Korean Martial Arts

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Korean Martial Arts have two thousand years of history and an abundance of forms. Modern styles are practiced largely across the globe and are probably the most recognizable cultural aspect of Korea. For example, the popular Korean martial art of Taekwondo is one of the most widely practiced martial arts in the world and has grown in popularity to the point of becoming an Olympic sport, with only Judo accompanying it as an Asian martial art form found in the games. Korean martial arts are largely characterized by self-defense, discipline, unity, balance, and control, but with over 25 forms being in practice today, there is a lot of variety in style and technique. The roots of many can be found in Chinese and Japanese martial arts, but have evolved into a uniquely Korean art form.

Korean Martial Arts Forms

Taekwondo

Of all the Korean Martial Arts, Taekwondo is undeniably the most popular. In 2000, it became an Olympic sport making its debut at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Only Judo accompanies it as an Asian martial art found in the Olympic Games. It is practiced widely across the globe and is South Korea's national sport.

Hapkido

Hap Ki Do, or "the art of coordinated power," is the second most popular Korean Martial Art form which combines aspects of many types of martial arts, including Aikido, Judo, Jujitsu, Karate, and Tae Kwon Do. It is considered a highly effective style of self-defense, teaching defense techniques to counter against common attacks, both unskilled and those taught by other martial arts. Throughout the curriculum, one learns a few attack techniques, but is primarily instructed in the defenses. For example, one will learn how to defend against multiple attackers, or how to defend from a lying position. More advanced hapkido lessons involve defense techniques against weapons such as knives and swords, as well as their usage. Hapkido isn't as competitive as Taekwondo, and competitions usually consist only of demonstrations.

Other Korean Martial arts

While Taekwondo and Hapkido are Korea's two most famous martial art styles, Korea boasts a number of others, of which many hold a large following. Subak and Yusul are the only two styles that are considered lost traditions, while most other traditional Korean martial arts are referenced in lasting manuals from the Joseon dynasty. Many forms of martial arts that are practiced today utilize these manuals as a method of undoing the effects of the Japanese colonization period. Some include Muye 24 ki, Shippalgi, and Kuk Sool Won, each of which claims traditional Korean origins.