Gugak FM names master Kim Su-ak as November's artist of the month

Gugak FM has selected the late Kim Su-ak as November's Gugak Artist of the Month to honor his legacy ahead of his 100th birth anniversary in 2026. The former holder of National Intangible Heritage No. 12, Jinju Sword Dance, was recognized for his mastery of dance, vocal music, and instruments like the gayageum.

Gugak FM has selected master Kim Su-ak (1926–2009) as the protagonist for November's "Gugak Artist of the Month: Meeting a Star Through Records." The selection aims to revisit the artistic world of Kim Su-ak via radio in anticipation of his 100th birth anniversary in 2026.

Born on December 10, 1926, in Hamyang, Kim Su-ak entered the Jinju Gwonbeon at the age of nine to follow the path of an artist. He mastered the lineage of Gyobang dance by learning seungmu from Han Seong-jun, Gutgeori dance from Choi Sun-i (Choi Wan-ja), and sogo dance from Kim Ok-min and Kim Nok-ju. Subsequently, he was designated as the holder of National Intangible Heritage No. 12, Jinju Sword Dance, in 1967, and was recognized as the holder of Gyeongsangnam-do Intangible Heritage No. 21, Jinju Gyobang Gutgeori Dance, in 1997.

Beyond dance, Kim Su-ak was proficient in vocal music, gayageum, and gu-eum. His artistic standing is highlighted by the assessment of the contemporary master singer Kim So-hui, who remarked, "When it comes to gu-eum, Kim Su-ak is the best." Furthermore, the philosophy of dance emphasized by Kim Su-ak prompts a reconsideration of the essence of traditional arts today; his attitude of prioritizing inner strength over outward appearance appears to have left a significant influence on his successors.

Since the 1980s, Kim Su-ak gained widespread recognition through the "Myeongmujeon" stage and raised approximately 100 disciples. His disciple, master Kim Gyeong-ran, recalled, "I saw my teacher's dance at the Myeongmujeon in 1991, and I thought, 'This is true Korean dance.' The teacher himself was dance." Jin Ok-seop, former chairperson of the Korea Heritage Agency, also evaluated Kim Su-ak as an artist who possessed both dance and vocal music.

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