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Bong Soo Han

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Martial Artist

The Resume

    (August 25, 1933-January 8, 2007)
    Born in Inchon, Korea (South)
    9th dan black belt in hapkido
    Credited with introducing hapkido to the US
    Founder/president of the International Hapkido Federation (1974-2007)
    Appeared in the films 'The Trial of Billy Jack' (1974), 'The Kentucky Fried Movie' (1977), 'The Little Dragons' (1979) and 'Force: Five' (1981)
    Fight coordinator/consultant for 'Billy Jack' (1971), 'Cleopatra Jones' (1973) and 'The Presidio' (1988)
    Wrote 'Hapkido: The Korean Art of Self-Defense' (1974)
    Inducted into the 'Black Belt' Magazine Hall of Fame (1978) and Martial Arts History Hall of Fame (1999)

Why he might be annoying:

    He was almost always billed as 'Master' or 'Grand Master' Bong Soo Han for his film work.
    He doubled for Tom Laughlin for several martial arts scenes in 'Billy Jack' despite being almost half a foot shorter.
    He clashed with the cameramen in 'Billy Jack': 'I'm not expert in direction or camera angles, but naturally I feel that several sequences could have been improved if they had listened to my suggestions.'

Why he might not be annoying:

    During the Vietnam War, he taught self-defense to the Green Berets.
    The fight scenes he staged for 'Billy Jack' were considered the most realistic martial arts sequences in a film up to that time.
    He avoided going overboard in handing out black belts, awarding only about 100 over three and a half decades of teaching.
    Even as a senior citizen, he remained in ass-kicking shape.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 12 Votes: 91.67% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 3 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 3 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 9 Votes: 55.56% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 17 Votes: 47.06% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 9 Votes: 55.56% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 11 Votes: 27.27% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 15 Votes: 46.67% Annoying