He is mostly remembered for his depictions of the everyday life of ordinary people, in a manner analogous to painters of the Dutch Golden Age.

At the age of 7, Kim Hong-do studied under the renowned master Pyoam Kang Se-hwang, who was then living in seclusion in Ansan.

[3] In 1766, at the age of 21, on the recommendation of Kang Sehwang,[4] he entered the royal service as a member (hwawon) of the Dohwaseo, the official painters of the Joseon court.

[8] The Korean Copyright Commission lists 757 paintings, 7 calligraphies and 4 moldings for Kim Hong-do.

The novel Painter of the Wind,[10] by Lee Jung-myung, is centered on Gim and Sin Yun-bok, who is portrayed as a woman disguised as a man.