Ji Han-jae
Ji Han-Jae (Hangul: 지한재; Chi Hon-tsoi) was born in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea in 1936. He is one of the highest ranking hapkido instructors in the world and founder of Sin Moo Hapkido.
Trainee
He began his martial arts training in 1949 under the direction of Choi Yong-Sool (Hangul: 최용술), and was Dan # 14 under Choi. Ji trained with Choi Yong-Sool until 1956 when he moved to Seoul in order to open a school of self-defence in the nation's capital. Ji Han-Jae trained in the ancient methods of the Korean martial arts, known as Sam Rang Do Tek Gi by a man named Taoist Lee. Though this man's identity can not be confirmed, it is believed that he trained Ji in meditation, the use of the Korean long staff "Jang-Bong (장봉; 長棒)", short staff "Dan-Bong (단봉; 短棒)", and the unique kicks of Sam Rang Do Tek Gi.
Hapkido master
In 1959 Ji Han-Jae combined all of his martial arts knowledge together and began to teach hapkido.