Taekwondo Classes – Taught in English

Written and photographed by Erin Heath Kim.

Have you ever thought about learning a martial Maybe you don’t know where to start, or you worry about the language barrier. If you’ve ever wanted to find out more about taekwondo (태권도) or taekkyeon (택견) you should consider Jikimi Taekwondo (지킴이 태권도).

In English, jikimi translates to “protector.” The martial arts master of Jikimi is Kim Jae-min. He’s been teaching taekwondo in English to foreign students in Gwangju for over ten years and has a 6th-degree black belt (yukdan, 육단) in taekwondo. He loves meeting people from all over the world and teaching them the martial arts of Korea.

In the past, Master Kim and his foreign students have participated in Gwangju International Center (GIC) events by performing taekwondo. Through his international students, he’s also picked up the hobby of collecting paper money and coins from around the world. I’ve been adding to his American quarter collection through the years. (I should also mention that he’s my husband, so of course, I’m very proud of his accomplishments and his gym).

English taekwondo classes are taught three times per week in the evening on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Along with the basic moves, poomsae (품새) patterns, kicking, and sparing techniques of taekwondo, he also places a strong focus on physical exercise and incorporates self-defense and other martial arts skills into the class. It’s a great way to work out.

Most students who join the class have never taken taekwondo before, so beginners are welcome. But any level can join the class at any time. Belt level tests are given at regular intervals. Students can advance to new belt levels every two to three months. A beginner student can advance to a black belt within 1.5–2 years. There is a one-time uniform fee of 50,000 won and a monthly tuition fee of 110,000 won. If you’re not sure whether taekwondo is for you, you’re welcome to come experience your first class free of charge with no obligation to join. If you like it, sign up and bring a friend!

Master Kim also teaches taekkyeon, which is a separate, more traditional martial art. He’s the 72nd master of taekkyeon in Korea, which he achieved after almost 20 years of study and practice. It’s a unique opportunity in Gwanjgu to have a taekkyeon master able to teach in English. He teaches taekkyeon on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 8:20 to 9:30 p.m.

Taekkyeon has a long history and is the only purely Korean martial art. In 2011, taekkyeon became the first martial art in the world to be listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Asset. Last October, Master Kim attended the annual martial arts festival of Chungju (충주시) as a taekkyeon referee where he had the pleasure of meeting the American action star Wesley Snipes who was in Korea to attend the festival and learn about taekkyeon.

THE AUTHOR

Erin Heath Kim is a university English teacher with a master’s in education. She’s originally from Jackson, Mississippi, and has lived in Gwangju since 2010. She’s married to Master Kim, and they have a son who is five. They love traveling around Korea together.