Cover Story Throwback: Jun Chong
- Black Belt Team
- Jul 13
- 1 min read
The July 1977 issue of Karate Illustrated spotlighted Jun Chong, the acclaimed Tae Kwon Do master and one of Hollywood’s most in-demand martial arts trainers. A Korean-born grandmaster, Chong became known for his dynamic teaching style and for seamlessly blending traditional martial arts with the world of entertainment.
He trained a roster of stars that reads like a who’s who of martial arts cinema—including brothers Simon and Phillip Rhee (the minds behind the iconic Best of the Best series), as well as Flash Gordon star Sam J. Jones. His influence extended to actors like Lorenzo Lamas, Eric Roberts, and Thomas Ian Griffith, all of whom benefited from his disciplined, cinematic approach.
Jun Chong’s legacy lives on through his Los Angeles-based school, where the next generation continues to learn from his enduring vision.
Learn more about this cover and the entire magazine preserved in digital format: https://www.blackbeltmag.com
