Double Dragon Tae Kwon Do

My daughter, Hana, started at Double Dragon Taekwondo when she was 7 years old. Except for the first day when she felt shy and a bit intimidated, she has loved every single minute of it. She enjoys the physical challenge of the sport — she’s never been so flexible! Master Brandon is strict, yet funny and Instructor Kenny is so sweet and patient.
Grandmaster Kim emphasizes the philosophy behind taekwondo, teaching his students discipline over both mind and body. It’s not just about learning the forms or sparring; he stresses respect for parents and hard work. Not all taekwondo schools do this.
As her parents, we have noticed a positive transformation in the time she has been at Double Dragon. She shows much more self restraint and understands the value of rules and tradition.
If you want more from a taekwondo school, if you want your child to build character and learn a sport that can last a lifetime, you won’t go wrong with Double Dragon.

In addition to the positive comments posted here, I would like to mention some of our experience with Double Dragon.
Having transferred from an after-​school-​Tae Kwon do class, my son had a hard time catching up with the class including Korean terminology, and basic skills. Grand Master Kim and instructors noticed my son’s struggle and taught him with step by step patiently. Also a friendly gesture from another student in the same class showing the correct forms was supportive. Soon he became hooked on Tae Kwon Do. All the support from Master Kim, the instructors, fellow students as well as parents, which were appreciated very much, made my son’s technique and attitude improve tremendously.
Here, you feel very supportive and friendly sense of community. Besides from Master Kim, we received encouragement and helpful tips for the tests and competitions from other parents. You can see the tradition for senior belts to support younger belts have been passed on.
When you have concerns, Grand Master Kim, Master instructors, and the office lady are available to answer your questions. It is great asset for the school to have such dedicated and passionate masters including a 5^th degree-​female master. One of the great things about here is Grand Master acknowledges the students’ effort which is very encouraging. He emphasizes the importance of humbleness and putting the effort always. We believe at Double Dragon your children are improving not only the technique also as life-​long skills as wonderful humans.
Seven years passed and my son still feels blessed to have training here, so do the other senior black belts.

Our two boys, ages 8 ½ and 6, have been students here for about 3 months. We were coming from a different studio, having left after feeling disappointed with how things were run there. Our kids are completely obsessed and so happy at Double Dragon. The teachers are all so engaged with the kids, instilling fun and confidence as much as teaching skills and form. Master Kim is always there, and works with our kids from time to time. Which is nothing short of thrilling to my boys to learn from the Grand Master. I also like the warm ups and stretching they do for the first 20 minutes of class. Both of our boys have had occupational therapy at different phases in their lives and the exercises are all so good for active children like mine. The sticker incentive system is such a positive motivator and can be redeemed for patches for their uniforms and other TKD-​related prizes. It’s been great for my kids to see their skills progress, and also see how their hard work can translate into an incentive that is not quick to attain. The teachers have been with the studio for years which gives the studio a sense of community. I get the sense from other kids in my sons’ classes, that they are as obsessed as my kids are. On the business end, I think Master Kim strives to keep his costs low and keep his tuitions as reasonable as possible for families. I also feel that he cares more about kids loving TKD and staying the course to see them through the entire process of white to black belt more than anything else. While our kids are in class, he is always out in the studio chatting with parents, which I love. Our other studio didn’t have that feeling to it, as that studio’s Master never worked with the beginning class and came off more like a business man rather than a studio Master/​teacher. The schedule works for us, as there is a class offered 6 days a week for us to pick 3. They do not require you to commit to a time/​day of the week so that flexibility is wonderful for us. We plan to follow our kids’ leads and take it all the way as long as that continues to be what they want. Master Kim has begun to explain to us the different options that we can commit to (that can wait until our kids are ready) so I’m not sure about Norma L.‘s review of feeling like a contract was shoved down her throat. They are straight and narrow about that and want you to commit for your child’s sake. It is a bit of all or nothing in that once you’re past a certain belt level, it’s not worth it for anyone involved to do anything less than what they ask. But being in the early stages ourselves, I don’t feel an ounce of pressure to do anything other than 1) what our kids want, and 2) what works for us. All teachers are black belt and have been with the studio for years. There seems to be very little turn around in the staff, and the student black-​belt volunteers have been with the studio since they were my kids’ ages. That says a lot about a place and Master Kim when that many people stick around. Ssang-​yong ssang-​yong FIGHTING!

My five year old son has attended Double Dragon Tae Kwon Do for the past six months or so. He absolutly loves it and refuses to ever miss a class. I started him at Double Dragon because he was having discipline problems in school, he even got suspended for hitting another child. I know, it doesn’t seem like teaching him the art of kicking and punching would be the right thing to do for a child who’s already
in trouble for hitting. But what he needed was actually a little confidence, discipline and to learn respect. Plus, he gets to work out all his excess energy in the do-​jang and not at school. His teacher at school can’t believe the difference. His behavior is better at home as well. He is working very hard to make his way up the belts and hopes to be a member of the Double Dragon team for a long time.

I have a 6 year old who has been at the DDTKD for over a year and he loves it. He’s a shy boy and DDKTD has really help him come out his shell, it worked wonders for his confidence. The instructors are fun but firm with the kids, personally I would like to see them be more strict but I appreciate that there is a balancing act between discipline and fun (to keep the kids really interested) and they strike a good balance. The price is good value for the number of classes realative to other sports etc.

My son attends DDTWD and he likes it. However, I’m a little tired of the same kids getting recognized at the awards and belt ceremony. My child works every bit as hard, learns the required information and performs well but is not recognized. Before you say I’m a protective mom who has an exaggerated opinion of my child please know that the same child has received the largest trophy at the last several awards ceremonies. Also, the awards are for broad categories such as most confident, most improved, etc. I am not asking for special treatment or an award where one is not earned, I’m just saying I think the process for choosing the winners is not based on anything other than who the owner likes and maybe whose parents spend the most $$.

Instructor Chris is great and HILARIOUS — he keeps both kids and parents laughing. All instructors are excellent and very professional. My two boys couldn’t be happier (me too!). Exercise level is well balanced with the teaching of self discipline and respect. They are extra patient and encouraging. I love their positive attitude. Kids love the trophies and the belt ceremonies. The holiday party belt ceremony combo was fab (next year we will need a bigger place though!). I’d give Double Dragon 6 stars if I could.

Wonderful instructors and good hours for children. Plus they give you a DVD when you sign up, which is very nice. It teaches how to tie a belt and how to do all the beginning moves. My son loves hitting and kicking and defending. I love the way Double Dragon emphasizes respect and discipline, and also school work. Excellent belt ceremonies too.

My eight year old attends classes here and we couldn’t be happier. I’ve seen kids as young as four, but there are adult classes as well. The dojo is a little small and the observation area is very tiny and often standing room only. There isn’t a better school in LA for the money. Definitely 5 stars.

Great instructors and they really care about your child developing. A really good price too as compared to other TKD studios. Great schedules for all ages. Master Kim is very nice and really respectful. My child enjoys going twice a week and she wants a black belt in the future.