Grandmaster So was born in Seoul, South korea. In his youth he studied Hapkido, Kum Do, Kung fu, Boxing, Judo, Tai chi and Qi Gong.

He instructed Korean and North American army special forces such as: the Texas Police Academy, the Military police of Fort Sam Houston, Nuevo Leon Sate Police, Mexico, American security officers, Cancun Swat, Mexico amongst others.

Founder an dpresident of the Universal Martial Arts Association.

9th Dan Hapkido Black Belt.

Author of books and instructional DVD's including such subjetcs as: Hapkido, Tai Chi, police tactics.

Certified oriental doctor.

Grandmaster So went to Monterrey, Mexico in 1993 and introduced Hapkido to Master Francisco Garcia Avila and Master Adrian Garcia Torres who were his first black belt students in Mexico.