Countertenor Kiuk Kim

Countertenor Kiuk Kim was born in Incheon, South Korea, and discovered his passion for music while singing as a baritone in his high school choir. He continued his studies under the tutelage of Bong K. Jeon at the Korean Gachon University being one of the most promising young baritones in South Korea, especially as a lieder singer.

However, Kiuk’s journey took an unexpected turn during his time in the Korean military, leading to vocal cord injuries during his compulsory service. Despite facing challenges with his vocal range, he persevered and transitioned to become a countertenor, overcoming hurdles with determination and resilience.

In 2018, Kiuk embarked on a new chapter to further deepen his studies in Europe. He studied at the  Hochschule für Musik Nürnberg in Germany with soprano Debora York and countertenor Yosemeh Adjei, broadening his repertoire with a special focus on baroque and contemporary music. In 2022 he was awarded a special prize at the Stignani Vocal Competition in Imola, Italy,

During the 2021/22 season, Kiuk Kim made his debut at the Bayerische Staatsoper München in Shostakovich’s “The Nose” under the direction of Vladimir Jurovski.

With a unique blend of strength and masculinity uncommon in traditional countertenors, Kiuk made his mark by seamlessly stepping in last minute for the role of Oberon in Benjamin Britten’s opera „A Midsummer Night’s Dream“ in Jena 2022, captivating audiences with his brilliant performance.

In the same year, he sang the title role in P. Glass’s opera „Akhnaten” at the Munich Opera Incognita showcasing his remarkable vocal technique and endurance that defies conventional expectations for a countertenor.

Kiuk Kim will return in the season 2023/24 to sing the role of Eunuch in “The Nose” by Dmitri Shostakovich at the Bayerische Staatsoper München.

The South Korean countertenor equally enjoys the concert stage, whether as a soloist in oratorios, including the works by Bach and Händel, or as a recitalist.