…
A single white beam drops from above, carving through the dark. The floor beneath glows ivory, polished smooth like glass, while everything beyond the circle fades into shadow.
A figure steps into the light.
His white dobok gleams under the spotlight, the black belt tied firm around his waist. His hair is messy, streaked with gray near the tips, and his expression calm but focused. He stops at the center of the ring, bare feet perfectly aligned, shoulders straight.
"My name is Kang Jaeho," he says
"And I do Taekwondo."
As he rises, he stands tall in Narani Seogi, feet parallel, fists resting by his belt. His chest expands with a deep inhale, then contracts as he exhales slowly, raising his fists before his chest.
He steps left, dropping into a front stance. His fists shoot forward: a double reverse punch.
He continues: a jump side kick slices through the air, his foot snapping out with explosive speed before landing in a right front stance.
A twist of his hips: a backfist snaps out, slicing through the air with a fast whooosh.
He turns, pivoting smoothly on his heel.
His body spins: a perfect hook kick flashes across the light, the edge of his foot slicing through the air.
He lands with grace, delivering a reverse punch to the centerline, then sweeps his arm in a ridgehand strike.
He spins again, faster this time: a roundhouse kick at mid-level, followed by a spinning hook kick that cuts high, the tail of his uniform flaring with the turn.
He lands, driving a reverse punch forward, then a knifehand strike outward, his eyes locked on the invisible opponent before him.
Without pause, he leaps, twisting through the air. A spinning crescent kick arcs overhead.
He landed with a loud kihap! his shout echoes through the void.
…
A tornado kick sweeps upward, immediately followed by a 540 roundhouse.
He lands low, slamming a hammerfist to the ground, then springs forward into a jump back kick, twisting his torso into a spinning elbow strike.
He turns right: side kick, then reverse side kick, transitioned to roundhouse, spinning heel kick.
Landing forward, he throws a triple punch: body, head, body.
He steps in, driving a knee strike, elbow strike, and double palm heel strike in a single fluid burst.
Kihap!
…
He turns left, driving his heel down in an axe kick that halts just above the ground.
He follows with a backfist strike downward.
Then he continues with a jump front kick, double punch.
He pivots: spinning hook kick, ridgehand strike.
Finally, he leaps high: a jump spinning crescent kick.
He lands softly, feet sliding into front stance.
His fists shoot forward, double punch.
…
He straightens, inhaling…
Then returned to parallel stance, exhaling as he brought his fists back to his belt.
He stands still, the last echoes of motion fading into the white void.
…
A sparking light flickers across his face, half of it burning red.
A mask of flame appears, tracing over his cheek and eye like molten glass, resembling an eagle.
…
KANG JAEHO – TAEKWONDO