Jongkuk Kim is an award-winning, Billboard-nominated drummer, improviser, composer, and electronic musician from Incheon, Korea. He has emerged as a prominent figure in the contemporary jazz and improvised music scenes, both in his home city and on the international stage. Recognized as one of the most distinctive voices in jazz today, Jongkuk is among the few drummers of his generation to receive significant recognition on the global jazz circuit. His work has earned him a place in major publications such as Billboard, Grammy, and Vogue magazines.

Jongkuk Kim is known for his adventurous spirit, eclectic musical palette, and his ability to create spontaneous, dynamic compositions. A virtuoso across a wide range of genres, he excels in acoustic jazz, avant-garde electronic music, and innovative rock, establishing himself as a sought-after collaborator. His career has included notable partnerships with a diverse array of influential artists, including Aaron Parks, Meshell Ndegeocello, Dayna Stephens, Eric Nam, So!YoON!, and K-pop superstars BTS and RM of BTS.

His unique musical approach blends influences from his Korean heritage with an extensive knowledge of various global genres. This has led to widespread recognition of his creativity, technical mastery, and exceptional time feel. As NEA Jazz Master and three-time GRAMMY® award-winning drummer Terri Lyne Carrington has noted, "Jongkuk displays an incredible sense of creativity, time feel, and technical prowess. In fact, he quickly became one of my favorite drummers. I learned from watching him as well.”