SEOUL, May 06 (AJP) - World-renowned soprano Jo Sumi marked the 40th anniversary of her international debut Wednesday, outlining a forward-looking vision focused on nurturing young artists while expanding her musical scope through new collaborations. The milestone signals a strategic shift for South Korea's most iconic classical figure as she integrates her legacy with modern entertainment structures.
"What I can do now is share what I have with as many people as possible," she said at a press conference held at InterContinental Grand Seoul Parnas in Seoul. The event featured the signing of an exclusive recording contract with SM Classics, a classical label under SM Entertainment, bridging the gap between classical and mainstream music.
Jo Sumi, who debuted in 1986 at Italy's Teatro Verdi, has performed at leading global venues including La Scala, the Metropolitan Opera and the Salzburg Festival. She is widely regarded as the first South Korean classical musician to establish a dominant global presence at a time when Asian vocalists were rare on major opera stages.
She was also recently named the recipient of the Samsung Ho-Am Prize in the Arts, one of South Korea's most prestigious honors. The award ceremony is scheduled for June 1.
The soprano's remarks focused primarily on supporting the next generation rather than her own historical achievements. "It is not just about discovering talented singers, but about creating real opportunities for them to perform," she said. "I want to help young musicians sustain their careers."
This philosophy drives the second Sumi Jo International Singing Competition, scheduled for July at the Chateau de la Ferte-Imbault in France's Loire Valley. The inaugural competition drew 500 applicants from 47 countries, while this year's edition has attracted participants from 55 nations. The event coincides with the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and France. Jo Sumi emphasized that she hopes young musicians will grow into "artists who serve as messengers of peace."
Her 40th-anniversary project includes a special album titled CONTINUUM, which she described as one that looks ahead rather than back. "I am still in progress," she said. "I wanted to reinterpret my life and experiences through a new musical language."
Lee Sung-soo, chief administrative officer of SM Entertainment, said the partnership carries broad significance for South Korea's music industry. He noted that Jo Sumi introduced South Korean music to the global stage long before the international rise of K-pop. "We hope this collaboration becomes a meaningful convergence of classical music, K-pop and the broader cultural industry," Lee Sung-soo said. He added that bringing Jo Sumi on board as an exclusive recording artist represents a symbolic step for the country's cultural ecosystem.
The album features a duet with Suho of the K-pop group EXO, whom Jo Sumi described as a "very stable artist." She praised his dedication and focus throughout the recording process. A nationwide tour will kick off on Saturday in Changwon, followed by performances in more than 20 cities including Seoul, Busan and Gwangju. Jo Sumi chose Changwon as the opening venue as a tribute to her late parents.
"Although they are no longer with me, I wanted them to hear this music first," she said. Throughout the event, she repeatedly identified "freedom" as the defining value of her artistic life.
"For an artist, the most important thing is freedom," she said.
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