Accompanying President Lee Jae-myung on his European tour, Kim attended a "Conversation with Next Generation K-Classical Musicians" event at the Korean Embassy in Brussels, where she met young musicians and their supporters, listened to performances, and engaged in discussions.
According to a written briefing from Ahn Gyu-ryeong, deputy spokesperson for the Blue House, Belgium hosts the Queen Elizabeth Competition, one of the world's top three classical music competitions, annually.
After watching a performance by cellist Kim Tae-yeon, a runner-up in the Queen Elizabeth Competition, Kim expressed her emotions, saying, "It was really hard to hold back tears. As a musician who majored in piano and as a citizen of South Korea, I feel pride and fulfillment."
She added, "It seems that a fandom is forming around young classical musicians these days, and I really like that. Whenever I travel abroad, people ask me about K-pop, K-dramas, and K-cosmetics, wondering where our strength comes from. Meeting you all here, I feel it comes from this."
Kim also expressed gratitude to host families who support students studying abroad, saying, "I felt the human solidarity and friendship of those who warmly welcome musicians from diverse nationalities."
Listening to the challenges faced by students studying abroad, she encouraged them, saying, "I can only imagine how lonely it must be. I have studied a bit myself, and I know it’s a battle with oneself. Studying in a foreign country is incredibly tough."
Kim concluded, "The connections formed through music are a valuable asset that links our two countries, and I hope that cultural and artistic exchanges and friendships continue to deepen in the future."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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