Way of Yawara

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Learning jiu-jitsu in Hongdae and Sinchon

This guide covers the academies of Hongdae, Sinchon, and the Mapo and Seodaemun neighborhoods, the university heart of western Seoul. 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.

GTCG Jiu-Jitsu Mapo (Gongdeok)

Who this academy suits

An office worker in the Mapo/Gongdeok belt training after work: jiu-jitsu runs 6:30 and 8:30 PM Mon-Thu with open mat after, a minute from Mapo or Gongdeok station

Why we say it: The own posts publish the weekly timetable and the standing profile publishes the address and station walk (captured 2026-07-16)

A parent training in the same room as their child: kids jiu-jitsu runs 4:00 PM Mon-Thu and adult classes follow the same evenings

Why we say it: The own timetable publishes the kids slot alongside the adult evening slots (captured 2026-07-16)

Someone who wants striking and grappling under one roof: kickboxing and jiu-jitsu alternate through every weeknight

Why we say it: The own timetable interleaves kickboxing and jiu-jitsu slots; the room presents itself as a jiu-jitsu and kickboxing gym (captured 2026-07-16)

Schedule verified Franchise networkKids classesStriking classes too

Your first visit

Class schedule
Mon-Thu: jiu-jitsu at 6:30 and 8:30 PM with kickboxing blocks between, open mat 9:30 PM, kids jiu-jitsu 4:00 PM; Fri: kickboxing 7:00 PM, jiu-jitsu 8:15 PM

Location, instructors, contact

Address
4F, 8 Dohwa 2-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul (Dohwa-dong)

Phone 010-6440-3280 Website Naver Map Apple Maps

Compiled from the academy's public materials; we have not yet visited in person. Last checked: 2026-07-16. Spot something wrong? Tell us. We review every correction and log the change.
KOREA BJJ Sinchon HQ (Lee Hee-sung Jiu-Jitsu Academy)

KOREA BJJ Sinchon HQ (Lee Hee-sung Jiu-Jitsu Academy)

Who this academy suits

A complete beginner who wants a genuinely structured on-ramp

Why we say it: A rolling 16-week fundamentals curriculum with a dedicated beginner tier, and sparring is optional (verified 2026-07-10)

A working schedule that needs beginner classes available every day

Why we say it: Beginner classes run seven days a week: two weekday evening slots, Mon/Wed/Fri lunch, and weekend mornings (schedule verified 2026-07-10)

Someone drawn to lineage and a training-first, not competition-first, culture

Why we say it: The academy describes a Rickson Gracie line via AXIS Tokyo and states it prioritizes everyday practitioners over athlete development (its own words, verified 2026-07-10)

Schedule verified Pricing published Free trialDrop-ins welcomeDaily beginner classesStructured curriculum

Your first visit

Free trial
Book a free trial on the website: weekday 19:00, 20:00, or 21:00, weekend 11:00 or 12:00. Arrive 10 minutes early in comfortable workout clothes
Single session
Drop-in ₩30,000 (₩10,000 for members of KOREA BJJ branch gyms)
Class schedule
Weekdays: beginner 19:00 & 20:00, intermediate 21:00; lunch beginner Mon/Wed/Fri 12:00; weekends: beginner 11:00, intermediate 12:00 (closed holidays)

Classes and cost

Membership
8 classes/month ₩150,000 · 12/month ₩160,000 · unlimited ₩170,000 (3/6/12-month discounts; VAT included)
Programs
Adult beginner & intermediate tiers on a rolling 16-week fundamentals curriculum; sparring optional

Location, instructors, contact

Address
2F Village Plaza, 3 Ewhayeodae-1an-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul (서대문구 이화여대1안길 3, 2층)
Instructors
Head instructor Lee Hee-sung teaches directly (network founder)
Belt
Black belt, 4th degree. The academy records a 2008 black belt and a 2023 4th degree, both from Takamasa Watanabe
Founded
Opened 2003, per the academy's own timeline

Phone 02-313-3392 Website Naver Map Apple Maps

Compiled from the academy's public materials; we have not yet visited in person. Last checked: 2026-07-16. Spot something wrong? Tell us. We review every correction and log the change.

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.

  • GTCG Jiu-Jitsu HQ, Hongdae · Official site
    02-6406-9755
    Last checked: 2026-07-10
  • GTCG Jiu-Jitsu, Daeheung · Official site
    Franchise network
    B1, 26 Baekbeom-ro 10-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul (Daeheung-dong) · 010-8676-5067 · A trial class runs; book by phone or through the blog
    Last checked: 2026-07-16
  • GTCG Jiu-Jitsu, Sangam · Official site
    Last checked: 2026-07-12
  • Hongdae Jiu-Jitsu · Official site
    5F, 55 Wausan-ro 35-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul (Seogyo-dong 330-28) · 010-7936-7713
    Last checked: 2026-07-16
  • John Frankl Extreme Combat, Hongje · Official site
    Last checked: 2026-07-12
  • John Frankl Jiu-Jitsu, Seodaemun · Official site
    Last checked: 2026-07-12
  • John Frankl Jiu-Jitsu, Sinchon · Official site
    Last checked: 2026-07-12
  • Urban Jiu-Jitsu Gongdeok, the network HQ
    Free trial
    Head instructor Kim Dong-gyun · A one-week free trial, booked through the gym's own link
    Last checked: 2026-07-16
  • Wire Jiu-Jitsu, Ahyeon · Official site
    Franchise network
    KakaoTalk WIRE1 (network head, 010-7674-9111)
    Last checked: 2026-07-16
  • Wire Jiu-Jitsu, Mangwon · Official site
    Franchise network
    KakaoTalk WIRE1 (network head, 010-7674-9111)
    Last 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.