Choong-Moo Pattern – Preview & Insights

Choong-Moo Pattern

Choong-Moo is the 1st gup pattern and a key stepping stone to 1st dan. It is best known for demanding kicking combinations, a flying side kick, and a 360-degree jump and spin. This is a real step up from Hwa-Rang and a suitable challenge for those aiming for their 1st dan.

Pronunciation: How to pronounce Choong-Moo correctly

Video Preview

This clip comes from a coaching session on Choong-Moo tul with ITF World Champion Master Mark Trotter. Master Trotter works to improve the student’s height, timing, and execution of the flying side piercing kick – one of the most difficult elements of the pattern.

About Choong-Moo

Choong-Moo was the name given to the great Admiral Yi Soon-Sin of the Lee Dynasty. He was reputed to have invented the first armoured battleship (Kobukson) in 1592, which is said to be the precursor of the present-day submarine. The reason why this pattern ends with a left-hand attack is to symbolise his regrettable death, having no chance to show his unrestrained potentiality, checked by the forced reservation of his loyalty to the king.

Key Technical Insights from GM Paul McPhail

Drawing from my ongoing study and technical work within ITF Taekwon-Do, each pattern in this Hub includes a short set of key technical points – practical reminders practitioners often overlook. These notes are personal insights and are not official ITF Technical Committee statements.

Training Suggestions

• For the flying side piercing kick, drill the take-off separately. Mark a start line and landing line so students learn correct distance (1 walking stance) instead of guessing.
• Utilise our video on the overhead kick, as this is normally part of the 1st dan grading requirements and will also help with the flying side kick in Choong-Moo.
• Film and review for correct intermediate and end positions for hand techniques and foot angles for kicks.

Teaching Ideas for Instructors

• Insist on consistency: the same stance length and the same technique height every time.
• Teach the flying side piercing kick separately (step, take-off, chamber, proper extension, re-chamber, landing) rather than a single movement. Getting the side kick delivered properly is one of the most difficult parts of this pattern, so work on it separately.

Background & Interesting Details

• At 31 years of age Yi Soon-Sin joined the army. His career flourished early on, but some of his seniors became jealous and falsely accused him of desertion from the battlefield, so he was stripped of his rank, imprisoned, and tortured.
• He was eventually released and allowed to fight as a simple enlisted soldier. He quickly rose through the ranks and became the commander of the Naval District. With war looming, he started to build up the Navy through a series of reforms, one of which led to the construction of the famous Kobukson.
• After many famous battles, Admiral Yi was again relieved of his command due to a plot by a Japanese agent, befriending a Korean general and convincing him he would spy on Japanese operations for them. The spy informed the Korean general that the Japanese were arriving with a great fleet of ships and that Admiral Yi should ambush them. Admiral Yi refused, as he knew the area was full of hidden sunken rocks and did not trust the information he was given. When the King was told of his refusal, he was arrested, imprisoned, and tortured to the point of death. Again, he was eventually freed and worked his way up the ranks in the Navy.
• All in all, Admiral Yi Soon-Sin had 23 victories, but the most famous was where he engaged a fleet of 333 ships with only 13 ships of his own. With 30 ships destroyed and many more damaged, the Japanese fleet retreated. Some say this could be the reason for the 30 movements in the pattern.
• Admiral Yi was struck by a stray bullet, and sensing it was fatal, he ordered one of his officers to impersonate him so as not to demoralise his men, allowing the battle to continue. He died moments later.

Frequently Asked Questions about Choong-Moo

• What grade is Choong-Moo for?
  Choong-Moo is the 1st gup pattern and is required before grading to 1st dan.
• What are the most common mistakes in Choong-Moo?
  Movement 2 (knifehand inward strike) is often performed incorrectly, and the grab and knee combination is frequently incorrect as well. Flying, jumping, and kicking techniques are also challenging to get right.
• How should I introduce Choong-Moo to new 1st gup students?
  Teach it in logical chunks, reinforce stance consistency early, and introduce the flying side piercing kick as a progressive skill with separate drills for take-off, chamber, extension, and landing.

Full Choong-Moo Breakdown

The full, in-depth breakdown of Choong-Moo is available for TKDCoaching Premium Members. In this session you will see expert coach Mark Trotter critique the pattern movement by movement, including corrections, common mistakes, and coaching progressions you can apply in your own classes.

Watch the full Choong-Moo breakdown video (Premium)

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More TKD Patterns and Resources

• ITF Encyclopaedia (General Choi Hong Hi) – in our Resources section for pattern explanations and movement applications.
• TKDCoaching Premium: Choong-Moo tul with Mark Trotter. 
• TKD Patterns Hub – patterns and instructor-focused insights Explore more pattern previews and coaching notes for all 24 ITF tuls.

Related pages:
Insights on All 24 Patterns by GM McPhail
Favourite Pattern Survey – we’d love to know what you think

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