Bamboo bows are made with bamboo trees growing all over Korea, which is why people think that jukgung is a common sports activity, but Kim is the only one in Korea, let alone in the world, who can make traditional bamboo bows.

Bamboo bows produced in Daegu were distributed all over the country until the late Joseon period. But some three centuries later, references about jukgung can be found only in old records and no one is left to recreate it. Moreover, the bamboo bow in the possession of Kim’s teacher was the only one remaining. That stoked Kim’s determination to bring back jukgung and honor to Daegu, the home of jukgung.

The process of drying, steaming and actually crafting the bamboo was more complex and difficult than he had imagined. He overused his arms to bend the bow shaft so much that he tore his arm ligament three times. But he couldn’t give up.

After relentless endeavor Jukgung, which had been lost for hundreds of years, has been resurrected by Kim Byeong-yeon and unveiled to the world at an archery festival attended by 31 countries. Since then, he has been working hard to promote jukgung archery by teaching young students how to shoot with traditional bamboo bows. Having volunteered to keep the tradition of ancient Korean archery alive, Kim has restored jukgung and is teaching the spirit of Korean traditional bamboo archery. He is the true master bow and arrow craftsman of this age.