Technical Analysis of Early 20th Century Subak: A Study Based on the 1920s Film Featuring Kim Won-bo

This  study  examines  rare  visual  evidence  of  Subak,  a  traditional  Korean  combat system, through analysis of a 1920s silent film believed to feature Kim Won-bo (b. 1897), a figure presumed to be associated with the Korean independence movement. The footage, discovered within a Japanese colonial-era educational film directed by Lee Gyu-seol, provides a unique opportunity to observe pre-modern Korean combat practices.
Through frame-by-frame analysis, this paper identifies key technical characteristics of Subak, including clinch engagement, off-balancing mechanics, striking patterns, and footwork. The findings suggest that Subak functioned as a practical combat system emphasizing hand techniques, body control, and positional dominance, rather than a purely sportive or stylized martial form.