Keen to participate and test out my old skool Taewkondo skills in Korea, I found a Club in an area called ‘Gumbo’. The best thing about the Mother Land is that mostly everything is written in Korean. That’s fantastic because I need to learn the language to find my way around; why should it all be so easy for me as an English-speaking British Asian! We eventually located this Club in a shopping Mall high-up on a hill in an authentic residential area. Racks of shoes outside, parents waiting and kids training behind a glass window put a big smile on my face; made me feel internal happiness watching this next generation of Champions.
I waited outside patiently until the class had finished. I was extremely impressed with the discipline being demonstrated; the highest grade was a young girl wearing beautiful red robes over her Dobok! She was the special senior student of them all, girl power! Finally, with ultimate respect, I introduced myself to the Grandmaster of Golden Lake Taekwondo. I expressed how it was such an honour to meet him and his Master assisting. We had a friendly conversation; he shared details of where I could go and join in, although not sure I was ready to train with the Grandmaster of the Korean Demo Team, but what a recommendation. Gamsa Hamnida!
This was all very surreal and humbling but what really blew me away was when Grandmaster said” please wait for a minute.” He went off into his office, so I waited patiently. Grandmaster appeared; he handed me a gift box containing three pairs of luxury Kukkiwon socks. “This is a gift for you to take back to London, thank you so much for travelling all the way to South Korea, to visit Kukkiwon, and for visiting my Club.” You know when you get completely chocked up; really emotional; your eyes fill up with tears that are just about to roll down, and you feel so deeply touched in a totally unexpected moment. It’s the best feeling one human can make another human feel. I was speechless for a while, what should I say…
The moral of the story is that I was reminded of how in Taekwondo, gifts such as genuine kindness, respect; a promotion to the next level; a tap on the shoulder to teach; a pair of socks, a belt, a club badge, a Dobok, or any item is a tradition that has almost phased out in other parts of the world, but true to my experience, not in this part of the Mother Land. Small items are usually presented to selfless students who dedicate their time; skills; contribute; uphold the tenets; are consistent; are fully committed etc. to support their club and their Masters/Grandmasters. I was speechless; trying my hardest to manage this beautiful moment. Eventually, I responded with a fully heartfelt THANK YOU!
Those socks have a very SPECIAL place in my Taekwondo cupboard. Only 1 pair at a time for years; hope to take them into my next life; they feel like soft cushions under my feet! Gosh, I felt so lucky to have met such a humble, genuine, kind-hearted Grandmaster who made time for this little girl in South Korea, from London, UK.