Lim Woong-soo
Arirang Master - No: 25001104
Lim Woong-soo is a master drummer (Sangsoe) and a central figure in the preservation and innovation of Korea’s traditional Nongak (farmers’ music). As the holder of Gyeonggi-do Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 20 (Gwangmyeong Nongak), he has devoted over five decades to sustaining Korea’s communal performance traditions.
He serves as Artistic Director of the Gwangmyeong Nongak Preservation Society and Chairman of the Korean Nongak Federation, bridging grassroots heritage with national cultural policy.
Qualifications
Skill and Mastery:
Lim is a leading authority on Gwangmyeong Nongak and has restored the 450-year-old Sanggongchum (Chief Drummer’s Dance), linking it to its ritual origins.
Creativity and Innovation:
He founded the Bapsim Festival, which promotes communal unity through participatory performance, and has led major policy initiatives, including the Korean Traditional Music Promotion Act.
Education and Mentorship:
He established educational programs integrating Nongak into school curricula and mentors young performers through workshops and field training.
Accolades and Achievements
Lim received the Grand Merit Award at the 1st National Gugak Day Ceremony (2025) and is widely recognised as a cultural innovator advancing Korean traditional music on both national and global stages.
Relevant Short Videos
Performance – Gwangmyeong Nongak: Chief Drummer’s Dance
Field Performance – Gwangmyeong Nongak Ensemble