The Leader of Symphony Orchestras in Korea

A musical institute with a national reputation, leading the classical music scene in Korea

Since its establishment in 1956, the KBSSO has been leading the growth of the classical music community in Korea with its high-caliber performances. A number of world-class conductors have led the orchestra over the decades, starting with Lim Won-sik, the inaugural chief conductor, and including Hong Yeon-taek, Won Kyung-su, Othmar Maga, Chung Myung-whun, Dmitri Kitaenko, and Yoel Levi. Pietari Inkinen was appointed the ninth music director of the KBSSO in 2022, raising expectations for its growth from the nation’s foremost musical institution into one of the top orchestras worldwide. The orchestra now serves as the driving force of classical music in Korea.

An orchestra ready to inspire the people anywhere, at any time

The KBSSO is a beloved institution in Korea that has inspired the public with its wide-ranging repertoires featuring large symphonic works and chamber music alike. The orchestra performs over 100 concerts annually, including its highly-praised subscription series, seasonal and thematic concerts, invitational concerts for local cities and corporations, and cultural outreach activities that bring classical music to every corner of Korea. The KBSSO’s much-admired music is also regularly broadcast on TV and radio, enabling the Korean public to enjoy classical music no matter the time or place.

A content-creating orchestra writing a new chapter in the history of classical music in Korea

The KBSSO attracted the world’s attention in 2018 when Deutsche Grammophon, the world-renowned classical music label, released a live performance album of Mahler’s 9th Symphony. The KBSSO also put the Korean classical music scene on the map when it performed at the centennial of Czechoslovakia’s founding in 2018 and went on to perform on two European stages in 2019, first in celebration of 30 years of Korea’s diplomatic relations with Poland and later in a special performance at the Wiener Musikverein (“Golden Hall Vienna”). More recently, the special performance the orchestra gave during the pandemic, broadcast on four online channels simultaneously, was watched by over 23,000 viewers in real time. The Orchestra also launched Digital K-Hall, a digital archive for classical music to provide quality musical content for the public free of charge. KBSSO is now writing a new chapter in its history as a creator of digital content for classical music lovers in Korea. The KBSSO will continue serving as the face and leader of classical music in Korea with its unmatched performances and innovative events.