Grandmaster Son, Young Gul
Grandmaster Son, born in December 1959, holds a ninth-degree black belt in Hapkido, a seventh-degree in Taekwondo, and a third-degree in Kuhapdo. His martial arts journey began in 1972 when he joined the Moo Duk Kwan Taekwondo club as a child. Fascinated by Hapkido techniques, he trained under Jongmoon Jin, the founder of Heuk Choo Kwan, and later learned from Grandmaster Inshik Hwang, deepening his understanding of the art. Realizing the limitations of traditional methods, Grandmaster Son developed his own martial arts style, combining principles from Hapkido, Taekwondo, and Kuhapdo.
In 2000, he began studying Kuhapdo under Grandmaster Tae-ryong Jeong, eventually incorporating sword techniques into his hand-to-hand combat methods. Motivated by the increasing violence in modern society, Grandmaster Son created Sugi Hapkido, a unique combination of Judo and Boxing that emphasizes practical, real-world self-defense. In 2008, he immigrated to the United States to further his research and teaching. Grandmaster Son actively teaches Sugi Hapkido in the U.S., South America, and Europe, hosting annual seminars to share his philosophy and innovations in martial arts. He remains dedicated to the global growth of Sugi Hapkido.
Master Brandon Son
Master Brandon Son grew up immersed in the dojang, learning under the mentorship of his father and teacher, Grandmaster Young Gul Son. From an early age, he dedicated himself to understanding and embodying the principles and philosophy of traditional martial arts. A lifelong learner, Master Brandon is passionate about instilling the core values of discipline, respect, and leadership in his students.
As the Head Master of Black Eagle Martial Arts, Master Brandon is devoted to upholding the integrity of martial arts traditions while fostering a contemporary, inclusive, and enriching training environment. He holds a 5th-degree black belt in Kukkiwon Taekwondo and a 4th-degree black belt in Sugi Hapkido. An accomplished martial artist and educator, he is certified as an International Master by Kukkiwon and serves as an accredited international examiner.
Master Brandon’s teaching approach seamlessly blends rigorous discipline with a deep appreciation for the cultural and philosophical roots of martial arts. He is committed to maintaining a dojang that honors traditional practices while adapting to the challenges of modern life. Under his leadership, students develop not only martial arts skills but also essential life values such as respect, responsibility, and perseverance.
