The presentation of the Audience Award created particular suspense, being a ‘tight race,’ as Christoph von Bernuth, Opera Director in Karlsruhe, emphasized: ‘Out of 318 votes cast, one received 92 and the other 89.’ … In the end, Yongbeom Kwon won over the majority of the audience's hearts with his warm timbre and extraordinarily alluring expression….. This prize also went to Kwon, who thus received two awards at the first Farinelli Competition in Karlsruhe.