Pumbalgi
품밟기
Literally: stepping in the shape of the character 品
Taekkyon's basic footwork in the shape of the character 品; low kicks, dodges and sweeps all grow out of its springy shifting steps.
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Pumbalgi (품밟기) means stepping in the shape of the character 品. The practitioner shifts weight alternately in a pattern resembling this character, flexing lightly at the knees and working from the hips. Besides small steps forward and back, it also includes sideways entries and steps diagonally left and right. Pumbalgi is taekkyon's most basic element. From the movement it creates come low kicks, dodges, sweeps and other defensive and offensive actions. Its importance was stressed by Song Deok-gi (1893–1987), who kept taekkyon alive under Japanese occupation and was practically its only teacher after the war; he is quoted saying it is not the kick but the step that brings down an opponent. In 1983 he was recognised as a holder of intangible cultural heritage. Federations teach the step differently. Gyeollyeon Taekkyon keeps the form closest to Song's, the Korea Taekkyon Association practises it with very large arm movements, and Daehan Taekkyon also introduced a reversed step historians believe Song did not perform. Taekkyon has been on UNESCO's intangible heritage list since 2011.