Grandmaster Soon Pil Hong 

Grandmaster Hong is still teaching the traditional, authentic Korean Martial Arts of Taekwondo, Habgido, and Gumdo after all of these years for two reasons: his love of the Korean Martial Arts and his wish to pass them on to future generations of martial artists.

He encourages his students to do their best when they practice their martial arts skills in class. However, Grandmaster Hong does not compare one student to another. He wants his students to show their "heart" and conduct themselves in the appropriate martial arts behavior inside and outside the Dojang. Grandmaster Hong has been known to say to his students, "I just want you to enjoy what you learn during Taekwondo, Habgido, or Gumdo classes. If you want to become a champion and compete nationally and internationally, I can help you reach that goal. My main concern is that you improve your life and every aspect of it."

When Grandmaster Hong's students feel that they want to thank him for what they have been taught, they will volunteer to do various projects around the gym to help improve the facilities for all to enjoy. This is what Korean Martial Arts are all about. The students will want to help the school grow when they are encouraged to strive to do their best every day in class. This is what Grandmaster Hong does. His students are made to feel like they are a part of his extended martial arts family.

"All that is separated can meet again, through this, everything can be seen to become one. I can find my real self and towards perfection turn. Mind, body, & spirit harmonized make a human being whole. Action harmonizes freedom, ideas, and thoughts. When all are harmonized, they melt into one. One is perfect and equal to nothing." Korean Poem - Anonymous Author 

Soon Pil Hong - The Beginning 

Grandmaster Hong began learning Taekwondo in 1968. The picture displayed here shows his perfect attendance record throughout his training at the Bug Sung Taekwondo Academy (ODOKWAN) in Seoul, South Korea from 1968-1975. He trained under Grandmaster Park Jong-Hun. The name of the school was changed in 1976 (to the Present) to Hug Ryong Taekwondo Academy (JIDOKWAN) - same location, where he trained under Grandmasters Kim Hwa-Hyung & Lee Byung-Chae. This level of dedication was shown by many, but not all. Grandmaster Hong has been dedicated to Martial Arts since beginning his path as a young man. During his most recent trip to South Korea (July/August 2011), Grandmaster Soon Pil Hong achieved/accomplished is 9th Degree Black Belt (JIDOKWAN) in Taekwondo. He received his belt & certification from Grandmaster Lee Sung-Wan, former President of Kukkiwon. 

Soon Pil Hong - Mastering the Martial Art 

Grandmaster Hong has taken great time and energy documenting his path through martial arts with photos. The Dojang is covered with pictures from 1968 as a white belt up to current photos of Grandmaster Hong diligently training and teaching students alike. There are so many pictures of his history we are unable to host all the pictures on our website! There are very few instructors who has their history of Martial Arts training documented through photos. 

Definition of a Grandmaster 

Grandmaster Hong has been an icon in his community by helping individuals and groups as much as he can. He donates to and supports many local area groups along with his other community members. Many parents bring troubled children & teens to Grandmaster Hong to teach them discipline. Give them an understanding of how life works and how to be a good person. To follow the Five Tenets of Taekwondo (Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, & Indomitable Spirit) in the Dojang (practice gym)as well as life. Grandmaster Hong is the only one in the Michiana area (Michigan/Indiana)that has a legal license as a Grandmaster Instructor through World Taekwondo Federation. He also holds Grandmaster ranking in the Kukkiwon headquarters. Grandmaster Hong is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (I.O.C.) and the U.S. Olympic Committee; he was also formerly the U.S. Referee Chairman of the USA Taekwondo (Martial Arts Commission [M.A.C.]). Listed below are the achievements of Grandmaster Hong throughout his life as a Martial Artist and Instructor. 

US Military Career 

1985 - 1988: ROTC Cadet, University of Notre Dame 

1980 - 1984: 2nd Ranger Infantry Battalion 

1984: Brigade Middle Weight Boxing Champion 

US Military Honors 

1984: US Army Achievement Medal 

1984: US Army Good Conduct Medal 

1980-1984: Expert Status, M-16 Assault Rifle & Grenade 

Civic Leadership 

1999 - 2003: Founder, International Exchange Program, Yang Hwa Elementary School - Seoul, South Korea 

1999 - 2003: Founder, Grand Master Soon Pil Hong Scholarship Fund Yang Hwa Elementary School - Seoul, South Korea 

1990 - Current: Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon - Raised over $60,000 

1986 - 1992: Court Translator for Korean - State of Michigan 

Martial Arts Organizational Experience 

2008: Head Organizer, 4th Universal Taekwondo Habgido Gumdo Union World Championship. 1,800 competitors - Guilin, China (WTF, UANTU, UTHGU) 

2007: Head Organizer, 4th Universal Taekwondo Habgido Gumdo Union World Championship. 400 competitors - University of Notre Dame. Notre Dame, IN (WTF, UANTU, UTHGU) 

2006: Head Organizer, 4th Universal Taekwondo Habgido Gumdo Union World Championship. 2,000 competitors - Songpagu Hagsang Gymnasium. Seoul, South Korea (WTF, UANTU, UTHGU) 

2005: Head Organizer, 4th Universal Taekwondo Habgido Gumdo Union World Championship. 1,700 competitors - Ganseogu Song Jung Elementary School. Seoul, South Korea (WTF, UANTU, UTHGU) 

Martial Arts Supervisory Experience 

1997: Head of Court, 17th US Junior Olympic Taekwondo Championship. Louisville, KY 

1997: Director, 17th Indiana State Golden Senior Championship. Joyce Center, University of Notre Dame. Notre Dame, IN (USOC) 

1996: Director, 20th Indiana Junior Olympic Taekwondo Championship, Joyce Center. University of Notre Dame. Notre Dame, IN (USOC) 

1992: Invited Master Position, 18th US Taekwondo Championship. Hampton Coliseum. 

Martial Arts Referee Experience 

2006: International Taekwondo Referee, Chicago Open International Taekwondo Championship. Chicago, IL (PATU & WTF) 

2004: Referee, US Olympic Training Center. Colorado Springs, CO 

1999: International Referee, 2nd International Taekwondo Korea Open. Chungju, South Korea (IOC & WTF) 

1999: International Referee, Canada Taekwondo Open. Ontario, Canada (WTF) 

1999: International Referee, Korea Taekwondo Open, Chuncheon, South Korea (WTF) 

1999: International Referee, US Open, Anaheim Convention Center Arena. Anaheim, CA (WTF) 

1999: International Referee, 3rd Mexico Taekwondo Open, Pan American Taekwondo Union, Tlalnepantla, Mexico (PATU & WTF) 

1998: International Referee, US Taekwondo Open, Orlando, FL (USOC & WTF) 

1997: Head Referee & Coach Chairman, 1st US Golden Senior Taekwondo Championship, Chicago, IL (USOC) 

1996: International Referee, US Open taekwondo Championship, US Olympic Center, Colorado Springs, CO (USOC) 

1995: International Referee, 3rd Central American Taekwondo Championship, Quito, Equador (WTF) 

1995: International Referee, 3rd Central American Taekwondo Championship, US Olympic Center, Colorado Springs, CO (USOC) 

1994 - 1998: International Referee, US Open, US Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, CO (WTF) 

1994: International Referee, South American Taekwondo Championship, Valencia, Venezuala (WTF) 

1994: International Referee, Central American Taekwondo Championship, Tegucigalpa, Honduras (WTF) 

1994: International Taekwondo Referee, World Cup, Cayman Islands (WTF) 

1991: Head Umpire, US Junior Olympic Championship, Cincinatti, OH 

Martial Arts Coaching Experience 

2004: Coach, World Hammadang Taekwondo Championship Team, 1st Place Synchronized Forms, Kukkiwon, South Korea 

1999: Head Coach, US Olympic Taekwondo Women's Team, China Olympic Center & Seoul Olympic Stadium, China & South Korea 

1999: US Taekwondo Coach, International Seoul Cup, Kukkiwon, South Korea 

1999: US Coach, Seoul Cup, Kukkiwon, South Korea 

1998: US Team Coach, Pan-Am Cup Taekwondo Championship, Pan American Taekwondo Union, Lima, Peru 

1994: US National Coach, 14th US Olympic Championship, Chicago, IL 

1993: Team Coach, Jamaica National Taekwondo Team, World Taekwondo Championship, Madison Square Garden, New York, NY (IOC & WTF) 

1992: US Coach, 12th US Jumior Olympic Taekwondo Championship, Orlando, FL (USOC & WTF) 

1991: Head Coach & Head of Court, 16th National Collegiate Championship, Palatine, IL 

Non-Academic Appointments 

2007: Regional Instructor, technical, Contest Rules and Referee Certification Committee, World Universal Taekwondo Habgido Gumdo Championship, Notre Dame, IN (USOC, UANTU & UTHGU) 

2006: Regional Instructor, technical, Contest Rules and Referee Certification Committee, World Universal Taekwondo Habgido Gumdo Championship, Notre Dame, IN (USOC, UANTU & UTHGU) 

2005: Regional Instructor, technical, Contest Rules and Referee Certification Committee, World Universal Taekwondo Habgido Gumdo Championship, Notre Dame, IN (USOC, UANTU & UTHGU) 

1997: Regional Instructor of Sparring Forms, Technical, Contest Rules and Referee Certificatio Committee, Atlanta, GA (USOC) 

1996: Regional Instructor of Sparring Forms, Technical, Contest Rules and Referee Certification Committee, Lafayette, IN (USOC) 

Press Interviews 

03/2005: Taekwondo Times Magazine 

11/2003: Taekwondo Times Magazine 

11/2001: Taekwondo Times Magazine 

10/2001: Black Belt Magazine