Hwang Byung Ki, a native of Seoul and master of the kayagum (a traditional Korean 12-string zither), was awarded the Grand Prize at this year's Fukuoka Asian Cultural Prizes on Sept. 16. Hwang — who aims to to appeal to both Asian and international audiences by composing music with contemporary sounds — visited Fukuoka City to attend the award ceremony.
"As a composer, I believe I should create the sounds of today," Hwang told The Japan Times before the ceremony. "If I compose only traditional tunes, they would be something like antiques."
According to historical documents, the kayagum has been played by Korean people since the sixth century. But, adds Hwang, in some places on the Korean Peninsula clay dolls older than this have been discovered holding kayagumlike contrivances, indicating the instrument may have been played even earlier.