We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Minkyung Kim a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Minkyung thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. One deeply underappreciated facet of entrepreneurship is the kind of crazy stuff we have to deal with as business owners. Sometimes it’s crazy positive sometimes it’s crazy negative, but crazy experiences unite entrepreneurs regardless of industry. Can you share a crazy story with our readers?

I decided to open my own martial arts school to fulfill my father’s lifelong wish—and my own long-held dream. The journey to get there was far from easy. I faced many challenges, and at one point, I was almost scammed. But through all the ups and downs, I finally opened my dojang.

The first year was extremely difficult. Business was slow, and I struggled to keep it going. Just when things started to improve and the number of students began to grow, COVID hit, and I was forced to shut down. Unlike many others, I wasn’t able to receive government support. I had to take out a loan under my business name just to survive and keep the school afloat.

During the pandemic, I pivoted to online classes via Zoom and started producing videos for students. Then, I suffered a serious injury—an ACL tear. I didn’t have the money for surgery, but with help from generous people around me, I managed to gather enough for the operation. Despite the injury and pain, I returned to work at the dojang right after surgery. Two friends from out of state helped me cover two months of rent, and even though my body was still healing, I showed up every day to keep the school running.

That time in my life felt like the world was collapsing. The sense of despair was indescribable. I even thought it would be easier if I just disappeared from this world. But I held on. I endured. And eventually, my dojang, though small and modest in size and student numbers, began to earn a reputation as a place where Taekwondo is truly taught well—with heart, skill, and discipline.

I run my business entirely on my own. People often ask, “Can you really do it all alone?” They say, “It’s too much for one person.” And yet, to this day, I manage everything myself—from teaching classes to preparing students for tournaments and demos, organizing events, and more. As a woman running a business alone in a foreign country without family, I’ve been through a lot. But I’ve also grown stronger.

What keeps me going is the students. Seeing them grow, witnessing their passion, and receiving the love and support of their parents gives me the strength to continue. I find joy and motivation in every class I teach. All my stress seems to disappear the moment I start teaching. It truly is a blessing to do what I love.

Even now, I work harder than anyone, every single day, never taking a break, because I want to grow and improve. I’m committed to building something meaningful, not just for myself, but for the community I serve.

Minkyung, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I started practicing Taekwondo at a young age and eventually graduated with a degree in Taekwondo from Kyungwon University in South Korea. During my university years, I was part of a Taekwondo demonstration team, traveling to various countries and performing. Through those experiences, I discovered the United States—and later fulfilled my childhood dream of becoming an international Taekwondo instructor by moving here.

Now, I run my own dojang in Centreville, Virginia, where I offer a specialized Taekwondo program that sets my school apart from others in the area. I focus not only on traditional Taekwondo but also on developing competitive athletes. My goal is to provide high-level, authentic instruction that reflects the true spirit and discipline of Taekwondo.

As someone who was formally trained in Korea and holds a university degree in Taekwondo, I am a professional in the field. I teach based on the traditional techniques and philosophies I learned through my studies, as well as the practical experience I gained from years as a competitor and demonstration team member.

My school is becoming known as a place of true Taekwondo expertise—a dojang where students learn from a dedicated professional with deep roots in the art.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Even after undergoing ACL surgery, I didn’t take time off from work or training. I kept going because I knew my students and their parents were waiting for me. I was determined not to close my school—I was committed to standing back up and moving forward, no matter how difficult it was.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I used to believe that I had to do everything alone to be strong. But when I was injured and couldn’t afford surgery, I had no choice but to accept help. Friends supported me with rent, others helped me raise surgery funds. That experience taught me that asking for help is not weakness—it’s also strength.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.supermastermin.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hi_master_min/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ktacentreville/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/kta-kim-min-kyung-taekwondo-academy-centreville