Full Breakdown
Jung Jae-il: Embracing Human Imperfection in Music
3/30/2026, 9:46:25 PM
The Rise of a Unique Composer
Jung Jae-il, the South Korean composer renowned for his work on Netflix’s acclaimed series *Squid Game*, has gained international recognition for his unconventional approach to music composition. With a career that began at the age of 15 in a rock band, Jung has never formally studied composition. Instead, he has embraced improvisation, a technique that became pivotal during his work on the score for *Parasite*, the first non-English language film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. His distinctive style is characterized by a blend of calculated imperfection and deep human emotion, as exemplified in the unsettling score of *Squid Game*, where he utilized a recorder—an instrument he had never mastered—to create an auditory metaphor for the desperation of the show's characters.
A Focus on Live Performance
As Jung prepares for his Australian debut at the Sydney Opera House, where he will conduct a 41-piece orchestra performing the soundtrack for *Parasite*, he emphasizes the importance of live performance in preserving the authenticity of music. He views the concert hall as a sanctuary for human creativity, especially in an era where artificial intelligence poses a growing threat to traditional composition. Jung believes that the imperfections inherent in live performance are essential, stating, “I think it’s all the more important that we look for something fundamentally human, something only humans can do.” This perspective reflects his commitment to showcasing the artistry that distinguishes human-created music from machine-generated compositions.
The Impact of *Squid Game* and *Parasite*
Jung's work on *Squid Game* and *Parasite* has not only elevated his profile but also highlighted the cultural narratives within South Korean society. While *Squid Game* employs the haunting sounds of childhood to underscore themes of desperation, *Parasite* utilizes a baroque style to critique class divides. Both scores have contributed to Jung's rise from a studio hermit to a global stage presence, with his music resonating with audiences worldwide.
Criticism and Future Directions
Despite his success, Jung acknowledges the challenges of his creative process. He has expressed feelings of despair while navigating conventional composition methods, leading him to embrace improvisation as a path forward. As he looks to the future, including upcoming projects with directors like Lee Chang-dong and a new album with Decca Records, Jung remains focused on the human elements of music. He asserts that the imperfections that define his work are a crucial part of what makes music authentically human.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I believe that had I gone to any kind of formal musical institute or conservatory [to learn composition], I would not have been able to write a piece like this,” — Jung Jae-il
- “At the end of the day, having no identity very much defines my identity.” — Jung Jae-il
- “AI can be seen as a threat when it comes to music composition or music creation.” — Jung Jae-il
Jung Jae-il's upcoming performance of *Parasite: Live in Concert* on April 24 and 25 promises to be a poignant reminder of the artistry that sets human music apart from machine-generated compositions.
