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Soprano Sumi Jo is marking the 40th anniversary of her international debut, reflecting on her musical journey and unveiling a slate of new projects.
The anniversary program begins with a special album titled ‘CONTINUUM’, followed by a nationwide tour and the second Sumi Jo International Vocal Competition.
‘CONTINUUM,’ which suggests something that continues without stopping, aims not only to celebrate past achievements but also to broaden Jo’s repertoire and stage work while identifying the next generation of vocal talent.
On May 6 at 2 p.m., Jo held a press conference at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas in Gangnam to outline the significance of the 40th-anniversary project and its details.
The project’s first installment is the special album. For this release, she signed an exclusive agreement with SM Classics, SM Entertainment’s classical and jazz label, covering production and distribution. The collaboration has drawn attention for its effort to bridge classical music and popular genres.
The record features a duet with Suho of K-pop group EXO, a guest turn by violinist Danny Gu, and sessions with the Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Choi Young-sun. Combining the depth of traditional classical music with a modern sensibility, the album is intended to showcase Jo’s artistic range.
She described the album as “the fruit of 40 years and also a new beginning,” adding, “I don’t want to remain on familiar paths; I want to keep pushing toward new music.”
The nationwide tour opens May 9 at the Seongsan Arts Center in Changwon. From May through December, Jo will perform in major cities across South Korea, including Seoul, Bucheon, Yongin, Yeosu, Andong, Incheon, Daegu, Seongnam, Goyang, Gyeongju, Gwangju, Busan and Daejeon.
In Seoul, she will give two special concerts at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall in September: a recital commemorating her 40th anniversary on the world stage on Sept. 4, and “2026 The Magic, Sumi Jo and Winners” on Sept. 8, featuring winners of the Sumi Jo International Vocal Competition.
The second Sumi Jo International Vocal Competition runs July 5–11 at Château de La Ferté-Imbault, a historic castle in France’s Loire region. This year’s contest combined traditional video screening with live local auditions abroad, including rounds in Shenzhen and Singapore. Successful candidates from those auditions joined the field of 24 finalists to compete with singers from around the world.
Twenty-four singers advance to the main stage, nine will move on to the final round, and the top three winners will receive prize money and opportunities to perform with Sumi Jo on Korean stages beginning in 2026. The competition will also feature masterclasses, recitals and gala concerts. With 2026 marking the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and France, this year’s contest underscores cultural exchange between the two countries.
Sumi Jo was named the 2026 recipient of the Samsung Ho-Am Prize in the Arts. The Ho-Am Foundation cited her four decades on the world’s leading stages, which have raised Korea’s musical profile, and her sustained record of social contributions.
Her philanthropic work includes donating specialized wheelchairs for children with disabilities, leading campaigns to rescue and rehome stray dogs, helping establish a UNICEF-linked education center in Africa, and serving as a UNESCO Artist for Peace. The awards ceremony is scheduled for June 1; honorees receive a certificate, a medal and a cash prize.
Jo said, “The past 40 years have been a time when I trusted music on unfamiliar stages—a journey that trained me and pushed me forward. No matter where I stand in the world, I have always carried the name Republic of Korea deep in my heart as I sing.”
She added, “I want my music to leave a lasting impression on people’s hearts. I hope the upcoming 40th-anniversary performances will be opportunities to share gratitude for the past and to begin a new journey with the audience.”
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