Lee You-bien Wins Top Prize at 2025 Isang Yun Cello Competition

Written by Chantal Gapato  |  November 9, 2025

Cellist Lee You-bien has claimed first prize at the 2025 Isang Yun Competition, the Tongyeong International Music Foundation announced on Sunday. Lee impressed the judges with his performance of Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 1 alongside the Tongyeong Festival Orchestra, conducted by Leos Svarovsky, in the final round at Tongyeong Concert Hall.

Lee Jeri took second prize, Andrew Ilhoon Byun of Canada won third, and Choi A-hyeon placed fourth. In addition, Lee Jeri received the Seong-Yawng Park Special Prize for a promising Korean musician, while Lee You-bien earned the UNESCO City of Music Special Prize, chosen by audience vote. The Isang Yun Special Prize, awarded for the best interpretation of Yun’s work, went to Byun for his performance of Espace I for Cello and Piano.

The prize winners are scheduled to perform at a winners’ concert on Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Gwangju Arts Center.

Established in 2003, the Isang Yun Competition honors the legacy of composer Isang Yun (1917–1995) and promotes cultural exchange through music. This year’s cello edition attracted 137 applicants from 23 countries. The competition rotates annually between cello, piano, and violin, with next year’s piano edition scheduled for 2026.