Yoona Kim is a pioneering global jazz musician, renowned for being the first to perform jazz on the ajaeng, a traditional Korean string instrument. Through the ajaeng, she creates a unique musical world that bridges the gap not only between tradition and modernity but also between diverse global cultures, embracing their differences and contrasts. Jazz, a genre known for embracing change and the coexistence of various cultures, is also celebrated for its ability to express emotions with honesty and depth. Kim resonates with these qualities of jazz, drawing a parallel between its unpredictable nature and profound expressiveness and the essence of Korean identity and traditional music.

Influenced by jazz legends such as Ornette Coleman, Cecil Taylor, Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans, Duke Ellington, Albert Ayler, and Charles Mingus, Kim has developed her own distinctive style. Through her innovative reinterpretation of traditional instruments, she is establishing herself as a prominent figure on the global music stage as jazz performer.