie groups. 'Some major agencies have idols whose overseas revenue accounts for 70 percent of their total,' Lim said. 'Naturally, those groups prioritize international tours and promotions.' An executive at an indie K-pop agency who spoke on condition of anonymity echoed this view, adding that the marketing strategy varies by company size. 'For major K-pop agencies (like SM, JYP and YG Entertainment), the model is to build a strong local fan base, then expand to Asia and beyond,' he said. 'But for smaller agencies, it's often more effective to aim directly at overseas audiences.' The executive cited Ateez of KQ Entertainment as a clear example. 'They're not from a major company, but by targeting global fans from the start, they built a sustainable fandom abroad. Now they're doing world tours with far more impact than their domestic engagements.' Girl group Fifty Fifty's breakout hit 'Cupid' wasn't initially designed for the Korean market, the insider said. 'We saw that overseas fans responded well to a track from its first EP ... So we used that as a reference and deliberately created a song targeting American teens. That's how 'Cupid' came about — with support from Warner Music to push it globally.' Still, the divide between domestic and overseas success raises questions about the long-term sustainability of this model. 'The K-pop industry is in an oversupply crisis,' Lim said. 'Too many acts, too few consumers. If the bubble bursts, and it might, only groups with solid backing or loyal fan bases will endure.'
Korea Herald
4 days ago
- Korea Herald
Lim Young-woong to drop second LP in August
Megahit trot singer to return with new album delving into diverse genres Singer Lim Young-woong is set to make his return with a new full-length album, marking his first in over three years. On Thursday, his agency Mulgogi Music announced via Lim's official social media channels that his second full album "Im Hero 2" will be released on Aug. 29. This marks the singer's first full-length album since "IM Hero," which was released in May 2022. Lim rose to national fame in 2020 after winning the first season of TV Choson's trot audition program "Mr. Trot." Since then, he has expanded beyond trot as an artist by exploring a wide range of genres, including ballad, jazz, rock and hip-hop. His upcoming album is expected to continue this trend, featuring a rich mix of musical styles. Alongside the album announcement, a teaser video was also released. Featuring a soft sky-blue background, a pentagon-shaped logo, cloud in the shape of hearts, vibrantly colored flowers and gently falling petals, the video creates a whimsical and heartwarming atmosphere reminiscent of a fairy tale.
Korea Herald
4 days ago
- Korea Herald
Festival celebrating MapleStory to be held in Taipei, LA
Popular game festival set to go global after 2024 debut in Ilsan South Korean gaming company Nexon announced plans to bring its flagship massively multiplayer online role-playing game MapleStory to fans in Taipei and the US with the upcoming global festival, "Maple Con 2025." Marking the game's 20th anniversary, the event aims to foster community engagement through interactive programs that allow players to share memories and emotional connections forged through the game. "Maple Con 2025 Taipei," scheduled for August 2-3 in Taipei, Taiwan, will offer a diverse lineup including an official merchandise store, game-themed installations and photo booths, a merchandise customization experience, a user-driven stage event and a marketplace dedicated to fan-created MapleStory works. Nexon also announced plans to set a new Guinness World Record by assembling 'the largest human orange mushroom' with over 2,000 participants at the event. This follows a 2017 Taipei event where the company set the record for creating the largest human maple leaf, with 1,558 people forming the shape while wearing red hoodies. The festival will continue in the US with "Maple Con Los Angeles 2025" slated for late October, featuring a range of attractions celebrating two decades of MapleStory. Additional details are expected to be announced in the coming months. The inaugural "Maple Con," held in December at Kintex in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province, drew roughly 10,000 attendees over three days, highlighting the enduring enthusiasm for the franchise. With a worldwide user base estimated at 150 million, MapleStory is one of the most popular Korean games. By expanding "Maple Con" internationally, Nexon said it aims to reinforce the brand's presence and further develop the MapleStory IP both domestically and abroad.
