Joogwang Lim || composer

Joogwang Lim is characterized by a unique fusion of sound with diverse ideas such as narrative, theater, religion, ideology, and scientific theory. The core of his composition lies in the harmony between sound as a physical phenomenon and vibrant storytelling, forming the foundation of the robust and complex structures he constructs. Rich in expressive elements such as text, symbolism, and leitmotifs, his works greatly enrich the listening experience. Beyond exploring narrative and structure, he actively challenges the audience's senses and preconceptions by incorporating musical irony, unconventional spatial arrangements, unexpected awkwardness, multimedia, and theatrical elements into both composition and performance.

He earned a B.Mus. in composition at Seoul National University and an M.M. and D.M.A. in composition at Boston University. He is currently living in Incheon, South Korea.

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Cited as "the most uninteresting composer" (by his non-musician friends), Joogwang Lim is known for composing music that demands technical virtuosity from musicians for nothing. In his music, Joogwang Lim opts for dissonance and unconventional chord progressions and challenges the concept of traditional phrasing, creating music that may seem disjointed and unpredictable. Yet he often fails to achieve his initial goals.

Throughout his career, Lim has explored diverse musical ideas and styles, resulting in compositions that lack a cohesive stylistic thread. His composition led to numerous rejections from various competitions, commissions, and opportunities. Lim's compositions have received only a handful of awards and recognition. He has had limited exposure at festivals, and scholarships and financial support have been scarce. In most cases, Lim's compositions received no reviews at all. Rarely his works leave critics and audiences uncertain of how to interpret or categorize it, leading to polarizing responses; even his father scolded him by presenting a game controller in his music. Furthermore, a large volume of his works remains unperformed, limiting opportunities for public recognition and performance.

In recent years, Lim found it difficult to produce new compositions due to his laziness under the guise of the so-called “process of stylistic transformation.” After venturing to the United States to pursue further studies and opportunities, Lim encountered additional obstacles as a foreigner and faced uncertainty in finding stable employment within the challenging music industry. Even though he just earned a doctoral degree in music and finished twenty-five years of studentship, Joogwang Lim's journey as a professional composer has been far from smooth and stable.

Full C.V.

Joogwang Lim CURRICULUM VITAE.docx