Seohyun is drawing criticism after announcing a violin performance at one of Korea’s top classical venues—just five months after picking up the instrument.
Last week, her agency KKUM ENT confirmed that Seohyun will appear as a special guest at the Sol Philharmonic Orchestra’s 8th Regular Concert on March 13th at Lotte Concert Hall in Seoul.
She is set to perform “Csardas” by Vittorio Monti, a technically demanding showpiece known for its dramatic shifts in tempo and mood. The agency emphasized that Seohyun is still a beginner, saying she hopes to share the joy of music rather than aim for professional-level perfection.
Her appearance was arranged after she expressed support for the Sol Philharmonic’s mission, an amateur orchestra made up of non-professional musicians who perform for the love of classical music. A representative said, “We hope her participation will make classical music feel more accessible.”
Still, the announcement quickly sparked debate.
Many questioned whether a major venue like Lotte Concert Hall is an appropriate stage for someone with less than half-a-month of training, with some calling the opportunity “special treatment” tied to her celebrity status.
Online reactions have been mixed: “Isn’t it fine if it’s an amateur orchestra?” one user wrote, while another commented, “Being famous really does open every door.”
Others also pointed to the high cost of the venue, with one noting, “It reportedly costs about 7 million KRW per hour (around $4,800).”
The concert will be conducted by Cho Sang Wook and will also feature violinist Baek Joo Young, with a program including Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5, Marquez’s “Danzon No. 2,” and Vivaldi’s “Spring” from The Four Seasons.
Want to know which K-dramas are trending? Watch them for free on Amasian TV! Now streaming on Channel 250 (U.S.) and Channel 263 (Canada) via lgchannels.com, or anytime on OnDemandKorea.
Source (1)
