By Honorary Reporter Mariam Salah from Egypt
Photos = Yoo Ka Youn

Yoo Ka Youn is a composer and music producer who blends native Korean sounds with contemporary music. She has performed her works at the Royal Opera House and BFI Southbank in London and the National Gugak Center in Seoul, with collaborations featuring the BBC Concert Orchestra. 

Her international accolades include one from the 2018 Royal Opera House Fanfare Competition. She has also led music education projects in the Caribbean and produced "K-folklore: Past, Present, Future" for the Korean Cultural Center in London.

Yoo Ka Youn

The following are excerpts from an interview with Yoo via Instagram from July 23-31 on her career from Korea to London and her passion for preserving heritage.

Briefly introduce yourself.
I'm a composer from Korea who is based in London. My work is deeply inspired by traditional Korean music, which I love blending with Western orchestral styles. I'm also passionate about sharing Korean culture with a broader audience, so I've curated monthly events for the British public on aspects of Korean culture.

How did growing up in Korea and living in London shape your musical style?
While I was primarily interested in Western classical music in Korea, it was only after moving to London in 2017 that I truly recognized the beauty of Korean culture. In a city rich with diverse musical traditions but little exposure to Korean music, I felt inspired to introduce its unique sound to audiences in London. This journey has shaped my musical style, blending Korean roots with global influences.

Yoo Ka Youn works on the album "Echos From the Past," a collection of music based on gugak (traditional music) intended for worldwide distribution.

How was composing your first piece with Korean rhythms and Western music?
In "Taepyeong," I went beyond simply blending Korean rhythms; I experimented with timbre, exploring how Western instruments could evoke the sounds of traditional Korean instruments. This process also made me realize my passion for film composition. I discovered a deep interest in orchestral writing, harmonic language and blending different cultures through music, which is what film scores are often about.

What draws you to traditional instruments like the gayageum (traditional zither)?
My love for Korean music and soundtracks to historical dramas inspires me to blend traditional instruments with strings and piano. I'm especially proud of my upcoming album, recorded live in London and Seoul with my mother playing the daegeum (bamboo flute) and my aunt on the haegeum (traditional fiddle).

Yoo Ka Youn records at the Royal College of Music.

What message do you hope your music carries across cultures?
I believe music is a universal language that allows us to connect, share stories and understand one another without words. I hope to bring comfort, spark curiosity and invite audiences to discover new stories and cultures, especially from Korean heritage.

msjeon22@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.