The Korean Musical Mystery by Thierry Loreau
We’re incredibly thankful to Thierry Loreau for allowing us to share the full length online version of “The Korean Musical Mystery” on our BKBF site. Now, we can’t wait for the second part. Click on the picture below and enjoy !!!
Thierry Loreau, musical documentary director, is now working on his second film on the excellence of Korean classical musicians and their impressive rankings in International competitions. During his visit in Seoul, BKBF, in collaboration with Yoon Barbé from Jejoo Studio, was pleased to organize a casual meet-up with Thierry, his crew and our Ambassador H.E. Peter Lescouhier. Following an insightful presentation given by Thierry, our Belgian-Korean group, also joined by film director Ji-eun Kang (강지은), had an enriching debate reflecting on the differences in music exposure and education between Belgium and Korea. This Korean participation surge and explosive success in international competitions all come from a formidable determination by those Korean talents. Their story is truly marvelous and through his documentary “The Korean Musical Mystery”, Thierry Loreau brings us behind the scenes with profound interviews, revealing anecdotes and exposing the contrasts between Korean and European training grounds.
Biography :
Thierry Loreau graduated from the University of Brussels, Belgium with a M.D., Musicology. He has won three First Prizes at the Royal Conservatories of Brussels and Mons. Thierry started his career as a music adviser and co-director at the RTBF, the French speaking Belgium Television where he soon specialized in concerts and opera broadcasting. Since 1996, Thierry coauthored with Pierre Barré more than 50 musical documentaries, from the journeys behind the scenes of opera productions and portraits of great classical or jazz musicians such as Toots Thielemans; to a film about the extraordinary success of Korean classical musicians; and films featuring well-known Belgian musicians, all of whom have participated in the Jeunes Solistes.
Project :
Since about fifteen years, South Korea is more and more active in the field of Western classical music. Just a look at the archives of the Queen Elisabeth Competition of Belgium is enough to realize it. In 2010, 29% of the candidates came from Korea and 5 of them were in the final. Many questions arise. First, what is the reason for this enthusiasm for a music so different from Korean musical traditions? How do young Koreans learn this music? And how quickly do they become excellent in their discipline? In 2011, Thierry decided to understand this mystery. With his team, he went to Seoul and made a movie which gave answers to all the unanswered questions: “The Korean Musical Mystery.” It was a quick success around the world. It has been screened at least 10 times in cinemas and on television in Belgium and many international festivals have selected it, among others Jecheon JIMFF (South Korea), EPOS (Tel Aviv), FIFA (Montreal), FIPA (Biarritz), Estivales du Medoc (Bordeaux), ISELP (Brussels), Busoni Competition (Bolzano), etc…
Seven years after the first movie, Korean musicians continue to win almost all the most important competitions. In 2013 and 2014, Korean musicians ranked first in 9 international competitions. Since 1998, there were 645 Korean musicians in the final and 108 first prizes. To continue to explore this mystery, Thierry has decided to develop a second movie. He wants to go behind the musician; behind the technician, and get to know their personality, what is deep in their heart and soul to play with such sensitivity and expressiveness. The second film will focus more on the professional and social life of 4 artists who have recently won major international competitions, including the Queen Elisabeth Competition.Thierry Loreau was recently featured on SBS 14/9, which you can watch at this link : https://tv.naver.com/v/9858480
