Rehabilitation Project

The Rehabilitation Project (, lit. "Rehabilitation Guidance for Criminals") is a reoccurring plan executed by Kim Kaphwan in the The King of Fighters series.

Description
The purpose of the Rehabilitation Project is to rehabilitate criminals of their evil ways. This project first started when Kim saw his two first students, Chang Koehan and Choi Bounge, from a prison's surveillance footage in The King of Fighters '94.

History
Chang and Choi were once feared and violent criminals in Korea. One night, Chang easily broke out of prison with Choi by his side, but they were caught and defeated by Kim. After being bested, Chang and Choi were forced by Kim to undergo his "Rehabilitation Project", in hopes of using the criminal's skills not "in the name of evil", but rather "for justice". Since then, the two have attempted to escape from Kim's training with little success, stressed often to the point of comic relief.

During The King of Fighters '99, Kim's long time friend and rival, Jhun Hoon appeared to assist him with his program. After seeing Kim's ethics and methods of training, Jhun decided that he would show him a more efficient way of management; Jhun Hoon's methods are much more new-age and strange than Kim's simple harsh exercises, including lots of special equipment and activities, such as attending pop concerts. He continues to challenge Kim on his methods of enforcement and his skills as a fighter, to which they agree to work together during this time. He would continue to acts as a mentor until The King of Fighters 2001, where he got into an accident that injures his neck and back in a street accident (in reality, he was distracted by Athena Asamiya's beauty, and was hit by a car while crossing the street).

With Jhun out of commission, Kim brings one of his pupils, May Lee Jinju as an advisor. While it is her job to keep an eye on Chang and Choi, she, unlike Kim, doesn't feel the need to physically punish them on a regular basis, which suited Chang and Choi. May Lee would leave the team after the tournament's conclusion, and Jhun picking up where she left off in The King of Fighters 2003.

During The King of Fighters XI, Chang and Choi convince Kim to join Terry Bogard and Duck King, as they wanted him enjoy himself for once. Although he's happy that his disciples have matured, he is forced to play the middle man between his teammates, both of them ragging on each other over trivial grievances. In the team's ending, the team celebrates at Pao Pao Cafe and Kim becomes humorously drunk, advising Terry to find a wife and get married.

During The King of Fighters XIII, Kim realizing that his first "Rehabilitation Subjects" have mended their ways, Kim remembers two other villains that have disturbed him in the past, Hwa Jai and Raiden, and summons them to South Town. Kim believes they are still working for Geese Howard and is intent on changing their "criminal ways", stubbornly remaining oblivious to their actual reform. The new team shocks the media, and it becomes a popular subject of gossip with those who hear it. In his team's ending, Hwa Jai and Raiden pretend to be "reformed" by Kim, and the gullible Kim falls for it. After they part ways, Kim thinks he might have been "too soft" on Chang and Choi. To honor his former teammates and the struggles they went through, he intensifies Chang and Choi's strict training.

During The King of Fighters XIV, Kim rewarded Chang and Choi with a week break, but they did not return. Instead, he received a visit from his master Gang-il and the latter's newest lover Luong, the two brought news that both Chang and Choi are seen hanging around with the legendary criminal Xanadu. Kim resolved to enter the tournament with Gang-Il and Luong in order to find out what happened to Chang and Choi. During the team's ending, Gang-il and Luong decide to stay with Kim, much to the latter's dismay. In The King of Fighters XV, Luong left the team to join with Vanessa and Blue Mary, two secret agents.

Teachers

 * Kim Kaphwan - Creator and Founder of the Rehabilitation Project and has overseen all of the students. Started in The King of Fighters '94.
 * Jhun Hoon - Assistant professor. Started in The King of Fighters '99.
 * May Lee Jinju - One of Kim's students, acts like a type of advisor. Only acts in The King of Fighters 2001.

Students

 * Chang Koehan and Choi Bounge - Started in The King of Fighters '94.
 * Raiden and Hwa Jai - Only joined in The King of Fighters XIII.