My HwaRangDo Experience

**antonanton** · Posted On: 10/31/2004 8:32pm

Originally Posted by X_plosion

Here's the Duggan Site:
www.hwarang.org

and here's Mr.Duggan's account of his personal experience with the Lees in the "early days", including the Judicial Committee incident:
http://www.hwarang.org/Personal.html

i like that artical cuz it mentions my master- GM bong soo han

**Freddy** · Posted On: 11/01/2004 1:12pm

At least Bong Soo Han is credible.

**tablist80** · Posted On: 7/09/2007 9:18pm

All I can say is, do your research. Read the stories of Bob Duggan and his associates. Then read the rebuttals of Taejoon Lee and his organization. Then, re-read the rebuttals of Bob Duggan. The people deserve the right to know that Hwa Rang Do is more of a business, and less martial arts. Taejoon Lee is not a master, but just another egotistical faker. He allows his ego to destory the art. The reason why I say this is because Lee will use fancy words to camoflauge his true intent when signing the contract. He tries to take money from you, even for months you don't attend. On top of that, you can only use hwa rang do gear, which they charge an arm and a leg for. Their prices say $195 for a month, but he will charge you up to $400 for some bs association fees. Now I heard throughout the years that the WHRDA carries a bad rep...and its true! Taejoon Lee picked a fight with a student who wanted to stop taking lessons, and a huge arguement ensued. Taejoon Lee pursued a teenage student out in the parking lot, and began pointing fingers and shouting, in front of his students, as well as other bystanders. Now I don't care what the hell your so upset about, there is no reason for a so-called master to pick a fight with a someone more than half your age. Grow up!

I don't say this for any other reason than the fact that people deserve great, quality training. There are so many great schools in Los Angeles, with teachers who are willing to teach the true art, and not just share techniques because you paid for em. I was willing to give WHRDA and Taejoon Lee the benefit of the doubt, but now I realize that for people to continuously say after 10 years, 15 years that Hwa Rang Do and Taejoon Lee are not the best places to learn under, they are right.

If you want to learn Hwa Rang Do, learn under Gil Kim or Mike De Alba. There are so many martial arts styles out there. And the purpose of martial arts is to be a great person;mentally, physically, and spiritually. To live with integrity and honor, overall to be a great person, in a messed up world. Someone should teach lee what it is to be a master. Best of luck to all aspiring martial artists.

**Ronin.74** · Posted On: 7/09/2007 9:29pm

Uh, you may want to look at the post dates next time before replying to a thread. This one hasn't seen any action in almost 3 years.

**jsellers** · Posted On: 11/15/2011 4:12am

I have been in Hwa rang do since 1979. My experience has been richly fulfilling and my devotion to the art and grandmaster joo bang lee never wavered as have some over time for one reason or another. I have had the honor of learning form grand master joo bang lee, Henry lee, Eric lee, master kim and so on. Each possessing the same integrity and love as the other. I do not question the decisions of grandmaster for I know from knowing him personally he is a man of great wisdom and humility. His decisions for whatever reason are just that, his decisions and I would caution anyone to reserve any judgement until you have reached 1st Dan degree level and have been truely in this family. Others who have left may have their own reasons but I can promise you that deep down they do not question grandmasters decisions. This is all I will say on this subject.

**Miguksaram** · Posted On: 11/15/2011 9:17am

Originally Posted by jsellers

Others who have left may have their own reasons but I can promise you that deep down they do not question grandmasters decisions. This is all I will say on this subject.

Hmmmm....I bet they would have disagreed with his decision of stripping them of their rank. I pretty sure they disagreed with his decision to lie about a couple of them never achieving certain ranks, when they have the proof to say otherwise. Let's face it, if they did not disagree with GM' decision making, then why did they leave in the first place?