Jaebong Rho
A composer who approaches music as a medium to convey messages and provoke thought. Inspired by contemporary social issues, he weaves these themes into musical structures that engage audiences and encourage reflection.
morii (2022) evokes a collective longing for a sense of return, a sentiment increasingly observed across global societies. “i want to go home.” (2023/24), which recently premiered and deeply connected with audiences, explores dementia and raises thought-provoking questions about aging societies. His recent piece, diorama (2024/25), delves into the interplay between truth and falsehood in the post-truth era. Focusing on how something that appears undeniably false to one person can be perceived as absolute truth—or even an ideology—by another, it examines the resulting conflicts and social divisions. This piece is scheduled to premiere in June 2025.
Before coming to the United States to pursue his studies, he was deeply engaged in his hometown’s music scene, where his works were frequently performed. He was twice selected for the Busan Cultural Foundation’s artist grant program (2021, 2023), which funded his two portrait recitals. As the organizer and representative of the Young Composers’ Forum in Busan, he nurtured a vibrant community for emerging composers and remains an active member of the Busan Composers Yard.
He won the commission competition of the Busan Philharmonic Orchestra, resulting in the premiere of his orchestral work morii (2022). 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 Composer-in-Residence of the Korean National Symphony Orchestra for the 2024/25 season. During this period, three orchestral works and a couple of ensemble pieces are scheduled to premiere.
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 approximately 20 short and feature films. These films were screened 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. He is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Composition at the Yale School of Music, studying with Aaron Jay Kernis and Christopher Theofanidis.