Korean Job Discussion Forums

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

Anyone take on some Hapkido lessons while in Korea? If so, how was the experience?

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

Any other foreigners in your program? How are lessons taught (in Korean or?).. how long is a session generally? How often do you meet?

Easy to find places that teach? And how about cost.. and what name would I look for if I were to just say.. look around for one.. (is it hapkido in korean)?

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

HapKi · Joined: 10 Dec 2004 Location: TALL BUILDING-SEOUL

The variety of skills offered by Hapkido is endless. Which is good, as at our dojang we cover something new every day of the week.

A typical 1 and a half hour session-

15 minutes of stretching and stationery kicks
15 minutes of front rolls, flips, jumping. etc..
20-30 minutes of kicks with the hand target
20 minutes of hand techniques, including strikes, blocks, joint locks, throws, etc..

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

What times do they usually go? Only night or evenings? Or all different hours during the day?

What age range are most of the other students?

How many students per class?

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Demonicat · Joined: 18 Nov 2004 Location: Suwon

Is it possible without knowing Korean? I imagine some difficulty

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Cedar · Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2005 5:56 am Post subject:

We've done this thread a trillion times... I thought Tiger Beer was an old hand, what's up there Tiger?

Anyway... �ձ⵵ is the best defensive martial art in Korea. Note that I did not say it's necessarily the best, just that for defense it's the best in Korea. (I am trying to avoid stupid arguments we've gone through before). It's also fine for offense. It's combines learning how to fall without breaking anything, and how to get someone's hands off of you (or away from you) with offensive kicks. It's a great work out, too.

Absolutely do DAEHAN Hapkido, not the other stuff, because what I just said about Hapkido doesn't really apply to some of the other schools.

Normal fees, as mentioned, normal lesson times start around 2 pm (mostly LITTLE kiddies) and a place that cuts the mustard will have adult students (including university age in that statement) and so will have the last class starting as late as 10 pm but maybe 9 pm if you aren't so lucky. If an instructor can't attract adult students, there is a problem.

Always watch a class before you sign any papers and commit to the place. Watch classes at a couple different places if possible.

Best way to get the locations: Call the ��ձ⵵ ��ȸ (ask a co-worker to call 114 to get the number) and they can tell you what's nearby. They may not know about the quality of teaching, however.

Classes in Korean are the only real way to go, it's a great way to learn vocabulary. That's why I know words like "collar bone" and "pressure point". Okay, I learned lots of useful stuff, too. It took me all of half the first class to learn what "tashi" (again) meant.

Demonicat · Joined: 18 Nov 2004 Location: Suwon

And as far as old thread recaps, how about Kumdo? Is it a good workout? Its more philiosphical than fist fighting, no? Can that work in Korean? Whats the skinny? Also, how about systema in Korea?

Cedar · Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2005 7:34 am Post subject:

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

I'm now looking at some of the past threads.. interesting stuff.. but already got some great info right here!

Since we have some knowledgeable people in regards to martial arts here.. has anyone seen any of the 10 documentary episodes entitled "Mind, Body and Kick Ass Moves"? I've been downloading and viewing them.. some extremely impressive stuff.. particularly all things related to 'chi'.

"Mind, Body and Kick Ass Moves" is from a London martial artist who has studied many different forms, styles, and energies (like 'chi'). He visits masters in places like Japan, Taiwan, China, and the Philippines. Some really impressive stuff. He also goes back to London and does self-defense moves to locals like bouncers, hair salon girls, and the like. Real interesting show. Its a British show - just 10 episodes in existance. For whatever reason, any master he works with in China, Taiwan or the Philippines really impresses me.

Demonicat · Joined: 18 Nov 2004 Location: Suwon

The reason that I asked about kumdo is well...its all I have a sembance of experience with. I was heavy into fencing and SCA in college/highschool and got good enough to win a few awards with a sabre. I realize that its 180 degrees away from kumdo, but its something. As far as fistfighting and hapkido go, I'm a big gawky guy with no expereince (other than tusslin' in the backyard). I may be wrong, but I have the feeling that you need some semblance of experience to walk into a gym here and start training. Every thread I've read so far usually starts with: "I've been training in XianShao style for 10 years and I mastered Brazlian JiuJitsu, but now I want to try Takkyeon"- these people have very little difficult in setting up. I may be wrong and there may be adult classes for beginners (Itaewon?), but it seems unlikely considering the military and national love for martial arts.

HapKi · Joined: 10 Dec 2004 Location: TALL BUILDING-SEOUL

Concerning the language barrier, yes, there will probably be one. My master knew zilch English when I first started Hapkido 4 years ago, and even nowadays his lexis has extended little beyond the basics. "speed", "twist", "left", "right", "power".

That being said, evening classes should have at least one high level university student who will take interest (ie-be assigned) to you in the early days to help with the very basic things, such as break falls. Alot depends on the Master's English, his concern about saving face if his English is poor, and class size.

Alot of the movements in front rolls, kicks, throws, defensive moves and joint locks is repetitive. Watch it being done, and do it. Repeat 1,000 times.