The Flop of America Martial Arts
“Kihap!” Amidst the sea of white doboks, thirty vibrant stripes of color danced like snakes around the waist of each student. Sweat drips from each of their brows, but the strict discipline engrained in their blood forces them to focus on the technique at hand. “Bah ro, Cha ryuht, Kyung nae!” All thirty students return to ready position, snap to attention, and then bow to their instructor standing at the front of the room. Taekwondo is a sport like no other: exhilarating to compete against others, yet calming to practice; aggressive in nature, and compassionate in mindset; physically-demanding, but taught as a philosophy.
Taekwondo originated in Korea as an unarmed fighting style for the armies of the old dynasties, but soon transitioned into a widely popular art. Often, combining the intense physicality of a fighter, the strategic mentality of a chess player, and the rigorous discipline of a monk, Taekwondo encompasses all three realms of human existence: the physical, mental, and spiritual planes. Although Taekwondo spread like wildfire throughout Korea and various parts of Asia after its initial inception, the art has struggled to find traction within the United States.
Why, in a country in which there is huge emphasis on physicality and fast-paced action, does a martial art like Taekwondo not have the same popularity as in Korea? Perhaps the most obvious answer is in the history of the art. Taekwondo is deeply rooted in Korea’s history, tracing all the way back to early tribes practicing the very foundations of Taekwondo in 2000 B.C. Without the extensive history of the formation of Taekwondo, the United States has relied on the immigration of individuals from Korea in order to proliferate the art within its borders.
Furthermore, Taekwondo is not just a physical sport. While the physicality is definitely present, the art stresses discipline, perseverance, compassion, and understanding the philosophy of Taekwondo. One might argue that Taekwondo is a more refined sport, due to the emphasis placed on technique, self-control, and introspection. Americans crave physically taxing sports, intensity and quick actions, evident in the popularity of American football, NASCAR, and ice hockey. Taekwondo, on the other hand, focuses on years of preparation of the body and mind for a few minutes of physical exhibition. Whether in a tournament, a demonstration, or an actual fight, the essence of Taekwondo lies in the laser-focused mentality of the fighter just as much as the fitness.
The fast-paced rush of everyday life has consumed many Americans, and their interests often reflect this subconscious quality. While Taekwondo struggles to appeal to intensity-craving Americans, many in the Korean culture appreciate the intense focus on muscle control and mental discipline. Named the national sport in 1971, Taekwondo has become integrated into the Korean culture to the point where demonstration teams perform complex routines to well-known K-pop songs. Taekwondo has become as much an identifying cultural symbol for Koreans as college athletics as been associated with America, yet the widespread acceptance across borders has proven difficult for the art.
