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Learning jiu-jitsu in central Seoul and Itaewon
This guide covers the academies of the city center: Jongno, Jung-gu, Yongsan, and Itaewon, where much of expat Seoul trains. For someone just starting, the real question is not "which academy is best" but "which one fits me." This guide exists to answer that question.
Map
Only academies with verified information appear on the map. Grey pins mark verified addresses for academies still being confirmed.
Flow Jiu-Jitsu
Who this academy suits
The Jongno office worker training before work or at lunch: a 6:50 AM class and an 11:40 lunch class run every weekday
Why we say it: The own timetable page publishes the 6:50 AM and 11:40 lunch classes, Mon-Fri (captured 2026-07-16)
A beginner who wants a dedicated basics class and published cost: the evening beginner slot runs weekdays 6:30 PM, with full pricing on the site from 160,000 won a month
Why we say it: The own site publishes the weekday beginner slot and the complete pricing page (captured 2026-07-16)
Someone who wants a newly promoted black-belt owner: the academy's own blog documents Park's 2026 black-belt promotion
Why we say it: The own blog's 2026-05-14 post documents the promotion; the own site lists both representatives (read 2026-07-16)
Schedule verified Pricing published Early morning classesDaytime classesNo-giPricing published
Your first visit
- Class schedule
- Weekdays run a 6:50-8:00 AM class, an 11:40-1:00 lunch class, an evening beginner class 6:30-7:30, an evening general no-gi class 7:30-9:00, then open mat
Classes and cost
- Membership
- From 160,000 won a month for 8 classes or 180,000 won unlimited, with 3- and 6-month package discounts and a free gi on 3-month-plus registration
- Programs
- Both gi and no-gi; the evening general class is the no-gi slot
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 4F, 22 Jong-ro 12-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Gwancheol-dong)
- Instructors
- The own site lists two representatives, Kim Hyun-hee and Park Ji-seok; the academy's blog shows Park leading classes and promotion ceremonies
- Belt
- Park was promoted to black belt at the academy's 2026 first-half ceremony, per the academy's own blog
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Gwanghwamun
Who this academy suits
A first-timer who wants a fixed beginner curriculum and time to decide: the 10-day free trial includes a gi, and Combatives follows the same numbered GU program taught at every certified center
Why we say it: Both owned channels publish the 10-day free trial with gi, and GU's own affiliate page corroborates the Level 3 CTC mark (verified 2026-07-16)
A woman starting from zero: the women-only Women Empowered class runs twice a week, and a woman is on the GU-certified staff
Why we say it: The own timetable shows Women Empowered Tue/Thu 18:30, and GU's page lists Sun Ah Choi among the certified instructors (verified 2026-07-16)
The Gwanghwamun office worker training at lunch: beginner Combatives runs 11:45 Mon, Tue, and Thu
Why we say it: The own timetable shows 11:45 classes every weekday, with beginner Combatives on Mon/Tue/Thu (captured 2026-07-16)
Schedule verified Franchise networkFree trialNaver bookingWomen's programKids classesDaytime classesStructured curriculum
Your first visit
- Free trial
- A 10-day free trial with a free gi, booked through the academy's Naver booking page
- Class schedule
- Adult beginner Combatives runs weekdays at 11:45, 18:30, and 20:00, plus Sat 13:30. Women Empowered runs Tue/Thu 18:30; kids classes run Tue/Thu 16:00 and Sat mornings. Every class is 60 minutes
Classes and cost
- Programs
- Kids classes run Tue/Thu 4 PM and Sat mornings, split by age (5-7 and 7-12)
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- B213, Le Meilleur Building, 19 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03157
Academies being verified
We are re-confirming the essentials: class schedules and trial mechanics. Each academy joins the full guide once its facts meet the bar.
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Body & Seoul Martial Arts and Fitness Center · Official site010-6397-2662 · Multi-discipline studio; BJJ runs in both gi and no-gi, with kids classes · No free trial; a paid drop-in costs ₩17,000. Register online for a first class · Drop-in ₩17,000 · 5 classes ₩80,000 · 10 classes ₩150,000 (3-month validity)Last checked: 2026-07-16
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Innate Jiu-Jitsu HQ, Sindang · Official site3F, Hwanghak-dong 821, Jung-gu, Seoul · 010-2720-3457 · Park Jae-hyun teaches; he started at John Frankl Gwanak in 2008 and opened the room in 2017, per the academy's own introductionLast checked: 2026-07-16
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John Frankl Jiu-Jitsu, Namsan · Official siteB1, 34 Toegye-ro 18-gil, Jung-gu, SeoulLast checked: 2026-07-12
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John Frankl Jiu-Jitsu, Yaksu · Official site5F, Deokyeong Building, 134 Dasan-ro, Jung-gu, SeoulLast checked: 2026-07-12
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Rush Clan Jiu-Jitsu, Chungmuro · Official site3F-4F, 10 Seoae-ro 1-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul · 070-7779-8829 · Jung Sung-jun teachesLast checked: 2026-07-16
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Urban Jiu-Jitsu Hyehwa, Daehangno · Official site3F, 20 Daehak-ro 11-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul · 010-6622-5591 · Ha Yun-seo teaches directly; the academy's own profile presents him as a national-team alum and 2023 Asian Championship bronze medalistLast checked: 2026-07-16
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WOOS Jiu-Jitsu Yongsan · Official siteB1, 7 Cheongpa-ro 43-gil, Yongsan-gu, SeoulLast checked: 2026-07-16
I'm a complete beginner. Can I just show up?
It differs by academy. Entries show where a fundamentals program and first-visit process are verified. For the rest, check with the academy before visiting. For what a first class actually feels like, see the beginner posts on our blog.