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 its openness to change and coexistence of various cultures, is also celebrated for its capacity to express emotions with honesty and depth. Kim deeply resonates with these qualities, finding a strong connection between the unpredictable nature of jazz 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 a distinctive style rooted in both freedom and structure. Through her innovative reinterpretation of traditional instruments, she is establishing herself as a unique voice on the global jazz stage. To further explore the intersections between Korean traditional music and jazz, Kim pursued a Master’s degree in Jazz Performance at the Berklee Global Jazz Institute. During her studies, she focused on integrating the ajaeng into jazz contexts and developing a personal sound that merges the aesthetics of Korean traditional music with the language of contemporary jazz.