According to Yonhap News on December 16, Seoul’s Seocho Police Station received a report around 8:30 am expressing concern for the safety of famous pianist Lim Dong-hyek.
Officers were dispatched to a location in Seocho-dong, where they found the 41-year-old pianist and ensured he was transported to a nearby hospital. Authorities confirmed that his life is not in danger and that he is currently receiving treatment.
Early that morning, around 7:34 am, Lim Dong-hyek posted a message on Instagram that alarmed followers. In the post, he wrote that he had suffered from severe depression throughout his life as an artist and expressed gratitude to those who had supported him, language widely interpreted as an implicit reference to extreme distress.
Lim Dong-hyek is widely considered a prodigy and a seminal figure in the Korean classical music scene. He achieved international recognition by placing in all three of the world’s most prestigious piano competitions, the Chopin, Tchaikovsky, and Queen Elizabeth competitions, and is credited with helping to create one of the first large-scale fan followings for a classical musician in Korea.
In recent years his career has been overshadowed by legal problems. In September, he received a first-trial conviction of a KRW 1 million fine related to charges stemming from a 2020 incident.
News of the police intervention and his hospitalization sparked concern from fans and fellow musicians, many of whom highlighted the importance of mental health support, particularly for artists working under long-term pressure.
Lim Dong-hyek’s agency has not yet released any further statements regarding his condition, as attention remains focused on his recovery and well-being.
Sources: Nate News
