Source: Global Newspaper
http://www.globalnewspaper.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=27670

○“In the U.S., most schools install puzzle mats on the floor…
○“But you went with Korean-style tarpaulin flooring?”
○“A master who was highly successful in Korea is now opening a dojang in the U.S.”
○“Yet negative reactions followed within the small Korean community.”

[Global Newspaper – Feature Article]
Episode 2: Master Yeongwan Yun, “We Moved a Korean Taekwondo Dojang to America” — His Experiment and Philosophy

The news that HYO Taekwondo will soon open in Temecula, USA has stirred the local martial arts community.
“The renowned Master Yeongwan Yun, who was so successful in Korea, is opening a dojang in America.”
This news was greeted with both excitement and skepticism—along with some negative reactions from the small Korean community. But Master Yun himself remained calm.

Having previously worked as an instructor in the U.S., he was not surprised by such reactions. Rather than being hurt, he saw it as “a valuable opportunity to show people who I really am.” Above all, the greatest experiment of this dojang is his bold attempt to “transplant an entire Korean Taekwondo school system into America.”

Q1. We heard the interior is finished. You did it all yourself?

A.
Yes, I did everything myself. Back in Korea, I managed countless dojang constructions, so it wasn’t unfamiliar. Here in the U.S., I also avoided outsourcing and instead prepared everything myself—from materials to flooring. The most common question I get is about the tarpaulin flooring. In the U.S., puzzle mats are standard, but I applied the Korean-style tarpaulin method. People ask, “How did you cover such a wide floor with tarpaulin by yourself?” For me, it was the most natural method. The result is a space I’m deeply satisfied with.

Q2. You said you brought over the Korean interior system as-is. What exactly does that mean?

A.
Not only the interior, but the teaching program and class structure are all modeled on the Korean system. Flooring materials, space layout, program arrangement, locker placement, lighting tones, even the parent waiting area—all of these reflect the optimal setup I refined in Korea through years of designing and running schools. In the U.S., this approach is rare, so in a way it’s an experiment. Will Korean-style interiors, programs, and teaching methods resonate with American parents and children? That’s the key I want to test.

Q3. Weren’t you worried that the Korean system might not work in the U.S.?

A.
Of course, I had concerns. The culture is different, and parents value different aspects of a school. But I believe a parent’s heart is the same everywhere. Every parent wants their child to grow up strong and upright. Because of that, I am confident that the teaching methods and philosophy that worked in Korea will also succeed here in America.

Q4. Was there an emotional moment during the construction?

A.
It was when my shipment from Korea arrived—uniforms, equipment, flooring materials, flyers, business cards. As I opened each box, I thought, “This really made it all the way to America,” and I got emotional. I spent over 20 million KRW just on logistics, but I wanted to bring over the spirit of a Korean Taekwondo school intact. Laying the tarpaulin floor by myself, with music playing and sweat dripping, was the moment it truly felt like a new beginning.

Q5. How did people react? Were they surprised you did everything yourself?

A.
They were very surprised. In the U.S., almost all interiors are outsourced, so when people heard I did it myself, they couldn’t believe it. Some acquaintances even asked me to help with their own flooring. For me, it’s natural to help. If my experience can support others who are starting new lives in America, I’ll gladly lend a hand. Helping each other and succeeding together is what matters most.

Q6. Now that you’ve finished this process, what would you say to yourself?

A.
Now that the space is complete and we’re preparing for opening, I want to tell myself:
“You did it on your own, and this is only the beginning.”
It wasn’t easy—learning everything from scratch in a country with a different language and culture, sometimes just enduring was the hardest part. But I stayed true to my original vision, and that alone deserves applause. From here on, the real task is to fill this space with the smiles of children and parents.

Master Yun is not just building a dojang—he is transplanting a philosophy. The tarpaulin floor he laid with his own hands, the spirit of HYO (filial piety) his students will practice on it, and his unwavering commitment to sharing this philosophy cannot be shaken by negativity.

The success of HYO Taekwondo now lies in the hands of the local community, the parents, and the children who will fill the space. But its foundation is already strong. It is a school that brings Korea to America, while also embracing the hearts of American families—that is HYO Taekwondo.

Next Episode Preview

“At Last, We Open” — The First Day Welcoming American Children and Parents, HYO Taekwondo Grand Opening D-Day

Want to Learn More about HYO Taekwondo?

Taekwondo education with the spirit of HYO (filial piety) is now in Temecula, USA.
Learn more at the link below:
Website: https://www.hyotkd.com

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