Through his unique approach to printmaking, Kim has created a distinctive artistic language that reflects both personal and universal themes, making a lasting impact on the development of Korean contemporary art.
He earned his Bachelor's in Painting from Seoul National University and a Master's in Art Education from Yonsei University. Kim has taught at institutions including Donghak Middle School, Gyeonggi Technical College, Hanyang University, and Ewha Womans University. In 2024, he became a member of the Korean Academy of Arts.
Kim has received numerous awards, including the Hwangjogeunjeong Medal (2002) and the Grand Prize at the Gwangju International Print Biennale (1982). He has held 15 solo exhibitions, such as Hyundai Kim Retrospective (National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, 2016), and 30 Years of Woodcut Printmaking (Total Museum of Contemporary Art, 1998). He has also participated in international group exhibitions like the Korea-Japan Contemporary Art Profile (Gwangju Biennale, 2000) and 4th China International Print Exhibition (Taipei Fine Arts Museum, 1985).