The martial art of Tang Soo Do has a rich history spanning over 50 years, tracing its roots back to Grand Master Hwang Kee, who began teaching it in Seoul, Korea, in the fall of 1945. Grand Master Hwang Kee, having mastered traditional Korean martial arts like Soo Bahk Do and Tae Kyun by the age of 22, embarked on a journey that would lead to the creation of Tang Soo Do. In 1936, he traveled to northern China, where he encountered a unique variation of martial arts known as the Tang Method of Kung Fu. After studying this method from 1936 to 1945, he combined its principles with those of Soo Bahk Do to form Tang Soo Do, a martial art that blends the hardness of Soo Bahk Do with the fluidity of northern Chinese Kung Fu.

Tang Soo Do quickly spread throughout the world under the leadership of Grand Master Hwang Kee, who remains a central figure in its development. He continues to head the Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation from his headquarters in Seoul, Korea. The name Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan reflects the art’s core philosophy, translating to “a brotherhood and school of stopping inner and outer conflict and developing virtue according to the way of the worthy hand.” Grand Master Kee emphasized that Tang Soo Do is not merely a sport or a competitive activity; it is a classical martial art designed to develop every aspect of the self, integrating intellect, body, emotions, and spirit.

American Tang Soo Do, a unique adaptation of this traditional art, owes its origins to martial arts legend Chuck Norris. Upon returning to the United States from South Korea as a new black belt in Tang Soo Do, Chuck Norris quickly realized that while the style provided him with a vast array of kicks, it lacked effective hand techniques. This deficiency became apparent during his early tournament sparring career, where he faced several losses to skilled hand technicians.

Determined to enhance his skills, Norris began training with Japanese martial artists, learning their powerful punching techniques. By blending these hand techniques with the kicking arsenal of Tang Soo Do, he created what is now known as American Tang Soo Do—a style that combines the best of both worlds.

Chuck Norris went on to achieve remarkable success in the martial arts world. He became a dominant figure in competitive fighting during the 1960s and 1970s, earning numerous accolades, including six consecutive World Karate Championships. His skill and charisma made him a global icon, and he played a pivotal role in popularizing martial arts in the United States.

Through Chuck Norris’s influence, American Tang Soo Do became a martial art that emphasizes both the physical and mental aspects of training, focusing on the development of discipline, respect, and self-improvement. Today, American Tang Soo Do is practiced by martial artists around the world, continuing the legacy of both Grand Master Hwang Kee and Chuck Norris.