Before diving into the Korean language and culture when I thought about Korean mostly thoughts of Kpop, intensive skincare routines, or even soju came to mind. Now that I have started studying Korean I am very excited to discover much more about Korean culture myself. I am particularly fascinated with Taekwondo (태권도) which is of Korean origin. Taekwondo is a Korean martial art that places a heavy emphasis on kicks and jumps. Interestingly enough, “Tae” means foot while “Kwon” means fist and “Do” means way of and the entire word “Taekwondo” means “the way of the foot and the fist” or “the way of kicking and punching” (I am already learning new Korean words!).
Here is a video of some advanced Taekwondo techniques: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKEbws4QhEk
I have a particular interest in Taekwondo as I have practiced martial arts for most of my life. In fifth grade, I began martial arts and continued until the summer after my senior year of high school. I practiced a type of martial arts known as Shaolin Kempo Chi Sao Karate. Through these years of practice, I was privileged enough to earn the title of Sensei with a third-degree black belt. Since I have such a personal connection to martial arts I am very invested in learning more about how Taekwondo originated from and persists in Korean culture. Taekwondo developed out of many other forms of martial arts over a long period of time and dynasties. In 1945 just after World War II and Korea’s occupation by the Japanese, many martial art schools (called kwans) were opened in Seoul. This kept martial arts alive and growing during this time. In 1952, this new martial art was adopted by the South Korean Army which helped solidify its popularity. It became one official unified martial art in 1955 and in 1959 the Korean Taekwondo Association (K.T.A) was formed. Fittingly, Taekwando advanced as Korea itself advanced. Techniques are focused on kicks and speed is emphasized over mass in order to generate power.
Taekwondo, similar to many martial arts, uses a belt ranking system to designate one’s level of mastery. The color ranking system varies between martial art schools and is not concrete. The main idea behind this system is to earn a higher belt which is a physical symbol denoting one’s progress in skill and mastery. The tests for these belts are held by instructors, typically master’s (fifth-degree black belts or higher) and can be quite grueling and long. I remember each of my black belt tests which lasted six or more hours. While an arduous journey, it was certainly highly rewarding. Additionally, Taekwondo teaches a philosophy based on principles and Korean cultural values. Common teachings of Taekwondo emphasize integrity, perseverance, and self-control.
[Example of a color belt system in Taekwondo. Beginners are ranked at white belt and progress to black belt. (Image source: https://www.aztaekwondoworld.com/belt-color/).]
Today Taekwondo is a very well-known martial art and is even an Olympic sport. I also find martial arts interesting especially when thinking about how Asian actors, most notably Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee, and Asian movies represent martial arts. Although neither of these actors are Korean I still think it is interesting to look at how Asian culture is represented onscreen which has largely affected how other cultures (especially Western) perceive Eastern culture. It was very cool to see something as personal to me as martial arts through the lens of Korea.
Sources referenced:
https://www.olympic.org/taekwondo-equipment-and-history
https://msu.edu/~spock/history.html
Replies
Hi Mallory! I had no idea that you practiced martial arts for most of your life! As a young Korean child, I remember that I was forced to go to a 태권도 center. I only got up to yellow belt, but it is truly amazing that you got so far! Also, I never learned about the history of 태권도 so thank you for teaching me!
Hey Mallory! I learned a lot from your post and was surprised to learn the linguistic breakdown of Taekwondo (the last segment, 'do,' reminds of dào 道 in Chinese, which also means 'the way'). The video of advanced techniques was really fun to watch and shows how much skill and training goes into advancing that far and essentially mastering your handle over your own body in a way. I took a class on Hong Kong Cinema this semester and learned about how some of the martial arts tradition there under Jackie Chan developed from Peking Opera and the focus on the body. I also appreciated learning about your personal connection to it and how you earned a third-degree black belt, which is incredibly impressive. Taekwondo has a rich tradition and history, and I am glad that you can connect it to your language study of Korean.
Mallory, thanks for sharing your post about Taekwondo! I remember begging my parents when I was younger to sign me up, but I've never actually tired it. I didn't even realize how many belts you had to go through to reach black. You mentioned that there are different degrees even for black belts; what distinguishes between a first degree, second degree, and so on? (Do they look different?) I think it's so interesting that you have to train both physically and mentally for this sport and am impressed by how long you've practiced Taekwondo.
Mallory,
I love that you broke down the meaning of Taekwondo; I had absolutely no idea or even thought about what it meant. I used to do Taekwondo when I was little and from what I remember, the studio I went to had stripes. Before going from say yellow belt to orange, we had orange stripe in between before getting your full orange belt. This ties to exactly what you mentioned about the color ranking system being varied among martial art schools. I have always admired and respected the instructors, but I didn’t realize how much skill and mastery they go through. I think it's so amazing that you worked up to the title of Sensei with a third-degree black belt. Thank you for sharing such an insightful post!
Mallory,
Thank you for writing about such an insightful part of the Koran culture. I did Taekwondo and Kung-fu for about 7 years. I was able to get to brown belt for both of these martial arts. I completely understand you pointing out the emphasis of the art of Taekwondo on perseverance, integrity, respect and self-control. My teach whom we referred to as "Master Mein" was from Korea. We always ended our session by saying kam-sa-ham-ni-da. Loved this post.
I always wished that I had learned Taekwondo when I was younger and I admire your perseverance with martial arts! I think its interesting that something so physical can actually teach a philosophy and other lessons.
Mallory,
How much do you enjoy Taekwondo? You seem to enjoy it quite a bit if you have stuck with it this long. What is it about the martial art that you like so much? From what you say it sounds that there is a certain beauty in the structure and movements that its participants get to enjoy. I have never taken a martial arts class, but it sounds like something that I might have enjoyed. I especially like the ideas of integrity, perseverance, and self control that you say the art focuses on. I feel as though those are important characteristics that we should all strive to find within ourselves.
Mallory,
I could not help but smile when reading this post. Our friendship all started during the University of Richmond's Roadmap program when I signed up for the Kung-Fu course and you were my student-instructor! I love how your passion for martial arts has not only stayed, but it has grown - demonstrated for your curiously to learn other forms of martial arts, such as Taekwondo. Growing up, I actually went to a Taekwondo dojo and practiced there for several months with all my brothers. From what I remember, it was a really incredible sport and it was just hypnotizing to watch the sensais demonstrate incredible routines and moves (sorry if my terminology is wrong)! I only got to half white, half yellow belts, so I was not the best, but in hindsight, I had wished I had stuck with it for at least a little longer.