Today we’d like to introduce you to Sean Kim.
Hi Sean , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I came to the United States from South Korea in 1992. My father had immigrated before the rest of our family and worked incredibly hard doing whatever jobs he could to support us while saving enough money to pursue his dream.
In 1993, one year after I arrived, he opened King Tiger Martial Arts. He is also my Grandmaster and comes from a very traditional, old-school style of teaching. Looking back, I’m grateful for that because it taught me discipline, respect, humility, and perseverance.
Before coming to America, I had tried Taekwondo in Korea when I was very young. I was raised by my grandparents for part of my childhood, and my grandfather took me to a Taekwondo school. I was so scared that I cried and ran out of class. At that age, I wasn’t ready. But after moving to the United States and watching my father build his school from the ground up, everything changed.
I’ve always loved sports and was very athletic. I enjoyed swimming and other activities, so I had good endurance. I also loved martial arts movies as a kid. Watching those films inspired me, and once I started training with my father, Taekwondo quickly became my passion.
Today, I’ve been practicing Taekwondo for 33 years. My father has retired and moved back to South Korea, and I took over King Tiger Martial Arts when I was 29 years old.
One of the greatest rewards has been watching generations grow with us. Many of the children I taught years ago are now adults bringing their own children to our school. Others have become doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, business owners, police officers, and professionals in many different fields. Knowing that martial arts played a small part in helping shape their lives is one of the proudest accomplishments of my career.
To me, martial arts has no finish line. Many people think earning a black belt is the goal, but I believe it’s only the beginning. Martial arts is a lifelong journey because your greatest opponent is always yourself. Every day is another opportunity to learn, improve, and become a better person—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Like everyone else, I’ve experienced difficult times and personal challenges. But one lesson my father always taught me has stayed with me throughout my life: endurance and perseverance. Those weren’t just words—they became the motto of our school and the foundation of how I lead my life.
For over 33 years, King Tiger Martial Arts has continued serving families in Montgomery County. We’ve been through economic ups and downs, changing times, and many challenges, but our mission has never changed: to build confidence, discipline, respect, resilience, and strong character in every student who walks through our doors.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that martial arts is about much more than kicking and punching. It’s about developing the right mindset.
At King Tiger, we don’t just teach techniques—we teach life skills. We teach confidence, respect, self-control, responsibility, and perseverance. More than anything, we want our students to become good people who positively impact their families, schools, workplaces, and communities.
I often tell my students that your mind and your body belong to you. You are the owner of your own life. Parents, teachers, and mentors can guide you, but they cannot make your choices. Only you can decide who you become.
Everyone faces challenges. Sometimes people make poor decisions because of difficult circumstances or hardships. That happens to both children and adults. But I truly believe that if you make up your mind and commit to changing, you can overcome almost anything. No one else can do that work for you—you have to take that first step yourself.
After more than three decades of teaching, that’s the message I hope every student remembers: Believe in yourself. Take responsibility for your life. Never stop learning. Never give up.
Those values have shaped who I am—not only as a martial artist and business owner, but as a husband, a father, a leader, and a person. They continue to guide me every day, and I hope they inspire others to become the best version of themselves.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of my biggest challenges was learning that being a great martial artist doesn’t automatically make you a great business owner. Those are two completely different skill sets.
My father did an incredible job teaching me how to become a martial artist and how to teach students. But when I took over the school, I realized I also had to learn how to run a business—managing finances, marketing, hiring staff, customer service, and making difficult decisions. Those weren’t things I had been trained to do.
At first, that was overwhelming because I naturally enjoyed being on the mat, teaching classes, and interacting with students. But over time, I realized that if I wanted to continue my father’s legacy, I had to become a student again—this time in business.
I learned through experience, made mistakes, adapted, and kept improving. Looking back, that challenge made me a stronger leader. Today, I understand that success isn’t just about being excellent at your craft; it’s also about building an organization that allows that craft to continue serving people for generations.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
For more than 33 years, I’ve dedicated my career to martial arts education as the owner and Head Instructor of King Tiger Martial Arts in Montgomery County, Maryland. My passion goes beyond teaching Taekwondo—it’s helping people develop confidence, discipline, self-control, resilience, and leadership that they can carry with them throughout their lives.
I teach students of all ages, from young beginners taking their first class to advanced black belts. Every student learns differently, so I enjoy adapting my teaching to each individual and helping them reach their full potential. In addition to our regular classes, I also provide private lessons for students with special needs, including children and adults with autism, because I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the benefits of martial arts.
My expertise includes traditional Taekwondo techniques such as kicking, hand strikes, self-defense, sparring, forms (poomsae), and board breaking. I also teach traditional weapons, including the bo staff and nunchaku, and I have experience in Kendo, which has strengthened my understanding of discipline, timing, distance, and weapon control.
Over the past three decades, we’ve promoted thousands of students throughout Montgomery County. Many of the children I taught years ago are now adults bringing their own children to train with us. Seeing multiple generations come through our school is one of the greatest rewards of my career.
One experience that has always stayed with me happened recently. I ran into a former student at a local park whom I had taught nearly 20 years ago. He has autism, and when he was a child, communication was very challenging for him. As soon as he saw me, he smiled, came over, and started demonstrating Taekwondo techniques we had practiced years ago. He was just a little boy when I taught him, and now he was a grown man. Seeing that he still remembered me and those lessons meant more to me than any trophy or award.
Moments like that remind me why I chose this career. Martial arts is about much more than learning how to kick and punch. It’s about building confidence, character, and lifelong relationships. My goal has always been to help people become not only better martial artists, but better human beings
What do you like and dislike about the city?
To be honest, I love my city. Montgomery County has been my home for over 30 years, and it’s where I’ve built my family, my business, and lifelong relationships. I’ve had the privilege of teaching thousands of students from many different backgrounds, and that’s something I’m very grateful for.
If I had to choose one thing to improve, I’d simply like to see even more opportunities for children and families to stay active and involved in positive community programs. I believe activities like martial arts, sports, and mentorship help build confidence, discipline, and stronger communities.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kingtigermd.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19FM2C2SZL/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Twitter: Kingtigermartialarts
- Youtube: @kingtiger6451
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/Cik4aNVL2V
