Jaebong Rho

A composer who uses music as a medium to convey messages. He draws inspiration from current social issues and seeks to connect them with musical structure, aiming to pose questions to the audience or offer personal reflections.

morii (2022) for orchestra reflects the collective longing for a sense of return, a sentiment increasingly observed across global societies. “i want to go home.” (2023/24) for orchestra, that recently premiered and resonated deeply with audiences, explores dementia and raises poignant questions about aging societies. His recent piece, diorama (2024/25) for orchestra, examines the interplay between truth and falsehood in the post-truth era. In this context, what seems undeniably false to one person may be perceived as an unshakable truth—or even an “idea”—to another. The work delves into these conflicting perspectives and the societal divisions they amplify. The piece is scheduled to premiere in 2026.

Before leaving for the United States, he was actively involved in his hometown as a composer, writing numerous pieces. He was selected for the Busan Cultural Foundation’s artist grant project in both 2021 and 2023, through which he presented two portrait recitals with their support. Additionally, he organized and served as a representative of the Young Composers’ Forum in Busan and continues to be an active member of the Busan Composers Yard.

He won the commission competition of the Busan Philharmonic Orchestra, leading to the premiere of his orchestral work morii. He also participated in the Composers’ Atelier Program of the Korean National Symphony Orchestra, where he received masterclasses from Texu Kim, Dieter Ammann, and Aaron Jay Kernis. Subsequently, he was appointed as the Composer-in-Residence of the Korean National Symphony Orchestra for the 2024/25 season.

As a film music director and composer, he collaborated with the Busan Cinema Center and the Korean Academy of Film Arts, participating in the music production for around 20 short and feature films. These films were showcased at major festivals, including the Busan International Film Festival, Barcelona Asian Summer Film Festival, and Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival.

He received a Bachelor of Music in Composition from Pusan National University, where he studied with Sooran Jeong, and is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Composition at the Yale School of Music, studying with Aaron Jay Kernis.

Jaebong Rho

A composer who uses music as a medium to convey messages. He draws inspiration from current social issues and seeks to connect them with musical structure, aiming to pose questions to the audience or offer personal reflections.

morii (2022) reflects the collective longing for a sense of return, a sentiment increasingly observed across global societies. “i want to go home.” (2023/24) that recently premiered and resonated deeply with audiences, explores dementia and raises poignant questions about aging societies. His recent piece, diorama (2024/25) examines the interplay between truth and falsehood in the post-truth era. In this context, what seems undeniably false to one person may be perceived as an unshakable truth—or even an “idea”—to another. The work delves into these conflicting perspectives and the societal divisions they amplify. The piece is scheduled to premiere in 2026.

Before leaving for the United States, he was actively involved in his hometown as a composer, writing numerous pieces. He was selected for the Busan Cultural Foundation’s artist grant project in both 2021 and 2023, through which he presented two portrait recitals with their support. Additionally, he organized and served as a representative of the Young Composers’ Forum in Busan and continues to be an active member of the Busan Composers Yard.

He won the commission competition of the Busan Philharmonic Orchestra, leading to the premiere of his orchestral work morii. He also participated in the Composers’ Atelier Program of the Korean National Symphony Orchestra, where he received masterclasses from Texu Kim, Dieter Ammann, and Aaron Jay Kernis. Subsequently, he was appointed as the Composer-in-Residence of the Korean National Symphony Orchestra for the 2024/25 season.

As a film music director and composer, he collaborated with the Busan Cinema Center and the Korean Academy of Film Arts, participating in the music production for around 20 short and feature films. These films were showcased at major festivals, including the Busan International Film Festival, Barcelona Asian Summer Film Festival, and Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival.

He received a Bachelor of Music in Composition from Pusan National University, where he studied with Sooran Jeong, and is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Composition at the Yale School of Music, studying with Aaron Jay Kernis.