Seohyun is scheduled to appear as a special guest performer at the 8th Regular Concert of the Sol Philharmonic Orchestra on March 13, held at Seoul’s prestigious Lotte Concert Hall. While this might seem like a celebratory return to music, some netizens voiced concerns, accusing the star of receiving preferential treatment, claiming she secured a coveted stage after just five months of violin practice.
Critics argued that standing on a “dream stage” like Lotte Concert Hall—a venue often reserved for top-tier professional musicians—based on celebrity status alone was unfair.
However, voices from the music community quickly pushed back. Organist and university professor Jung Sook (known from I Am Solo Season 13) defended Seohyun, saying, “I don’t see what the problem is. The orchestra itself is amateur, and Seohyun likely put in serious rehearsal time. Lotte Concert Hall isn’t a stage you just get for free. Let’s not diminish someone’s effort—focus on your own life instead.”
Streamer Yodelay, a Seoul National University music graduate, added that Seohyun had learned violin as a child and had been taking intensive lessons for the past five months to prepare for the performance.
In fact, Seohyun’s social media supports these claims. In February 2024, she posted a photo of her childhood violin with the caption, “Found it—my old violin.” She also shared past images for Children’s Day, humorously inviting fans to pick their favorite childhood version of her: playing piano, violin, or traditional Korean drums.
Seohyun will perform Vittorio Monti’s “Csárdás” at the concert. Expressing her hopes, she said through her agency, “I want this challenge to help people feel closer to classical music and discover joy in it. Like pop music, classical should be something everyone can enjoy freely—it’s music for all of us.”
As the debate unfolds, it’s clear that Seohyun’s journey is not about privilege, but passion—and her effort to bridge the gap between classical music and mainstream audiences may just inspire a new appreciation for the genre.
Sources: Nate