"Rather than an album looking back on my past activities to mark my 40th debut anniversary, I wanted to present new music that captures the imagination of our composers. I'm not someone who can do boring things," soprano Sumi Jo said.
Marking her 40th debut anniversary this year, Sumi Jo will embark on a nationwide tour in celebration of her special album "CONTINUUM." She announced the plans at a press conference held Thursday at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.
On the same day, Sumi Jo signed an exclusive recording contract with SM Classics, the classical label under SM Entertainment. The new album features 11 tracks centered on new compositions by Korean composers. EXO member Suho and violinist Danny Koo also participated, adding diverse colors to the project.
"I joined hands with SM because I wanted to challenge myself with new music rather than staying on familiar paths," Sumi Jo said. "Beyond the refined and restrained realm of classical music, I want to introduce classical music to more people through SM's content capabilities." She emphasized, "I want to create a new musical language by combining the distinct musical languages of K-pop and classical music."
The album includes "Romance," composed by Park Jong-hoon with lyrics by Danny Koo and Jang Geun-yeop. Sumi Jo performs the song as a duet with Suho. The album also features new songs created by Yiruma, Ko Young-hwan, Choi Jin, and Yoon Ja-eun. The Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra performs on the album under the baton of conductor Choi Young-sun.
This year also marks the second Sumi Jo International Vocal Competition. Two years ago, Sumi Jo launched the international competition bearing her name, and this year its scale has grown even larger. More than 500 young vocalists from 55 countries around the world applied, and 24 finalists will be announced on the 10th of this month. The final stage featuring nine finalists will be held on July 11 at Château de la Ferté-Imbault in France's Loire region.
"Honestly, I'm more excited and happy about the competition than the 40th anniversary performance," Sumi Jo said. "I want to be like a 'big sister' to junior vocalists, helping them continue to grow and perform on stage." She added with emphasis, "My goal is to nurture musicians with not only musicality but also character and dignity — artists who deliver messages of peace to the world."
She cited her parents as the driving force that allowed her to remain a world-class vocalist for 40 years. "My mother, who dreamed of becoming a vocalist herself, taught me piano and foreign languages from the age of four to raise her daughter as a prima donna," Sumi Jo recalled. "At the time, I was a frustrated and struggling little girl, but without my mother's passion and persistence, the Sumi Jo of today would not exist." She also shared an anecdote about her father visiting London's Royal Opera House unannounced in the late 1970s. "The theater director was moved by my father's earnest plea about how his daughter could stand on that stage, and gave him various pieces of advice. I actually ended up performing on that stage in my 20s."
The nationwide tour will begin in Changwon, her parents' hometown, and continue across the country with 22 performances in Seoul, Seongnam, Yeosu, Gwangju, Gumi, and other cities. In particular, a commemorative concert will be held on September 8 at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall featuring this year's Sumi Jo Competition winners.
Sumi Jo also expressed her commitment to popularizing classical music. "There is still a perception that classical music is difficult and expensive," she said. "I want to continue performing shows that bring small but certain happiness, like park concerts that families, friends, and couples can enjoy together."
