Chuck Norris' Tang Soo Do Trainer Visits Local Studio

He is a ninth-degree black belt, a teacher to Chuck Norris, and a master celebrating 60 years of his craft. This week, students at OC Kicks—a Tang Soo Do studio in Rancho Santa Margarita—were treated to a visit from Korean Grandmaster Song Ki Kim.

Kim, the world's highest ranked Tang Soo Do martial artist, is the founder and president of the World Dang Soo Do Union.

Norris, the well-known action star of television and movies, is one of the most well-known Tang Soo Do artists. Norris was a student of Kim’s in the 1960s.

“Song Ki Kim trained my instructor growing up,” says Larry Gilliland, owner of OC Kicks. “He is like the grandfather of martial arts to me.”

Gilliland just returned from Virginia, where his children, Adam and Erin, attended and placed in the U.S. Goodwill Tang Soo Do National Championships.

Kim traveled from Korea and has been touring schools around the country as he celebrates 60 years of performing martial arts. He began his tour back east in Florida, Georgia, Virginia, Connecticut and Maryland and has spent the last week in southern California.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, Kim visited classes at OC Kicks. He observed the students, demonstrated some postures for them and then doled out a few words of advice.

“Look forward at all times and keep a good balance and a comfortable stance,” he encouraged students through a translator. “Train hard like you have today, practice what we have done and you will have a chance to teach younger students someday.”

Following each class, Kim made time to answer questions from eager students. They asked him when he started martial arts, what rank he was and why he chose Tang Soo Do. Afterward, Kim went outside to sign autographs for the children.

“I was very excited to meet him because he trained Chuck Norris,” said Nolan Modjeski, 6, of Dove Canyon.

Despite getting a bee sting at the beach earlier that day, Nolan made a special effort to come to class to meet the famous Mr. Kim.

"It was fun meeting Grandmaster Kim," said Katie Marks, 9. "I learned to make my choong be [ready stance] stronger so I can always be ready for anything."

Kim seemed to have a way about him, certainly.

"Grandmaster Kim is so calm," said Adam Gilliland, 11. "Teachers sometimes yell to lead class but he was very patient when he was helping us."

Yet kids weren't the only ones excited to see Kim. Larry Gilliland, too, enjoyed the opportunity.

"Grandmaster Kim embodies the spirit of martial arts training," he said. "He is one of the most calm, humble and genuine people I've ever met. His ability to connect with young and old alike without pretense is something we should all aspire to. His joy for life and fitness at age 75 is proof that martial arts training really can improve the quality and extent of your life."

When asked how he was enjoying his stay in southern California, Kim said, “I am enjoying it very much.”

A highlight, he added, was golfing in Laguna Beach with Gilliland earlier that day. His itinerary includes stops in Arizona and Oregon before returning to Korea later this summer.