After early morning training in the winter of 1972, with my son – Myeongnyundang Dojo

By Key Young E, Class of '59

Early Morning Discipline

I would leave home at 4 a.m.
No matter the season—spring, summer, autumn, or winter—
Whether rain poured, wind howled, or snow fell, I went.

"Hey, let me sleep!"
Someone would shout in annoyance at the sound of my training.
Through the early morning darkness came the clattering noise from the dojo.
It might have been irritating, but to a fellow comrade rising early to train,
It was a familiar, almost affectionate morning exchange.
It was my greeting to Jong-rim Lee, still caught in sleep.

But I kept training, undeterred.
With shouts of “Yap!” and “Yaap!”, I’d swing downward 500 times,
Then catch my breath and strike 300 rapid overhead swings.
Next came 200 diagonal cuts to the left and right.
After that, I ran countless laps around the dojo,
The old wooden floors groaning beneath my feet.
The noise must have been unbearable to some,
Yet the students sleeping in the dojo kept on sleeping.
They were current Sungkyunkwan University students.

I hesitated to wake them, worried I might disturb their rest,
So I quietly covered them with their bedding and pretended not to see.
After 90 minutes of practice, I returned home.

The Dojo Becomes Home

At that time, the dojo was on the second floor of a building inside the main gate of Sungkyunkwan University in Myeongnyun-dong.
The first floor was used for calligraphy and judo; the second was our kendo dojo.

In 1965, when the Se Shim Gwan dojo in Biwon closed,
We urgently needed a new location.
Thanks to senior Choi Byung-rae (biology major) and Professor Han Kyung-seop,
We secured the unused second floor of the Yulim Hall.
This became the birthplace of Sungmoohoe.

A Shelter of Brotherhood

The dojo became our home.
Classmates from ’68 and ’69—Park Gap-soon, Choi Byung-chul, Lee Jin-hee, and others—
Laid out mats and blankets on the wide floors and slept there,
Sometimes tangled together for warmth.

The office corner of the dojo became Jong-rim’s residence.
Even those with wealthy families chose the dojo life to be with their comrades.
During the summer, many stayed. In winter, it was frigid, nearly uninhabitable.

Others—Tae-yeol Lee, Sung-kyu Lee, Hong-in Kim, Seung-hak Jang—
Also relied on the dojo.
To us, the dojo was home.
Books were in the library, meals and sleep happened in the dojo.
Despite financial hardships, we trained with passion and perseverance—
And succeeded, both in sport and in life.

Rituals of Resilience

By the time I returned home from morning practice, it was 6 a.m.
In the freezing winter, I’d run cold water from the outdoor faucet,
Wrapped in layers to prevent freezing,
And bathe under the icicles.
Afterward, I felt as if I wore clouds—my body and spirit light and refreshed.
That sense of exhilaration is indescribable—only those who’ve done it know.
This is how I began each day before going to work.
So many seasons passed—spring, summer, autumn, winter.

For a time, I moved to Samcheong-dong for training in the fresh mountain air,
But returned to Myeongnyun-dong for better access to the dojo.
I moved with my wife and son into a small alley in Hyehwa-dong—
Just to be closer to kendo. That’s how much I loved it.

University Division Victory – With the entire Sungkyunkwan University Kendo Club and all the instructors.
Commemorative photo of Sungkyunkwan University Kendo Club’s first victory at the 1970 Seoul Spring University Kendo Federation Tournament
In the photo: 김영달 선생님 (center, in black suit and glasses), 이복원 선생님, 박종규 선생님, 김석춘 선생님, 조승룡 선생님 – All renowned figures in the kendo world

1959: A Political Science Student and a Time of Revolution

As a member of the class of ’59, I witnessed the April 19 Student Revolution.
With my peers, I ran through the streets in protest.
Citizens joined us. Together, we faced turbulent times.
In August 1961, I joined the military and was discharged in 1964, then returned to school.

That year, I trained with Byung-yoon Seo (class of ’64)
And became deeply involved in kendo.
Alongside extraordinary peers like Choi Byung-rae and Jong-rim Lee,
I trained with intensity and joy.

A Team Like No Other

From the beginning, our kendo team was unique among universities.
We were never outmatched in competition.
That was thanks to the passion of Choi Byung-rae,
The sincerity and leadership of Seo Byung-yoon,
And the commanding guidance of Jong-rim Lee.

Our instructors were pillars of the kendo world:
Ho Ik-yong, Seo Jung-hak, Kim Young-dal, Do Ho-moon.
At Sungkyunkwan, Kim Young-dal was our teacher—
A man of dignity, grace, and incredible attention to detail.
He was admired by all who practiced kendo.

Whenever there was a tournament,
His demonstrations of group-cutting techniques left us all in awe.
He calmed our hearts and elevated our spirit.

Other instructors—Park Jong-gyu, Lee Bok-won, Kim Seok-chun—
Visited regularly to train us despite their modest means.
They commuted by tram and bus to teach us out of pure love.

Senior Lee Ho-am also energized our dojo.
He was a role model of discipline and healthy living.
His moral and financial support made a lasting impact.

Thanks to this environment, we all trained harder and grew stronger.

Commemorative photo of the kendo club’s victory at the 1970 Spring University Kendo Federation Tournament.
Back row, from the far right – 이태열, 김태영, 윤광현, 이기영, 이종림, 이정균, 곽재근, 이진희, 박선근, 이훈중 (holding the championship flag)
Front row, from the far left – 김원기, 장승학, 김홍인, 최병철, 이종원, 서병윤, 박갑순

Early Days and Strong Foundations

In the early years, few members held dan ranks.
But over time, we built a solid core of skilled kendoka:

• Tae-yeol Lee – the tireless small giant
• Sung-kyu Lee – determined and fierce
• Hong-in Kim – a strategist
• Gap-soon Park – bold and swift
• Jin-hee Lee – the devastating wrist striker
• Jong-won Lee – patient and precise
• Tae-young Kim – balanced and stylish
• Jae-geun Kwak – endlessly diligent

…and many more.

Later generations—Kim Seok-hwan, Seo Nak-won, Yoo Jeom-gi—
Brought even more strength to the club.

In 1970, when most university kendo clubs were still forming,
Our team won the Spring Seoul University Kendo Championship.
In the finals against Korea University, we tied—
Until captain Byung-yoon Seo won the final bout 2–0,
Earning us the championship and MVP honors.

Culture, Conflict, and Identity in 1960s Seoul

The back alleys of universities were rife with tough guys,
And rural students were often harassed.
But Sungkyunkwan’s kendo club stood tall.
Jong-rim Lee even tamed the infamous “Monster Lee Yong-hak,”
A rugby captain feared by all.

I too was respected by him,
And he eventually revealed a soft and warm heart beneath his rough exterior.

Corporate Life and Recognition

In the 1970s, I worked in accounting at Keukdong Construction.
One day in 1971, I was summoned:
“The Korea Kendo Association has requested your release for the national tournament.”

Thanks to company president Kim Yong-san, I was given special approval.
The atmosphere in the office changed.
Whispers of “He’s a national athlete?” followed me around.

The company even provided gear and training clothes.
I gave mine to teammates at Sungkyunkwan—
Park Gap-soon and Choi Byung-chul wore them proudly.
Looking back, it was like giving free advertising to the company.
My colleagues and supervisors treated me differently.
Even though I was a reserve, we placed second, and I was proud.

After intense training, We take our place here – The ginkgo tree at Myeongnyundang
Sometime in 1966 – From the left – 이기영, 이종림, 서병윤

A Life of Growth and Gratitude

In 1972, I earned my 4th dan at the age of 33.
Master Kim Young-dal gifted me a scroll with the phrase Giwi ("spiritual energy").
I turned it into headbands and gave them to fellow kendo members.
My gratitude and joy at that time were beyond words.

To Master Kim, to Jong-rim, to Byung-yoon,
And to all the comrades at Sungkyunkwan—I offer deep thanks.

Eventually, I began a career abroad and could no longer train with my comrades.
Now, 40 years have passed.

Through my work abroad, I became a respected industrial envoy,
Receiving numerous awards—including the Presidential Award for Industrial Achievement.

Kendo taught me that life, though difficult, can be mastered.
“If you begin, you can finish. Life isn’t hard. It can be joyful and full of confidence.”
This flows in me even now.
I know my Sungmoo comrades live by the same spirit.

Kendo and Golf – A Parallel Journey

In 1976, I took up golf.
People say I’m quite good.
Like kendo, it requires precision and control.
Posture, breath, grip, flow—all must be prepared with care.
It’s not just about effort—it’s about insight and timing.

Sometimes I wonder:
What if I’d learned golf first? Would I have become even better at kendo?
But then again, maybe it’s thanks to kendo that I became good at golf.

Even now, I ask myself:

“How can I become better at movement?”
“How can I train more beautifully?”

I’d love to discuss these questions with fellow seniors and juniors.
Kendo is battle with another.
Golf is battle with yourself.
They are both true tests of the self.

We were one in spirit – 1966
During intense training – “We were of one heart”
A little old-fashioned, but those were good times.
Clockwise from 이기영 / 이종림 / 서병윤

Now Over 70 – Still Practicing, Still Thankful

Even in my 70s, I train with old friends wherever I go.
I travel to warmer places in winter—my shinai packed alongside my golf clubs.
Whenever I have a moment, I practice:
100 swings a day.

The sound reminds me of the old dojo floors, creaking.
Head strikes, wrist strikes, waist cuts—
I can still hear Jong-rim shouting, half-asleep:
“Hey, let me sleep!”

I miss those noisy, precious mornings.
I wonder—can I still run like before? Can my legs keep up?

There are so many people I want to thank:
Master Kim Young-dal, Choi Byung-rae, Lee Jong-rim, Seo Byung-yoon,
Park Gap-soon, Kim Won-ki, Kim Hong-in, Jin-hee Lee, Jong-won Lee…
I can’t remember all their names.
Looking back, I wish I’d done even more, tried even harder.

Dear Comrades of Sungmoohoe

It’s already the 50th anniversary of Sungmoohoe.
Congratulations. Truly. My heart is full.

Let us train kendo even more—not to defeat others,
But to prepare ourselves for life.
This is a precious legacy.
Kendo is my love.

— Ee, Key Young