Down to Business: Physical skills just as important as respect and discipline when learning taekwondo, martial arts studio owners say

Chicago Tribune

12-03-2025

Business: Kingdom Martial Arts
Address: 1112 S. Washington St., Naperville
Phone/website: 331-213-7144; www.masterbaek.com
Owner/headmaster: Inhun Baek, 36, of Naperville. Manager: Jinah Park, 33, of Naperville
Years in business: 10
What does your business do? 'We teach martial arts to all age groups. We start with the basics, kicking, punching, self-defense, sparring. Not only do we teach martial arts, but we teach discipline and respect in the curriculum,' Park said.
That's a big part of martial arts? 'Yes. It's how we differentiate from other sports. Discipline and respect. We teach not only martial arts skills, but also to respect other people. Be thankful for what they are given. And we hope that leads them to become good leaders,' Park said.
Which martial art is taught here? 'We only teach taekwondo, which originated in Korea. We're both from South Korea,' Park said.
What's the background? 'We started in Lisle in 2015, moved in here in December 2023,' Park said. 'When he opened the place, I met him through a friend. We've been married six years.'
Why Naperville? 'We needed a bigger location,' Baek said.
How many students do you have? 'About 230,' Park said.
And when someone comes in? 'The first class, regardless the age, it's an evaluation for us and a trial for newcomers. … As long as they are OK with everything, we give them a white belt after the first class. Now, it's your choice if you like us and want to continue with us. Nobody knows until they try,' Park said.
'Eighty to 90 (percent) return,' Baek said.
What's different from other martial arts? 'Taekwondo is Korean martial arts. More kicking. Karate is Japanese martial arts. Karate has more punching,' Baek said.
'The style is different. Judo is more throwing and falling,' Park said.
What's it like in South Korea? 'It's really tough to get to the top level (of taekwondo). … It's like football in America,' Baek said.
'When you're a child in Korea, nine of 10 have a history of learning taekwondo. Here they try baseball, soccer or track. In Korea, everybody goes through soccer or Taekwondo,' Park said.
Where do you rank? 'I'm a third degree,' Park said.
'I'm a sixth degree,' Baek said. 'There are nine degrees.'
'Nine is really old, like a grandpa. And they're really sharp at that age,' Park said.
What ages come here? 'Any age. Our oldest person now here is 60-somehing,' Park said. 'They start at 4. … For little ones, we don't teach self-defense. It's more discipline and respect.'
Are there more male or female students? 'Half and half,' Baek said.
What does a parent say? 'They're amazing. They have given Cecilia, my oldest daughter, confidence. My youngest daughter, Eloise, they taught self-control. … They're kind people. Good for the community,' Jeff Taylor, 42, of Lisle, said.
What about pricing? 'It depends on what they are looking for. How often you come in. A punch card has 10 classes for $280. If you want to come in twice a week, that will be $149 if they are 7 and up, $139 if 4 to 6 years old,' Park said.
How did the pandemic impact your business? 'There wasn't much we could do (when shut down) other than Zoom. It was really hard,' Park said.
'Without the Zoom classes, we might have shut down,' Baek said.
What if you know taekwondo and someone points a gun at you? 'If there's a gun, run away, please,' Park said. 'If there's not a gun involved, we teach self-defense.'
Are there competitions? 'We do have tournaments. We have one on March 22 in Aurora at Matea Valley High School.'
When are you busy? 'Usually the new year is busy with (people making) resolutions. … We have summer camps, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.,' Park said.
What misconceptions do people have? 'I get a lot, 'Can I be a ninja in a couple weeks?' No, we don't teach that. You're not going to crawling up the side of a building. That's not happening. … No, you're not going to kill anybody, you're not going to hurt anybody or be missing a bullet,' Park said.
What challenges do you face? 'It's not the other martial arts schools. It's other activities. Soccer. Baseball,' Park said.
Any future plans? 'Our ultimate goal is to have our own building,' Park said.
What's your advice for someone starting a business? 'Study what you are going into. Just because I love coffee is not good enough to open a coffee shop,' Park said.
'I'm different. If people think too much, they get scared. I say do it,' Baek said.