K-Violinist Han Soojin: Music is healing and hope

Seoul –

By: Samar Yahya

Have you ever considered creating a language that every human being recognizes and understands? This global language is simply music.

Throughout history, music has played an essential role in people’s lives, whether they are happy or sad. Music has always had a significant impact on people’s history and culture.

Although we do not know when humans first began listening to music, the benefits of music are numerous, both individually and communally.

In an interview with Asdafnews.com, renowned Korean violinist Han Soojin stated that music gives hope and heals the soul and mind.

Soojin is concerned about talented young children and in her long-term plan, she is thinking of a new education method for them. “I believe I have to pass what I was given to the next generation of talented children.”

Soojin couldn’t think of anything else to do but playing music. Her mother and grandmother, both violinists, gave her a strong musical foundation. As a child, she was interested in other arts, such as ballet and painting, but she focused on playing the violin, then everything in her life revolved around music.

“I consider myself extremely fortunate as my parents always backed me. They discovered that I have a state of complete deafness in my left ear when I was only 4 years. At school, I misunderstood the homework assignments as I was seated on the left backside of the classroom, the teacher spoke to my parents saying that Soojin is not the type of child who misunderstands her homework. It is then when my parents took me to hospital and discovered the case of deafness.”

“It is actually a genetic condition as my mother has it and her grandfather had it. It is a condition that usually skips a generation. However and for some anonymous reason, it came straight to me.”

Soojin never considered her deafness as an obstacle to her

Brought up in the UK, Soojin said: “In UK the education system gives you the chance to be yourself and to develop your personality, unlike in Korea, where it is different and very competitive, everyone was so focused on economy and to be the best at everything, who know’s I might not have been a musician if I was not there.”

Asked if she plays Korean classical music, Soojin replied, “I would like to play more Korean compositions now as my focus has always been on the western classics. Therefore, it is time to look into more Korean composers.”

As a musician, Soojin believes in music as a soul healer, and when she plays the violin, inspiration overwhelms her, and she forgets about everything else, even though if she begins playing while she is not in the best state of mind.

Soojin won a competition to perform with the London Symphony Orchestra, and she did so with Jean Sibelius’ Concerto.

She has also performed at the Royal Festival Hall and the Wigmore Hall, in addition to the Barbican Center Hall. She also performs in other European countries.

Soojin has performed as soloist with orchestras such as the London Symphony, Poznan Philharmonic among others. Soojin placed second as the youngest competitor and youngest ever top prize winner at the Wieniawski International Violin Competition 2001 in Poznan, Poland.

She also won first place in the 2002 Tunbridge Wells International Young Concert Artists Competition and the 2006 Bayreuth International Competition.

Her passion for chamber music has led her to participate in several performances.