Comparison of Beginner Forms

For many styles of taekwondo, the beginner (basic 기본) forms are not entirely standardized, so the discussion below pertains only to some commonly-seen variations. Essentially all of the beginner forms are variations of the Traditional Taekwondo Kicho Hyeong forms, in that they are performed within an I-shaped pattern. The Kicho Hyeong forms date back to 1947 and are attributed to Hwang Kee.

Comparison of First Beginner Forms[]

The first form learned in many styles of taekwondo are quite similar.

The Kibon Hana form of Sport Taekwondo is unique in that it repeats the first line at the end of the form, giving the form a total of 20 steps rather than the usual 16. This may be have been done to get Kukkiwon/WTF students used to the Kukkiwon's Taegeuk forms' three-lines. Otherwise, this form is the same as Kicho Hyeong.

The Sae Kye and Sang Gup variations are unusual in that they both introduce Front Kicks. Both styles have the philosophy that students should start incorporating kicks into their forms earlier in their studies.

Chun Kuk Do's Sang Gup form is unique in that it introduces combinations: Front Kicks followed immediately by Punches.

In all these cases, one can see how the newer versions simply build upon the original Kicho Hyeong version.

First Beginner Forms	Used In	Along the Top and Bottom of the I	Up the Center of the I	Back Down the Center of the I	Steps
Kicho Hyung Il Bu	Traditional Taekwondo	Long Stances Low Blocks and Middle Punches	Long Stances Low Block then three Middle Punches	same as at left, the way back is just like the way up	16
Sae Kye Hyeong Il Bu	Traditional Taekwondo	same as above	same as above, but Front Kicks replace the Punches	same as at left, the way back is just like the way up	16
Kibon Hana	Some newer taekwondo styles	same as above	same as Kicho Hyung	same as at left, the way back is just like the way up	20 (the first line repeats at the end)
Kicho Hyung Il Bu Sang Gup	Chun Kuk Do	same as above, but a Front Kick precedes each Punch	same as above, but a Front Kick precedes each Punch	same as at left, the way back is just like the way up	16

Comparison of Second Beginner Forms[]

We start to see more variation among taekwondo styles in the second beginner forms.

Kicho Hyeong is unique here in that "the way back down" the I-shape is not the same as the way up.

As with the first beginner forms, the Sae Kye and Sang Gup versions focus more on kicking.

Chun Kuk Do's Sang Gup version is really quite complex, with constant shifts between Back Stances and Front Stance, and an even greater combination of movements (blocks with punches).

As with the first beginner forms, we can see how the newer forms simply build upon the original Kicho Hyeong.

First Beginner Forms	Used In	Along the Top and Bottom of the I	First Up the Center of the I	Then Back Down the Center of the I	Steps
Kicho Hyung Ee Bu	Traditional Taekwondo	Long Stances Low Blocks and High Punches	Long Stances Low Block then three High Punches	same as at left, but High Blocks replace the High Punches	16
Sae Kye Hyeong Ee Bu	Traditional Taekwondo	same as above	same as above, but Side Kicks replace the Punches	same as at left, the way back is just like the way up	16
Kibon Dool	Some newer taekwondo styles	same as above	Long Stances Low Block then two High Blocks and a High Punch (or sometimes three High Blocks)	same as at left, the way back is just like the way up	20 (the first line repeats at the end)
Kicho Hyung Ee Bu Sang Gup	Chun Kuk Do	same as above, but a Front Kick precedes each Punch	Back Stances into Long Stances Punch with Inside Block, then Punch with High Block, then Punch with Outside Block	same as at left, the way back is just like the way up	16