Born in Tongyeong and introduced to mother-of-pearl craft at the age of 13, Jong-Kim’s lifelong journey with najeon has evolved far beyond craftsmanship. What began as a vocation in youth has, over the decades, transformed into a profound expression of prayer and aspiration. Though widely recognized as a master artisan, Kim has always pursued something greater—a deep artistic vision beyond skill alone.

His technical mastery was affirmed when his works were acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, while his artistic ambition came to light with the monumental 7-meter piece New Dream Journey to the Peach Blossom Land exhibited in 2021. Now, with the 2022 debut of his 12-piece Soul of Ten Thousand Years iceberg series, Kim signals not only a new chapter in his creative journey but a revolutionary moment in the history of Korean lacquer and mother-of-pearl art—where the hand of the artisan becomes the voice of the artist.