About Our School & History
Welcome to Moorimgoong's Website!
MRG (Moorimgoong) is a Traditional and Mixed Martial Arts Academy (Dojang) that places great emphasis on retaining the fundamental mindsets of martial arts such as discipline, respect, and integrity. Our academy focuses on two distinct aspects of martial arts: practicality and performance.
We are located in the heart of LA between Miracle Mile, Downtown LA, Koreatown, and Mid-City.
The Traditional Martial Arts we teach exclusively at MRG is Moorimdo, a Hybrid Martial Arts that stems from Kung Fu (Shaolin Long Fist, Baguazhang, and Tang Lang Quan), Tang Soo Do (Korean Karate), Karate, and Tae Kwon Do. MooriMMA, MRG's Mixed Martial Arts Program, teaches different striking and submission grappling based Martial Art styles from Moorimdo, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Kung Fu, and more. MooriMMA is unique for its systematized rank system that allows people of any skill set to train at a pace relative to their individual goals and attributes.
MRG's Founder, Great Grandmaster Yong Moon, opened his first school in Busan, South Korea in 1968. After many years of success, he decided to come to America. His first school was located in New Orleans, Louisiana where he was a local celebrity by the name of “Master Moon." Eventually, he headed west, moving to LA and started another dojang. We have been here in Los Angeles ever since for 29 years. As a 10th degree black belt in Kung Fu and 9th degree black belt in Taekwondo, he decided to create his own traditional martial arts style: Moorimdo.
Great Grandmaster Yong Moon (Founder)
Great Grandmaster Yong Moon was born in Hapcheon, South Korea, and began training at an early age as he was born into a martial arts household. He first began training in Tang Soo Do, a very popular style in his region. After many years of practicing Tang Soo Do, he then learned Classical Kung Fu under Master Kang Gum Bang in Busan, South Korea. Master Kang Gum Bang was one of the three Chinese historic masters who emigrated to South Korea during the Communist Revolution in China.
After many years of training under the famous Master Kang Gum Bang, Great Grandmaster Moon decided to start his own school, teaching a hybrid form of both Korean and Chinese martial arts. This fusion of styles is analogous to Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do, which Bruce based it off of his previous training in Kung Fu and Wing Chun.
Great Grandmaster founded The World Martial Arts Federation in 1968, and started in Busan, South Korea. In 1979, he immigrated to the United States and started a school in New Orleans, Louisiana. He quickly rose to fame as “Master Moon” in Louisiana, receiving a plethora of media attention through his martial arts. In 1992, Great Grandmaster Moon moved to Los Angeles, California, started a school, and has been in Los Angeles ever since.
Grandmaster Ari Moon (Co-founder)
Grandmaster Ari Moon is a 9th Degree Black Belt under Great Grand Master Yong Moon in Moorimdo. She has a 9th Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo, Hapkido, and Keomdo. She is the founder of Moorimdew, Moorimgoong's Wellness Program. She has helped build Moorimgoong for the last 30 years alongside her late husband, GGM Yong.
Ari's education includes a Ph.D in Psychology from IMA University, a Business Certification from Yonsei University, and an Early Childhood Certification from Patten University. She has received the highest achievement as a female martial artist from Korea's Guinness World Record.
