A personal account of KHF Hapkido in South Korea.

[Blackhapkidoguy]

My name is Dayo and I'm a third dan black belt under the KHF. I have been living in Seoul for the past 2 months and training at the Kyung Moo Kwan central dojang under the Kwan's GM Kim, Nam Jae. It has been an amazing experience and I would like to share my experiences here in Korea with fellow Hapkido-in in the international community. Korea is a wonderful country and being able to experience it first-hand has helped me appreciate the people and culture better while seeing things from the other side of the globe (particularly in relation to Hapkido). The pursuit of martial arts is a personal journey and what they do here is not too different from anywhere else in the world - the mindset is just perhaps slightly different.

I decided to write this post after reading some of the reactions from the KHF newsletter. Although I am biased as a KHF member, I however understand some of the mixed feelings from a few people within the international community about the federation policies. Although I'm not a KHF official and as such have no say in federation policies nor am I an official voice. I'm merely a faceless member and observer who nobody knows and am out here nurturing my passion for martial arts.

What I have come to realize is that this particular organization is more of a fellowship/brotherhood of dedicated Hapkido-in that have ties that go as far back to the very beginning of it all. It seems like everybody within this federation is within less than six degrees of separation from one another. Everyone knows everyone, or at least, each other's teacher's teacher. The KHF leadership is not the snobbish, corporate, greedy, hierarchy and it is also not the corrupt dictatorship that a few people on this forum sometimes paint it to be. As KHF hapkido (for lack of a better word) has expanded around the world, we see a family that has grown so much and is doing its best to keep everyone together while protecting itself from abuse.

Since I've been here, I have been treated with nothing but fairness, respect and courtesy even though I'm still a newbie in Hapkido. GM Kim, Nam Jae, as an example, has been a father figure and is always willing to share his knowledge with anyone willing to learn. I was introduced to him by Master Holcombe Thomas and he (Kim, Nam Jae) is one of the kwan leaders within the KHF's senior masters comittee and one of several admirable masters in the fed's instructors panel. Like all the other fed. members I have been fortunate to meet (young or old, high ranking or not), the bond we all share in Hapkido gives a sense of warmth and acceptance that makes the art what it is even in this part of the world. What is more humbling is training with Masters and GMs who will pair up and take a fall from you, or get excited when they see you execute a variation of a technique they might not have come up with, even though they've been doing it much longer than I have been alive.

I have been lucky enough to train, meet and dine with many of the KHF officials and senior masters and I for one can say they are very nice and well-meaning people. When it comes down to it, all they really care about is the art of hapkido. My ethnicity, nationality, status or creed has never been in question. The virtues of the art are what seem more important - courtesy, respect, ethics, manners and loyalty are a few important ones.

At the moment, they are interested in uniting the KHF community abroad and are putting measures they seem fit to protect their reputation as well as ensuring that mistakes of the past are not repeated. As KHF members and well-wishers, we should all support and look forward to the growth and preservation of the art rather than bicker about a few policies that might threaten a few personal interests. There are many reputable Hapkido organizations out there and the KHF is only one. Why do they take on so much heat and slack from people who are not even members?

Being able to visit here and see how Koreans live their lives has helped me understand not only the people, but why hapkido is the way it is. To many of these masters origin, credentials, ranking, politics etc. are not the focus. Perfecting and growing in the art is. They hold people in the international community with high respect and appreciate the effort some are making in promoting and furthering the art. These individuals need the recognition, respect and support they deserve. The KHF leadership never criticizes or mock policies or measures adopted by Hapkido organizations outside of Korea and it is only fair they be given the break they deserve. Something good is in the making, let’s give it a chance to blossom. This is only my personal observation as a hapkido-in. Best of luck to all out there as we all strive to grow in the art we love so dearly.

Hapki!

Dayo Odesanya.

[kodanjaclay]

Dayo,

I'll take your question...

Why are they taking such heat? Because they allowed a man to rip us off in the name of the KHF. When then information was presented to them they defended him. They made Master Whalen US Rep but then whenit was inconvenient for them, they claimed he was only the Boston representative. They recanted on a good will seminar thay were supposed to do in Florida and I had arranged with the leadership to be re-examined by them to validate my rank. Then before they ever came they decided that the event would not take place after a good friend of mine had advertised it for them and so forth. They put a policy in place that would not allow American masters to issue rank from them and yet they would keep the money in an escrow account... and back to the rank thing... they DID issue me a kwanjang certificate signed by Master Oh which implied my rank was valid, only to find out later that it should never have been issued because I did not hold the pre-requisite official KHF rank.

Now I'm very pleased that you are having a great time studying but what I have just shared with you is the tip of the iceberg. Master Bae tried helping us and he was removed. Now Master June is in place and I have the utmost respect for him. I don't want to see the same thing happen to him... oh and my last "KHF" promotion was done at an event where Korean KHF masters were... JinJunKwan to be exact and that person was Yoon Dae Un, and I have the utmost respect for him. Both he and Lee Jae Whan had seen me on the mat and Master Yoon had given me some private lessons because of my efforts and yet the KHF did nothing. They defended this crook. Finally, after we complained loud enough and brought so much evidence to bear they expelled him.

So you tell me, even with just the little I have related, you are trying to tell me that you would be trusting? Granted they can't fix everything but you know an apology would go a long way. THAT would be a start. That would say Look we know some things happened and we are willing to do what we can to help you fix it but you have to do your part... and then when they decide what they are going to do, they need to hold to it. Its that simple.

And that something good that is in the making has been in the making for the last two years. I went public about what happened to me in 2003. I haven't seen much good happen since. Like I said, there are a few in the KHF I respect and trust and I know some people. But the Federation's actions since I came out have not been favorable towards any American that I am aware of.

[American HKD]

My name is Dayo and I'm a third dan black belt under the KHF. I have been living in Seoul for the past 2 months and training at the Kyung Moo Kwan central dojang under the Kwan's GM Kim, Nam Jae. It has been an amazing experience and I would like to share my experiences here in Korea with fellow Hapkido-in in the international community. Korea is a wonderful country and being able to experience it first-hand has helped me appreciate the people and culture better while seeing things from the other side of the globe (particularly in relation to Hapkido). The pursuit of martial arts is a personal journey and what they do here is not too different from anywhere else in the world - the mindset is just perhaps slightly different.

I decided to write this post after reading some of the reactions from the KHF newsletter. Although I am biased as a KHF member, I however understand some of the mixed feelings from a few people within the international community about the federation policies. Although I'm not a KHF official and as such have no say in federation policies nor am I an official voice. I'm merely a faceless member and observer who nobody knows and am out here nurturing my passion for martial arts.

What I have come to realize is that this particular organization is more of a fellowship/brotherhood of dedicated Hapkido-in that have ties that go as far back to the very beginning of it all. It seems like everybody within this federation is within less than six degrees of separation from one another. Everyone knows everyone, or at least, each other's teacher's teacher. The KHF leadership is not the snobbish, corporate, greedy, hierarchy and it is also not the corrupt dictatorship that a few people on this forum sometimes paint it to be. As KHF hapkido (for lack of a better word) has expanded around the world, we see a family that has grown so much and is doing its best to keep everyone together while protecting itself from abuse.

Since I've been here, I have been treated with nothing but fairness, respect and courtesy even though I'm still a newbie in Hapkido. GM Kim, Nam Jae, as an example, has been a father figure and is always willing to share his knowledge with anyone willing to learn. I was introduced to him by Master Holcombe Thomas and he (Kim, Nam Jae) is one of the kwan leaders within the KHF's senior masters comittee and one of several admirable masters in the fed's instructors panel. Like all the other fed. members I have been fortunate to meet (young or old, high ranking or not), the bond we all share in Hapkido gives a sense of warmth and acceptance that makes the art what it is even in this part of the world. What is more humbling is training with Masters and GMs who will pair up and take a fall from you, or get excited when they see you execute a variation of a technique they might not have come up with, even though they've been doing it much longer than I have been alive.

I have been lucky enough to train, meet and dine with many of the KHF officials and senior masters and I for one can say they are very nice and well-meaning people. When it comes down to it, all they really care about is the art of hapkido. My ethnicity, nationality, status or creed has never been in question. The virtues of the art are what seem more important - courtesy, respect, ethics, manners and loyalty are a few important ones.

At the moment, they are interested in uniting the KHF community abroad and are putting measures they seem fit to protect their reputation as well as ensuring that mistakes of the past are not repeated. As KHF members and well-wishers, we should all support and look forward to the growth and preservation of the art rather than bicker about a few policies that might threaten a few personal interests. There are many reputable Hapkido organizations out there and the KHF is only one. Why do they take on so much heat and slack from people who are not even members?

Being able to visit here and see how Koreans live their lives has helped me understand not only the people, but why hapkido is the way it is. To many of these masters origin, credentials, ranking, politics etc. are not the focus. Perfecting and growing in the art is. They hold people in the international community with high respect and appreciate the effort some are making in promoting and furthering the art. These individuals need the recognition, respect and support they deserve. The KHF leadership never criticizes or mock policies or measures adopted by Hapkido organizations outside of Korea and it is only fair they be given the break they deserve. Something good is in the making, let’s give it a chance to blossom. This is only my personal observation as a hapkido-in. Best of luck to all out there as we all strive to grow in the art we love so dearly.

Hapki!

Dayo Odesanya.

Dear Dayo,

Nice to hear from you publically, it sounds as if your having a great time.

I hope things work out with the KHF in the USA. They should try to hold the Masters seminar here or maybe next year I go to Korea for it.

What did you learn at the Masters course was it in all Hangul if so what did you actually take away from it?

[Mst Whalen]

Frank, Dayo and everyone else that cares.

I was asked by my Master Yu,Chun He, to assist those in the U.S that needed help. this came directly through his top student Won, Kil Soo whom also holds a very high rank in Taekwondo chung dokwan and in Hapkido chundo kwan. (currently in N.Y visiting family)

Master Bae had relayed the message i was the U.S director which somehow became Boston what was not said or mentioned is "I REFUSED " unless it was a co- director with Holcombe and this is how we work i am not on a power trip at all. ( this came after they recieved hundreds of recomendations) I could careless I am Hapkido first and foremost. for years my name was a threat to some whom felt threatened. They never met me or trained with me yet they would lie and send letters forging my name To me this shows what they are made of.And some knew this and denied it happened until they relized they were on the wrong side

You can ask some of Fabians students , Dayo etc that have trained with me i have a no "B***S**T" approach to Hapkido I train, I live it and I love it plain and simple even when i was told by the Drs. no more training until after thesurgery .i trained anyways alone so I would not*receive a lecture or have a witness If I passed out.(happened twice) .

Holcombe and I have made a difference I hope, our Masters are best friends and have been for almost 40 something years they are are sister Dojang and Dayo will visit them next week while in korea. This is the Hapkido or the KHF I know.

Presently I am not teaching just enjoying a much needed sabbatical yet this morning as part of the " he's back training regime" I did 1000 kicks and when I am back up to 1000 each leg i will know I am back..

They can keep the titles or*positions I can care less come and grab my wrist and I will be you worse nightmare plain and simple. but if you are looking for help I will dod my best to assist

As far as not excepting promotions from non korean Masters this is not true Holcombe has helped and promoted several Black Belts last year.
I also promoted several two second Dans and three first dans.

What this issue is or was certain individuals had tried to promote a several people to 5th, and 6th dans and the people were not his direct students , They also lived in other country's from where he taught or lived this sent up a warning light to the KHF especially where they could not prove or provide ANY documents what so ever ? So the KHF put into rule You had to be a member of an active kwan in the KHF this way if Questions arose there was answers it is called accountability plain and simple.

[Michael Tomlinson]

Dayo,
Hey what's up big pimpin!!! Sounds like you're having a good time over there...in case some of you don't know Dayo,, he is a great guy who I've had the pleasure of seeing on the mat twice...once at Mike McCarty's training session with Doju Nim Ji and once at Master Fabian's Dojang in Ocala...both times we worked out,, ate, joked, laughed and had a great time... if you want to see Dayo watch the Steven Seagal movie called Exit Wounds...I think that is the name of it...anywho in the scene where Seagal comes out of his anger management class and some thugs are stealing his nice Dodge truck...Dayo is the guy that grabs Seagals keys and the fight ensues....Dayo is a good Hapkido brother and it's nice to hear from him....
Michael Tomlinson :)

[MstNestor]

I had a terrible experience with the individual that has been talked about as well after I transfered from the World Hapkido Federation to the KHF. I trained hard as a soldier and police officer but was not able to continue my HKD under my first GM Kim Yon Son (WHF). I attended the same deal in FL with Frank and was tested and promoted to 3rd Dan at the time. It took some serious doin' to get my rank issued properly from KHF due to the individual that Frank is referring to but I finally got it straightend out.

I have to say that I agree with Hal on many things so far and this just happens to be one of them. I was welcomed in with open arms by my instructor Yang Seung Kyu (KHF) in Texas, after the fiasco of events from the individual Frank referenced. He gives me every chance I earn and mentors me regularly.

I finally been awarded 4th Dan and I live and train HKD everyday as well as TKD. It's how I currently make a living. I have had nothing ill to say for my Korean HKD brothers other than the cultures are different. I know my place in the world and I know if I rock the boat I get wet but never seem to get anywhere.

All I can say is that I know the pain that Frank has gone through. It's a shame that people don't know how to say that they are sorry. The real shame is that Frank was lied to and robbed of his hard earned money. Additionally, it hurts one's reputation and your students. Bad things were done to Frank as well as others. I should have been a much higher rank by now (22 years) but you know what...rank doesn't really matter. The training does. I get better and better no matter what cert. I have on the wall.

The KHF trains. I like that. They let me train. I like that too. I like that I can go to Korea and be welcomed as a brother hapkidoan. I like my fellow KHF brothers as well. But if instructor Yang goes somewhere else...I will follow him. Doesn't matter anymore to me. He's my instructor. We train HKD and TKD together and he helps me become a better instructor to my students...period. I try and maintain my relationship with my instructor, stay humble, and stay a student.

Too many people get caught up in what's in it for them. It's the American way. This forum has proven over and over that people what HKD rank without earning it. They want to cut ties, watch some video, start there own McDojang, create a "new" way or find the newest "Holy Grail" Master or Organization. We as Americans accept the BS laptop created rank from whoever we see that holds the magical 8th Dan. It's all marketing here in the US. Instructors market themselves as better due to certificates on the wall and the public eats up all of it. The American public (in general) is lazy, fat, and self centered. I have never seem so many 8th Dans in my life as I have here in the US. And you know what...most of them are crappy martial artists.

Stay with your instructor and train. Put down the egos and train. Period.
Thanks for the input Frank and Hal. I respect you both.

Just my 2 cents.

HAPKI :bow:

[Mst Duque]

Dayo,

I'm gladd to see you find your self in Korea and training under GM Kim, Nam - Jae.
Your post is excellent !

Hapkido friends,

I think all past events must be lefted in the past.
The Korea Hapkido Federation is doing it best to help and resolve all past issues, but looking forward to the future of Hapkido and avoiding all negativities.
We all are same family.
Master Choi, Suk - Hwan will be coming back to the USA in October, promoting Korea Hapkido Federation normal seminar and teaching Kyo Sa Course of CheongKyumKwan.

Fabian Duque
USA CheongKyumKwan
Korea Hapkido Federation

[Blackhapkidoguy]

Dear Friends,
I happy that many could relate to my experience here in Seoul and are able to look in at things from a more positive perspective. Big thanks to Mike T., Mst Duque and Mst Rosenberg for your reponses as well.

In response to Mst. Rosenberg's questions, the intstructor's course was very interesting as they covered other important aspects of hapkido training. There were about 300 hapkido-in at the course and the evening workshops were equally enlightening. Some of the material emphasized were physiology and balance in techniques, Ki breathing in techniques, poise and posture, anatomy, applications of hapkido kicks etc. Unfortunately, the workshops were in Korean but I was still able to get by and assimilate a lot of the material as best I could. Many of the lectures were given with diagrams, charts and powerpont presentations. The instructors would often bring out someone from the audience to demonstrate what they are trying to pass across (I was used once too), so body language helped a lot.

Some of the material was familiar as I could relate to some of the mudo concepts being discussed with my limited understanding of the language and my knowlege of martial arts terminology. Plus, I was lucky enough to have english speaking Koreans who often volunteered to sit next to me; they helped a lot in the translations. I think as more foriegn hapkido-in attend the instructors course in the near future, there would be more lectures in english as some of the GMs spoke a little bit of english themselves.

Besides MA training, living here has been really fun as well. There are lots to see and do, the nite-life is contagious and the food is addictive. I wear myself out at the dojang by the end of each day before going out into the city for some nice Korean dish and some Soju - very important aspect for MA growth :laugh: . Korea also has a lot of history to it and sadly it is sometimes contrary to what I thought I knew about the country and its people. The city never sleeps as something exciting is always happening somewhere and there is a certain level of energy in the athmosphere that seems unique to this part of the world. Most Koreans work very long hours compared to the west, and staying out late seems to be the norm in most parts of the city. It is quite hot at this time of the year and it makes training a bit overwhelming atimes.

hapki!

Dayo Odesanya.

[sidekick]

Mr. Odesanya, glad to hear that you are enjoying your visit and training in Korea. I was wondering, if you would possibly expand with some information on something you mentioned in your last post - ("Korea also has a lot of history to it and sadly it is sometimes contrary to what I thought I knew about the country and its people"). We have seen some other postings from people over there, that have given rise to questions pertaining to korean martial arts in general. Don't know if what your eluding too is of the same nature, but it would be nice to have your personal viewpoints, since you are there and training. Thanks in advance for your reply.

Respectfully
Mike Dunn

[Mst Whalen]

Earlier this morning* i was talking with John johnson , He was* at my masters Dojang

with Dayo, Grandmaster Kim.Nam Jae . Grandmaster Yu.chun He Master Kim.Jun
*
* Maybe Dayo ,or john can shed some*light on how the KHF is doing in relations to the international scene. Both of these Masters have followers all over the world.

[Mst Duque]

Hello Master Whalen,

You did not addressed this question to me, but I wanted to share my point of view on what the KHF is doing to better the relationship with International Masters.

This is one of the good things:

If a master of the KHF teaches a seminar in the name of the KHF and make the report to the KHF, the KHF will issue official documents ( certificates ) to the participants of that seminar.
The certificate states the name of the master who instructed the course.
This was the case on the seminar I hosted with Master Choi, Suk - Hwan.
The good thing about this is that people will be able to have and prove record of trainining under certain master. Avoiding false claims about who you trained with and what is your level in Hapkido.
In other words, training and Education First and then Certification.
In the same way will ensure the KHF that such person is getting the training require for promotion under KHF rank guide lines.

I plan to bring master Choi, Suk - Hwan once again in October. to teach official course of the KHF and all participants are entitle to receive official KHF documents. unlike to what happen in the past 3 years when people were ripped off by unscrupulous people using the name of the KHF.

Fabian Duque
Korea Hapkido Federation Cheong Kyum Kwan.