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First Korean-Origin Member of Vienna Philharmonic: Passing the Needle-Eye Test Revealed a "Double Job" | Violinist Haena Cho | Curtain Call 326

Kim Soo-hyun

Published : Aug 26, 2026 5:04 PM

A grueling 3-year probationary period... Her dream "lifelong workplace," exhausting yet happy



The Vienna Philharmonic, one of the world's top-tier orchestras, features the first and only member of Korean descent in its 184-year history. She is violinist Haena Cho, the protagonist of Curtain Call 326. Having started playing the violin at age three and studied at The Juilliard School, she passed the audition for the Vienna State Opera in 2022. After completing a total three-year probationary period, she became a full member of the second violin section of the Vienna Philharmonic in September of last year. She says she fell in love with the warm and harmonious sound of the Vienna Philharmonic, which led her to dream of performing in this orchestra.

While the Vienna Philharmonic has long been known as a conservative and closed orchestra, the tides of change are unmistakable. The presence of Haena Cho, who is both a woman and of Korean descent, symbolizes this shift. Amidst her busy life, she engages in various activities outside of her schedule as an orchestra member. From the tense three-year process of joining the Vienna Philharmonic to the demanding performance schedule of a Vienna Philharmonic member that turned out to be a "double job," and the world-famous Vienna Philharmonic New Year's Concert..... Do not miss the vivid stories shared by violinist Haena Cho.

�� Schubert - Piano Quintet in A major, D. 667 "Trout": III. Scherzo: Presto
�� Hubay - Carmen Fantaisie Brillante, Op. 72
�� Chausson - Poème, Op. 25

(Hosted by Kim Soo-hyun, SBS Culture Specialist Reporter, and Announcer Lee Byung-hee | Featuring: Violinist Haena Cho | Recording & Filming: Producer Kang Bo-beom | Editing: Jung Yong-hee)


▶ "Kim Soo-hyun's Curtain Call" is available for listening on various audio platforms, including the SBS News website, Podbbang, and Apple Podcasts. You can also watch the videos collected in the [ Kim Soo-hyun's Culture Specialist Reporter's Curtain Call ] playlist on the YouTube SBS News channel. In addition, related content can be found by category on SBS's official arts and culture YouTube channel [ SBS Artlog ].

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