2016 KMAM-HOF LEGEND INDUCTEE
Bong Soo Han
Grand Master Bong Soo Han was born on August 25th, 1993. Grand Master Bong Soo Han was the world's foremost
practitioner of Hapkido and he is referred to as the Father of Hapkido in the Western World. As one of the original
senior students of the Founder of Hapkido, Yong Sul Choi, he led a dedicated effort in the development of Hapkido
as it is known today.
He taught thousands of loyal students throughout his life with many becoming masters themselves. Other masters
across all styles have sought out his wisdom and teachings. Grand Master Han studied and refined this powerful
Korean martial art for more than 60 years. Up to the time of his death, he held the rank of 9th Dan Black Belt. He
founded and presided over the International Hapkido Federation.
In Korea, the turbulent times of the post Korean War and the increasing conflicts of
the Vietnam War called upon Grand Master Han to train hundreds of military
personnel, including American/Korean Special Forces and Secret Service. In part
from this realistic and dynamic experience, many in the military and law
enforcement agencies, including those of the FBI, have relied on Grand Master Han
to develop and teach effective defensive tactics programs.
Grand Master Han first introduced Hapkido to the
United States in 1967, although mass exposure did
not come until the motion picture "Billy Jack" filled
the nation's theaters in 1971. In this film, Grand Master Han gained critical acclaim
for creating and staging some of the most breathtaking and realistic fight sequences
ever to have graced the silver screen. Up to the release of this film, brief references
to martial arts were often portrayed by actors and not by martial artists. Grand
Master Han redefined and revolutionized Hollywood's understanding of martial arts
by demonstrating a level of martial arts skill previously not seen before, much to the
delight of the audience who found it tremendously exciting. Grand Master Han continued to choreograph, double,
star in, and/or produce numerous films.
Grand Master Han was the subject of hundreds of magazine and newspaper articles, countless martial arts magazine
cover stories, and was a member of the Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame (1978). He was also featured in The Arts
and Entertainment documentary, "The Martial Arts," the Wesley Snipes-produced "Master of the Martial Arts," and
several other radio, Internet, and television profiles.
In addition to being cited in dozens of martial arts books, Grand Master Han himself wrote many articles on the Way
of martial arts, and also authored the book, HAPKIDO, The Korean Art of Self-Defense (Ohara Publications, 1974),
which is now in its 23rd printing. He also completed a series of ten instructional Hapkido videotapes for worldwide
distribution.
Grand Master Han is best known, however, for his
indefatigable dedication to the teaching of Hapkido,
sharing with thousands the truth and nature of martial
arts, and greatly impacting those who commit to
embark on this journey of self-development. For 37
years, he operated his martial arts school and IHF
Headquarters in Santa Monica, California.
Prior to his death on January 8, 2007, Grand Master
Han toured the world lecturing on and demonstrating the Art of Coordinated Power in an effort to expand the IHF to
include qualified and committed member schools.