South Korean popera tenor Lim Hyung-joo has been elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) in Britain. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Dec. 26 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korean popera tenor Lim Hyung-joo has been elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) in Britain, his agency, DGNcom, said Tuesday.
The RSA is a prestigious arts academy founded in 1754 that will mark its 270th anniversary next year. Members are selected through a rigorous selection process from those who aspire to join and have made outstanding contributions to the fields of manufacturing, commerce and the humanities.
Notable RSA fellows include Adam Smith, Charles Dickens, Benjamin Franklin, Stephen Hawking, Marie Curie and Karl Marx.
“It is even more meaningful and honorable that my membership in the RSA was approved this year, the 140th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between South Korea and Britain, and that I was given the title by the royal family,” Lim said through the agency. “I’ll continue to work hard as a bridge between Korean and British culture and arts, as well as a scholar.”
The 37-year-old is an iconic figure in the operatic pop and crossover music scene in South Korea and a globally esteemed musician, with his performances and albums encompassing a variety of genres, including classic, pop, jazz and traditional Korean songs.
He made his debut at age 12 with his solo album “Whispers of Hope” (1998) and released “Salley Garden” in the global market in 2003.
He is now a voting member of the Grammy Awards and an endowed chair professor of the Civil School of Arts in Rome.
(Yonhap)
