Kuk Sool Won and Hwarang DO as HKD Kwans?

[Legless_Marine]

Why aren't KSW and HWD considered HKD Kwans, instead of separate arts?

It seems artificial to categorize them separately.

[mixmastersenior]

Because Joo Bang Lee and In Hyuk Suh do not want to be considerred HKD Kwans. Although they both studied with Founder Choi, both also claim to have other Martial Arts Instructors and Mentors in their youth. They combined these different teachings and styles to create what each man considers a style unique and separate from Hapkido.

[Wolf]

Because there are a lot of differences in the styles as well. As the arts of grown things have changed in them. KSW has forms to name one of the differences. Tae Kwon Do is a derivitive of Shotokan as I understand it, but it is considered it's own style as things have been added to make it unique.

[klaasb]

and by putting a trademark on it, they could get more money out of it as well

[Jungdo]

I can see where this is going and sadly it is going to be another bash fest huh.
You might one to do a search if you do not believe me.
I have done all 3 of the arts that we are spaking about. And they are all different ways of doing things. I do not know the rank of Mr. Suh. However yes Mr. Lee was an 8th degree under Master choi.
However he felt like alot of other people that he wanted to go back to an art the he believed in. But that is his choice, and I can not truly speak for him.
And from what I did learn in hwa rang do. There is way more ground fighting in that art, than hapkido could ever have.
But then I want to ask you this then, why lump them all together into kwans.
When each man has fought to make there own way. They thought out side of the box. And I for one respect them for that. And there is so much more to there arts than just hapkido. But that is for you to find out on your own.
By using your head. And look deeper than what is said in the forum or any other forum, mag. or what ever. They both have something to offer the person that wants to train in that art.

[Jungdo]

and by putting a trademark on it, they could get more money out of it as well
It could be about that or:
It could be about protecting some thing that they love. But I am sure that thought has not crossed your mind huh!

[mixmastersenior]

I think most people accept that KSW and HWD are unique Martial arts unto themselves. To the untrained eye, many of their techniques will look much like Hapkido. But so do many techniques seen in other soft or circular arts.
Both of these arts have stood the test of time and grown enough to stand alone as a sovereign and distinct Martial Art.

[klaasb]

It could be about that or:
It could be about protecting some thing that they love. But I am sure that thought has not crossed your mind huh!
It would have crossed my mind if they wouldn't charge so damn much for just about everything.

[Utotin]

Oh boy, Hwarangdo again . . . :bang:

[Matt_Bernius]

As a suggestion here, let's all admit to the fact that the history of Hwarangdo is extremely contested.

However, as someone who has worked out with both Hwarangdo and Hapkido folks, it's also fair to note that what ever the original relationship between the two arts, both evolved in different directions and have thier own unique theories of practice. As such, as someone else has already posted, it would be no more correct to say that practitioners of each art are "doing the same thing" than to say that of TKD people and Shotokan people.

Regardless of their pasts, and the legitimacy of thier histories, the current practices are different. To claim otherwise would be intellectually dishonest.

- Matt

[Jungdo]

I am with mat on this one.

Also Utotin it is not just about hwa rang do, it is about kuk sool won as well