Kim Cheol-woong

Kim Cheol-woong (, born 1974) is a North Korean pianist who defected to South Korea.

Early life Kim Cheol-woong grew up in a prominent North Korean family. His father was the head of their provincial party, which is like a provincial governor, and his mother was a university leader. His grandmother founded the first and largest department store in Pyongyang and was the president of the department store until 1992. Kim started practicing piano when he was five years old. Kim's musical skills were spotted at an early age.

In 1981, at age eight, he was admitted into the Pyongyang University of Music and Dance. Over the next fourteen years, he suffered through rigorous training to perform tunes glorifying Kim Jong Il. After his graduation, he was sent to Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow from 1995 to 1999 to study. Moscow was fascinating to the twenty-one year old who had not been exposed to music outside North Korea. He felt like he had discovered a new world.

Upon his return home, he was named lead pianist in the State Symphony Orchestra. Because of his parents status, all he had to do was to write a ten-page self-criticism paper, but it still took a heavy toll on him. He miraculously escaped through the window after the police unbound him to let him use the restroom.

On 17 April 2009, Kim performed in a benefit concert at Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall in New York City fulfilling a dream he has had since defecting.