Jae Hun Kim Taekwon-do Institute

We had a wonderful gathering of our Black Belts from around the world in Seoul, South Korea for our International Hanmadang Nov 21-23. The festivities included seminars, promotion tests, demonstrations, cultural activities, and social events. It was a great opportunity to make new friends and strengthen the camaraderie amongst our global family. Many have suggested that we make this an annual event. Please let us know if you would like to participate if we were to gather at another overseas location in 2026.

We would like to share a heartfelt letter from Linda Button reflecting on our Hanmadang and recent visit to South Korea.
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Dear Mr. Kim,

I expected a lot of feelings, coming to Seoul for the Hanmadang: pride, excitement, delight. But I had not expected to be moved to tears as I was throughout yesterday.

Perhaps it was the experience of seeing so many of us, from so many global corners, practicing one discipline. Or listening to conversations with few common words and, yet, deep understanding. Last night at dinner, for example, I shared a table with four women from the Korea school. We conversed through a translation app, through gestures, and laughter. Eriko and I learned that all four women had joined the school later in life—at 22, 36, 52 and 55. They were excited to practice a sport that used to be geared toward men. They spoke of feeling inspired to become better people, and of the strength taekwondo had given them. If your goal was to extend Taekwondo to adults in Asia, it looks like the idea has taken root : ).

Or, maybe it was the electricity that filled the dojang yesterday, the rambunctious energy of the kids, the nerves of performance, the explosion of relief and inspiration at the end. You spoke of mortality and legacy and looking to members to carry on what you have carried to us from General Choi. That gave all of us pause. I could feel the welling of love (yes, I believe it’s love) that took over that moment.

But, mostly, I wept from the realization of what your gift to us truly is. You celebrate each of us, regardless of our natural talents or limitations. I saw it on your face during the exhibition. You take joy in what we bring—whether the humor and passion of Ireland, the power of Seattle, the precision of Korea, the acrobatics of Shanghai, or the loyalty of Boston. You encourage our innovation and ask for our dedication. And it is our privilege to be part of what you have created.

I felt honored to join this Hanmadang. I always wish I could do better for you, and am grateful for the invitation to try. Thank you, as well, for the glorious Friday. Visiting your parents’ tomb brought meaning to the weekend. Touring the palace and dressing in Hanbok clothing was pure delight. And sharing meals—breakfasts and luncheons and a very entertaining buffet, brings us together as community.

Thank you for everything and safe travels home.

With warmest regards,
Linda Button

Thuy from our Boston school - taking Taekwondo to new heights!

Kicking it in Acadia National Park Maine!

It's 90 degrees out. Time to break a sweat Labubu style!

100 degrees can't keep our TKD fam away!

Look who showed up to class today!🥋🥹

Our school was asked to perform at the 2025 Boston Dragon Boat Festival. Everyone did a great job demonstrating various elements of Taekwondo training including Forms, Board Breaking and Sparring.

May 17th, Tony Lee visited our branch school in Cork, Ireland to conduct seminars as part of our Junior Seminar Instructor program.

Mr. Kim visited our schools in Seoul, South Korea and Makassar, Indonesia from April 11th-20th and conducted seminars and promotion tests for our students and instructors in the region. Instructors WJ Jeong, SH Kim and JH Choi accompanied Mr. Kim on the trip. The visit to Makassar was especially memorable as we found a group of dedicated Taekwondo practitioners who have been working hard to follow the Boston teaching system literally half-way around the globe. Mr. Kim's next visit to Asia will be in November when Mr. Kim plans to host an international Hanmadang in Korea for our members from around the world.

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Sightseeing in Athens before a hapkido seminar. Feeling really lucky that I have stumbled into a lovely dojang with a grandmaster who teaches both taekwondo and hapkido. Looking forward to learning a lot and doing some demo :)
(That podium was not as sturdy as it looks!)

Mr. Kim conducted seminars and promotion tests in South Korea from November 8th to November 11th. In addition, our instructors and students in Korea organized a dinner to thank him for establishing our school 50 years ago in Boston.