Korean Job Discussion Forums

[burnin rubber]

Hi guys! I'm new to the forum, but not so new to Korea. I was considering taking Hapkido or Gumdo (sp?) this year, but I'm unfamiliar with the aspect of it. Has anyone tried it here? Are the instructors and/or students racist towards the white face, or more or less accomodating? Let me know your thoughts and opinions. Or if anyone could recommend another local style of martial arts (not Taekwondo, please) I would appreciate it.
Thanks

[J.B. Clamence]

I've been doing Kumdo for a while and I love it. I haven't experienced any racism in the dojo. Quite the contrary, my teacher has been pleased to have me around. I had the same experience when I used to do Taekwondo a couple years ago. Most schools are set up to have lessons 5 days a week, so it's a great way to get regular exercise and learn quickly. It takes a few months to get the basics down, and that can be pretty boring, but once you're ready to fight, it gets really fun.

[HapKi]

I've studied hapkido for about 5 years here in Korea, and love what it offers. I had noticed the local van driving around my neighborhood dropping off students and just asked the driver/MASTER where he was located. Went in a couple days later and started.
To answer some of your questions- Yes, you will probably catch everyone off guard when they see a foreigner come in, but in a good way, as they'll know you want to learn about their culture. The head student, or maybe Master himself, will probably take you aside at the beginning to teach you some basics.
There isn't alot of posturing as in other martial arts, as it is not based on power but rather deflecting the opponents power. Not any forms (pomsae) either, which appealed to me.
Most do-jangs offer late afternoon classes for kids. Adult classes are either early morning, so college students can get to school on time, or late evening, night. My class starts at about 9:30 and goes to 11. About 15 minutes of stretching and stationery kicks to begin, then front rolls, jumps, falls, then 20 minutes or so of kicks with the hand-held target. We finish with hand to hand techniques, such as strikes, joint locks, throws. This is the real appeal for me. Everyday is a little different so it doesn't go stale.
I've know people who've studied KumDo. To me there is no real appeal, just alot of repetitive motion at the beginning levels.
A good way to enter and be a part of the culture.

[the_beaver]

Similar to HapKi. I've been doing hapkido since '98. When I get busy it goes by the wayside but I always come back to it.

No kata. Just lots of joint creaking painful fun with kicks and stuff thrown in. I like going to hapkido because it's one of the places where the natives usually just treat me like me.

[Zyzyfer]

I haven't had the chance to get back into it, but hapkido is pretty good healthwise and a lot of fun if you're into martial arts, since taekwondo is more show. You won't get slim on the training, but you'll definitely get fit if you work hard.

[Drakoi]

any good places you know of in the gangnam area? PM if you could.