Korean Australian soprano Sky Kim vies for Handa Singing Competition
Ha-neul Kim, a 1.5-generation Korean-Australian soprano, has advanced to the semifinals of the 2025 IFAC Handa Australian Singing Competition, Australia’s premier vocal competition.
Kim Ha-neul, a finalist from last year’s competition, will compete for a spot in the finals at the Independent Theatre in North Sydney on August 16.
Kim Ha-neul also gained fame for singing the national anthem at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup semi-final match between Korea and Japan held at Sydney Stadium Australia on March 18.
In particular, during the pre-event on the day, the Japanese national anthem was sung by Ayako Ohtake, a veteran Japanese soprano active in Australia, drawing attention with a national anthem singing competition between Korea and Japan.
The IFAC Handa Vocal Competition, in which Kim Ha-neul is making a comeback, aims to discover young next-generation vocalists under the age of 26, and selected 10 finalists through preliminary rounds involving participants from all over the world.
The IFAC Handa Vocal Competition boasts the longest tradition in Korea and offers various scholarships and prize money, as well as opportunities for diverse performances both domestically and internationally.
The winner of the top prize will be awarded a scholarship and other prizes from the Marianne Massey Memorial Society, Germany’s premier soprano.
This competition, which has been running for over 30 years, serves as a gateway for the next generation of vocalists in Australia and New Zealand, and many of its participants are recognized for their solid careers as singers both at home and abroad.
Kim Ha-neul says, “I took on this challenge with the mindset of preparing for the anxiety I always experience before future competitions or performances.”
He emphasizes the importance of experience in major competitions, stating, “I think I overlooked the joy and depth that a performance actually brings due to the excessive stress and tension that build up before a show.”
In the same vein, Kim Ha-neul emphasizes, “I believe that only by accepting music as a source of happiness can I deliver my best performance,” adding, “I aim to cultivate a passion to share my emotions and musicality to the fullest.”
Of course, he did not hide his anticipation for winning, saying, “I hope I have even greater luck in the finals.”
Ha-neul Kim, who majored in vocal music at the Queensland Conservatory, says she respects soprano Sumi Jo the most.
