Frequently Asked Questions (& misconceptions!) about Gongkwon Yusul

Master Kang has a strong background in traditional Jiu-jitsu and Judo but has never trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Given that BJJ has is origins also in competitive judo, it is not surprising to see some similarities in groundwork material in both Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Gongkwon Yusul.

Many of the Internet video clips posted by Master Kang heavily feature the ground fighting aspects of Gongkwon Yusul. It may be that the popularity of BJJ, from the point of view of marketing, has had an influence on Gongkwon Yusul publicity. I suspect clips were chosen to clearly differentiate Gongkwon Yusul from arts like Hapkido, particularly to a Korean audience.

Be aware that grappling and ground fighting is just one aspect of the Gongkwon Yusul system, comprising around 25% of the entire system.

While there are some superficial similarities in Gongkwon Yusul training and Mixed Martial Arts, Master Kang is very clear that Gongkwon Yusul should not be classed as a Mixed Martial Art.

While Gongkwon Yusul does have an active competition element, it is not inherently a sport-focused art. Gongkwon Yusul is broader in its philosophy and application. It does not just measure technique against success in a competition environment, which is the focus of most mixed martial art systems. For example, Gongkwon Yusul teaches many techniques that while of use in real application would have little application in a sporting event.

Gongkwon Yusul has a philosophy and structure more akin to traditional martial arts. There are set ranks, gradings (not related to competition performance) and great emphasis on self-discipline/self-improvement.

This is very much a matter of individual opinion. Due to large commonality in principles and techniques many think GKYS can be considered a type of Hapkido (although a fairly extreme variation!). Others do not.

It is clear that Master Kang's greatest influence in developing Gongkwon Yusul has come from Hapkido, in which Master Kang holds senior ranking in several styles. The incorporation of much non-Hapkido material and encouragement from peers is what prompted Master Kang to identify his system by a new, distinct name. There is no intention to 'cash in' on the Hapkido name. Gongkwon Yusul is an art that is honest enough and proud enough to stand on its own merits.

Gongkwon Yusul does tend to emphasise harder contact sparring, often at closer range than some Korean arts. Master Kang has never has trained in Kyokushin or any other Karate style. Master Kang is very open and honest about his influences. For example, he clearly acknowledges that use of thigh kicks and other contact fighting aspects originate from Kyuktooki (the Korean version of Thai boxing) and his view of Thai boxing's excellent 'power kicks'.

It also worth noting that contact-free sparring has been practiced in Korean marital arts for a long time. In fact the first Karate style to emphasise free sparring and contact training was founded by a Korean.

Many people are sick of reading about claims of "ancient lineages", "rediscovery" or secret training with "monks living in a cave"!

Whilst the roots of Gongkwon Yusul -- through Master Kang's own training -- are embedded in several older styles, Gongkwon Yusul is clearly modern. Master Kang is very open about when he developed his art and that it has many influences. While it is very "Korean" in its philosophy and approach, it also has been influenced by Martial arts traditions from places like Japan, Thailand and Western countries.

This misconception may have come about due to the original name of Master Kang's first gym, being translated into English as something like 'Real-Fighting Hapkido Gym' or 'Combat-Style Hapkido Gym'. "Combat Hapkido" is a specific, trademarked, name of a US based Martial art. Gongkwon Yusul has no affiliation or relation to this martial art.

Korea is a melting pot of new marital arts. Despite the appearance of overlapping techniques, modern Korean arts are quite independent of each other, each offering a unique philosophy and marital arts training experience. For example:

• Teukong Moosool (also spelt Tukkong) was developed by senior Korean martial artists with a strong military background, and as such it has particular emphasis on and utility for military applications. I believe there are several associations for this art in South Korea.
• Youngmudo is a recently developed composite system from the Young-in university, known for its leading Taekwondo and Judo programs. This marital art has a very strong competition element with tournaments allowing combined skills such as Taekwondo-style striking with some throws and groundwork.

Gongkwon Yusul has no affiliation or relation to these other Korean martial arts.

Adding BJJ is a path being considered by instructors of Hapkido, Taekwondo, Karate and other arts all around the world, presumably with the intention to create what they feel is a more ‘well rounded' curriculum.

Personal choice and innovation is an intrinsic part of martial arts. If someone feels adding BJJ to their system is the right path for them - then they should go for it! However this will not create even a rough approximation of Gongkwon Yusul. The emphasis and character of BJJ is significantly different from the way in which grappling has been incorporated in Gongkwon Yusul. This assumption also fails to recognise the other influences in Gongkwon Yusul and the long, careful work that has achieved an integration of such diverse techniques.

Some martial art organizations have chosen to learn some Gongkwon Yusul training material to enhance their own skills in certain areas. In fact much of the demand for seminars by Master Kang and his Instructors has been from other arts looking at some Gongkwon Yusul material as a means to integrate groundwork or other skills into their system.

Master Kang has a number of excellent instructional books and videos on his art that would assist anyone interested in gaining insight into Gongkwon Yusul. Unfortunately they are currently only in Korean, however there are plans to release them in English, possibly in late 2010.