Maestro Chung Myung-whun to lead KBS Symphony Orchestra

Prominent conductor Chung Myung-whun is returning to his roots to lead the KBS Symphony Orchestra as its 10th music director starting January next year, shifting his focus from competitive excellence to a mentorship-driven vision of supporting and nurturing musicians. His tenure will begin just as the ensemble celebrates its 70th anniversary, "When I led this orchestra 20 years ago, it was as if I were building a national team for the Olympics with a clear goal in mind. But I think the time for that kind of thinking has passed,” the 72-year-old maestro said during a press conference in Seoul, Friday. "Now, my role is to love the musicians and help them grow as much as they can. I want to be someone who tells the players to perform with peace of mind." Chung will serve as a music director through 2028. His move is noticeable given his recent appointment as the next music director of Italy’s legendary La Scala opera house, starting in 2027. Despite his demanding international schedule, Chung said he couldn't pass up the offer to lead the KBS Symphony Orchestra because of his personal