Natural Lacquer Art / Director

Yongbok Jun is a master craftsman renowned for his expertise in traditional Korean lacquerware. He gained international acclaim at Japan's historic Meguro Gajoen, where he created and restored over 5,000 lacquer pieces. In 1980, Jun founded the Yerin Natural Lacquer Art Research Institute, dedicated to preserving and promoting natural lacquer art. His work, blending traditional and contemporary techniques, has earned him numerous awards. Jun remains a leading figure in the field, actively participating in exhibitions, workshops, and cultural exchange programs worldwide.

Painting Art

He earned degrees in Oriental Painting from Hongik University and a Ph.D. from Nanjing Academy of Fine Arts. Notable works include the 'Bicycle' series and the 'Dongri' series. He has exhibited the 'Yusu' and 'Earth' series and won the Grand Prize at the Korean Art Exhibition.

Painting Art

Misun Kang is a distinguished artist from Seoul, South Korea, renowned for blending traditional and modern themes. She holds a B.F.A. and M.F.A. from Hongik University and a doctorate from Nanjing Art University. Kang's work has been exhibited widely, including at the Soka Art Center in Taipei and Beijing.

Dance Performance

Hengda Li is a renowned dancer and choreographer with a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Washington. He holds the National First-Class Performer (NFCP) certification, equivalent to a DFA, from the Beijing Dance Academy and the Ministry of Culture of China. Li founded the American Asian Performing Arts Theatre and Hengda Dance Academy, focusing on promoting Chinese dance and culture in the U.S.

Painting Art

Seo Seong-rok is an honorary professor at Andong National University, specializing in art studies. He graduated from Hongik University with a degree in Painting and a master's in Aesthetics, and earned his Ph.D. from Midwest University with a dissertation on Calvinist Art Theory. He has authored several books, including Traces of Modern Korean Painting and Art and Spirituality, and has held leadership roles in the Korean Art Critics Association and the Government Art Bank Management Committee.

Arts Therapy

Yoonsun Im is an art therapist with a Ph.D. from Hanyang University, where she studied the necessity of art therapy for addressing depression and suicide among artists. Her work focuses on using art as a therapeutic tool to manage emotional distress, especially in creative individuals.

Natural Lacquer Art

Sanghee Yun holds a Bachelor's in Fine Arts, a Master's in Metal Craft from Seoul National University, another Master's in Natural Lacquer Art, and a Ph.D. in Craft and Design. Her research on lacquer art has resulted in numerous publications and patents, and she has led key projects in cultural product development and design education.

Art Education

Eunsil J. Esther Kho is an art scholar with a Ph.D. from Florida State University, specializing in contemporary Korean artists in New York. Her research explores the artistic identities and multicultural experiences of artists like Do-Ho Suh and Kimsooja. Kho focuses on art criticism and the intersections of Korean diaspora and art, and she is actively involved in teaching and researching art history, multiculturalism, and identity.

Dance Performance

Shuangbai Feng is a prominent figure in Chinese dance, currently serving as the president of the China Dancers Association. He holds a Doctorate in Literature, highlighting his strong academic foundation. Feng is renowned for his scholarly contributions to dance, particularly in choreographing and directing works that emphasize Chinese cultural heritage​

Natural Lacquer Art

Hyunmin Jun, who holds a BA in English from Rutgers University and an MFA in Screenwriting from the New York Film Academy, is a street photographer known for his powerful narratives. His work includes a notable exhibition where he collaborated with his father, Yongbok Jun, to print photos with natural lacquer, showcasing his innovative approach to photography.

Jewelry Design

Professor Eunjoo Kim has over 20 years of experience in jewelry design and art. She earned her bachelor's degree in Industrial Design from Seoul National University of Science and Technology and a master's degree in Metal and Jewelry Design from the Graduate School of Techno Design at Kookmin University. She further honed her expertise by completing the Jewelry Design Master's program at the Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) in Rome, Italy, gaining a deep understanding of international trends and aesthetics.

Since 2005, Professor Kim has been actively engaged in higher education, mentoring undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students at Kookmin University. Her research encompasses a wide range of fields, including the intersection of jewelry and fashion, contemporary jewelry design utilizing diverse materials, and luxury jewelry brand studies. Through her expertise, she develops innovative educational programs that foster creativity and originality in her students' academic and artistic pursuits.

Beyond academia, Professor Kim is the head of Jewel Studio ENZU, where she has accumulated extensive industry experience. She has also contributed to the field as a director of the Korea Women Designers Association. With her rich professional background and international perspective, she continues to inspire and guide the next generation of jewelry designers, particularly at the graduate and doctoral levels.