Kim Hyun-min is studying for his Master’s degree at the Graduate School of Music at Hanyang University and won the first place in the domain of male voice at the 39th Joongang Music Concours on March 20, 2013. Joongang Music Concours is one of the most prestigious music concours in Korea. Kim said, “It was the most exciting moment in my musical career, and my heart still pounds whenever I recall the moment I won.”
    Kim joined the church choir when he was a child, and continued to enjoy music. By the time he was about to enter college, he planned to major in Voice.
However, his college life ended when his father passed away in 1997. As a result, his family struggled to make ends meet. Kim had to quit the college and started to work as a public service worker.
    During that time, however, he felt disoriented. He stated, “Music was all I had been doing and what made me who I was at that time. He wanted to bring back meaning into his life, so decided to go back to college after his public service.
     His second college life began but things did not happen as he hoped. He recalled, “I was still suffering from financial difficulties, and I had doubts about my talent. Since I started my college life, I had tried out for as many competitions as I could, but failed to get through even the first round.”
Nevertheless, good fortune shined upon him suddenly and unexpectedly. Kim said, “When I heard the announcement that I had won the first place, I was shocked because I hadn’t expected at all.” He added, “I thought this competition would be the last that I could participate in as a student, so I fully engaged myself in this, and it was the key factor to win.”  
    Kim is planning to go to Germany after he finishes the Master’s course to become an opera singer. “Most people working in vocal music dream of becoming a successful vocal performer in Europe, which is the birthplace of classical music,” he concluded.