The issue at hand here is that the "basics" aren't, as you said. Hyung are a tool for preserving a curriculum in a situation where you cannot or do not wish to preserve said curriculum via the written world.
If a given movement (and I'm just pulling this out of my ***, not actually providing bunhae for a technique) such as a low block is actually slipping and parrying a punch before responding with your own strike, then that's not basic. Its a curriculum. You have to provide the lesson plan.
The first technique in that series is slipping a punch So you first have to learn how to throw said punch. That's a basic. Drill throwing that punch on pads. Drill it with a partner. Put on gloves and head gear, work throwing that punch with footwork, working on your accuracy. Now that you know how to throw that punch, you can begin working on slipping it. Partner up, drill statically to get the gross motion. Add footwork and spontaniety in the attack's timing. Work in the parry, and see how you have to adjust your footwork and distancing if you intend to make contact with your opponent versus just getting out of the way. Now, work in the counter attack. Build on the timing, distancing, and footwork you've already learned. Learn how to weigh the benefits of slipping & countering versus parrying & countering. See what works best for you.
That's basics.
So, rather than look at learning how to "perform" a technique, we need to move toward an overall curriculum based first on attribute development, and then tool development. In the above example, one needs to first gain the ability to judge distance, speed, and acquire a target to learn how to throw that first punch. Learning how to move and hit becomes more of a priority than learning how to throw that picture perfect lunge or reverse punch. Reaction time becomes key in learning how to evade and counter attacks, rather than static "blocking".
