Jhoon Rhee Martial artist Date of Birth: 07.01.1932 Country: USA

Biography of Jun Ri

Jun Ri, born in 1932 in a small town near Seoul, is known as the father of American taekwondo and one of the world's most renowned martial arts masters. Despite his humble beginnings, Jun Ri had three dreams that he was determined to achieve. His first dream was to permanently move to the wealthy and beautiful America. His second dream was to open two martial arts schools to support himself financially. And his third and most important dream was to marry a blonde American actress.

Jun Ri eventually became a citizen of America and achieved success beyond his wildest dreams. He established numerous martial arts schools, making him a millionaire. However, he never fulfilled his dream of marrying an American actress, although this was not his main concern.

In his youth, Jun Ri was small and weak, often being physically bullied by his peers. At the age of 13, he enrolled in a martial arts school, which was not yet called taekwondo as it was later named in 1955. Within two years, Jun Ri realized that if he continued with the same dedication, he had the potential to achieve great things.

Jun Ri claimed to have a close friendship with Bruce Lee, who invited him to participate in a film project in 1973. However, due to Bruce Lee's sudden death, the film was completed by other actors, and Jun Ri's involvement in the project was never realized. Jun Ri also boasted of teaching Muhammad Ali a devastating strike in professional boxing, although this claim was met with skepticism.

Despite never winning tournaments or being a super fighter, Jun Ri created a reputation for himself as a great master and teacher. He expanded his influence by developing a special program for children, emphasizing that martial arts training not only provides physical strength and techniques but also instills moral values and encourages the pursuit of knowledge.

Jun Ri introduced a system in his clubs where only school students studying taekwondo could take exams for black belts. This further increased his popularity, and he was recognized by presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush for his contribution to shaping the future of America.

Jun Ri's philosophy, known as Junri-do, emphasizes that martial arts training helps individuals achieve happiness through love, beauty, and honesty. His seminars attracted large crowds across the country, and his clubs welcomed people from all backgrounds and ages.

In addition to his martial arts accomplishments, Jun Ri also experimented with incorporating music into his performances, facing criticism from traditional martial arts practitioners. His innovation included using Beethoven's Fifth Symphony as the musical foundation for his demonstrations and advocating for the execution of katas with musical accompaniment. This approach further increased his followers, particularly among children and women.

Jun Ri's impact on martial arts is debatable, as he deviated from traditional practices while attracting a large number of practitioners. Despite his fame and fortune, he claims that money is not his main focus. Jun Ri is incredibly popular in the United States and remains dedicated to making people happy.

With schools not only in the United States but also globally, Jun Ri's influence cannot be underestimated. Whether one admires or disapproves of him, his contributions to the world of martial arts cannot be ignored. It leaves one wondering how the world of martial arts would have been different if the young Korean boy, Jun Chun Ri, had not fallen in love with the long-legged blondes of Hollywood.