Kyung Hee University (KHU) College of Art & Design hosted its first-ever Applied Music Competition (AMC). Intended to provide an opportunity for aspiring young musicians to gain practical stage experience in the field of applied music, the event drew in 467 middle- and high-school contestants nationwide to prove their talent in front of professional judges at KHU. Taking place on August 20 at the Global Campus A&D Hall, the event was received positively by the contestants. According to event organizers, this year’s successful event will mark the beginning of future competitions.

Recruitment and Qualifiers

The 2026 KHU AMC aimed to be “a stage where young musicians with passion, talent, and possibilities can express their own colors and stories freely,” according to the event website. The contest was held in three stages—recruitment, qualifiers, and finals—and was judged by four professors from the Dept. of Postmodern Music. Contestants could expect awards and prize money of up to one million won.

The recruitment phase started on July 13. Notices were posted on the KHU official website as well as social media and online concours sites. The three musical categories for competition were vocalist, instrumentalist, and composer / singer-songwriter. Contestants were recruited in middle-school and high-school age groups. For the initial applicants, a qualifier session was held from August 10 to 11. Each contestant was given one-and-a-half minutes to demonstrate their skill. Out of 467 initial applicants, only 51 qualified for the finals.

Those who passed the preliminary stepped on stage for their final performance on August 20 at the A&D Hall. The format was similar to the qualifier: a brief three-minute limit to perform two pieces of the contestant’s choice. Only the contestants were allowed into the competition hall, with a live feed of the stage displayed for relatives and friends gathered in the waiting area.

The Finals Begin

The finals began at 9 a.m. The middle-school group, a total of nine contestants, started the contest. Vocalist Kim Gi-ryeong was one of the first to perform. Her music of choice was a med ley of Beyoncé’s “Love on Top” and Younha’s “Oort Cloud.” “I like the artists, but moreover I enjoy singing these kinds of music the most,” she said, adding “I prepared a lot for this contest, so I wish the results were good as I hope.”

Next came the high-school group, a total of 42 contestants.  Many performed medleys of existing music; others brought forward their own creations. “In my music I like to put in the nit ty-gritty parts of my inner self. For instance, in my first year at high-school I broke up with my boyfriend, and it felt as if all the efforts I put in during our relationship became useless. That’s the emotion I drew from when I wrote the music for the contest,” said singer-songwriter Shin Ga-yun. Her song was titled Jeongsanhaja, which trans lates to “pay up.”

One-by-one, young contestants took the stage, each looking to maximize their unique strengths. “I aimed to showcase my capabilities with a wide range of rhythm,” said electric guitarist Yu Sang-hun from the high-school group. “It was fun, and I liked how the contestants could see the judge’s reactions, although I wished the professors would ask us some personal questions after we finished our performances,” he added.

Awards Ceremony and Future Prospects

After all competitors had finished their performance, the award winners were announced at 3 p.m. The results were as follows, from middle to high-school contestants for each category. For best vocalist: Lee Yang-hyeon and Jeon Ha-yun; For best instrumentalist: Kim Ha-eum and Jang Eun-su; For best composer / singer-songwriter: Lee Ye-da and Yun Seong-jun. Gold, silver, and bronze prizes were also handed out in each category.

The winners expressed their feelings at the awards ceremony that followed. “I have a lot of people to thank, so I dedicate my prize to them,” said Yun, the high-school grand prize winner for the singer-songwriter category. “I did not believe I would even qualify for the finals, and the whole experience has been very meaningful. In the future, I hope to become a musician who can communicate not just stories about myself, but also the stories and messages of other people,” he added.

Although not all could win, many contestants expressed positive feelings about their experience. “My goal was to enjoy the contest, and I did, although I made some mistakes during my performance,” said electric guitarist Yu. “I was hesitant at first to present my composition because I thought it might fall short in the contest, but I pushed forward. The professors seemed to enjoy my performance, so I am glad that I did,” said high-school vocalist Bae Si-yoon.

As the ceremony ended, KHU Prof. Shin Dong-jin, one of the judges, also expressed his views. “It is important for young musicians to gain stage experience. In the field of applied music, however, there are not many domestic opportunities. That is why the College of Art & Design hosted this competition. If more con tests are hosted in the name of the University—helping young musicians gain experience and build up portfolios so that they eventually mature into great musicians—that, I think, will be beneficial for KHU as a whole,” he said.

The stage curtains of the 2026 KHU AMC have fluttered shut, but the event is remembered by contestants as a meaningful experience to demonstrate their abilities on stage. With the College of Art & Design aiming to host more competitions, it is hoped that KHU will be able to provide other aspiring musicians with their chance to take the spotlight.