Kim, Dong-Won
Dong-Won Kim is a percussionist, music educator, vocalist, composer, and improviser who has studied various forms of traditional music from great Korean music masters. In 1987 he was sentenced to imprisonment for his involvement in a funeral ceremony where he played music in honor of an innocent young victim killed by a policeman, making him a political prisoner. From this experience, he committed his life to study traditional music and its connection to society. He is a disciple of Kim Duk-Soo, a founder of the original SamulNori Hanullim ensemble created in 1978. He worked as the Director of Research and Education for SamulNori Hanullim (1994–2004). He has published several method books about Korean traditional music and wrote a children’s fairytale entitled The Story of Samulnori, which is available in Korean and English. By participating in many intercultural projects, he has been devoted to sharing the profound beauty of Korean traditional culture and music with the world. He has performed in Europe, the USA, Japan, and many other countries, especially as a member of the Silkroad Ensemble, led by cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Kim currently teaches music online as a professor of Wonkwang Digital University in Korea.