Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kneezah~]

Has anyone ever been to the Chungju World Martial Arts Festival? Is it a big festival? Is it worth going to?

Festival link:
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_2_2.jsp?cate&area&dateStart=01-01-2012&startDate=20120101&dateEnd&endDate&keyword&category&areaCode&gotoPage=6&stype&cid=697308&out_service&fb_source=message

[jammo]

Yes I went last year.

I'm not really knowledgeable on the subject but it was an enjoyable experience.

[coralreefer_1]

I went back in 2008.

It was nice, but also a bit disappointing to me (note I have been involved with martial arts most of my life)

Many of the demonstrations were cool, various arts, international groups doing the demos...etc. However i would guess probably 70% - 80% of the demos were Korean teams/schools doing demos of Korean arts (or otherwise those popular in Korea)

On the day I went, I only recall 3-4 international groups being displayed and had a demonstration for (Krav Maga, Capoeira, and Savate), and pretty much the rest of the time was either devoted to the MC talking/playing games, or otherwise Korean kids doing a sword demo, Taekwondo demos, or Korean people who happened to be studying some other country's art (Korean children demonstrating wushu for example).

I also felt that many of the teams were sub-par. I suppose I was probably wrong to expect this, but I had the idea that a "World Martial Arts festival" would have folks doing demos there that would have have a high level of skill. I recall one particular demo by a family from Canada demonstrating some art (it wasn't a Canadian art) and the entire family looked like they lived in a hippy village..all long shaggy unkempt hair (even their kids), and their demonstration was at a level that I would have expected of a family who had been doing the art for about a year. Many of the other demos as well were lacking in what i would call "skill" given the venue, but that was just my personal opinion

The one part that was the most interesting however, was that (at least that year) after a group had performed a demo, they had a separate area where visitors could go meet with the teams, and members will give a walk through or short teaching session of the things that they had done on stage. (free of charge) Note this was not a personalized demo, but a lesson of sorts where you would go into the matted area with the team and they would share their knowledge. A few other hands-on activities like a traditional Korean archery range where participants could shoot arrows made the event much more enjoyable for me.

The food was also pretty awesome as well. I do recall a particular vendor selling Brazilian BBQ, and a few other nice little additions (French crepe' for example), and of course the obligatory Turkish guy doing tricks for the crowd with his ice cream, but overall the food was typical of any other Korean festival (17,000won for a plate of 3,000won chicken feet)...sundae, chicken ass, various meats on a stick....etc

Overall it was cool to check out, but as mentioned I have been in martial arts all of my life and was really looking forward to it..but haven't been back, which in many ways speaks for itself. However despite my opinions i think it would be a decent weekend activity.

[HapKi]

I went quite a few years ago. I remember it's important to check the schedule to see what's going to be on stage, otherwise there maybe 3-4 hours of uninteresting activities going on. One cool thing I saw was a sumo demonstration by a Japanese university team followed by a shirrum demonstration by a Korean university team. They then had a mini tourney against each other alternating the two styles. Never seen that before. Overall, I'd say it's worth going for 1 of the what? ...4 days it's going on. Try and pick the day that has the countries you are most interested in.

[catman]

Any BJJ or grappling on display?

[kneezah~]

thanks so much for the information and advice. is it very busy? will i need to book a hotel in advance?

[coralreefer_1]

I dont think you would need to book a hotel/motel in advance, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to do so.


The festival grounds are quite a way from the town area, and as I recall from my last visit the place was kind of dumpy (i was in a motel right across the street from the train station, and their were shady pimps hanging out on the street there..which i suppose it to be expected in the train station area) I didnt see alot of other options in that area, but also I didnt see anyone that seemed like they had traveled for, and were staying in the town for the festival either.