We recently connected with Joshua Kyong Won Jung and have shared our conversation below.

Joshua kyong won, appreciate you joining us today. Looking back on your career, have you ever worked with a great leader or boss? We’d love to hear about the experience and what you think made them such a great leader.

When I was young, I practiced judo. In Korea, elite judo is very different from practicing it as a hobby. It is not casual or recreational. it is a disciplined, professional pursuit that demands everything from you: your body, your time, your focus, and your will.
During those formative years, my coach profoundly shaped my life. His lessons went far beyond the mat. There are two teachings from him that still guide me today.

First, he told me: “Do not be afraid of falling.”
In judo, if you fear falling, your body becomes tense. When your body tightens, your techniques lose precision and power. Fear prevents you from fully committing. But when you are not afraid to fall, you move freely. You execute your technique with clarity and confidence.

That lesson changed my life. Even now, whenever I begin something new, I am not paralyzed by the fear of failure. If I fall, I simply rise again. Falling is not the end; it is part of the process. In fact, it is often the doorway to mastery. Because I am not afraid to fall, I am free to try, to grow, and to give my best.

Second, my coach constantly pushed me to develop my own techniques. He didn’t just teach us what to do. he gave us time to refine, repeat, and internalize our skills. He cultivated in me the ability to develop something of my own and to practice it until it became second nature. That discipline to build, refine, and persevere has shaped every area of my life.
There is another leader who has deeply influenced me: my pastor. If my coach taught me how to stand after falling, my pastor taught me how to think when I was lost.

Whenever I faced difficulties, he did not simply give me answers. Instead, he asked me good questions that made me reflect, wrestle, and search within myself. Through his questions, I often discovered the right path on my own. He showed me that good questions create good answers.
To this day, when I face challenges, I pause and ask myself better questions. Those questions lead me toward wiser decisions and deeper clarity.
Looking back, I realize that the best leaders in my life did not merely instruct me. They shaped how I think, how I respond to failure, and how I grow. One taught me not to fear falling. The other taught me to think deeply. Together, they gave me resilience and wisdom gifts that continue to guide me long after the lessons ended.
That is the mark of a truly great leader: their influence remains, quietly shaping your life long after you have left their presence.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

For those who may not know me, my name is Joshua Kyong Won Jung. I am a pastor, a cultural bridge-builder, and the founder of the Korean Culture Center in Central Florida. At the core of everything I do is one conviction: culture is not just something we consume it is something we steward, honor, and share with integrity.

I was born and raised in Korea, and my identity was deeply shaped by its language, traditions, discipline, faith, and communal spirit. When I came to the United States, I began to see Korean culture from a new perspective. I saw the global rise of K-pop and K-drama. I saw excitement about Korean food and fashion. I was grateful but I also sensed something important. Much of what people experienced was a “fusion” or surface-level introduction. It was attractive, but often disconnected from the deeper roots of Korean history, values, and soul.

That realization led me to start the Korean Culture Center.
From the beginning, my philosophy has been simple: I want to win with what is most Korean. In a world full of trends and hybrid versions of culture, I chose authenticity. As a Korean, I believe the most powerful way to introduce Korea is through what is genuinely and unapologetically Korean.

At the Korean Culture Center, we offer Korean language classes that go beyond vocabulary and grammar. Language carries worldview. It carries emotion. It carries honorifics that reflect respect, relational depth, and community. When students learn Korean with us, they are not just learning how to speak—they are learning how Koreans think, relate, and express care.

Our Korean cooking classes are another doorway into the heart of Korea. Food in Korea is not merely about taste it is about sharing, serving, and gathering. Around the table, stories are told, generations are connected, and hospitality is practiced. Through these classes, participants don’t just follow recipes; they experience the warmth of Korean community.

We also host immersive cultural events such as the Seoul Dalbam Market, K-Wave Festivals, and large-scale Korean festivals. These gatherings are carefully designed not as commercial spectacles, but as living cultural experiences. From traditional performances to modern K-culture expressions, from handmade goods to authentic street food, we strive to create spaces where people can feel the rhythm, creativity, and depth of Korea.

What sets us apart is intentional authenticity. We are not trying to dilute culture to make it easier to consume. We are inviting people to step into it fully. I believe people are not just looking for entertainment—they are looking for meaning, belonging, and connection. Culture, when presented truthfully, becomes a bridge.
But there is something even deeper that drives me.

I am also a pastor, and my ultimate calling is to live a life that testifies to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As I shared in my Orlando Voyager interview, the Korean Culture Center is not separate from my faith it is an extension of it. My life’s mission is not simply to promote Korea, but to reflect God’s love through everything I build.

Culture opens doors. Relationship builds trust. And through authentic relationships, hearts open.
My greatest joy is seeing people from different backgrounds gather together laughing, learning, cooking, celebrating. And in those moments, I hope they experience something beyond culture itself: a sense of hope, purpose, and the beauty of God’s design for community.

What I am most proud of is not an event or a number. It is the testimonies. The student who found confidence through learning a new language. The family who connected more deeply through a shared cooking experience. The young person inspired by Korean heritage. And the individuals who, through these encounters, became curious not only about Korea but about the faith that motivates my life.

To anyone reading this: if you are curious about Korea, if you are searching for authentic cultural experiences, if you long for meaningful community, or if you are quietly asking deeper questions about life and faith you are invited.
Come learn Korean with us.
Come cook and share a meal.
Come experience Seoul Dalbam Market under the lights.
Come celebrate at a K-Wave Festival.

And perhaps, through culture, you may also discover something eternal.
My prayer is that through the most Korean expressions of language, food, and celebration, people will encounter not only a nation’s beauty but also the love of God that inspires my work and my life.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

Beyond training and knowledge, I believe experience and people are the most valuable assets for succeeding in my field.
Growing up immersed in Korean culture has given me a deep understanding of its language, traditions, and values.

This lived experience allows me to share the culture authentically and meaningfully, helping others truly connect with Korea in a way that goes beyond surface-level appreciation. Every story, every custom, every flavor carries a depth that can only be conveyed through firsthand experience.

Equally important are the people I work with both those who share my cultural background and those who come from new and different cultures. When we come together in collaboration, bringing diverse perspectives, skills, and hearts, we are able to create something far greater than any of us could achieve alone. People turn ideas into action, dreams into reality, and cultural experiences into lasting impact.

In my work, experience gives authenticity, and people give possibility. Together, they allow any project or endeavor to flourish and touch lives in ways that training alone could never achieve.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start?

When it comes to funding a business, I know many people have incredible advice to offer. But for me personally, this has always been one of my greatest challenges. Sharing culture and working alongside people requires resources, and resources require funding. Running a nonprofit organization means that we rely entirely on the generosity of supporters, which is both a blessing and a continual challenge. Even today, securing funds remains difficult, and we are always in need of help. If anyone feels called to support our organization, there is no better time than now your help allows us to grow and reach more people.

Our initial capital was gathered in a very simple, yet deeply meaningful way. I set aside time to share the vision and the dream for what we hoped to create. I spoke about the changes we wanted to make, the community we wanted to build, and invited others to join us on this journey. A few committed hearts joined in, and it was through their willingness to step forward that we were able to start the Korean Culture Center.

Even now, I am keenly aware of my own limitations when it comes to resources. Yet, I remain profoundly grateful that this organization continues to operate and thrive through the support of each individual donor. Every contribution, every partnership, and every act of generosity is what sustains us and every supporter becomes part of the story of bringing Korean culture, community, and faith to life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.okccenter.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orlandokoreaculturecenter/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OrlandoKoreacultur/

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