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.