Hapkido (Lady Kung Fu / He qi dao) (合氣道)

Hmm. Very good.

Young lady!

Mind your manners! I'm not Korean.

You're Chinese, eh?

Good. Chinese girls are very nice. Very nice indeed!

The Great Japanese Empire will soon take over China.

You!

Hey, Chinese girls are my favorite!

- Fool! Kill them now! - Yes!

HAPKIDO HEADQUARTERS

Hapkido?

Master...

Well done.

You're quick-witted and intelligent enough not to force your way out.

Master...

Well, you're hotheaded. You're courageous, but you lack strategy.

There's no place for such recklessness in martial arts.

You should learn to use your wits and be patient like Ying.

Yes, Master.

Master, you flatter me. I just acted intuitively.

I knew I couldn't beat Wei, so I used my leaps to escape.

That was where you showed your quick-wittedness.

I learned the escape techniques of Shaolin Kung Fu in China.

The basics of Hapkido are derived

from the locks and strikes of Tai Chi.

They are easy to learn, but difficult to master and apply.

The way you fought your way out was not bad,

though it lacked agility.

Let's discuss this inside.

THE EAGLE SCHOOL OF HAPKIDO, KOREA

It's been over five years since you came to Korea to study Hapkido.

As you are Chinese, you inherit a wonderful national heritage.

You are smart, quick on the uptake, and have excellent moral values.

Unfortunately, you beat up those Japanese men and got into trouble.

You can't stay here any longer.

So, today I've promoted you to the 7th Degree Black Belt of Hapkido.

I want you to set up your own schools in China to teach this martial art.

Thank you, Master.

You perform the basic movements well, but those are rather formulaic.

Now your senior will demonstrate,

starting with the basics, using the strength in the lower abdomen.

Stand back!

Ying, give it a try.

Yes!

These are fundamental movements. The targets are at a fixed distance.

When you fight against an enemy, it is a live target, constantly moving.

So, you must react quickly to any situation,

and be able to apply what you've learned.

Although you often practice fighting with one another,

that's not real combat.

It's easy for you to predict each other's moves.

Earlier, the three of you were unable to beat your senior,

only because he was more experienced in competing.

During a fight, you must watch your enemy's eyes,

so you know where they'll attack.

Only then can you pre-empt their attack. Let me show you.

Come.

In position.

- Your turn. - Yes.

Come.

"Forbearance.” This is the hardest ability to acquire.

Yet it is the spiritual core of Hapkido.

It's also the greatest characteristic of the Chinese people.

Hapkido is based on the locks and breaks of Tai Chi and other martial arts.

When you return home and set up your own schools,

you must remember this idea and work together in this spirit.

See everyone as your family, and be tolerant of different ideas.

Respect your elders, help the weak and the impoverished.

I know you are young, hotheaded, full of ideals and belligerent.

The saying goes, "A warrior dies in war."

You must remember not to be overconfident and pick fights.

You must learn forbearance.

- Do you understand? - Yes.

My wife embroidered the eagle motif on these Hapkido uniforms.

Take them with you.

- We shall always remember you. - Thank you so much.

We...

FORBEARANCE

Master, what should we do when things become unbearable?

I'll be honest with you, we Koreans are living in hell

under the oppressive rule of the Japanese authorities.

That's why I invented Hapkido,

to unite all the courageous and ambitious young people in Korea.

The aim is to end the occupation.

We must forbear, so the Japanese won't know until we're ready.

When you return to China, you must watch the Japanese closely.

They've taken Manchuria, but they won't stop there.

They want to occupy all of China, then all of Asia.

Master...

When it becomes unbearable...

This letter contains what you may call advice from a wise man.

Open it and read it when things become unbearable.

Ying, your elder brother is honest and kind,

and your younger brother is brave but rash.

You must look out for them.

I will do everything Master has taught me.

This discipline rod of our school is also a powerful weapon.

Take it to defend yourself.

Thank you, Master.

You must set off early tomorrow.

- Now go and pack. - Yes.

Wait.

When you set up your own school in China,

remember to respect your elders.

- And visit local martial arts masters. - Yes, we will.

THE EAGLE SCHOOL OF HAPKIDO, CANGZHOU

- Let's make a few courtesy calls. - Yes.

Brother?

We'll go separately. You know the places?

- Yes, we do. - Let's go.

Wait! You go ahead. I want to have a word with Younger Brother.

When you meet the other masters, remember to be polite. Don't be brash.

- I know what to do. Look... - FORBEARANCE

TAI CHI SCHOOL

- Young man, you're too kind. - Not at all.

You are well respected here. I wanted to pay my respects.

Well, the martial arts community Is like a family.

You've returned from Korea to set up a school here,

I should be looking after you.

If you need any help, just let me know.

- I shall often need your guidance. - You're too modest.

Young people make great heroes. The world belongs to young people.

But the situation here is quite unusual, particularly in the martial arts world.

I know you youngsters can be hotheaded and have a strong sense of justice.

But you must not offend the Japanese-run Black Bear School.

You should also pay them a visit, out of courtesy.

Thank you for your advice. Goodbye.

I'll see myself out.

Please tell your brother that I shall pay him a visit.

We'd appreciate your guidance.

SHAOLIN BOXING SCHOOL

- Why wait? We can go now. - But we've only just met.

We get along well. What's more, you're the guest.

Come on, I should buy you a drink.

LING-LAI RESTAURANT

- Please. - Thanks.

Tiger! Half a catty of wine and twenty dumplings, as usual?

No, I have a guest. Let's have something special.

We'll have beef, dried tofu, and fifty dumplings.

- And one catty of sorghum wine. - Yes, sir!

You're too kind. Just a quick bite would do.

It's not much, really. It's the least I can do.

- I'll raise five! - I'll raise six!

Six and... seven!

Drink up.

Drink to life!

- To you. - Thank you.

- They're leaving without paying again. - What?

- Let's go. - Hey, sir!

You haven't paid your bill.

- Put it on credit. - Yes, on credit.

What? You can't do this.

What did you say?

You old bastard!

- Damn them! - I hate those thugs.

- Who are they? - From the Black Bear School.

Oh? The Black Bear School?

They get away with intimidating people because their master is Japanese.

Don't the authorities care?

The authorities in the cities are afraid, let alone in a small town like this.

I'm not afraid of them!

Good! I think you should stand up for the Chinese people.

Teach them a lesson!

Ooh, Miss Xiu is here.

Hello.

Half a catty of wine and a packet of peanuts, please?

Little One, get the wine for Miss Xiu.

Miss Xiu, how's your father's rheumatism?

How can it improve if he keeps drinking?

How can he stop? Why cut out such wonderful things?

Indeed!

Wine brings so many wonderful things, especially women...

What are you doing?

Damn it! There are laws in this country!

How dare you interfere in my business!

Do him!

Let's go.

Hold it!

You want to leave? Not so easy!

What do you want?

You can kowtow nicely three times to us.

FORBEARANCE

What's the problem, lost your nerve?

I must have been blind, choosing you as a friend.

Leave, if you're afraid!

Why practice martial arts if you won't uphold justice and protect the innocent?

I'll deal with them myself.

I'm going to beat your hand into a disgusting pulp!

Well done. Well done.

Don't you dare assault a woman again!

Very well, we'll be seeing you soon. You best be afraid!

I look forward to it!

Do you have the guts to tell us who you are?

Fan Wei, from the Eagle School of Hapkido in Cangzhou.

Let's go!

Well done, Fan Wei.

- Sir, this is for the damage. - Eh?

We have to go.

Hey, Miss Xiu, your wine!

I've heard the Eagle School is run by three schoolmates,