Tonight, we (and I mean all of us - parents and children) have Tae Kwon Do class. Bill is a second-degree black belt; the girls and I have red belts with a black stripe. We need to earn two more black stripes before we qualify to test for our black belts. I'm not a natural (yoga is my niche), but it's a great workout, a family activity, and we all adore our Saba Nim (venerated master instructor) Robert Zang.
Master Zang started with Tae Kwon Do at the age of 4, under the tutelage of a Grandmaster of Tae Kwon Do. He stayed with Quanja Nim (aka Grandmaster) for thirty years, ending up in charge of one of Quanja Nim's do jangs (I'm phonetically spelling all the TKD stuff). Master Zang was like a son to Quanja Nim. Ever the Korean patriarch, Quanja Nim would both shower him with praise and verbally eviscerate him.
At belt testings, Quanja Nim, Saba Nim, and other masters of Tae Kwon Do sit at a long table in the front of the room and evaluate the students as they perform their patterns, spar with fellow students, and break a number of boards. After everyone has been tested, protocol demands that Saba Nim give a little speech about how lucky we are to have our Grandmaster, what a great champion he was, and what a wonderful Quanja Nim he remains. Then Quanja Nim would riff on whatever topic seemed to cross his mind until he ran out of things to say.
I'll never forget the testing where Quanja Nim lost my respect (and respect is a foundation of Tae Kwon Do). We were all seated on the floor at his feet. As he was expounding, he noticed a boy about 8 years-old sitting on his mother's lap. He said to him, "You are not a baby. Do not sit on your mother's lap." This kid just nuzzled into his mother even more. Even my kids were able to spot that the boy was probably autistic. But Quanja Nim didn't. He harangued the boy, who never responded, reducing the kid's mom to tears. Because they were seated at the front of the room, with about about 50 people crammed in behind them, she couldn't even take her son and flee. The tears streaming down this woman's face did not deter Grandmaster at all. Later, I saw Saba Nim whisper to him, apparently explaining the situation, because Grandmaster then made a show of personally awarding the boy his next belt.
A few years later, in a fit of fury, Quanja Nim fired Master Zang. He soon regretted his outburst, said he didn't mean it, and expected things to continue as always. But Master Zang had had enough. Quanja Nim offered him the do jang outright, an established business with a large clientele. Master Zang would keep all profits, with testing fees still going to Quanja Nim (who has probably 5 other locations). And Master Zang said no. Master Zang decided that, even though he's the sole support of a wife and two young children, he'd had enough. He now has his own do jang, a business based on the idea of mutual respect not obeisance to the lord.
Of everything that he's taught my children, I think the most important is that security is not worth your soul. They saw that Master Zang could say, "You can't treat me this way. I'm worth more than that," and walk away. (Also, learning how to break multiple boards with your hands and feet is quite the rush.)
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This story is very touching. What a horrifying incident to have witnessed. You and your children are blessed to have this lesson.
ReplyDeleteThank You So Much For Posting This! It has truely described the depth of Integrity that Master Zang has! You hit the nail on the head.
ReplyDelete"security is not worth your soul"
Thanks for that! He's such a wonderful man.
ReplyDeleteTae Kwon!
Don't forget their are always two sides to every story. Thirty years with the Grandmaster have given Master Zang the tools to be so successful. I have had the pleasure of knowing both and would not hestitate to have my children learn from either. I am sure Zang is going to be very successful and wish him all the best but I also hope that Young Bothers continue to florish.
ReplyDeleteI do understand your viewpoint. I guess my main thought was always that I (and I keep trying to make that "I" italicized and in bold, but I don't know how) could take it, but I didn't want my children to be humiliated by GM on his whim.
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ReplyDeleteGreat blog! Enjoyed reading all your posts.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that!
ReplyDeleteI was a student at YB TKD main school with my sons until 2nd degree (sons through black belt). I have heard that story from people on both sides, and either way it has a sad ending. I will say that the speeches during testing always seemed disengenuous, and the fawning drove me nuts!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you about the speeches! After testing, we'd go to lunch and list all the ways Quanja Nim and the tenet of modesty were at odds. But for our family it had a happy ending. We love Master Zang's school, a place where the tenets of courtesy and integrity are practiced every day.
ReplyDeleteI happen to know Master Zang and Grand Master Kong. Master Zang is one of the finest people I know. Having said that, I don't know why he fawned over GMK all those years if he did not believe it. He should have left a long time ago if he did not believe in what he was saying. We used to shake our heads after testing when we talked about MZ's speeches. He used to call GMK his "tae kwon do father." Incredible!
ReplyDeleteNow, people on this blog are making GMK out to be the bad guy. He is something, I'll say that much. But I have worked for five different bosses. It's a free country. MZ should have walked out before this. But truth is, I think MZ had a good thing going in Cranberry. He may be happier on his own, but he won't reach the numbers he had at Cranberry. And the current Cranberry school won't either. It was a lose-lose situation. I can't believe GMK and MZ could not get together and figure out how to divide all the money that what was being raked in at the Cranberry school.
I also understand that MZ might be working a second job. Is that true?
I don't really care for my current bosses. But they pay me nicely and the economy being the way it is I suck it up and stay and force a smile every day. MZ took a really big chance. I hope he makes it, because he is a great guy, but I have my doubts.
I guess I'm always proud for anyone who takes a big chance (which I myself have never done). Your points are well-taken; I just think that Master Zang is a better model for my kids.
ReplyDeleteGMK made MZ what he is today. GMK taught him everything, gave him everything, and pushed him hard to reach his potential. MZ decided he was tired of being pushed. MZ will now always be less than what he could have been. But its just TKD and no one really achieves their highest potential.
ReplyDeletePS. The speeches are for new students/color belts - they are important, but they are cookie cutter, so yes eventually u get tired of them - but you arent't the only person there!
I guess I think being a man of kindest and integrity is more important than being able to put your foot through a basketball hoop (which I hear GMK could do during his heyday). Interesting thought that "no one really achieves their highest potential." I guess that's true for all of life, not just tae kwon do.
ReplyDeleteI've trained under several master instructors at Young Brothers and all of them have been positive role models and encouraging teachers. I don't think it is a coincidence. They all have the same grand master who has trained them in they style of instruction he wants them to use.
ReplyDeleteWith MZ, and other previous instructors, the demands of GMK's schedule becomes unbearable if you have a family. Our American culture doesn't accept the all-work and no-play dedication he requires. In that regard, I think MZ will be better off because he can have a professional and personal life when he can manage his own schedule.
Enough students followed him that he should be financial secure once all the contracts come up for renewals.
Throughout history and literature, the student always breaks away from the teacher. Apparently, this was MZ's time no matter how painful it was to everyone involved.
I never saw that simple truth - that it was his time to break away. Maybe in this instance, it had to be painful for it to be done.
ReplyDelete(I am the anonymous from Jan. 25!)
ReplyDeleteIt has been almost a year since Master Zang left Young Brothers, hasn't it? I have to say that those of us who stayed with Young Brothers are quite happy with Master Gavula. He is a wonderful instructor. A really good guy. And attendance is growing.
One big difference I have noticed under Master Zang that is different under Master Gavula. I am also a sa bum nim. When I would walk into MZ's school -- and this was also true when I was 3rd or even 2nd dan, most people would not even look up, let alone stop what they were doing and bow like they are supposed to do.
The school is run better. And I understand that a lot of the chief offenders that I am talking about followed MZ. I also understand that YB was not sad to see some people go.
Good for MZ that he got his own school, but I know another YB master who opened his own school and found what a struggle it is to be on your own like that and not part of bigger local organization.
I remember the moment i was told about the situation that occured between Kwang Ja Nim and him. I will also never forget the testing in which GMK explained the situation to everyone. I remember seeing students, adults, all crying. I'll have to admit that i was almost brought to tears also. I felt my Master had betrayed me almost and so had GMK. My mom had tried to contact MZ the week before with no response. And then finding out my intsructor was leaving... I must say it took a tole on me and my family. We decided to stay, for many reasons, even though it was painful to lose our instructor and a friend. Not only that, but most of our friends from cranberry left also. I really do miss everyone and MZ. It was incredibly difficult to have a new instructor, but Master Gavula made me feel welcomed and even though it was hard, I instantly respected him and enjoy his classes.
ReplyDeleteI will always miss Cranberry with Master Zang and all my friends there. But I am glad that MZ's school and Cranberry are doing well.
I'm glad that both of you are happy with your decision. To become a sa bum nim (I never knew how to spell it before!) shows a level of commitment to the discipline that few can match, so obviously the whole situation was more wrenching for you. Plus, I think it's great that you both think so highly of Master Gavula. He was put in a difficult position (blithely and arbitrarily, it seems to me).
ReplyDeleteThe thing that made me the maddest in the whole Master Zang affair was that because he wanted a change of employer -- and he had every right, I have changed jobs 4 times -- but that put everybody in the position where they had to suddenly choose sides. We had to decide whether we were going to give up our Young Brothers friends (at all the various schools) to keep our Zang friends. Or vice versa? Then there was that stepping into the unknown with MZ. Didn't want to get into that either.
ReplyDeletei attended young brothers for a year after leaving ata due to problems with my previous school owner. I was allowed to maintain my 3rd degree black belt when i transferred to young brothers but at the first testing GMK made it public to point out that ata in his mind is "make believe taekwon do." From the second I met GMK I already had a grudge and no respect for him because of that. He discredited the 12 years of training I had put in because it wasnt from his school. About a month later I attended a Young Brothers tournament. I was 15 years old and GMK came up to me and told me I was going to be put in the 19 and older ring. Not only was I at a total disadvantage by the age difference, but in my first match I was kicked in the groin three times without so much as a warning being called on my opponent. After I won that match I was immediately called back in for another match. I ended up sparring 4 consecutive matches with no rest which to me made absolutely no sense at all. I ended up winning a couple first place medals at the tournament but my negative feelings for GMK and all of Young Brothers grew. I left the school the next day. I couldnt believe the complete disrespect I received from everyone. They treated me that way simply because I came from another school. I am not surprised GMK finally offended someone to this level. He has stepped on a lot of people and gives no respect to others because he thinks hes superior to everyone in the human race. I am glad Master Zang left because the whole time I was at Young Brothers he was the only one who took the time to get to know me and talk about my background. I am very happy he is doing well he deserves a lot of praise and admiration for everything and GMK should feel ashamed of himself for losing such a great person and treating people like dirt. I know someday all of GMKs actions will catch up with him. I am just one of many people he disrespected and I hope one day he learns to step down off his high horse and realize he is just another human being, just because he is a grandmaster in tkd doesnt mean he can treat people that way.
ReplyDeleteFirst off MZ trained under Master Cummings prior to GMK. Yes GMK helped him to fine tune his skills and did push him to be his best. I trained with YB for a number of years and have moved to Zang TKD. The reasons being that MZ treats you like a person, he cares about you and your personal development. GMK cares about how to pad his wallet, and does not care who he has to step on to continue to do that. I am greatful for the time I spent with YB and view the school as being a top notch organization to learn TKD, but if you are looking for a place to learn and be cared about and respected as an equal then you need to be plugged into Zang TKD.
ReplyDeleteMaster Zang and his students are VERY HAPPY at ZangTKD. The atmosphere is one of mutual respect and support. MZ has achieved a wonderful work/life balance and his whole family is involved. Those that made the switch, or stayed at YB did so for their own reasons. I talked to Master Gavula a few times but in the end I made the switch because the approach of Master Zang was much suited to me. Yes, there are two sides to every story, however GMK made the decision to go very public and MZ made the decision to keep his silence. That had a major impact on my decision.
ReplyDeleteI also felt it was the right one the day I was at ZangTKD and I overheard someone make a disparaging remark about GMK. MZ through a look at the person I have not seen from him before, it was very clear the MZ did not want anyone saying anything bad about GMK. Even after the very public humiliation by GMK (which I do not think was intentional) MZ continues to live by the tenets.
I wish GMK and Master Gavula all the best, but my future in TKD is on a different path.
Hard to believe it's been way over a year since the Great Split of 2009.
ReplyDeleteSome of us who stayed with Young Brothers and are now going to Master Gavula's were talking among ourselves at the tournament May 22. We all agreed that we enjoyed MG because he is more about teaching tae kwon do and less about running us through aerobics until we feel like we are going to drop.
If you are 20 years old and you are a fighter you probably love MZ's adult class. If you are double that and not in peak physical condition, well, you know what I am talking about. I'll never forget the time MZ had us swinging a sledgehammer at a big tractor tire! I personally cannot do that anymore, not without much distress anyway.
This is also something that people needed to consider after the Big Split. Why are you taking TKD in the first place. Are you training to be fighter or a Marine? Or are you just trying to keep the weight off and learn something constructive while you are doing it?
I smiled at the "Great Split of 2009," though I've always been enamored of the word "schism" and rarely get to use it. But a year it has been.
ReplyDeleteI certainly hear what you're saying about the differences in styles. I too am over 40 and "not in peak physical condition." Many times while Master Zang is calling for another round of rising kicks, I'm wondering where the nearest defibrillator might be. But I can (almost) always rise to the challenge. I kind of figure that if he thinks I can do it, maybe I really can.
As for the actual art of Tae Kwon Do, I've always felt that Master Zang is offering me all the skills and tools in his arsenal, of which there are many. I then have to choose how much (or little) I am willing master (no pun).
There is no doubt that the original school has a very hard-edged focus. Master Zang's elegance (for that's what I believe it is) does not permit him to treat others badly in the pursuit of his own goals. That is the role model I want for my girls.
Tae Kwon!
I will grant you this: Master Zang is one of the finest people I have ever met. I just love the guy. And I really miss him. And Grand Master Kong seems to be really mellow these days. Yes he still yells at the kids to sit up straight, but he is much more decent and jovial to the students and parents. Funny, isn't it!
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting reading all of these comments. I am half Korean and I wanted my sons to experience some Korean culture, so having GMK as our instructor was great, including all of the hardcore machismo that came with his rank. Training under an American instructor would not have been the same.
ReplyDeleteAfter leaving YB TKD over three years ago, I don't miss any of it. I never felt that TKD would be a lifelong commitment for me or my kids. Our black belts were our finish line. No regrets joining or leaving.
I, too, spent years in TKD. I finally realized that though we are taught to deeply respect our instructor, that he is just a man. Sometimes we forget that. And sometimes I think instructors forget that. They are so used to being the master of all, so to speak, that they think they can pontificate on everything. No. They are masters are martial arts. Not philosophy. Not child-rearing. Not appliances, etc.
ReplyDeleteYou are a wise man.
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