Experience of training in Korea?

[Kill Jill]

Hi Guys,

I'm from the UK, but train in TKD and HKD in Korea.

I'm considering writing a book about my experiences in TKD in Korea, but first need to do some (a lot, in fact!) research.

Perhaps some of you out there could help?

Q's:

1) Have any of you trained in Korea?

If yes, where did you train, what was your training routine, and what did you think about your training experience there?

If no, what is your perception about the standard of TKD training in Korea?

2) If you are a female TKD student, what do you feel about the position of women's TKD? (compared to men/your standard compared to other women/has TKD helped you gain confidence as a woman?)

3) Can you tell me about the workout procedure of a typical class, and the testing requirements for 1st dan black belt in your home country?

If any of you can answer these questions, you can do so here, or e-mail me - You can also ask about how to go about training in TKD for any period of time in Korea (It's really quite simple to come here and train)

Thanks, zohsan75@hotmail.com

[Jay]

good idea id read it give me a shout when its written (if you decide to)

[granmasterchen]

I have seen many tkd schools in korea that were very substandard in their teaching methods.....many were just trying to get american money and located right outside of military bases. You could get your black belt in no time at all....usually a year. I know a kid that was a red belt testing for black after 6 months with no prior experience....and he wasn't too good.....but that is only my experience with some of the schools. I have heard that there are many great schools there, unfortunately I haven't had any good experiences to really tell....I know of chuck norris training there though, that was obviously a good experience

[sk0t]

Chuck did more of a TSD rather than a TKD....

[orion82698]

I would love to travel over seas and study MA. I don't know why, maybe it's just the movies, but it looks like awesome training

[granmasterchen]

it's just the movie.....the training isn't much different....there are still crappy schools, crappy instructors, those that want your money and everything else just like in the states.....

just find yourself a good instructor and be happy with that.

[lapulid2]

in all seriousness, the best instructors from Korea, China, and Japan are more than likely teaching here in the states. not to try and put off someone going abroad and studying the culture, but if youre going to Korea to search for the best Tae Kwon Do training available its probably a fifty/fifty chance you left the best schools behind over here in the states.

oh! forgot u said youre from the UK. well the same applies.

[frightmaster]

I Would love to see some photos of schools abroad. Would be a nice way to see how different or similar they are.

[Kill Jill]

Thanks for your replies.

Yeah, I'm getting interested in following the strand of prominent Korean trainers who have relocated to the States. I'm now realising this would have to be an important part in any book about Korean tkd standards.

I'm aware from researching the Internet that many people have cited a Grandmaster Rhee, for example, as a prominent Korean instructor in the States. Such names are not automatically recognised internationally by all practitioners, so I would be grateful if anyone could elaborate more on the 'big names' among instructors in the States. Also, do you think there is a tendency for Korean instructors to be lured to the more glitzy locations of LA, for example, or is there a random spread of Korean trainers across the States? Also, how do they compare with American born trainers?

Thanks for any input

[Kooky-Juan]

Training overseas would be awesome!