What is Tang Soo Do? 

     Tang Soo Do (Soo Bahk  Kee) can be traced back to the period of the Silla Kingdom(57 BC - 935 AD), Paekjae Kingdom (18 BC - 660 AD), and the Koguryo Kingdom (37 BC - 668 AD).  Among these three kingdoms, the Silla Dynasty was most famous for its development of martial arts.  A corps formed by young aristocrats who were called "Hwa Rang Do" was the major group who developed those arts.  These warriors were instrumental in unifying the peninsula as the new Silla Dynasty, and furnished many of the early leaders of that Kingdom.

     After the eventual overthrow of the Silla Dynasty by the Ko Ryo Dynasty (935 AD to 1392 AD), the 16th King named Ui Jong appointed a man named Ui Moon Yi as his Commander of the Military.  Ui Moon Jong was famous for his skilled technique in Soo Bahk Ki and under his command, the military was also trained in this skill.

     The Koryo Dynasty lasted about 475 years.  In 1392, a new kingdom, the Yi Dynasty, succeeded and lasted about 500 years.  Approximately a thousand year period elapsed between the two dynasties. During this time, Tang Soo Do became very popular amongst both Nobles and with the general public. In those days it was called by several names such as Kwon Bop, Tae Kyun, Soo Bak, and Tang Soo.  At Tiger Kim's Academy, we pride ourselves in continuing this tradition and discipline.