As one of the original senior students of Yong Sul Choi, the founder of hapkido, Bong Soo Han has led a dedicated effort in the development of hapkido as it is known today.

And his story began in Korea, where he once taught military personnel hapkido. He introduced the art to the United States in 1967. Four years later, when the movie "Billy Jack" came out, the art exploded across the country.

Today, he owns his own school in Santa Monica, California and is the founder and president of the International Hapkido Federation. He is a remarkable man and a humble man. Hear what he has to say.

Martial Arts & Combat Sports: Why did you get started in the martial arts?
Bong Soo Han: During the Japanese occupation of Korea, all school children were required to read, write, and speak Japanese. In addition, some were picked to study kendo and judo for discipline and physical education. I was one of the children who studied these martial arts, from 1943 to 1945. Later, I studied and earned a black belt in the art of kwon bup under the late Master Byung In Yoon from 1948-1950. The outbreak of the Korean War closed all schools, and I ceased my martial arts training.
MACS: Why did you choose hapkido?
Han: I was most impressed by its flowing effortless movements. Instead of clashing, there were redirection and circular motion.
MACS: What are the strong points of the system?
Han: The way of natural movements.
MACS: Hapkido features the water, circle, and power principles. Why are these significant?
Han: Well, in hapkido, one demonstrates the principles of nature. Instead of resistance there is re-direction; instead of rigidity, there is circular movement; and instead of strength, there is the power of water. All of these elements flow together physically, mentally, and spiritually.
MACS: Did you ever have any desire to do anything else with your life?
Han: I made a decision to dedicate my life to hapkido.
MACS: I understand that you trained under hapkido's founder, Yong Sul Choi. How did that come about?
Han: At the end of the Korean War, I resumed my martial arts training, this time with the late founder of hapkido, Yong Sul Choi. I had watched him perform hapkido techniques, and found them immediately to be both flowing and dynamic. I've continued my training in hapkido, of course, to this day. From time to time, between 1956 to 1959, I traveled to Hwa Chun, Kang Won Province, where I spent time training in the art of Tae Kyun, under the late Master Bok Yong Lee.
MACS: When did you train with him (Choi) and for how many years?
Han: Shortly after the Korean War until his departure in the late 1980's.
MACS: Describe the training sessions.
Han: Training differed, certainly. The students and master were both culturally and ethnically homogeneous. Traditional approach was not a matter of one perspective; it was a way of life. Indomitable spirit defined our goals.
MACS: What do you remember most about training with him?
Han: We strived to be martial artists.
MACS: What is the most important thing he taught you?
Han: To know oneself as a human being.
MACS: How did the public look upon the martial arts?
Han: At that time, many in the public believed one required special physical kills to train in the martial arts. The dedication required was tremendous to the casual observer.
MACS: Why did you come to the United States in 1967?
Han: To spread the art to the rest of the world.
MACS: Tell us how you got involved with Tom Laughlin.
Han: On July 4, 1969, I was performing a demonstration at a park in Pacific Palisades, and he happened to be in the audience. Afterwards, he approached me about being involved in a movie project called, "Billy Jack."
MACS: You directed the fight scenes. Now, many years later, would you do anything differently?
Han: Well, then or now, the difference would have rested on the degree of creative control. It would probably have been more realistic.
MACS: You went on to work on many more movies. Why did you find this enjoyable?
Han: It was an opportunity to introduce hapkido to the world.
MACS: What year did you open your first school?
Han: I opened my first school in 1959, in Seoul, Korea.
MACS: What are the students of today like?
Han: The students of today have different challenges. The distractions of modern day life can challenge the time and dedication required to truly learn this art. Still, I see students with little coordination or focus become through consistent training wonderful martial artists and human beings. Hapkido should be for everyone, not just for a select few.
MACS: As a teacher, what is the most important thing you can teach a student?
Han: The perfection of character.
MACS: What is your definition of a martial artist?
Han: One who pursues the perfection of character through a lifetime of rigorous physical, mental, and spiritual training.
MACS: What does it mean to be a black belt?
Han: One has learned the basics. One is now ready to learn the true way of the martial arts, which means he will learn the harmonization of the mind, body and spirit.
MACS: Why are you interested in Zen philosophy?
Han: The philosophy of most martial arts teaches you to follow "nature" and "the way of life." Therefore, I discovered many decades ago that martial arts training involves the study of Zen and Taoism. As human beings, from the universal point of view, we are but a small part. To achieve something, we must follow nature. We learn much easier this way. This idea of nature is symbolized by um and yang (two inseparable forces of one unceasing interplay of movement).
MACS: What role does Zen play in the martial arts?
Han: Zen's intrigue is its emphasis on compassion. The goal of Zen is not just to clear the mind, but to open the heart as well. The two, of course, are interrelated. Awareness is the seed of compassion. Compassion flows naturally. This is the essence of the martial arts.
MACS: What is the indomitable spirit?
Han: The dedicated pursuit of goals despite obstacles.
MACS: What role does ki (energy) play in your system?
Han: Ki is life energy. It is what connects us to the elements of nature.
MACS: What role does tanjun play in your training?
Han: The purpose of tanjun breathing is to clear the mind. Once your body is calm and still, it functions naturally. We accept ki energy from the universe through our tanjun. From here, it circulates throughout the body. If you are emotionally upset, or if you are too busy, then parts of your body are not functioning.
MACS: I understand that you have many actors training with you. Can you tell us who they are?
Han: Out of respect for privacy, I cannot, of course, reveal names. But, each student, actors included, all come to train with one purpose in mind: to learn.
MACS: Why do they like your system?
Han: It covers all of the martial arts elements.
MACS: What is your most memorable moment in the martial arts?
Han: Everyday, I experience something wonderful and memorable.
MACS: What does the future hold for you?
Han: I've been very happy to see the tremendous growth of our International Hapkido Federation. I would like to see everyone have an opportunity to discover the beauty of this art.