Pianist's Village

Impressive Performance! Young Piano Prodigy Nam Soo-hyun, with Flawless Technique, Wins First Place at the Chopin Competition.

Last week, South Korean contestant Nam Soo-hyun became a hot topic after winning first place at a children's competition held in Warsaw, Poland. Nam Soo-hyun was a boy who had never won an award in a Korean competition and was so inexperienced that no one knew which school he attended. However, from the first main stage round, he captivated the judges with a perfect, error-free performance, and in the second main stage round, he presented a display of profound sadness.

Watch the video of the first main competition round ▷ [Chopin] Étude No. 9, Op. 25, 'Butterfly' Watch the video of the second main competition round ▷ [Chopin] Étude No. 10, Op. 3, 'Tristesse'

Surprisingly, Nam Soo-hyun was reportedly nicknamed 'SOL' in Warsaw, Poland, solely based on the video he submitted for the preliminary round. SOL is an acronym for Smile Of Lech. It might not sound familiar to the general public, but most pianists know Lech Piłsudski, a professor at the Warsaw Conservatory of Music. It's a nickname meaning the child who made him smile. Professor Lech Piłsudski's fame resonates throughout Europe. His last solo piano concert, held in Paris, France, 17 years ago, is still remembered by many pianists.

A boy whose skills were recognized by a highly reputable professor, and who made the usually serious man laugh just by watching the video. Lech's laughter was precise. The child demonstrated his unparalleled abilities and reached the final round without any rival to compete with. He performed Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 11 in the orchestral concert that marked the competition's finale. In the final round, where he received excellent reviews for moving spectators and listeners to reminisce about the past, Nam Soo-hyun was unanimously selected as the winner.

Watch the video of the final stage ▷ [Chopin] Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 11.

A young piano prodigy who suddenly appeared in South Korea. All eyes are now on what this boy will achieve in the future. Copyright ⓒ Geumhwa Ilbo. Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited. [email protected]

As soon as the Chopin Competition concluded, rumors began to spread, and Korean journalists residing in Poland, who had held no expectations for Korean participation, belatedly mobilized to provide extensive coverage of the event. Although interest in the children's competition was said to be relatively low, the Korean people were overjoyed when news of the first-place win in a world-renowned competition was announced. And that evening, Soo-hyun's past was revealed to the delighted and captivated Korean public.

Nam Soo-hyun, Winner of the Chopin Competition! Shocking Discovery: He's the Child Who Disappeared in the Swiss Train Accident 7 Years Ago!

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially acknowledges Nam Soo-hyun's disappearance in the Swiss railway accident.

[Found One Month Ago! Interlaken Station in Switzerland Where Nam Soo-hyun Was Discovered]

The Swiss government promises appropriate compensation to Nam Soo-hyun, a victim of the accident.

[A Child Who Lost His Parents in an Accident and Was Left Alone Shines in Poland!] [Korea University's Institute of Music Education Accepts Nam Soo-hyun] [South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Full Financial Support Since Nam Soo-hyun Was Found] [A Flower That Blooms in Misfortune, a Flower That Blooms More Splendidly Than Any Other, Emitting a Potent Fragrance!]

Articles about Soo-hyun multiplied like a hurricane. Naturally, the top spots on real-time search lists were occupied by Soo-hyun.

1st place: Nam Soo-hyun 2nd place: Nam Soo-hyun Chopin Competition 3rd place: Swiss railway accident 4th place: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Response 5th place: Lech Piłsudski

Since Seong-jin Cho became the first Korean to win the XVII International Chopin Piano Competition, national interest in classical music has been growing. The news of Soo-hyun's unfortunate past has ignited this previously lukewarm interest to its peak. At the time, the return of the child presumed dead in a major accident that claimed the lives of many South Korean citizens was newsworthy enough, but when compounded with the news that the child had won the Chopin Competition, the excitement became boundless.

Incheon Airport Arrivals Hall.

Kim Ji-ye, having completed immigration but unable to exit, paces anxiously while speaking on her cell phone, walking back and forth anxiously.

"There are thousands of reporters outside, sir. I can't leave. Please help me."

"Hello, Ms. Kim Ji-ye. If possible, why don't you calm him down and offer a press conference? It's the first time since the establishment of the Republic of Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs that we've received such national praise. The top brass are also very interested. Please bring more prestige to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

"Manager! Soo-hyun is still young!"

"[Oh, what can't be said about being young! From what I saw in the video, he played very well in front of hundreds of people. I've prepared a press conference, so let's go to the venue.]"

"Chief!"

"It's an order."

"Married couple!!!"

Kim Ji-ye urgently called out, but the call disconnected.

Kim Ji-ye huffed as she nervously tossed her phone onto the waiting room sofa.

'Crazy kids! This was the plan from the beginning!'

She actually knew why the Ministry of Foreign Affairs supported Soo-hyun.

When it later became known that Soo-hyun had been found, she vaguely understood it was to demonstrate how much support the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had provided. However, after discovering the truth, Ji-ye Kim felt guilty for staying by Soo-hyun's side as instructed.

'Ahhh! I'm so pissed off!'

For Kim Ji-ye, who was kicking the sofa with her high heels and stomping her feet, Soo-hyun was already like a younger brother.

Soo-hyun, who saw Kim Ji-ye from a distance, slowly approached her.

"Sister?"

"Ahhhh! Huh? Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Soo-hyun. Are you surprised?"

Kim Ji-ye quickly straightened her disheveled hair and clothes.

Soo-hyun asked Kim Ji-ye about it.

"Why? What's the problem?"

"Oh...."

"What is it?"

A tone filled with apology.

But it was an order from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Kim Ji-ye couldn't disobey it.

Kim Ji-ye, who hesitated while giving instructions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, couldn't even lift her head.

Soo-hyun nodded after silently listening to her explanation.

"What is a press conference?"

Kim Ji-ye's body stiffened.

'It disgusts me even more that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would order a child who doesn't even know what a press conference is to do something like this.'

Kim Ji-ye, who had been quietly observing Soo-hyun, suddenly stood up and grabbed Soo-hyun.

"No. I shouldn't be doing this. Let's go."

"Hmm? Where?"

"I can't let the Ministry of Foreign Affairs do such a good job. My conscience won't allow it. My older sister will handle it."

Ji-ye Kim, huffing and complaining, grabs Soo-hyun.

'This older sister sometimes seems like a rhinoceros. She's usually polite and does her job well, but sometimes, when she gets emotional, she's a funny person who doesn't care about the consequences.'

Soo-hyun asked as he was dragged, his wrist held tight.

"Where are you going, Sister?"

"I have to disguise you."

"Disguise? What's a disguise?"

Soo-hyun, being dragged, was terrified because Ji-ye Kim unknowingly pulled him into the women's restroom.

"Hey, Sister!!"

"Stay still! Sister, I'll take care of everything!"

"Hey! Here!"

"There's no one! Come in!"

"Gross!"

Although Soo-hyun yelled, Ji-ye Kim, who had chosen an empty restroom, didn't let go of Soo-hyun.

Incheon Airport Departures Hall.

Victim of the Swiss train accident and Chopin Competition winner.

The journalists waiting for the young piano prodigy Nam Soo-hyun grew tired of waiting and sat down one by one outside the security line of the departure hall.

"No, all the other passengers have already left. Why aren't they coming out?"

"Aren't you wearing makeup? They're going to photograph you."

"It seems the Kumhwa Asian company is already involved."

"Chairman Park Ki-jun is a gentleman very interested in music. They say our country's music industry is growing thanks to him. It's rare to find a businessman who supports without selfish motives like him."

"Well, Chairman Park Ki-jun is a respectable man. However, his children aren't that good."

"Miss, it's already an hour since the plane landed. Did he go somewhere else?"

"Oh, another group is coming out!"

The reporters who had been sitting and resting quickly stood up when they saw the automatic doors of the departure hall open and passengers exit.

People tired from their journey were startled and shocked when journalists suddenly aimed cameras at them.

People panicked and quickly moved away as hundreds of journalists surrounded them, even though they knew they weren't being interviewed.

Quite a few people were coming out to see if another plane had arrived, but Nam Soo-hyun was nowhere to be seen in the video.

When a child of similar age appeared, I took a picture with the camera, but it wasn't Soo-hyun.

The reporter, complaining about whether he had failed again or why he wasn't coming out, picked up the camera after seeing the two people leave a little late, then returned to a dejected expression.

"Damn it, they're both girls."

When the reporter lowered his camera, two women appeared before his eyes.

One is a long-haired woman with sunglasses. She doesn't wear much makeup, but she's beautiful enough to be considered stunning.

She seemed more like an official than a businesswoman, but she definitely had a striking appearance.

And next to her was a woman wearing a white scarf with pink polka dots on her face and sunglasses covering her eyes.

The two people are similar in height, but their skin is different.

Although her face is covered by sunglasses, she is a beauty with baby-soft skin whiter than snow.

The journalists' attention turned to this unique woman, who wore very red lipstick and walked with a slightly clumsy gait.

"Wow, she's beautiful."

"You say something like that in this situation?"

"That's how you kill time. Look over there. The older sister is thin and looks like a career woman. The younger sister looks fresh. But the hair sticking out of the scarf is blond. Is it a wig?"

"It looks like a wig. But I think the younger sister is prettier. They are similar in height, but her face looks younger, so she looks a lot like the younger sister. I think the younger sister suits me more."

The two men quickly disappear as the journalists exchange jokes.

The older sister turned slightly and whispered something to her younger sister.

"Walk naturally, don't walk like a man!"

"Oh, like that?"

"Wiggle your butt a little more, sway. Like me."

As Kim Ji-ye flaunted her feminine walk, Soo-hyun, hiding his face behind a scarf and sunglasses, followed, sweating profusely.

'What the hell is going on…?'

If the two old men had seen this, they would have rolled on the floor laughing.

That day, Soo-hyun felt like cursing for the first time in his life.

Soo-hyun looks at Kim Ji-ye as he is dragged away, his wrists held.

Kim Ji-ye's side profile is seen walking quickly, looking straight ahead, determined to get out of there fast.

Soo-hyun smiled slightly, looked back, and lowered his sunglasses.

It seems there's still a group of reporters waiting for him.

"I'm sorry, sir."

Soo-hyun, who had pulled up his sunglasses, saw Kim Ji-ye pulling him away.

"Thanks, Sister. Though I don't really like the method."

'I don't know what it was, but I felt like I wanted to hide immediately.'

However, Soo-hyun felt a little relieved after sending a sincere message of gratitude to Ji-ye Kim, who was working hard for him.

But that feeling was fleeting.

Soo-hyun felt the need to curse again after seeing Professor Lee Chan-ho, whom he met in the parking lot, making a strange face and avoiding eye contact to hold back his laughter when he saw him.