Korean Conductor Han-Na Chang Shows Off Her Stunning American Home

The classical music star gave viewers a tour of her luxurious mansion on Korean TV, sharing insights into her life as one of the world's leading conductors

When Han-Na Chang appeared on KBS2's "Crazy Rich Korean" last weekend, she wasn't just showcasing her wealth-she was opening the door to three decades of musical dedication that built her extraordinary career.

Chang's three-story home sits on a hilltop about 35 miles from New York City, spanning roughly 6,600 square feet. The property has serious Hollywood pedigree, having housed stars like Angelina Jolie and Scarlett Johansson.

Host Jun Hyun-moo couldn't hide his amazement. Looking at the ornate living room, he said it was "the kind of house you only see in movies." The spacious kitchen left him joking, "You could hold a summit meeting in here."

The mansion includes two living rooms, an outdoor terrace, six bathrooms, multiple bedrooms, and guest quarters. But the real centerpiece sits in Chang's study: a Steinway concert grand piano she bought 13 years ago for $100,000.

When producers asked if she was wealthy, Chang responded with characteristic wit: "Yes, I'm rich-rich in musical notes, rich in practice, rich in sheet music, rich in passion."

Despite the home's size, Chang handles all the cleaning herself, spending about two hours daily on housework. "I don't like leaving things to other people. I just do it myself," she explained while tidying up.

She pointed to a stopped clock in her study, revealing an unexpected detail about her musical mind: "When I'm studying sheet music, the second hand sounds like a 60 BPM tempo. It feels like a metronome and stresses me out, so I stopped it."

Chang's health-conscious habits showed when she ate from a bowl overflowing with blueberries. Jun Hyun-moo joked he thought it was black rice because there were so many. "It's an anti-aging diet," Chang explained. "I don't want to get younger; I want to age well."

Born in Suwon, South Korea, on December 23, 1982, Chang started piano at three and cello at six. Her family moved to New York in 1993 so she could study at Juilliard.

At just 11, she won both First Prize and the Contemporary Music Prize at the Fifth Rostropovich International Cello Competition in Paris in 1994. This victory launched her international career as a cellist, leading to performances with every major orchestra worldwide.

But Chang wanted more. "The cello repertoire is very small, and what you get asked to play as a soloist is even smaller," she said in past interviews. She made her conducting debut in 2007 and never looked back.

Chang has served as Chief Conductor of Norway's Trondheim Symphony Orchestra since 2017, becoming the first woman to hold that position. Her contract runs through the 2024-25 season.

In 2021, she became Principal Guest Conductor of Hamburg's Symphoniker, again making history as the first woman in that role. The appointment came after she stepped in as an emergency replacement conductor and impressed everyone with her performance.

Chang has also studied philosophy at Harvard and founded music festivals in South Korea, showing her commitment to developing young musicians.

At 42, Chang has built an impressive career on her own terms. This year marks the 30th anniversary of her international debut, and she shows no signs of slowing down.

The TV appearance coincided with her preparation for upcoming Hamburg Symphony performances. Her busy schedule includes guest conducting major orchestras across Europe, North America, and Asia.

Chang's mansion may be impressive, but her real wealth lies in her musical achievements. From a child prodigy playing an undersized cello to a groundbreaking conductor leading world-class orchestras, she's proven that passion and persistence can take you anywhere-even to a hilltop mansion that Hollywood stars once called home.

The show offered Korean audiences a glimpse into the life of one of their most successful cultural ambassadors, revealing that behind the luxury lies decades of hard work and an unwavering commitment to musical excellence.