Yeah... No.
Not referring to political politics. More to be precise... Its about the in-house or in-art drama of this - - verses that master's views on x y z, or a myriad of a thousand other BS non technical to the art itself...
Why so and so got passed over for 6th Dan, when so and so bought his 7th, because.... We all know everyone hates him.
But yeah, its all about brands, public image, or moral failures and face saving efforts. Or who's kwan is older in the tkd pedigree. Ad infinitum.
KMA is about the worst when it comes to blowing smoke up your rear for why it is that things are a certain way.
Very rarely have I ever heard "well. I just don't know, let me look into it"
You have to audition school before you join, not just go be how famous the teacher is or how popular the school is. My main training is TKD supposedly KMA, I went and look before I join, I was looking for a school that was more practical, hitting bags, sparring and more kick boxing. That's how my school was. We seldom did forms, only just before belt test. We did not do traditional stance and punches, we did more kick boxing like( it was mid 80s at the time and strongly influenced by Bruce Lee and PKA). The teacher even invited JJ teacher occasionally to teach us JJ.
There was absolutely no "politics" involve. The teacher NEVER comment on other style of MA, he just concentrated on teaching.
My grand daughter was into ballet, she can kick high and kick good only after a day of me teaching her side kick and round kick. I was going to tell her to go to my former school, too bad he retired already. I am SURE he would add BJJ into part of the training today if he were still teaching classes.
It is up to one to audition the school. This is 21st century, teacher is NOT the king, their ways are NOT necessary the right way. In this world full of videos on youtube, it is very easy to judge what is BS. Stay away from those old farts, find schools that is modernized. Time has changed.
Ultimately, what is the meaning of 5th degree or 6th degree? It's only a tittle. MA is a fighting art, it's an art of kicking butt. Does the tittle of 5th degree guaranty you not be butt kicked by any lower level? Or even guaranty you anything? Are you learning to get the color of the belt or are you learning how to fight?