College of Music Korean Music Major (Instrumental Music) Kim Min-chang wins 'grand prize' at the Daegu Korean Music Festival
Began practicing after hearing second grade teacher playing the daegeum in elementary school
Took first place in every contest... After resting for 4 years, began practicing again in second year of high school
[May 30, 2017]
<Kwon Min-chang of the College of Music Korean Music Major (Instrumental Music) who won the grand prize at the 28th Daegu Korean MUsic Festival National Korean Music Contest>
A country boy who began playing the daegum (traditional Korean flute) is taking one step at a time in becoming a traditional Korean music virtuoso after many hardships during his adolescent years.
Kwon Min-chang (22, College of Music Korean Music Major (Instrumental Music), junior) who is majoring in the daegum at YU recently won the 'grand prize' at the general contest in the recently held 28th Daegu Korean Music Festival National Korean Music Contest. The grand prize encompasses all events such as instrumental music, pansori, dance, folk songs, and pungmul for overall first place.
Kwon played the Kim Dong-jin style daegeum sanjo (free-style solo) at this contest and took first place in the instrumental section. In the finals, he competed for the grand prize with other participants who took first place in their respective fields. In result, he won the grand prize and won the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award and a cash prize of two million won.
Mr. Kwon began to shine from his freshman year by winning the silver medal at the 2013 national daegeum contest. In fact, Kwon was recognized for his talents by sweeping various student contests since he was young. He also appeared in the 'KBS Growth Documentary - Dream' TV show when he was in the fifth grade.
Kwon first learned the daegeum when he was in second grade in elementary school. He happened to hear his homeroom teacher in the second grade play the daegeum, and he said that he fell in love with the daegeum since then.
"After class, I was outside playing with my friends, but I heard the sound of the daegeum flowing out of an empty classroom. I did not know that it was a daegeum at first. I took a peak through the door and saw my teacher playing the daegeum. I stood there dazed by the sound that came out of the instrument. Then my teacher called at me and asked me if I wanted to try. That's when I started practicing the daegeum with my teacher."
Kwon received lessons every day from his teacher since then. He said, "My teacher took time out to teach. I was given lessons on the weekends once I became a little older and even took me to daegeum contests all around the country. My teacher is like my parent."
Kwon won most of the contests that he entered, demonstrating unparalleled talent. Despite financial issues at home, he continued to work hard and always stayed on top. He was recognized for his growth potential and was promised sponsorship as well.
"After appearing on 'KBS Growth Documentary - Dream', the president of KBS promised to sponsor me so that I could continue my studies. It was not limited to just daegeum lessons, but also other studies such as math and English.
Despite his extraordinary talents, Kwon stopped playing the daegeum for a while during his adolescent years. Kwon became interested in bodybuilding in middle school and decided to pick up workout equipment instead of playing the daegeum. This trait in which he perseveres to the end once he puts his mind on something was also demonstrated here.
Kwon said he worked out extremely hard just like he played the daegeum all the time in elementary school. By the end of his third year in middle school, he beat older high school students and was selected to represent all students of Gyeongsangbuk-do. But financial problems once again became an issue.
"I figured that since I would represent our province, I would be able to go on off-season training and receive proper training. However, I did not receive as much support as I expected. So I had no choice but to give up on this path. I cried a lot at this time."
Kwon went on to a technical high school after giving up on his dream that he worked on for three years. He did not practice the daegeum and stopped working out and focused on studying in high school. But at the end of his first year, he got in touch with his teacher who taught him the daegeum in elementary school.
"I received a phone call at my high school. My teacher said that he happened to hear about me from another teacher and said that he wanted to meet with me. I felt sorry that I never got in touch with him, but moreover, I was happy to be able to see him. I met with him and he told me that the sponsorship was still available. He asked me if I wanted to go back and play the daegeum. I did not think twice and said that I wanted to."
Mr. Kwon picked up the daegeum after four years and has since been moving forward to become a virtuoso of this instrument. In his third year in high school, he took first place in the instrumental music section at the YU music competition and was admitted to YU on a scholarship.
Kwon said that he had no regrets on stopping the daegeum during middle school and focusing on something else. He said, "It was okay then, and it is okay now. If I just followed the path given to me through sponsorships, I may not be here today. I gained a lot more by having more diverse experiences rather than spending my entire childhood and adolescence with the daegeum."
Nowadays, Kwon is invited to events and also gives lessons to people who want to learn how to play the daegeum. He also made a fusion traditional Korean music band titled 'Madi' and puts on performances.
We asked what Kwon's dream is. He answered, "Just like when I was in the second grade of elementary school where I fell in love with the sound of the daegeum, I really do not have a concrete goal for the future. I just love the sound of the daegeum and our traditional music, and so I want to just spend every day listening to, playing and enjoying traditional music. I know I am still young and not ready to become the greatest virtuoso, but enjoying our music on a daily basis can be a happy life in my opinion."
