[Meet the President] K-Arts president invites int’l students to pursue dream

K-campus

Published: 30 May. 2023, 18:19

[Meet the President] K-Arts president invites int’l students to pursue dream

At the Korea National University of Arts, President Kim Dae-jin says only the “crazy” ones will be able to survive. [PARK SANG-MOON]

When the Korea National University of Arts was established 30 years ago, it was committed to becoming the country’s own version of Juilliard. Since then, countless graduates have made a name for themselves in the global arts scene, driven by their unwavering passion to excel.

And that persistent zeal for greatness is what makes the university so special, Kim Dae-jin, its president, said.

“We’re crazy about arts,” Kim recently told the Korea JoongAng Daily.

“Talent alone doesn’t take you far. At the Korea National University of Arts, we combine that with passion and ceaseless efforts, and anyone who isn’t willing to do so won’t be able to survive here.”

During the interview, Kim, a pianist who studied at Juilliard, talked about life at the country’s best school of arts and how international students can partake in the university’s mission toward unrivaled prominence.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Q. Congratulations on your school’s 30th anniversary. What’s in store for the next 30 years?

A. When the school was established 30 years ago, it was envisioned as a place where aspiring Korean artists wouldn’t need to study abroad. We’re talking about a time when studying abroad was considered a must to win prestigious international awards. Even faculty members were dubious of that aim at first, but three decades later, I think we have come to partially accomplish that goal. A historian once said that it takes 30 years to make history and that the subsequent 30 years are about assuming accountability for the history made. Going forward, I think the next 30 years should be about attracting global talents and allowing more foreigners to pursue their dreams at the Korea National University of Arts.

The headquarters of the Korea National University of Arts at the university’s Seokgwan-dong Campus in Seongbuk District, central Seoul [KOREA NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF ARTS]

What’s the biggest strength of your university?

Everyone — students, professors, instructors, you name it — is extremely passionate about their work, and anyone unwilling to put in hard work won’t be able to make it through. It’s a very competitive environment, and we take pride in that. When the university was first established, professors engaged in extensive discussions on what curricula to develop. I remember the school president telling us one day that no matter how good they turn out to be, what’s really important is the “hidden curriculum” that’s not visible to the eye. At the time, no one knew what that meant. But later, we realized that professors needed to lead by example, immersing themselves in arts and consistently producing work. This created an environment where students could naturally follow suit. So when students first arrive at the Korea National University of Arts, they will notice that everyone is hardworking and that they need to be, too.

When the Netflix series “Squid Game” became a hit, Indian actor Anupam Tripathi made news headlines for having graduated from the Korea National University of Arts. Are there any other notable foreign alums?

Many international students have gone on to become professors, educators and performers. A Cambodian student named Him Sotithya became the undersecretary of state at Cambodia’s Ministry of Information, while a Myanmar student named Nyunt Win became the rector of the National University of Arts and Culture, Yangon.

Indian actor Anupam Tripathi, center, who played Ali Abdul in the 2021 Netflix hit series “Squid Game,” graduated from the Korea National University of Arts on a scholarship funded by the Korean government. [NETFLIX]

How many international students are there at the Korea National University of Arts?

We currently have about 120. Many of them are recipients of the “Art Major Asian plus Scholarship” funded by the Korean government.

What’s that?

It’s a scholarship program that goes back maybe 20 years and provides grants to artistically talented students from ODA [official development assistance] recipient countries. The Indian actor Anupam was also a grantee. The program offers full tuition, a monthly allowance of 800,000 won [$603], Korean language training, airfare before entering and after graduating from the school, as well as other financial assistance. We currently have 67 grantees at our university.

A performance led by students in the School of Dance during a ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the university on March 16 [KOREA NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF ARTS]

What are some other benefits offered to international students at the Korea National University of Arts?

We provide our students — both international and domestic — with many opportunities to showcase their skills outside the school campus. As long as they have the talent, music students can perform on stage and visual arts students can display their works at galleries. Artists don’t consistently grow. They may experience sudden bursts of growth, followed by periods of stagnation and decline, and then surges again. The driving force behind sudden rises is field experience.

Students in the School of Dance and the School of Korean Traditional Arts, among others, reenact a ceremonial dance from the late Joseon period (1392-1910) at Changdeok Palace in Jongno District, central Seoul known as the "Jinjakrye," held to honor the king during a royal court banquet. [YONHAP]

Do international students adapt well to university life here?

I heard they adapt way better than they did in the past. I think it’s because the students show a lot more interest in learning the Korean language before they start school, so they come to Korea linguistically prepared. Unlike other Korean universities, we don’t have English-only courses.

Alumna Lim Ji-yeon, who played the main antagonist on the 2022-23 Netflix drama “The Glory,” won Supporting Actress in TV at this year’s Baeksang Arts Awards [ARTIST COMPANY]

What advice do you have for prospective international students?

Don't be afraid. Back when I was studying in the United States, I remember being afraid of new people, a new language and a new culture. Back in the 1970s and '80s, Koreans used to be terrified of foreigners. But that's not the case anymore. I think society has become much more accepting of people from other countries and cultures. So even if you are not good at Korean yet, don't be afraid and just speak.

Kim greets German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the university’s Seokgwan-dong Campus on Nov. 4, 2022, before offering him a tour of the School of Film, TV and Multimedia. [KOREA NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF ARTS]

What about international students who specifically dream of attending your university? What would you like to tell them?

First and foremost, watch a lot of our student performances on YouTube. And then think about the reason you want to study in Korea. As I mentioned earlier, everybody at our school is really into arts, so if you’re confident to be as passionate as we are, and if you’re the kind of person that thinks arts is bigger than life, then hop on board.

Should a sense of desire for Korean arts be part of the purpose of studying at the Korea National University of Arts?

I think it depends on the major. For instance, if you’re applying for the School of Korean Traditional Arts, then yes.

President’s bio

Kim Dae-jin is the ninth president of the Korea National University of Arts. His four-year term began in August 2021. He has taught piano at the university’s School of Music since 1994. Some of his students include world-class pianists Son Yeol-eum, Kim Sun-wook, Lee Jin-sang and Chloe Jiyeong Mun.

Kim himself won first prize in numerous music competitions and served as either an art director, music director or conductor for organizations such as the Suwon Philharmonic Orchestra, the Changwon Philharmonic Orchestra, the KBS Symphony Orchestra and Yeosu Music Festival.

He earned his bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate from the Juilliard School in New York.

About the university

Name
Korea National University of Arts

Type
National

Established
Oct. 30, 1992

English slogan
Define your Creative Future!

Location
Seokgwan-dong Campus: Seongbuk District, central Seoul
Seocho-dong Campus: Seocho District, southern Seoul
Daehak-ro Campus: Jongno District, central Seoul

Campus size
143,768 square meters (35.53 acres)

Undergraduate colleges and departments
Colleges: 6
Departments: 27

Students (2023)
Undergraduates: 2,530
Postgraduates: 1,190
Total: 3,720

Academic staff (2023)
138

Administrative staff (2023)
439

Employment rate (2021)
62 percent

English website
karts.ac.kr/en/main.do

YouTube
@KartsTV

International students

Number of students (2023)
Undergraduates: 70
Postgraduates: 50
Total: 120 (including 24 exchange students and 67 grantees of the Art Major Asian plus Scholarship)

By country
China 13.3 percent
Mongolia 8.3 percent
France 6.6 percent
Turkey 5.8 percent
Other 66 percent (31 countries)

Department with the most international students (2023)
Department of Filmmaking, Department of Design and Department of Acting

Dormitory acceptance rate (2023)
15 percent

Average tuition of self-funded undergraduate students per semester (2023)
2.4 million won ($1,820)

Instagram
@karts.global

BY LEE SUNG-EUN [lee.sungeun@joongang.co.kr]