Korea vs. America

[AceKing]

How much better trained are TKD people in Korea then here in the state? Alot of people say that we dont even train the same but i was wondering if i went there and sparred with one of there students would they beat me because of better training. And does anyone know how often they train?

[scottnshelly]

I don’t think that one could be better because of their country. Anyone could practice just as hard in America as they could in Korea. I have sparred with Koreans that studied in Korea and was able to hold my own. I have also been badly beaten by a few.

The main difference would be the language. Even though my Instructor counted and gave commands in Korean, it was quite different to hear the same commands from someone with an accent.

[Belasko]

My experiences while training with those from both countries are pretty much the same as expressed by Scott'nShelly. Depends on the school and the students level of dedication and personal ability.

[IcemanSK]

I think there was a time when it was dominated by Koreans, but I think a few other countries are balancing out the scales as far as training skills. Back in the day, it was different.

In 1988 (after the Olympics) the Korean team did a US tour. In Illinois, they fought winners of a local tournament held a month before. As the introduced the 2 fighters in each weight class, the Koreans all had resumes of their fight careers as long as their arms. For a lot of the Americans, all they would say is, "A member of the Illinois State team. And a winner of the tournament last month." The Americans were so out classed. One Korean threw an Axe kick to the face of the American & literally pushed the guy's face to the ground! I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it. Amazing!

However, like I said, training has changed around the world. TKD isn't a one country show, anymore.

[Kill Jill]

I'm in Korea, so I can tell you a bit...

If you ever have a chance to come over and experience the TKD scene then it should be very interesting for anyone. It's not all about getting your head kicked in on a regular basis!!!

Koreans train every single day, but there is a HUGE range of class types - some are pretty easy and won't improve your skills at all.

If you want to train with the best, you should join a university/college taekwondo program. Some of these places allow foreigners to literally turn up almost any time to join in with the training sessions. Some have a special summer camp program - check out the Kyung Hee University July camp.

Perhaps you should ask CORALREEFER - I know he is on this board also training in a university here.!!!

Personally, if you are getting good training back home, I think you don't necessarily need to come all the way to Korea. The only advantage Koreans have is that classes are on a daily basis.

My book is coming soon!

[MartialArthur]

If you want excellent training by a top Korean master, many of us don't have to journey very far. A number of outstanding taekwondo masters moved to the U.S. where they opened schools and formed associations.

I am not Korean, but I do operate a school with daily classes (6x a week). The American schools I trained at when coming up through the ranks also had daily classes.

[shogeri]

I agree that it depends upon the teacher, the association they are under, the students, and the expectations that they have from one another, and from their own self.

[coralreefer_1]

As Kill Jill alluded to, I am an American training at a college here in Korea, and I can speak volumes on the differences. But most of what I have to say has already been said.

I should stress..that there is good taekwondo in Korea, Like Kill Jill alluded to, Kyung Hee University, Yong In university, KyungWon university, and Keimyung University are the best universities for taekwondo in Korea, with Yong In being at the top of that list. I have never visited Yong In, but I have been to the other 3. I joined a class with the students from Kyungwon University. Those students were sharp..and I mean sharp, Each year more that 500 students try to get into that program, and only 40 are accepted. The man that runs that program( and I hope I dont mutilate his name here) is Seok Lee, and he is the secretary general of the Asian Taekwondo Union. As my master said when he introduced me to him last year, and I attended his seminar and trained with his students, 'He is a very heavyweight in the world of Taekwondo" His students are without a doubt the kind of Taekwondo we "outsiders" have been bread to believe exists in Korea.

Back in November, before my birthday, I was honored with the chance to observe a class at Keimyung University, which is here in Daegu where I live. I have a few friends in the taekwondo program there and they invited me (with permission form the instructor) to observe a class, since they know I intend to transfer there next year. The instructor of that class is none other the Kyu Hyung Lee, who is the leader of the Korean National Demo Team, a 9th Dan, and a very famous man. I was impressed with his hospitality. He invited me to his office, shared tea, had a chair waiting for me to observe his class, and insisted on giving me some autographed memoribilia before I left. Students in programs like that, are some of the best.

Students inside taekwondo programs at well known taekwondo universities in Korea, are everything we have be told they are. But as KillJill and I have discussed before, this is NOT the norm in the typical dojang in the cities. From my experience, most students in typical dojangs are much lazier, and more disrespectful than students in America. There really isnt a standard for promotion here. I think much like the "ideal mcdojang" that is often referred to, that is the standard in Korea, at least from my experience.

Example: Last night, I went to a year end performance at a Salvation Army orphanage I work at. There were about 15 performances, 2 of which were taekwondo. The first was very young children, too young to really even good good at talking, much less kicking. The other was a group of boys betwen 16-19 years old. I remember when they came in before the performance, they looked decent, I thought I was actually going to see a decent demo. But when they got on stage, i was literally shocked. First, the did some basic punches, with as much focus and power of a child. Literally, it was like they didnt even care, they were not even trying to show power, weak kiap, lazy movements. Even the audience was laughing at them!! All of them are 3rd degree BB!!!

That is typical of much of the taekwondo in Korea. So what is the reason why..there are several conclusions that I have come to...

1. Taekwondo is culture here. It's everywhere, and everyone does it, or at least, they go to a taekwondo class. Because its everywhere, it is not special to them. Its just something they do..like a game. Like the kids that play baseball at the parks in America after school. Most of them dont care if they get better at playing baseball..or basketball, they just do it for fun, because their friends are doing it.

2. In Korea, only children and young teenagers are doing taekwondo at dojangs in the city.. You will be hard pressed to find anyone over the age of 18 inside a taekwondo dojang unless they are helping the instructor, or going to taekwondo university. In America, at least at my dojang, its typical to see all ages, kids, teens, parents, even a few grandparents, in the dojang training. But here, once kids reach high school, their parents care more about them studying for exams that exercise, so after the age of 16(first year of high school here) you wont find many. And at that age, its hard to get them to take anything seriously.

As was said in the earlier posts, it really depends more on the student level of dedication. But I seem to have met more dedicated students in America than here. I train at a college (a 2 year school) so its not a famous school by any means. , like at the universities I mentioned above . As of now, there are only about 15 students in the taekwondo program as a major course of study..and as surprised as I am to say it, I'm probably in the top 2-3 of those students as far as level goes. Am I great at sparring? not great but decent. Am I great at poomse? getting much better. Am I great at demonstrations? pretty good. I impress people in all areas, but the most important thing is my dedication..my willingness to show up for class on time, in uniform "everytime" When the rest are complaining because the leg lifts hurt, or they are tired of kicking drills, I keep going... why??..Because I left my family and everything to pursue my dream. Most of them, even though their skill is laughable, look down upon me because the think Americans cannot do taekwondo. That's the proud nature of Koreans coming out..that only "they" can be good at taekwondo. But the laughing stops when they actually see my taekwondo.

The end result: If you are training at a famous taekwondo school in Korea, then you can get the best training in the world. But that is not the case in many places, and the average student doesnt even want good training. Most of them train just because everyone does. Its no different than in America..those that want great training seek out the great Masters, and they are the ones who are at the top of the game. But most in America just want to have fun, lose weight, enjoy time with family and friends..etc,,and I see nothing wrong with that. But i thing the average student in America is more dedicated, and takes it seriously more than in Korean(keeping in mind the age differences I pointed out earlier) But I do have a problem..with the many many 3rd and 4th dans men I've met here in Korea, who are all too proud to tell me they outrank me, but have the skill of the blue belt.

Im sorry if this came across more as a rant that an offering of info about the subject at hand, but I have much to say on this issue..even more than I included in the post..if anyone has more questions..please feel free to contact me personally..

Todd

[MasterH]

I've always like the comparison between Baseball and Taekwondo.

In S. Korea TKd is as popular and holds the hearts and minds of the people like Baseball (or Football) in the US.

[PrideampPoise]

My instructor recently returned from a trip to Korea where he was promoted to 5th dan in KSW. His impression was that the students he came across were more serious and respectful than the students here. He felt their focus was less on quantity and more on quality. In other words, they didn't know as much material as a similar belt level would here in the US, but they practiced what they knew more often.

He also felt the conditioning of the students in Korea was better.

Of course, he didn't tour the entire country, but these were his impressions from what he did see.