[비즈한국] Cellist-turned-conductor Han-Na Chang has been appointed as the president of the Seoul Arts Center. She is the first female musician to hold this position since the center opened in 1987.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced in a press release on the morning of the 6th that Han-Na Chang would be appointed as president of the Seoul Arts Center. Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young stated the reason for her appointment, saying that she "possesses deep understanding and insight into the performing arts as a whole, based on 32 years of rich field experience and leadership as a world-class performer and conductor, as well as her network of exchanges with global musical organizations and musicians." He added, "At this critical juncture where K-culture is expanding globally, I expect conductor Han-Na Chang to present a new artistic vision for the Seoul Arts Center, the representative platform for basic arts in Korea, and to lead its leap forward."
Han-Na Chang is a world-class musician who was widely known as a cello prodigy from a young age. Born in 1982 (42 years old), she won the Grand Prix at the 5th Rostropovich International Cello Competition in 1994 at the age of 11. She received the Echo Klassik Award for Young Artist of the Year in 1997, the Gramophone Award and Echo Klassik Award in 2003, and the Concerto Award at the 10th Cannes Classical Awards in 2004. In 2006, she was selected by the classical music magazine Gramophone as one of the 20 Classical Superstars of Tomorrow. Since 2007, she has transitioned into conducting and has been actively engaged both domestically and internationally. In November 2025, she was appointed as a distinguished visiting professor at the KAIST Graduate School of Culture Technology, where she is also dedicated to nurturing the next generation.
According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Han-Na Chang is currently residing abroad and is coordinating her return schedule. She is expected to receive her letter of appointment from the minister and begin her three-year term as early as Friday, April 24.