Busan is good

‘Youth World-Class’ Composer An Hoo-yoon to Meet Audiences in Busan

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that composer An Hoo-yoon, who was selected as a young talent under the 2023 Youth World-Class Development Program, is scheduled to perform at the “4th Breeze-On Wind Orchestra Regular Concert” to be held on July 18 at 7:30 PM at the Busan Concert Hall.

The concert, themed “Breeze of Busan: The Waves of the Grand Organ,” will feature works that transcend the boundaries of city, art, people, and memory. The performance will be enriched by over 50 musicians, including conductor Kim Sung-joon, organist Choi Seo-young, clarinetists Park Joo-seon and Lim In-seo, and flutist Lee Joo-kyung—all representing Busan’s vibrant pool of young musical talents.

In particular, this concert will feature the premiere of composer An Hoo-yoon’s new piece Mr. Romance. This work captures the serenity and vitality of “Busan” through a rich wind orchestration and emotive piano melodies. The city of Busan is personified as a symbolic figure akin to James Bond, portrayed as a single character with its own personality.

An Hoo-yoon graduated from middle and high school in Busan and is currently studying film music composition at Berklee College of Music in the United States. Since being selected as a young talent in 2023, she has actively promoted Busan on the global stage through various activities, including serving as music director for the Gonyeojeondo special exhibition at the Busan Museum, conducting and recording original compositions with the Hollywood Studio Orchestra at Warner Bros. Studios in the U.S., and participating in international events.

The “Youth World-Class Development Program” is a signature youth support initiative by Busan Metropolitan City, launched in 2021 to foster young talents with high growth potential into global leaders. Selected individuals are provided with up to 100 million KRW in competency development funding over three years, along with tailored education, mentoring, and opportunities to participate in international events.

This year, 120 young people applied, marking a more than 70% increase in competition compared to the previous year. Through a first-round document review and a second-round presentation, six were selected. The city plans to select the final three candidates through a third public review in August.

Notable talents who have emerged from this program include composer An Hoo-yoon (2023), fashion designer Yoon Seok-woon (2021), novelist Oh Seong-eun (2023), and chef Jeon Ji-seong (2023). These individuals have proven their capabilities in their respective fields and have contributed to promoting Busan globally.

Composer An Hoo-yoon stated, “Busan is a city always filled with stories,” and added, “Through the Youth World-Class Development Program, I have gained various creative opportunities, and this concert is a chance to share the fruits of that journey with the citizens.” She continued, “I hope this program becomes a new challenge and growth opportunity for many young people in Busan.”

Kim Gwi-ok, Director General of the Youth-Industry Collaboration Bureau, said, “The Youth World-Class Development Program is a core initiative to help Busan’s youth thrive on the global stage,” adding, “We will continue to discover and support young global talents in various fields, including the arts, science, and future industries.”