Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kentucker4]

Which one do you guys think is the most valuble from a self defense persective? I have always wanted to learn boxing...how big is it here? But I understand from the movies, as corny as it sounds, that Million Dollar Baby movie that it takes two years to really learn boxing. Anyone have any input on this and how all of the martial arts over there compare?

[normalcyispasse]

Any mixed martial art (that is, one that incorporates grappling as well as striking) will probably be your best bet from a defense standpoint.

That said, I have a hard time doing any martial arts here. I've been told that I'm not welcome in a couple schools simply because I'm too big.

[HapKi]

[Scotticus]

[Rutherford]

Thought I'd just throw a quick promo in if anyone is looking for a good martial art. I started training Brazilian jiujitsu with some guys in Busan. The main school is in Daeyeon, but they have satelite locations in some other cities. Really hardcore about training, but also very friendly and open to foreigners. They also train some MMA. The school's called Dong Chan Baek San.

[bjonothan]

Boxing is a good start, but as you would be aware, it is more limited. Hapkido looks to be the best Korean martial art. There are plenty of other styles as well. It depends on your physical attributes. Some things suit different people. If you want the best, some say it is brazilian jiu jitsu, some say muay thai is. Personally, I like kyokushin karate. A mixed martial art would be a good start. They will teach you a bit about each area of fighting.

[IncognitoHFX]

[kentucker4]

[Atavistic]

A related note. Someone on these boards said that their school was doing something special to get them to black belt in a year. (I think it was the idea that they were not being "fluffy".) Be aware that black belting in taekwondo in one year is STANDARD in South Korea. I have heard this is the case in a few other martial arts, too. If a school is trying to charge you more for their special program, or trying to sell you on it, they're treating you like they think you're an idiot.

If you come in with experience in an art, you'll often black belt even faster. The Kukkiwon, however, has a six month residency requirement before you can test for black in Korea.

[kentucker4]

[Atavistic]

[ublove]

For self-defence, I would recommend hapkido over taekwondo. Hapkido's bread and butter is stand-up grappling; wrist/joint locks, pressure points, and throws. At my old dojang, my instructor incorporated some submission grappling as well. This is on top of striking/kicking. It's a well-rounded martial art. If attaining a black belt in one year is important to you, you can accomplish this with hapkido.

For pure street effectiveness, I would go with Brazilian jiu-jitsu. These days if someone were to attack me, I would take the fight to ground, gain a dominant position, and choke him unconscious. It's the easiest, most humane way to end a fight.

[englishiscrazy]

been learning taekwondo for a couple months
basically getting a new belt every month, as long as you go 5 days a week for an hour.
better doing the late night classes cause that's when the older kids and adults train.
only downside, is everything is in korean -so always one step behind
but i take that as part of the experience -learning the korean way
also there is a lot of korean male culture in taekwondo -good to know
if you're going to learn any sport in korea it should be taekwondo

[HapKi]

[kentucker4]