Hwa Rang Do Chief Master Taejoon Lee Visits
Black Belt Hwa Rang Do Chief Master Taejoon Lee Visits Black Belt 
Taejoon Lee, chief master of the hwa rang do system and author of
Hwa Rang Do: Defend Take Down, Submit.
(Photo by Rick Hustead) As the eldest son of
hwa rang do’s founder and current leader, Dr. Joo Bang Lee, Taejoon Lee is responsible for maintaining and preserving the art’s legacy for the next generation of practitioners. Ambitious and dedicated, he seeks to grow the art and spread its philosophies to students worldwide.
Amidst a pause in his ongoing quest, Taejoon Lee recently visited
Black Belt on February 29, 2008, for an internal-story photo shoot with photographer Rick Hustead.
For the
Buyer's Guide 2007, he offered his thoughts on a variety of topics for an exclusive interview. We dug into our archives and pulled this special piece in celebration of his recent visit. Keep in mind that some of the time-based answers may be a little dated, but the concepts and principles are timeless.
Q & A: TAEJOON LEE
Interview by Jon Thibault
What are your responsibilities as the grandmaster of hwa rang do®?
“The higher the rank, the greater the responsibility.” With title there are responsibilities and duties that cannot be overlooked. One must lead by example and uphold the ideals and virtues of the Hwarang way of life. For us, a master title is not only for one’s physical skill level, but more importantly for their strength of leadership and character. As for me, I have a greater responsibility being the founder’s son to maintain and preserve the hwa rang do legacy for the next generation.
What was the last martial arts movie or show you saw? Samurai 7, the
anime series.
Where will hwa rang do be in 20 years?
Hwa rang do is not a sport, it is a way of life. We strive to achieve balance and work to maximize our human potential. We hope to establish a hwa rang do university, offering a degree in liberal arts, oriental medicine, and all the students will graduate with a hwa rang do black sash. We will also have our own sport venue as well as academic and spiritual pursuits.
What is it like seeing hwa rang do rise in popularity?
It is great to see hwa rang do continue to grow internationally. We thank the public for their acceptance and support. I wish there were more instructors and schools. However, hwa rang do will never jeopardize its integrity and honor for the sake of expansion.
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
What I enjoy most about teaching is the fact that I can help another person become physically strong, mentally clear, and emotionally stable.
What advice would you give to a martial artist just starting out?
Learn to govern your life with the unwritten law of honor and be true to yourself. Don’t look for exceptions. Be exceptional!
Recent interview of Master Taejoon Lee
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