Jung Jae-il, the acclaimed composer behind the haunting soundtracks of global hits "Parasite" and "Squid Game," is making his debut in the classical music world with an original orchestral composition. The 43-year-old composer will premiere his 15-minute piece titled "Inferno" with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra on Thursday and Friday at Lotte Concert Hall in Seoul. The work will then make its American debut next month during the orchestra's U.S. tour, including a highly anticipated performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
"What set this project apart from my previous works was that everything had to start and end with the music itself," Jung explained during a press conference on Tuesday. He candidly described the challenging creative process, saying, "In the process, I endured days of despair that felt like hell." The composition is structured in four movements and draws inspiration from the final lines of Italian author Italo Calvino's 1972 novel "Invisible Cities." The piece depicts a musical journey that begins with a descent into inferno before ascending toward peace through orchestral arrangement.
Despite his impressive resume in film and television music, this classical project pushed Jung to his creative limits. Without formal education in classical music, the composer had to teach himself orchestration during the year-long composition process, frequently seeking advice from colleagues in the musical world. Jung described his first full rehearsal with the orchestra on Monday as particularly nerve-wracking, saying, "The rehearsal was a completely new experience. It felt like 100 musicians were evaluating me."
The piece has earned praise from Jaap van Zweden, the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra's music director who commissioned the work. "Jung is a very talented young composer who has made a big name for himself," van Zweden said. "When you hear his music, you can hear his talent. He has the ability to move from the world of movies into classical music because he is a very multitalented person. SPO is always looking for brilliant musicians."
The commission originated from van Zweden's ongoing search for young talent. The renowned conductor had heard of Jung even before arriving in Korea and expressed interest in collaborating with the composer during his first press conference in January 2023, shortly after his appointment as music director. The two eventually met in Seoul in April of that year to discuss the project.
Jung admitted he was initially hesitant to accept the commission due to self-doubt about his lack of formal classical music education. "I was wondering what the world-class maestro saw in me and I wasn't sure if I could do what he was asking. I even told him I would refuse," Jung recalled. However, van Zweden encouraged him to focus on his strengths as a composer and to find a compelling story to tell through music. Despite his concerns, Jung persevered through the creative challenges, explaining, "When I felt overwhelmed by negative thoughts, I endured them and motivated myself with the pressure to finish."
"Inferno" represents the latest addition to Jung's impressive repertoire of genre-crossing works, marking his evolution from film and television scoring to classical composition. His remarkable rise to international fame is built on humble beginnings and natural talent rather than formal training. Raised by his mother, Jung lacked access to traditional musical education during his childhood. At age 15, his mother enrolled him in a private jazz academy, where his exceptional talent was quickly recognized by instructors and fellow musicians.
Professional musicians soon began inviting the young Jung to join various groups, including the band Gigs and the percussion ensemble Puri. He continued developing his compositional skills even during his mandatory military service, writing songs whenever possible. In 2013, at the age of 31, Jung served as music supervisor for the Korean production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical "Jesus Christ Superstar," marking a significant milestone in his career.
Jung's career reached new heights when he became the music director for Bong Joon-ho's 2017 film "Okja," which led to his subsequent work on the director's Oscar-winning "Parasite" in 2019. His haunting and memorable score for the Netflix series "Squid Game" in 2021 brought him international recognition and acclaim. That same year, he became the first Korean musician to win the prestigious Hollywood Music in Media Award, cementing his status as a globally recognized composer.
Beyond his work in film and television, Jung has established himself as an accomplished solo artist with several albums to his credit. He held his first solo concert in 2020, demonstrating his versatility as both a composer and performer. In 2023, he released his latest album "Listen" in partnership with Decca, the renowned U.K. record label, further expanding his reach in the international music market. With "Inferno" set to debut at Carnegie Hall, Jung continues to break new ground and challenge himself across different musical genres and formats.
