Korean Job Discussion Forums

[NCdan]

This one's actually 2 separate questions.

1. Does anyone know of any Aikido dojos in or near Bucheon? I'm guessing Aikido is a bit more popular in South Korea than the US?

2. I'd like to get a standing punching bag for my apartment, but I have no idea what types are sold in South Korea. I really don't want to pay international shipping on a standing punching bag, or I'd just order online. I ideally want to get one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Century-Wavemaster-XXL-Training-Bag/dp/B000EZWSNS So, I'd basically like to know what types of punching bags I can get here, how I might get one back to my apartment, and where is a good place to get them? Thanks.

[Wayland]

Aikido is not as popular as you might first think (probably because its japanese), instead in korea we have the bastard child of Aikido and taekwondo in Hapkido

[blackjack]

Akido is much less common, but hapkido is everywhere. (it will be the most similar as it was developed when korean masters where taken to Japan and forced/taught akido)

Bare in mind korean martial art training is very different from what we think of martial art training back home. There are often kids in late classes (my hapkido classes run from 10-11 at night and there are two elementary aged girls there). Few adults seem to take martial arts here.

as fare as the boxing bag goes your best bet is gmarket (online often with free delivery

here is a couple of links (sorry about the length but I don't know how to make them small

for cheaper ones

http://www.gmarket.co.kr/challenge_eng/neo_category/category.asp?gdmc_cd=200001355&link_type=LIST&price_unit=100000&page=1


For more expensive

http://www.gmarket.co.kr/challenge_eng/neo_category/category.asp?gdmc_cd=200001355&link_type=LIST&price_unit=300000&page=1

for the most expensive

http://www.gmarket.co.kr/challenge_eng/neo_category/category.asp?gdmc_cd=200001355&link_type=LIST&price_unit=300001&page=1

[redaxe]

Yeah they have aikido in Korea it's just called hapkido. Look around for signs that say 합기도, a lot of times they're in combination gyms that have 합기도, 태권도, 유도. (hapkido, taekwondo, judo).

Gotta recommend you try judo or Brazilian jiu-jitsu instead of aikido, because they're much more effective and a better workout.

I happen to know of a really good Brazilian jiu-jitsu gym in Incheon near Bupyeong station. Action Reaction Jiu-Jitsu http://www.ttbjj.co.kr/

Also, BJJ guys are more likely to speak English because it's a foreign martial art so a lot of them learned it overseas. The hapkido and judo guys, not so much English.

[xingyiman]

[NCdan]

Thanks for the responses guys. I was thinking that I might need to go with Judo instead. All in all, I just want something softer -- I already did Karate and Muy Thai, and my sister did TKD so I learned a bit of that from her (Karate is better ). So, TKD and Hapkido are not my first choice, as I prefer Japanese style hard martial arts. I just see more integration possibilities with Aikido, but Judo could be fun. About Aikido... I thought Korea was claiming that Aikido was really Korean a while back. Anyway, I guess I'll just check out the prospects once I'm there. There's actually a martial arts school at the school I'll be teaching at, but I'm guessing it's TKD. I'm also guessing it's for the students only.

Thanks for the links, blackjack. I think I need to buy a punching bag online, as I have no idea how I would get one back to the apartment. I'll take a look at that website and see if I can't figure it out. Some of the stuff looks nice, but I may be surprised once one of them arrives at my door, since I can't understand the item descriptions.

This one looks very nice: http://english.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_goods/goods.asp?goodscode=118399927 Maybe even better than the Wavemaster XXL. I can't find anything about the company Body Art on Google, so I guess it's a crap shoot. I'll be arriving in Korea in the first week of July, and I'll probably wait until the my first paycheck to get a punching bag, so that gives me a bit of time to check things out. Anyone heard of Body Art before? Or even better, has anyone used one of these bags before?

[blackjack]

[NCdan]

[xingyiman]

[redaxe]

Judo (Yudo or Yoodo in Korean) is basically throws plus grappling. The object is to throw your opponent to the ground and then pin them down and/or submit them with a choke or armlock. It's very effective, it's fun, and it's a killer workout, but it can be rough on the body. Korean judo guys have a reputation for being especially rough compared to the Japanese, Americans, and Europeans.

BJJ is very similar to Judo but it puts more emphasis on grappling and less on throws, so it's a bit easier on the body. It's basically Judo minus the rule that tells you to stand back up again after X amount of seconds on the ground--as a result they tend to use a different style of takedowns and spend a lot more time rolling around on the ground.

Both are good because they involve tons of free sparring with fully resisting opponents, which leaves no questions about how good you are and how effective a technique is. Much better than punching air.

And one of the main reasons I recommend BJJ, as I said before, is that it's a foreign martial art, so it's going to be much more foreigner-friendly, English-friendly, and probably more relaxed. Also since it's not really a Traditional Martial Art, you don't have to deal with tons of foreign vocabulary, history, tradition, rituals, formalities, and other stuff that takes focus away from the actual training. You just put on your gi, learn some new moves, and then you spar.

[NCdan]

From the research I've done, it seems that Hapkido and Aikido evolved from the same Japanese martial arts. I guess the founder of Hapkido's claims are questionable, but it appears that Aikido and Hapkido have the same throws, joint locks, and what not in them. Of course, I may be wrong about that. It also seems that a lot of TKD dojos tack on Hapkido to make more money, so I guess I'd have to be able to make sure any dojos are legit, which would mean communication would be important...

The prospect of being able to understand what my instructor is saying in a dojo is tempting, redaxe. I'm also not big on the traditions and formalities. I trained in American Karate and I thought they talked too much. Another option might be Ninjutsu if there are any dojos in South Korea, let alone where I'm at. I'll be in an urban area, so I'm sure I'll be able to find some soft art here.

[smee18]

I know this is an extreme long shot, but since you're all talking martial arts: does anyone know of classes in the Chinese art of Pakua-Chang (or Baguazhang as it's often written)? Or classes in any decent internal Chinese art? I read on the net that there was a bit of a Pakua community in Korea, but haven't been able to find anything.

[coralreefer_1]

Personally I think Hapkido is your best choice for what you want to do..and here is why..

Aikido is good, I have no problems with it. But here in Korea it is not widespread. If you found a gym that was close enough and fit your schedule, you would be fortunate...however..if for some reason you did not like it there(all kids/not compatible with instructor...etc) you are likely to have a very difficult time finding another Aikido school that is convenient for you.

Hapkido and Aikido are very similar. I wont get into the argument about origins though. Most of the joint manipulations are very similar. (there are only so many ways to twist someone up) However, in a Hapkido program, you will also incorporate kicking into the program. I don't mean basic front kicks, but more complicated techniques as well. Whether or not this is effective in a real encounter (kicking I mean) is not as important as the fact that you are learning to use other parts of your body, which stresses different muscles and puts you in overall better physical condition. Not likely that you would ever want to kick someone, but adding that aspect to your training gives you more options. Personally I am not high on joint manipulations arts though..as the techniques are often too intricate, and under stress conditions are not as easily done and performed correctly as they are will a willing partner in the gym. That being said...they certainly are not a bad bit of knowledge to add to your collection.

Another point of consideration is that here in Korea...there are plenty of Hapkido tournaments at which you could compete and test yourself if you chose to. I'm sure there are probably some Aikido tournaments also...but based on sheer numbers...those would probably be harder to find...and take it from my own experience...not every tournament in Korea will allow foreigners to compete.

And this is just my personal opinion, but I would guess that since Aikido is not as widespread..it would likely cost more. Also consider that in many(not all) cases, it would be a Korean who is skilled in Hapkido only, teaching what they call "Aikido" It very well may work out that you are going out of your way to take a more expensive lesson that is likely exactly the same as what you would get at a Hapkido school...only the uniform were different.

There are plenty of great Hapkido schools out there..and many that have more than a few foreigners (teachers/soldiers) so that it is not a den of children and your class time is not spent jumping off the walls kicking a target 7 feet in the air. Of course that can be fun and a nice break from being thrown around for an hour..but what I mean is that in those types of class times...the instructor gears the class to cater to the students and their abilities..which if you find a good class time can be people like yourself...other adults who desire something a little more practical and less fun.

I would add that I hold 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree black belts in Judo, Hapkido ,and Taekwondo respectively.I did all of my Judo training here in Korea...and frankly, I enjoy the Judo more than the others, although the cauliflower ear is a bit annoying and doesn't help with the ladies. These days I attend a MMA place, but the BJJ training I get there is not even worth mentioning. Lately I am more interested in Korean traditional arts such as Taekkyun and Gungdo (Korean archery)

There is another Korean art called Kuk Sool Won that you may want to consider. In some ways it is similar to Hapkido and Aikido. Although not as widespread as Hapkido..if it is available in your area..you might be interested to check it out. If you are interested, you can check youtube for some videos. I do know that most teach the Korean sword...(not the Katana from Japan) but the short, straight blade from Korea..which is a little harder to get training for here in Korea. A good bit of joint manipulations, pressure point strikes, and handwork as well.

Anyway..the main thing is to enjoy whatever it is you end up doing. Good luck finding something that suits you, and let us know how it works out:)

[NCdan]

Thanks for the lengthy reply, coralreefer_1. Kuk Sool Won seems to be big on utilizing pressure points -- deadly in the hands of a master, but I somehow doubt I will ever be able to utilize pressure points against a moving, dodging, blocking, and attacking opponent without years and years of practice. Looking at Hapkido and Kuk Sool Won, the kicks, punches, and acrobatics seem to be typical TKDish, Korean martial arts stuff. I'm not going to hide the fact that I'm not a big fan of Korean style hard arts and that most of my training has been in Japanese hard arts, but I think I could handle Hapkido.

On the subject of sword training... I've done katana training, along with a bit of bo, nunchaku, and sai. Weapons training is certainly fun, but what I have no interest in is glorified baton twirling. At least here in the US the Korean dojos tend to use weapons for flashy forms rather than for practical use; not to knock that sort of thing if that's what you or anyone else enjoys doing.

I just think I've been doing the popular Japanese martial arts (and hard arts in general) for so long that I want something different.

[harlowethrombey]

Anyone know of any adult Kendo (gumdo) classes in the northern part of seoul? I'd love to pick it up again, but every person I see at the dojo near my apt is a kid and I dont think my self-esteem can handle getting beat up by 10 year olds


When I come back from home I'mgoing to bring a bokto or two with me and start practicing my Seto-Iaido again but I'm pretty sure its not too popular in Korea (samurai sword art).