Pianist Sunwook Kim began a world-class career while still in his teens, winning major competitions that gave him worldwide visibility. The year 2013 was important for Kim in several respects. He made his recording debut and was selected for the mentoring program of the Beethoven Haus in Bonn. The following year, Kim released an album of three concertos by composer Unsuk Chin. In 2021, Kim issued a recording of Beethoven's last three sonatas and teamed with Clara-Jumi Kang for an album of Beethoven violin sonatas. That year, he was slated to make his conducting debut with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.