HONG KONG, June 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The grand piano often stands as the heart of every orchestra and the star of every concert hall. In a rare feat, the latest episode of CNN's Showtime series pulls back the curtain on a landmark night in Seoul, a countdown to a concert unlike anything in music history where four pianos and pianists share a single stage. From the making of a concert grand piano to the tuners and technicians preparing for this legendary performance and insights from industry experts, the episode delves into the ecosystem that keeps classical music, and nights like this, alive.
By nature a solitary art form, the grand piano is rarely found in similar company, making this gathering all the more extraordinary. For the first time, four world renowned pianists share the spotlight: Lim Yunchan and Sunwoo Yekwon, gold medalists at the 2022 and 2017 Van Cliburn International Piano Competitions respectively; Deutsche Grammophon recording artist Cho Seong-jin; and Kim Sunwook, winner of the prestigious Leeds International Piano Competition in 2006, and the concert's artistic director, pianist and conductor. "Rock stars" of the classical music world, each bring their own devoted following, and a reputation of flawless technique and performances charged with personality. Renowned conductor Marin Alsop sees the virtuosos of yesterday in today's young generation of soloists. A MacArthur Fellow and the first woman to head major orchestras in the United States, South America, Austria and Great Britain, she was famously moved to tears during Yunchan's reputation-defining Van Cliburn gold medal performance.
Before the pianists can take the stage, four exceptionally crafted pianos must be ready for a performance of a lifetime. Showtime goes behind the scenes at the historic Steinway factory in Astoria, Queens – one of only two Steinway factories in the world – where concert grands are meticulously crafted almost entirely by hand over the course of a year from 12,000 parts.
Back at the concert hall, before a single note is played, one man must prepare four pianos to play as one in the greatest challenge of his career. 88-year-old Lee Jong-yeol, Seoul Arts Center's master tuner and South Korea's first in its history, reveals the tools and techniques it takes to make an instrument, and in this case four, ready for a night like no other.
As showtime approaches, the backstage comes alive as pre-show rituals and final audio checks take place. Then the moment everyone has been waiting for arrives: Franz Liszt's "Hexaméron" composition, specially re-arranged for four pianists. A memorial concert to mark the 25th anniversary of Hyundai's Founding Chairman Chung Ju‑yung's passing, the concert and the people behind it have been sealed in music history.
Showtime trailers: https://bit.ly/4eUKXnY
Showtime images: https://bit.ly/3S9NtxS
Airtimes for 30-minute special:
Saturday, 27th June at 3:30pm HKT
Sunday, 28th June at 9:30am and 6pm HKT
Monday, 29th June at 11am HKT
– Ends –
About CNN International
CNN's portfolio of news and information services is available in seven different languages across all major TV, digital and mobile platforms, reaching more than 379 million households around the globe. CNN International is the number one international TV news channel according to all major media surveys across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Asia Pacific region, and Latin America and has a US presence that includes CNNgo. CNN Digital is a leading network for online news, mobile news and social media. CNN is at the forefront of digital innovation and continues to invest heavily in expanding its digital global footprint, with a suite of award-winning digital properties and a range of strategic content partnerships, commercialised through a strong data-driven understanding of audience behaviours. CNN has won multiple prestigious awards around the world for its journalism. Around 1,000 hours of long-form series, documentaries and specials are produced every year by CNNI's non-news programming division. CNN has 36 editorial offices and more than 1,100 affiliates worldwide through CNN Newsource. CNN International is a Warner Bros. Discovery company.
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CNN's Showtime offers rare access inside a landmark concert featuring four virtuosos at the top of their craft
SINGAPORE, June 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Global medical aesthetics leader Cynosure Lutronic presented its latest non-invasive innovations at IMCAS Asia 2026 in Bangkok (19–21 June), featuring XERF™, a structural skin tightening treatment that focuses on comfort, safety, flexibility and no downtime. XERF reflects a shift in how skin ageing is addressed, moving beyond surface-level improvements to support firmness and skin quality from within.
The Shift Shaping Modern Aesthetics
Consumers are moving away from dramatic, overdone outcomes towards earlier, more preventive approaches focused on natural-looking results, long-term skin health and preservation.
Driving this is a broader cultural shift. Mintel's 2026 Global Beauty and Personal Care Predictions identify a growing consumer exhaustion with AI-driven perfection, with consumers increasingly craving authenticity and human expression over polished, data-driven conformity. Similarly, the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) reports that non-invasive treatments now account for 80% of all procedures among its members, with patients prioritising subtle, natural-looking results.
XERF is designed to align with these evolving expectations, delivering structural skin tightening from within while offering the comfort, convenience and results modern patients seek.
A Structural Approach to Skin Tightening
XERF is the world's first monopolar radiofrequency (RF) device that combines two frequencies (6.78 MHz & 2MHz) to deliver targeted thermal energy to the skin at three depths. This multi-layer approach allows XERF to act across the skin's shallow, middle and deeper layers, helping to remodel the structure of tissue and restore firmness, where meaningful change begins.
This multi-layer approach enables XERF to deliver visible lifting and tightening, improvement in facial and neck laxity, a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while supporting comprehensive improvement in skin firmness and quality.
Working at a structural level, XERF delivers both immediate and progressive results. Patients typically experience a noticeable tightening sensation right after treatment and continued improvement as collagen remodelling occurs over time, enhancing skin appearance in the weeks that follow.
Designed for Comfort and Everyday Life
XERF has been engineered to make advanced aesthetic treatments more accessible and convenient. The treatment feels warm and comfortable due to Integrated Cryogen Delivery (ICD) that cools the skin's surface during each pulse, and Wave Fit™ pulse technology, which balances energy delivery to maximise comfort.
Each session takes approximately 45 minutes, requires no needles or numbing, and allows patients to resume daily activities immediately, providing patients with a treatment rooted in comfort and convenience that fits modern lifestyles.
Tailored to Individual Skin Needs
Recognising that every patient's skin is different, XERF features adjustable depth settings and intensity levels that can be tailored to each individual's skin profile. This customisability allows doctors to address both early and more visible signs of ageing, to customise treatments based on skin thickness and treatment goals, and deliver personalised outcomes across different facial areas.
"IMCAS Asia is an important platform for us to connect with leading practitioners across the region and share the latest developments in aesthetic technology," said Hauke Albert Harms, President of International at Cynosure Lutronic. "With XERF, we are seeing a clear shift toward treatments that go beyond surface-level improvements, supporting skin structure and quality from within. Patients today are looking for solutions that deliver visible results while fitting seamlessly into their daily lives, and this is where innovation is heading."
About Cynosure Lutronic
Cynosure Lutronic is a global leader in medical aesthetic and energy-based device technology, delivering clinically proven solutions for aesthetic practitioners and patients across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
The XERF™ RF system is intended as a non-invasive dermatological aesthetic treatment device with indications for wrinkles and rhytids. Product availability, approved indications, and regulatory clearances may vary by country or region. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare professional to determine if XERF™ is right for them. Cynosure Lutronic does not diagnose or treat medical conditions, prescribe treatment protocols, or provide medical advice.
Website: bluetotem.co
High-res images and brand assets are available for download here.
(All photos should be credited to: Cynosure Lutronic)
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Cynosure Lutronic Spotlighted Structural Skin Tightening Innovation at IMCAS Asia 2026 in Bangkok
Cynosure Lutronic Spotlighted Structural Skin Tightening Innovation at IMCAS Asia 2026 in Bangkok
Cynosure Lutronic Spotlighted Structural Skin Tightening Innovation at IMCAS Asia 2026 in Bangkok
