Fun Foto of the Week!

Guess who this fine-looking man is? Long-haired Simon Rhee does a powerful vertical hook kick to opponent, flying him off guard, circa 1976.

Honestly, I don't even know how they set up a pose like this. So many parts of the body could have been injured trying this move, and there wasn't any fancy Photoshop back in these days!

Major props to Master Simon Rhee and the guy that he's kicking, who happens to be his brother Phillip Rhee! If you have any good photos that you'd like to submit, email them to me at junchong411[at]gmail.com. Enjoy!

Fun Foto of the Week!

This photo was taken December 1977 with Jun Chong doing a super high jumping front kick to student and black belt James Warr. Look at the hiegh on that kick!!

Why don't we have anymore pictures like these...??
If you have any good photos that you'd like to submit, email them to me at junchong411[at]gmail.com. Enjoy!

Interview with Instructor Dexter Parker

Master Dexter Parker has been teaching at Jun Chong Tae Kwon Do off and on since he received his black belt in 1979. His martial arts knowledge includes many years of Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido (4th dan), Escrima, Jeet Kun Do (level 2), Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Iaido. Master Parker is also a Traffic Engineering Senior Technician for the county of San Bernardino and in his spare time enjoys music like jazz, pop, and dance.

His Background:
Master Parker started learning martial arts as a result of being bullied in junior high school while living in New York. Since he couldn't afford official martial arts training, he studied with students of masters like George Cofield (Shotokan Karate) and Tom LaPuppet. He eventually got involved with Tae Kwon Do through the ATA school out of Coney Island. When he moved to Los Angeles, he found Jun Chong Tae Kwon Do through the positive feedback from several black belt magazines, and began studying with classics like Bill Wallace, Simon Rhee, and Alvin Prouter. He has since made this school his home.
His Teaching Philosophy:
His goal is to ultimately make all of his students good citizens to society; not only to teach his students martial arts but to develop good character and self-confidence. He looks at the bigger picture and makes sure students grow with disciplined minds and compassion in their hearts. Not to mention making them great martial artists!

What to Expect in His Classes:
Students can expect a rigorous workout, some philosophy, and have techniques broken down into easy-to-learn components. He will be demanding of each student but also understanding of their limits.

Fun Foto of the Week!

This week's fun foto is actually a still shot from Master Jun Chong's first produced film, "Ninja Turf" (1985). The title was later changed to "LA Streetfighters" and can be found on DVD. Here Jun Chong is fighting with a bad guy expert Japanese swordsman (played by Ken Nagayama).

We will be hosting our first Movie Night to feature "Ninja Turf" on July 17th! Open seating starts at 8pm and the movie will begin at 8:20pm. RSVP at junchong411[at]gmail.com. Free popcorn or you can pitch in $5 for a pizza to share!

If you have any good photos that you'd like to submit, email them to me at junchong411[at]gmail.com. Enjoy!

Interview with Instructor Ada Chong

Mrs. Ada Chong has been with Jun Chong Tae Kwon Do almost since it's inception in 1975. She recently received her 3rd dan in Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido in June 2009 but began teaching children and adult classes in 2000 at the North Hollywood branch.

Her background:
Mrs. Chong has been involved in the martial arts for many years. Her original style was Tang Soo Do with Chuck Norris but received her black belt through Jun Chong Tae Kwon Do in 1993. She has since written articles for martial arts magazines and co-wrote a book on sparring with her husband, Grandmaster Jun Chong. Outside of martial arts, Ada is an Interpreter and translator in Spanish (her native language) and an OSCHA consultant and trainer. She is also an expert knitter and gourmet chef; if you’re early to a Belt Ceremony you might be lucky enough to taste one of her homemade cookies and cakes!

Her Teaching Philosophy:
“I am old school. I demand performance. Discipline and self-esteem come from personal determination and actions, not outside opinions and praises. Although this goes against the current tendency of building up a student based on praise for the tiniest thing, I think constant praise tends to dilute the real value of true self esteem, the kind that springs from personal realization.
In my class, I treat everyone the same but it is not a democracy. Children respond to leadership, direction, structure, and clear instructions. I don't let them run all over me; I don't let them get away with childish pranks. If you don't mind a teacher who will to teach your child and not babysit, then welcome to my class.”

What to Expect in Her Classes:
"I incorporate three things in my class:
1. Execution. How to execute proficiently the curriculum for their belt. What the correct basic techniques are so they can build up from there. We work the curriculum for their belt, we practice forms, kick drills, punching drills.
2. "What if...." situations. How one would use this or that technique if attacked in an alley, or if someone grabs your arm, or what happens when you're at a party and someone throws a punch at you. People love it and it gives them a chance to really think about real life possibilities for these techniques of self defense.
3. Physical fitness. Our students should be able to keep in good shape compared to the general population, it prepares them to defend themselves and to have a positive self image. This results in a better state of mind and overall health. We use kicking and punching drills for sparring as well as physical fitness.”

Fun Foto of the Week!

This week's photo features a very young Jun Chong at his brand new martial arts school on Wilshire Blvd. with his friend Chuck Norris (whom he bought the school from) and Min Hee Rhee (Phillip and Simon Rhee's father), circa 1975.
It brings tears to your eyes to see all the history, right (well, it does for me anyway)? We still have that wooden sign with the Kanji characters at our new school location, but we're still finding a good home for it.

If you have any good photos that you'd like to submit, email them to me at junchong411[at]gmail.com. Enjoy!

Students of the Month!

Congratulations to our Students of the Month,

Jack Lue and Benjamin Schlange!

FULL NAME: Jack Lue
OCCUPATION: Lighting Consultant/UCLA Grad
BELT RANK, TRAINING SINCE: Blue belt, Started training again 2/2/2009


Q: Describe yourself in 3 words.
A: Hardworking, Reliable, Friendly

Q: Name one thing you wish you knew before joining Tae Kwon Do.
A: I wish I knew how hard it was after a 25 year hiatus.

Q: Your biggest vice:
A: Don't drink, don't smoke, I leave the toilet seat up sometimes.

Q: Your favorite food?
A: Porter House steak for 2 (for myself).

Q: How has Tae Kwon Do changed you?
A: My back doesn't hurt anymore after waking up.

Q: What is the most embarassing thing that happened to you in Tae Kwon Do?
A: Master Rhee's shuffle, I tend to waddle.

Q: What are your hobbies?
A: Rock and Roll Photography. I currently have a book out on Guns N' Roses called "Reckless Road" with my friend Marc Canter.

Q: What made you want to join Tae Kwon Do?
A: My friend made talked me into it 25 years ago, and Leisa Canter and my brother talked me into it again, and I got bored at the YMCA.

Q: What are you best at in Tae Kwon Do?
A: Push ups, I'm getting better every day thanks to all the help from teachers and students.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A: Hopefully I'll be a black belt and in the best shape of my life, and do a complete splits.

FULL NAME: Benjamin Schlange

EDUCATION LEVEL: Kindergarten at Campbell Hall
BELT RANK, TRAINING SINCE: Green belt, Jan 2008.

Q: Describe yourself in 3 words.
A: Motivated, athletic, and funny.

Q: Name one thing you wish you knew before joining Tae Kwon Do.
A: How much I'd love it. The fact that we have to put so much dedication towards it.

Q: Your biggest vice:
A: Candy

Q: Your favorite food?
A: Spaghetti

Q: How has Tae Kwon Do changed you?
A: More focused

Q: What are your hobbies?
A: Playing basketball and tennis

Q: What made you want to join Tae Kwon Do?
A: It made me feel like a superhero

Q: What are you best at in Tae Kwon Do?
A: Forms

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A: I'm going to be happy and I'm going to b a blackbelt.