Korean Job Discussion Forums

mithridates · Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2003 1:31 pm Post subject:

I've never taken either of them but they are written with the same hanja...
Hap means to meet or come together, and is pronounced gou or au/ai in Japanese.
Ki is pronounced nearly the same in both, means spirit or mind.
Do is a little bit longer in Japanese - dou, so two syllables. Means way or road, as in kosok doro (Japanese kousoku douro).

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Hapkido (despite what its instructors say) comes directly from Aikido. The guy who brought it over from Japan (Ji Han Jae maybe, I can't remember exactly) was trained in Aikido. His students brought the kicks, punches, flips and breakfalls into second generation Hapkido.

One or two other posts mention how easy it is to go up in belts. Yes, it is, but back home a black belt means master. In Korea a black belt is an advanced student. A fourth degree black belt (as least in Dae Han Hapkido) is master level. To get to fourth degree would take around 6 years.

As to the original post, I pay 70,000 for one month, but I can attend as much as I like (which could be about 25 classes a week, but comes out too 3 or 4).

Mashimaro · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Location: location, location

Happamitta · Joined: 20 Apr 2004 Location: Seoul, South Korea

Thomas · Joined: 25 Mar 2003

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

And all this reminds me: on September 12th the world �� ձ⵵ tournament thing is going on in �Ȼ�.

Cedar · Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2004 9:12 pm Post subject:

I've been doing Hapkido and Taekkyon for years. I have also done Taekwondo, Gongsudo and trained in Wushu in China. In general TKD is the cheapest all around, though Hapkido can be the same prices. Why? Lack of equipment. Gumdo definitely gets hit heavy on the armor and clothes. Taekkyon has a very strong central federation that controls pricing, so it is basically always in the same neighborhood.

Hapkido is 50-80,000 unless you are being ripped off. Tests should be 10 if monthly, 20 if on alternating months. Tests to get to another level of dan are very expensive and get worse the higher up you go, but you can take the same test 3 times on one fee if you do bad at first. You only have to have one uniform if you can wash it easily, 30-45,000 depending on your size and whether its all cotton or a cheaper one.

TKD is almost exactly the same as the above. You don't need gear, you have test fees...

Gumdo fees are about the same, but the uniforms and armor and swords are pricey. The last time I had a good friend in Gumdo was so long ago I'd be hesitant to quote prices.

Taekkyon is usually 80,000 per month with minor variations-- but the amazing thing is you can sign up for LIFETIME membership (which is transferable to any other place in the federation). I think the current fee for lifetime membership is 2 million. Also Taekkyon uniforms are always all cotton, so that's nice, but you need to also buy socks (hanbok style) and leg wrappers and shoes (slippers). Also as you advance in dan you have to buy new uniforms. With test fees in Seoul figure almost 100,000 per month, so that's a bit more pricey.

A lot of places now "Know" foreigners just want to quickly get a black belt... they see it as a favor to you to push you through fast regardless of ability. In Korea, though, a black belt means that you've mastered the basics and levels of dan mean much more. Someone said 6 years to a Hapkido 4th dan. I doubt that... not unless it's a very loose place without much ethics. Hapkido tends to go 10 mths-1 year to black, 1 year and a few months later to 2 dan, 2-3 years later to 3rd dan, and at least 3-4 years later to 4th dan... that's about 8 years, 7 at the fastest.

Again I'd like to emphasize that while all the arts are good for physical exercise, Hapkido is good for self-defense, Gumdo is good for the upper body (hold this sword up and keep it up!) esp. arms and the back, Taekkyon is easier on the joints and better for people who are getting older than TKD or Hapkido with it's striking movements.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents.

J.B. Clamence · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Bunnymonster · Joined: 16 Mar 2004 Location: Tokyo

Frankly its all about the wrestling, The best wrestling gym in Korea is run by former Olympian (and now professional fighter, 3-0 in Pride Bushido) Choi, Mu Bae. His gym is at Seolleong staion and he has a really friendly bunch of guys with a smattering of foreigners thrown in. Coach Choi has pretty good English and is infinitely patient with beginners. Anyone who wants to Wrestle or learn to really fight is well advised to come on down (only 80K for 7 days a week plus free use of the gym any time). PM me for details..............

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003