One of the most sought-after conductors of his generation in Korea, Chi-Yong Chung is highly regarded for his vivid interpretations, deep musical insights, strong ensemble leadership, and virtuoso baton technique. In particular, he is well-known as a specialist in modern music and Korean composers’ new works including Isang Yun’s music.

Chung began his piano studies at age five and later entered the prestigious Seoul National University School of Music as a composition major. He then graduated from the conducting class of Michael Gielen at the Salzburg Mozarteum in Austria. Chung served as Assistant Conductor of the Salzburg International Summer Festival and was awarded the Austrian Culture Ministry Award upon graduation.

Following appearance as guest conductor of the Radio Symphony of Leipzig, Prague Radio Symphony, Munich Symphony, Michigan State Symphony, and Russian Philharmonic, he made his debut in Korea with the Seoul Philharmonic in 1992. Chung has conducted numerous Korean orchestras such as the KBS Symphony, Bucheon Philharmonic, Daegu Philharmonic, Daejon Philharmonic, Changwong Philharmonic, Incheon Philharmonic where he served as music director.
He is also renowned for his work as an opera conductor.

In addition to leading many operas of the Italian, French, and German repertoires, Chung has premiered new Korean works for the stage including Apron-Weared Soldiers by Keung-Soo Lim, A Buckwheat Flower Season by Hyeon-Ok Kim, and Kim Koo and Interim Government in Shanghai by Dong-Hoon Lee.

Chi-Yong Chung is the foremost champion of the music of Isang Yun, having led the Korean premieres of numerous works, including Symphony No.1, Engel in Flammen: Memento for Orchestra with Epilogue, as well as operas such as Der Traum des Liu-Tung and Die Witwe des Schmetterlings.
He is a professor emeritus for the School of Music at the Korean National University of the Arts, where he is leading the education of the next generation of Korean musicians. His past positions include the chairmanship of Korean Conductors Association. Among his many distinctions, Chung received the Soo-Keun Kim Culture Award, Young Artist Prize of Korean Culture Ministry, Music Association of Korea Award, and the Korean Music Journalists Association Award.