The Korean Tigers Taekwondo Demonstration Team (K Tigers, k타이거즈) is one of the world's leading taekwondo demo teams. The team was established by Hak Sun An in 1990 in Seoul, South Korea. Their main practice studio is still located in Seoul. The team includes a men's team, a women's team, and the "Little Tigers" children's team. In total, there are over 60 members of the team.
When originally founded, the team's demonstrations tended to focus on just taekwondo and acrobatic tricking. Over time, the team has incorporated more dance and music into their routines as well. In recent years, the musical selection has tended towards K-Pop style music.
Recruiting and Training
The primary avenue for joining the K-Tigers is via audition, with auditions open to a wide range of ages and belt levels. You do not need to be a black belt to join the K-Tigers; auditions are open to both children and adults. Auditions occur frequently. Selection is based on potential, rather than current ability. When accepted into the K-Tigers, members transfer from their original dojang to the K-Tigers practice studio.
K-Tigers performances tend to focus on taekwonmu (taekwondo + dance) but in reality day-to-day training consists of all aspects of taekwondo: poomsae, sparring, breaking, self-defense, etc. In addition, there is training specifically geared toward dance and musical ability. In the main studio, adult members practice 8-10 hours per day. Children practice 2-3 hours per day, practicing around their school schedules.
Organization
The K-Tigers main practice studio is located in Seoul, but the K-Tigers have also opened a large chain of K-Tigers branded taekwondo schools in Korea, with plans to expand outside Korea. As a corporate entity, the K-Tigers consist of two distinct corporations: an entertainment company focused on film, media production, and live performances; and the chain of K-Tigers branded taekwondo schools. The K-Tigers TV channel on YouTube has 819,000 subscribers, with some videos receiving views in the millions.
The K Tigers have participated in numerous international competitions such as the World Taekwondo Championship (1993, 1997, 2001), Worldcup Taekwondo Championship (1994, 1996,1997, 2000, 2002), U.S. Open Taekwondo Championship (1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1999), Sydney Olympics Taekwondo Demonstration, Busan Asian Games Taekwondo Demonstration, demonstrations at the World Martial Arts Championship held in Paris, France, and tours in the U.S. and Europe.
Online Interviews
- Touring in India: http://www.destinationkpop.com/exclusive-interview-k-tigers/
- Min-Ji Cho: https://www.instagram.com/p/BEM3LrhLPKE/?hl=en
- Min-Ji Cho: http://www.ohmynews.com/NWS_Web/View/at_pg.aspx?CNTN_CD=A0002255550
Post K-Tigers Careers
Careers in entertainment:
- Tae-Joo Na, actor - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm5173289/
- Tae-mi (Tammy, real name Kyeong-Suk Kim), actress - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm5173233/
- Hyeon-Min Byun (변현민), musician, Produce 101
- Hyun-Min Sai, musician, RAINZ
Also connected to the K-Tigers:
- Bo Blaylock, actor - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4671604/
- The K-Tigers production company - http://www.imdb.com/company/co0487572
Schools run by former K-Tigers:
- K-Tiger Taekwondo - Fruit Cove, Florida - ?? Kim - http://ktigertkd.com
- Ktigers USA - Cliffside Park, New Jersey - Dae-Sung Chung - http://www.ktigersusatkd.com
- Ktigers USA - Coeur d' Alene, Idaho - ? ? Kim (nephew of Hak Sun An) - https://www.ktigersusa.com
- Lee's Tae Kwon Do - Palm Harbor, Florida - Pan-Jong Lee - http://leestkd.blogspot.com
- Liberty Pak's Academy - Liberty, Missouri - J. Ju Hyuk - http://www.libertypaks.com
- Master Chang's Martial Arts - Chapel Hill, NC - Do Hyun Chang - http://martialartsinchapelhill.com
- Master Chang's Martial Arts - Cary, NC - http://www.martialartsincary.com
- Master Chang's Martial Arts - Raleigh, NC - http://www.masterchangtkd.com
- Master Chang's Martial Arts - Durham, NC - http://www.martialartsinchapelhill.com
- MBA Majest Martial Arts - Sterling, Virginia - Seung-Min Choi - http://www.bemajest.com
- Tiger Team Martial Arts - Magnolia, TX - http://www.tigerteamma.com
- The ONE Taekwondo - Santa Clarita, CA - David Hyoseop Kim - http://www.theonetaekwondo.com
See Also
References
- Main website: http://www.ktigers.com/
- http://k-tigers.nawala.co.kr
- K Tigers on Facebook
- The K Tigers channel on YouTube
- K-Tigers (as an entertainment company) on Hoovers
- K-Tigers (as a chain of taekwondo schools) on Hoovers
- Company profile: http://www.generasia.com/wiki/K-Tigers_Entertainment
- https://www.jetli.com/2017/08/k-tigers-korean-taekwondo
- RAINZ on the Korean version of Wikipedia
- Tammy on the Korean version of Wikipedia