Palgwe vs Taeguk

[TEA]

Which do you prefer and why? Personally, I prefer the Palgwe because: 1) its what I learned first; 2) I don't really like the walking stance in Taeguk; and 3) I think the Palgwe have a wider variety of techniques.

[Kim Chi]

Which do you prefer and why? Personally, I prefer the Palgwe because: 1) its what I learned first; 2) I don't really like the walking stance in Taeguk; and 3) I think the Palgwe have a wider variety of techniques.

Yes, yes, and yes!

[R. Johnson]

Well, I don't study WTF TKD, but I'm of the understanding that the Palgwe patterns are more difficult. I'd probably go with them.

[Eliz Seuferling]

"Other" as there was no "All of the Above" catagory.

Overall I like the Palgwe's, but Taeguk Yuk Jang is actually one of my favorite forms. I also like Taeguk Chil Jang and Taeguk Pal Jang.

Along the same lines, I really dislike Palgwe Sam Jang.

I work many of the ITF forms also, and I really like many of them as well.

I really don't subscribe to one series of forms being better than another. I have likes and dislikes in all catagories.

[moogong]

I voted "other". Like Eliz, both have pros and cons. While they are full of good information, these two sets of forms are really basic of the basic building blocks for taekwondo. Looking back, both are great for building a solid foundation.

[4rm1ock]

To solve this question, put the best practitioner from Palgwe against Taeguk's best in a no rules fight and see who wins. Unless these are SD only MA then in that case, they could never fight for "real".

[Bugeisha]

Except that the people who do one set usually do the other with these; the taeguks are the post-blackbelt WTF patterns while the palgwe's are the pre-blackbelt ones, if I remember correctly. So people proficient at one are probably proficient at the other.

In addition, the best pattern performers are not always the best fighters. And when it comes down to it, it's always the person rather than the art that does the fighting.

So fighting them off is unlikely to answer the question of who prefers which one.

[moogong]

Colton, consider this your last warning on budoseek. If you want to bash styles, run your mouth on things you have no clue about, and be an ignorant 17 year old dweeb, you will be banned.
The next even slightly inflammatory thing you post, you are gone from the board.

[4rm1ock]

Alright, agreed

[Eliz Seuferling]

Except that the people who do one set usually do the other with these; the taeguks are the post-blackbelt WTF patterns while the palgwe's are the pre-blackbelt ones, if I remember correctly. So people proficient at one are probably proficient at the other.

In addition, the best pattern performers are not always the best fighters. And when it comes down to it, it's always the person rather than the art that does the fighting.

So fighting them off is unlikely to answer the question of who prefers which one.

It really varies, Dillon. We actually do the Taeguk's pre BB and the Palgwe's post - but hey, there is no real set rule! Others learn them simultaneous, others pick out certain ones but don't teach them all. It is crazy.

You are exactly right about "the person," not "the art." Colton needs to be inspired by your thinking.

[TEA]

Overall I like the Palgwe's, but Taeguk Yuk Jang is actually one of my favorite forms. I also like Taeguk Chil Jang and Taeguk Pal Jang.

Good points. I don't mind Palgwe Sa Jang all that much.

On a side note, does anyone remember when the Palgwe's changed in the early '80s? I remember that the order was slightly different, that what is now Sa Jang was first introduced, that Oh Jang became Pal Jang and that one of the forms dropped off with the introduction of the new Sa Jang. Boy, I really wish I'd kept my original set of Palgwe drawings from before the change so that I could scan them and post them on the web to show what I'm talking about.

[Eliz Seuferling]

Good points. I don't mind Palgwe Sa Jang all that much.

On a side note, does anyone remember when the Palgwe's changed in the early '80s? I remember that the order was slightly different, that what is now Sa Jang was first introduced, that Oh Jang became Pal Jang and that one of the forms dropped off with the introduction of the new Sa Jang. Boy, I really wish I'd kept my original set of Palgwe drawings from before the change so that I could scan them and post them on the web to show what I'm talking about.

I do remember two sets of Palgwe's and having to re-learn them. In fact, there are still two sets of Palgwe forms. I didn't know there was a marked change to the series. I guess I always assumed some organization had altered the originals and both versions were still floating around. Every now and than, we will get a transfer student in that still practices the "other" series.

Edit: I like Palgwe Sa, it is Palgwe Sam that is on my list of "Unfavorites." It is just a boring form to me.

[jakmak52]

Other. I'm not familiar with the 1st two forms, but I was taught the Chang Hon version of kata.

[Eliz Seuferling]

Other. I'm not familiar with the 1st two forms, but I was taught the Chang Hon version of kata.

Hi Jak!
They are a series of 8 forms each. I know, how much can you do with 16 forms? Many techniques are repeated from form to form, but you would be amazed how diverse some of the forms are.

[k j gotro]

My instructor, presently head of UCLA Berkley H&PE Dept., used to teach us the meaning of each move when learning both sets of pomsee. The WTF is sole authority as to which pomsee is practiced for that particular year. The local instructor may or may not follow the advice.
I believe there should be no favorites. Adjusting to change is good.

[TEA]

My instructor, presently head of UCLA Berkley H&PE Dept.,

UCLA or UC Berkley? Dr. Ken Min? If so, give him my regards. He probably won't remember me, though, as I only trained at Berkely for a summer back in '88. Tell him one of Sean Owen's students sends his regards.

[asdf]

Which do you prefer and why? Personally, I prefer the Palgwe because: 1) its what I learned first; 2) I don't really like the walking stance in Taeguk; and 3) I think the Palgwe have a wider variety of techniques.

I 100% agree. I loved the pal gae forms because to me they seemed more powerful. When I got back from Korea, my master made me learn the tae guk forms. When I asked him why, he said, "Don't know, don't care, just do what Kukkiwon says, make happy-happy." That cracked me up. I could never get over the walking stances, however.

This may seem off topic, but since we are on the topic of forms, I thought I might share this amusing story with you:

about ten years ago I was at a promotion test. As the student instructor, I had the white belts line up to do tae guk 1 (il-jang). Apparently, two students had lined up too close to each other (side-by-side). When instructed to begin, both students began their form; but one student turned the wrong way to his right, towards the other student, who had turned correctly to his left. Both were convinced that they were right and that the other was wrong. But instead of moving aside or stopping, both students walked right into each other's middle punches, each almost knocking the other student down. I had to summon all of my willpower to stop from laughing out loud, but when I looked over at the masters' desk, I saw all three masters immediately put their hands over their mouths, shoulders shaking from laughter.

[TKDJoe]

I prefer the taeguk forms, as thy are the only ones I know!

[rouse]

Which do you prefer and why? Personally, I prefer the Palgwe because: 1) its what I learned first; 2) I don't really like the walking stance in Taeguk; and 3) I think the Palgwe have a wider variety of techniques.

It really doesn't mater wich set of Guk grade forms you are learning. The defferense is what is the school your going to teaching.
Keep in mind that from time to time the WTF has change the required forms to update the system.
The same thing happened in 72 when the Kawns formed the KTA and the Moo Duk Kwan forms change from Basic 1-2-3-and pyong hyong 1-5 to Palgwe 1-8
If your school wants to be up to date with WTF then you should be pacticing the newer Taguk poomse.

[Aefibird]

about ten years ago I was at a promotion test. As the student instructor, I had the white belts line up to do tae guk 1 (il-jang). Apparently, two students had lined up too close to each other (side-by-side). When instructed to begin, both students began their form; but one student turned the wrong way to his right, towards the other student, who had turned correctly to his left. Both were convinced that they were right and that the other was wrong. But instead of moving aside or stopping, both students walked right into each other's middle punches, each almost knocking the other student down. I had to summon all of my willpower to stop from laughing out loud, but when I looked over at the masters' desk, I saw all three masters immediately put their hands over their mouths, shoulders shaking from laughter.

lol, that's SO funny! I wish I coulda been there to see that!

Well, I'm gonna vote for the Taegueks being my favourite - but that's because I don't know the Palgwe forms yet. In my TKD school we learn them at 1st kup or 1st dan and I'm only 4th kup TKD (soon to be 3rd kup, hopefully!) so far.