As part of The Korea Society's performing arts program, Yoon-Jeong Heo performs and comments on her practice of the kŏmungo, a style of zither used in Korea for at least 1,500 years. With an origin shrouded in legend, the kŏmungo appeared in the northern kingdom of Koguryo some time between the 4th and the 7th century. According to tradition, the Chinese Emperor sent the Korean court a guqin (literally, "seven-string zither”) as a gift. However, no courtier knew how to play the instrument. The Korean prime minister, Wang Sanak (王山岳), then modified the guqin into its current form. When he sat down to play the newly redesigned instrument, a black crane emerged and danced to its music. Afterwards, the kŏmungo became known as “black crane zither” or “black zither.”

From its legendary genesis to modern time, the kŏmungo tradition has been kept alive, evolving into one of the most prestigious components of the Korean musical repertoire and patrimoine.

By blending traditional Korean court and folk music with contemporary genres and techniques, critically acclaimed performer and composer Yoon-Jeong Heo expands the range of the kŏmungo. Ms. Heo graduated from the National High School of Korean Traditional Music and received her B.A. and M.A. from Seoul National University. She has performed internationally, with concerts in Europe and Asia. She has also played alongside Hwang Byung-ki, arguably the most prominent living kayagŭm musician. She is currently a recipient of the 2007 Asian Cultural Council Fellowship.