Jaeil Jung of 'Squid Game' to Present First Orchestral Piece at Invitation of Seoul Philharmonic Director

Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra Regular Concert on September 25-26
World Premiere of Jaeil Jung's New Work "Inferno"

"I have always been searching for composers capable of creating intriguing and powerful music. When I first heard the music from 'Squid Game,' I knew I had to set my sights on composer Jaeil Jung."

Yap Pan Tsubeden, music director of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, shared this as the reason for commissioning composer Jaeil Jung at the new work announcement press conference held on September 23 at The Prima Art Center in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Thanks to Tsubeden's enthusiastic invitation, Jaeil Jung is unveiling his very first orchestral piece to the world. The stage for this debut will be the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra's regular concert, scheduled for September 25-26 at Lotte Concert Hall. On these dates, the orchestra will present the world premiere of Jung's new work, "Inferno." This will be followed by a performance of Rachmaninoff's "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini" with pianist Jaehong Park, and the concert will conclude with Brahms' Symphony No. 1.

Yap Pan Tsubeden, music director of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, is explaining the reason for commissioning a work from music director Jeong Jaeil at the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra's new work announcement press conference held on the 23rd at The Prima Art Center in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
Photo by Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra

Since his appointment as music director of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra in January 2023, Tsubeden expressed his desire to collaborate with Jaeil Jung at his very first press conference. Composer Jaeil Jung recalled, "When I read the article, I wondered how Music Director Tsubeden knew about me," adding, "A few months later, I actually received a message asking to meet."

Tsubeden and Jung met in person for the first time in April 2023. Reflecting on their meeting, Jung said, "Since I had been working on projects for films and other content, I wondered if I could even compose a piece for an orchestra, so I went to meet Director Tsubeden with that in mind." He continued, "Director Tsubeden told me to simply do what I do best," emphasizing, "The most important thing is that there must be a story."

As a result, Jaeil Jung composed his first orchestral piece, structured in four movements and lasting about 18 minutes. The title, "Inferno," means "hell" in Italian. Jung shared that he drew inspiration from the novel "Invisible Cities" by Italian writer Italo Calvino. "I always wanted to turn this fantastic story and journey into something on stage or in music."

Jaeil Jung: "Inspired by a Novel to Compose 'Inferno'"

Jaeil Jung noted that he found particular inspiration in the final sentence of the book. "It is a conversation between Marco Polo and Kublai Khan. Inferno is not somewhere else; it is here, within us. The question is whether we will sink into Inferno and become assimilated with it, or strive to find what is not Inferno. This gave me profound inspiration."

He added, "It made me continually reflect on my own life, and I keep thinking that we are living in a situation where truly tragic events are happening all the time and we cannot see even a step ahead."

Composer Jaeil Jung is explaining his new work 'Inferno' at the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra's new work announcement press conference held on the 23rd at The Prima Art Center in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra]

Jaeil Jung also considered incorporating the novel's final sentence, which was his source of inspiration, as a narration in "Inferno." However, he explained, "I decided against it, thinking it would unnecessarily limit the imagination of the audience, performers, and conductor."

Director Tsubeden held the first rehearsal of "Inferno" with the orchestra members the day before.

"I believe 'Inferno' is a piece that can provide comfort in this era and truly fulfills the role of music. This work reflects the times we are living in. In some ways, it may sound dark, but there is also an escape. There is fear, but also outpouring, and ultimately, I felt there is peace within the music."

Tsubeden: "'Inferno' to Be Performed at Carnegie Hall in the United States"

Director Tsubeden has repeatedly emphasized that an orchestra should be like a chameleon, possessing the ability to present a wide variety of music. He praised Jaeil Jung as "a musician who is truly like a chameleon." He added, "Listening to Jaeil Jung's music, you can sense his unique musical world, and I believed he had more than enough ability to compose not only film music but also classical music," describing him as "a highly versatile composer."

Yap Pan Tsubeden, music director of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (left), and composer Jeong Jaeil are taking a commemorative photo after concluding the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra new work announcement press conference held on the 23rd at The Prima Art Center in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra]

Jaeil Jung's "Inferno" will also be performed at Carnegie Hall in New York, United States. Music Director Tsubeden announced plans to perform "Inferno" during the orchestra's U.S. tour.

The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra will embark on a North American tour from October 27 to November 1. This is the orchestra's first large-scale overseas tour in three years, following its European tour in 2022. The tour will begin with an invited performance at the world-renowned Carnegie Hall in New York on October 27, followed by four concerts at the McKnight Center at the University of Oklahoma in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Violinist Bomsori Kim and pianist Jaehong Park will join the tour as soloists.