Yoon In-chon Congratulates Kim Se-hyun and Lee Hyo for 'Long Tibo Achievement' "Spreading K-Classic Worldwide"

Yoo In-chon, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, sent congratulatory messages to Kim Se-hyun, who won first place in the piano category at the Long-Thibaud International Competition held in Paris, France, which concluded on the 30th of last month (local time), and to Lee Hyo, who won third place with no second place awarded, expressing his congratulations and encouragement.

Minister Yoo stated, "This victory has become an opportunity to showcase the outstanding skills of K-classical music to the world," and added, "I sincerely applaud the intense contemplation and effort that must have been spent leading up to this glorious moment." He continued, "I hope today's brilliant achievement will further increase the public's interest and affection for our classical music scene," and encouraged, "I will support that the music of both artists brings greater resonance and emotion to people around the world."

Pianist Kim Sehyun, winner of the piano category at the 2025 Long Thibault International Competition
[Photo by Kumho Cultural Foundation]

Pianist Kim Se-hyun is currently studying at the New England Conservatory and Harvard University. Previously, he won second place as the youngest contestant in the 2019 Young Tchaikovsky International Online Piano Competition and first place in the 2023 Cleveland International Youth Piano Competition. Lee Hyo is enrolled in the Artist Diploma program at the Paris ?cole Normale de Musique and has won awards at the 2018 Musical Diamond International Competition and the 2021 Arthur Rubinstein Youth International Competition.

The Long-Thibaud International Competition, hosted by the Long-Thibaud Foundation, is a prestigious global competition founded in 1943 by world-renowned pianist Marguerite Long and violinist Jacques Thibaud. It awards young musicians aged 16 to 33 in the categories of piano, violin, and vocal performance. Notable Korean winners include pianist Lim Dong-hyuk (2001), Lee Hyuk (2022), violinist Shin Ji-a (2008), and vocalist Shim Ki-hwan (2011). Lee Hyuk, who won first place in the piano category in 2022, is the older brother of Lee Hyo, who placed third in this year's competition.