The Legacy of a Second-Generation Instrument Artisan: Kim Jongmin Recognized as National Intangible Heritage Holder

Bang Chunwoong and Lee Haksoo Preliminarily Recognized as Onggi Pottery Holders
Seung Gyeongran Named as Prospective Ipchajang Holder
Kim Ilman, Onggi Pottery Artisan Who Dedicated His Life to Clay, Honored as "Honorary Holder"

Kim Jongmin, Holder of the National Intangible Heritage Musical Instrument Artisan Title

Artisans who have preserved the lineage of traditional techniques will be newly listed as the faces of Korea's National Intangible Heritage.

The Cultural Heritage Administration announced on February 2 that Kim Jongmin (age 57) will be recognized as the holder of the National Intangible Heritage title for pyeonjong and pyeongyeong instrument making. Additionally, it was announced that Bang Chunwoong (age 82), Lee Haksoo (age 70), and Seung Gyeongran (age 64) will be preliminarily recognized as holders in their respective fields.

Kim Jongmin is a "second-generation artisan," succeeding his father, Kim Hyungon, who is the current holder of the title. He learned the techniques of making pyeonjong and pyeongyeong under his father's tutelage from an early age. Since being selected as a transmission scholarship recipient in 2013, he has combined historical research with practical production. He is credited with establishing a robust system for the transmission of traditional instrument craftsmanship, building solid artisanal skills on a strict theoretical foundation.

Lee Haksoo, Recognized as Holder of National Intangible Cultural Heritage for Onggi Pottery

Bang Chunwoong and Lee Haksoo, who have been preliminarily recognized as holders of the Onggi Pottery title, are also descendants of distinguished family lineages. Bang Chunwoong has devoted his life to working with clay, inheriting a family business that has continued since his great-grandfather's generation. After being recognized as a holder of Chungcheongnam-do Intangible Heritage in 2008, he has quietly maintained the unique tradition of regional Onggi pottery.

Lee Haksoo is the son of the late Lee Okdong, who was a holder of National Intangible Heritage, and has been making Onggi pottery for over 30 years since 1990. He has demonstrated his mastery as a holder of the Onggi Pottery title in Jeollanam-do, fully inheriting the techniques of his predecessors.

Seung Gyeongran, who has been preliminarily recognized as a holder of the Ipchajang (metal inlay) title, is an artisan who has embodied traditional beauty through her delicate craftsmanship. She learned the technique of engraving grooves on metal surfaces and inlaying gold and silver wire to create patterns from the current holder, Hong Jeongshil. Since becoming a certified successor in 1997, she has dedicated over 20 years to transmission education and creative work, continuing the lineage of metal crafts. The final decision on their recognition will be made after collecting opinions from various sectors for one month and a final review by the Intangible Heritage Committee.

Seung Gyeongran, Recognized as Holder of National Intangible Cultural Heritage Ipchajang

Meanwhile, Kim Ilman (age 84), who has devoted himself as a holder of the Onggi Pottery title since 2010, will be honored as an honorary holder. The Cultural Heritage Administration explained that this is "in recognition of his dedication to the field of transmission despite his advanced age."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.