Almost everyone in Korea has experienced learning Taekwondo at least briefly during childhood. As a traditional Korean martial art, Taekwondo involves attacking and defending using only the hands and feet, without any weapons. It serves not only as a means of physical training but also as a way to cultivate mental discipline.

In particular, Taekwondo significantly contributes to children’s growth and development, as well as improving the physical fitness of young adults and the elderly. Its techniques and exercise patterns are designed to balance the use of both sides of the body, promoting even development of joint flexibility throughout the body.

As an officially recognized Olympic sport, Taekwondo continues to gain popularity around the world. Its combination of physical and mental discipline appears to be appealing to people from various cultures, including those in the West.

Meanwhile, Master Yun Yeong-wan, head of ‘Kyunghee Daehyo Taekwondo Studio’, has over 15 years of experience as a Taekwondo master. He operates four dojangs in Seoul’s Gangnam area (Yeoksam, Seocho, Banpo, Wirye), providing specialized instruction for children and students living in or near the district.

Master Yun brings his own philosophy and passion to his work. His ambition goes beyond running a dojang; he is planning various projects aimed at expanding into educational ventures such as Taekwondo-related apps and web development.

Because his dojangs are located in the heart of the Gangnam educational hub, where most students have busy schedules, attending five classes per week—as is common in other areas—is often unrealistic. Therefore, he incorporates not only Taekwondo but also jump rope training, school PE, and character education into the curriculum to accommodate students who can only train twice a week. His program is customized for students in Gangnam, who may lack sufficient physical activity due to academic commitments.

Currently, he teaches approximately 1,200 students, and over the past 15 years, he has produced around 15,000 black belts. He focuses not only on producing black belts but also on delivering personalized instruction to each student, reflecting the unique characteristics of the local community and promoting “learning together.”

Master Yun emphasized, “Taekwondo, our traditional martial art that strengthens both body and mind and provides self-defense skills, should go beyond the idea of simply being ‘learned.’ It should foster a sense of teamwork and offer fun and engaging programs so that students come to see Taekwondo as something enjoyable.”

Source: Gonggam News (https://www.gokorea.kr)