Book Review: The Explanation of Taekwondo Poomsae
My brother-in-law just kindly sent over a book from the States called The Explanation of Taekwondo Poomsae by Grandmaster KANG, Ip-kil and Master SONG, Nam-jung. The book is 195 pages filled with colour photographs of the two authors performing every movement of the official WTF/Kukkiwon poomsae.
The two authors are at the top of their game, both won gold medals at the 1st World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships and GM Kang was a Trainer for the Korean National Poomsae team for that championship. From the videos of the two new poomsae on mookas.com it appears the two authors were involved in the development of the two new Kukkiwon/WTF poomsae Beekak and Hanryu. GM Kang definitely demonstrates Hanryu in that video and I think the lady is Master Song.
Anyway, I digress. The book itself is excellent. Every page is just colour photographs and diagrams with annotations on how to perform the movement correctly (or at least the final position in most cases - as my original instructor Master PAN, Sim-woon always said too many taekwondoin perform like they learnt it from a book, they have the right final position but didn't get there correctly).
The information quality is excellent and the pictures are clear. Along with the authors notes on the correct ways of performing the movements there are also occasional breakouts on things that will earn you a deduction in WTF Poomsae competitions.
Personally I would have like to have read a bit more information about general Taekwondo or their experiences in teaching and performing Poomsae, but for what the book is it's invaluable. Also some of the comments are Korean only and my Korean is fledgling at best (I'm planning on making a dedicated effort to learn Korean properly from February but until then...). Finally, some of the translations have minor errors (not enough that you can't get the meaning but occasional typos or saying one word where they obviously mean another - e.g. I think they say "the fist faces..." where it's obviously from the picture and every other source they mean "the wrist faces..."). But these minor negatives aren't enough to earn this book any less than 9/10.
The book is available (in USA) from Golden Tiger and costs $49.95 - I'd thoroughly recommend it to anyone interested in competing in WTF Poomsae or who is just anal about their practice and likes every movement to be absolutely perfect and 'to spec'.
I don't get it from books!
I can soak up knowledge from everywhere (it sometimes takes me a few tries, but I'm generally adaptable to any media type). Some people aren't, and as a special bonus review in the same parcel from America I also received a copy of the new Kukkiwon Poomsae New 6-DVD Set.
I only had a quick watch of the last DVD last night (as I've recently learn the higher patterns) but I have to say it is fantastic. The poomsae are demonstrated by the absolute pinnacle of Taekwondo Poomsae (including GM Kang, Ik-pil by the way). Each poomsae has an introduction which is basically a complete demonstration of the pattern with a rotating camera set in beautiful surroundings and with a narrative about the pattern at the same time. Then the sections are a normal demonstration of the pattern (from the front, set against a black background for clarity), a demonstration of the details of the pattern (the whole pattern but repeating certain parts with a detailed narrative) and an application section that shows how one or two special movements in the pattern are supposed to work.
I already own the Kukki-Taekwondo 2-DVD Set from the late 90's and the Dartfish WTF Poomsae 6-DVD set and I have to say this set puts them to shame! I haven't been through the whole series yet, but the level of production is brilliant. On a side note GM LEE, Kyu-hyung is my new hero! I've seen demonstrations of him doing destruction before (and I'm sure poomsae too), but his demonstration on this 6th disk of (IIRC) Hansu was absolutely beautiful to watch. Anyway, 10/10 for the 6th disk of the set and I'd imagine the other 5 will follow suit.
Anyway, I'd highly recommend both products to anyone wishing to learn the details of Kukkiwon Poomsae.
6 Comments so far
Nathan wrote on 12 February 2009 at 01:30
Mr. Jeffries:
Thank you for the review on the book. I am currently in the process of selecting an instructional DVD set to further my study into the Taeguek and Kukkiwon poomse. My practice to thispoint has been with the Palgwe forms. I know the Kukkiwon DVD set is the current last-word authority on the Taeguek and Kukkiwon forms; superceding the Dartfish WTF Standard DVD set from a few years ago. Both of these sets are about $120 in the US. There is another DVD set produced by Master Kim at Turtlepress for about $40. Do you know anything about this set and if it would be an acceptable alternative to others? I realize it will undoubtedly be dated when it comes to competition technicality, but I am more interested in establishing a solid base with the standardized forms rather than win a world championship.
Thank you for your time and assistance.
Respectfully,
Nathan W.
Holland, MI USA
Andy Jeffries wrote on 12 February 2009 at 08:42
Hi Nathan,
I haven't seen the Turtlepress DVDs on poomsae. I have seen a number of other Turtlepress DVDs and they are very good.
To be honest, I would say if you're just learning them then I would go for the most accurate set available (otherwise you'll just learn bad habits that others/you have to break further down the line). For me it's not just about winning competitions (and I have never done a pattern competition) but in learning the forms accurately so I don't have to change in the future.
As it happens I had a lot of changes to make since I first learnt the forms to comply with the Kukkiwon's way of doing them, but I'm happy to be "up-to-date" now.
For example, the WTF DVDs are very well produced and look excellent - but there are a number of differences from the Kukkiwon set and as far as I know the WTF later confirmed that the Kukkiwon ones should be regarded as accurate (therefore deprecating their own set).
To be honest, at $120 I think the set is great value. It's a 6 DVD series that covers all the coloured belt and black belt poomsae as well as all the main basics. Even some of the basics are different from the way I used to do them (low block with a straight elbow, high block with the underside of the fist facing straight out).
It's your call though - it's better to be doing the new poomsae than not at all.
If I can be of any more help, post back a comment on here (I get automatically notified).
Best of luck.
Cheers,
Andy
Robert wrote on 27 February 2010 at 18:47
Do either of these products show the new poomsae, or can you recommend some that do? Thank you very much.
Andy Jeffries wrote on 01 March 2010 at 08:32
Are you referring to Hanryu and Bikak or do you mean recent changes to the poomsae?
If you mean the two forms above, I don't know of any books with details in them, and I'd heard rumours they were an experiment, unofficial and had been dropped. That may not be correct, but it's what I heard.
If you mean recent changes, all the WTF competition changes from Kukkiwon standard are in there as far as I am aware. The recent Kukkiwon poomsae book is VERY similar to this book but covers the preferred Kukkiwon method.
Robret wrote on 03 March 2010 at 05:20
I was referring to Hanryu and Bikak. I would like to thank you for your swift reply, as I am about to (re)embark on my journey throught Taekwondo. I do plan on getting both the book and dvd based off your recommendation. Thanks.
Ben wrote on 03 September 2011 at 15:39
Just to let you know that i am a 4th DAN black belt.
I have recently train with the TPC (Taekwondo Peace Coporation)
But i am very confused with the constant change in the poomsae when comparing WTF and Kukkiwon.
i have also done lot of viewing on Youtube where there is GM Kang and other kukkiwon GM performing all the poomsae.
But when i watch the WTF championship on Youtube the poomsae differ a little. (Many in terms of speed)
My question: is the book by GM Kang a good reference (i am planning to buy it) and i think it was published in 2007. Is there a latest reference that cover the WTF and Kukkiwon poomsae.
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