A recently learned of the concept of "A Third Place." Coined by Ray Oldenberg, it's a social…read moreenvironment that is not home (first place) and not work (second place). He identified key characteristics of all third places. "They are on neutral ground and promote social equity by leveling the status of guests. Conversation is the main activity and the mood is playful. Strangers are welcome, and there are regulars who feel a piece of themselves is rooted in the space. They enjoy the same feelings of warmth, possession, and belonging as they would in their own homes." I know this is seriously corny, but William Kim's Tae Kwon Do Center is the best Third Place for families. You truly feel a sense of community when you are there. All the instructors are so good with the kids. I have personally seen how beneficial Tae Kwon Do is through my own 9-year old (who started in 2023 at 7). He has blossomed due in large part to Tae Kwon Do. Because I attend almost all of my son's classes, I've also witnessed so many other students excel. These kids learn discipline, respect, perseverance and many more valuable social and emotional skills. And even though the students are training hard during class, the classes are actually really fun! Even for parents just sitting and watching. In addition to being a great place for your kids, as a parent, you might find yourself connecting with other local parents who may even become close friends and trusted associates. Families have been sending their kids to William Kim's TKD for decades and for good reason. The center has deep roots in the Vallejo community. Third places like William Kim's are successful because of the people who volunteer and work there--especially the Kim family--who are committed to improving each students well being through the discipline of the art of Tae Kwon Do. Families continue to flock here because they can see and feel this commitment. Also there are not many places you can go to like this, where you see different generations, from gen alpha to millennial, gen x and beyond, socializing well and getting along with one another. Sidenote: My husband had been wanting our son to start Tae Kwon Do for years, since he participated in several martial arts when he was younger. He did extensive research before deciding where to start. He picked William Kim's because of Grandmaster Kim's excellent reputation (Grandmaster is a 9th Don!) And, even though we live further away in Cordelia, we believe the quality of William Kim's is definitely worth the drive to Vallejo.

My oldest asked to check out the TKD studio by the taco truck on Springs. I honestly didn't realize…read moreit was even there. We went to check it out and right away both my boys loved it. They had a 30 day trial to check it out and see if it was a good fit for us, even my husband decided to give it a try and joined the adult class. We are now a little over 2 years in and absolutely love it here. My husband and boys are now senior blue belts, half way to black belts. Going to this studio was the best decision we made for our family. Everyone at WMK is amazing and makes you feel so welcome. We are always bragging about our extended family! If you're considering it, you should just go in and give it a try. You won't be disappointed!

We started Haugh's from getting a deal through silent auction at our boys school. Originally we…read morewere only planning on having our oldest Join. But master Haugh was so nice and let all 3 boys try it out for free. Maybe it's kindness, maybe brilliant marketing but all 3 boys fell in love. How could you not, he is so kind, so gentle and so inclusive! He meets the kids where they are, doesn't force anyone do something they are not ready for. The biggest thing he teaches is confidence, respect, and positive values. My wife is a teacher and she has even learned how to better teach and reach her students. We are happy we found this wonderful school!

Absolutely love this place. Mr. Hauth is amazing and he is so considerate of every child that he…read moreteaches. My daughter is very shy and has a hard time warming up to people, but she has warmed up and Loves going to her lessons. She is very dedicated and Mr. Hauth recognizes her shyness and does everything to encourage her to participate and feel valued. He is an excellent teacher and human being. We are always seeking good male role models for our children and Mr. Hauth certainly fits the bill. We are very fortunate to have him in our community to help raise our kids as thoughtful, kind, and considerate people. Oh and by the way they also learned have to defend themselves in the process!

As a high-ranking black belt Certified Taekwondo Instructor who taught Taekwondo for many years…read more(15+) with Mr. Hamlet, I would not take my child there. Over the years he treated people with great disrespect including the entire Instructor staff which is why we all left! It's one thing to have discipline running a tight ship and it's quite another to act like a complete horse's.... yelling at children! As an instructor I was always able to get the kids attention and elicit good behavior without screaming at them. I'm not sure if he has changed. Talk about someone who doesn't practice what they preach. Your rank or degree means nothing, absolutely zero unless you actually walk the walk in your daily life. Lead by example if you do anything right. Everyone is used to learning by following someone else, but sometimes we can learn what not to do or how not to act by observing an individual. This is one of those times...... I vividly remember a time when he was practicing for his 7th Degree black belt test. We were free sparring punching and kicking each other and I hurt his little finger as he tried to block my round kick to his head. He immediately stopped fighting and screamed at me for 30 minutes, saying I ruined his chances to test, pacing up and down the floor like a spoiled child. I remember thinking... why? would a Taekwondo master whine about a little injury. I would love to see him compete in a real full contact environment; this might be why he was knocked out before when he tried kickboxing. Overall great technician with flashy techniques, but a lousy businessman and living example. He is without a doubt the most egotistical and self-absorbed man I know. Hopefully, he has calmed down a bit and is actually paying his staff if he has anyone willing to work with him. Last time I checked we lived in America not communist China!

Mr.& Mrs. Hamlet have such big classes, however that doesn't stop them from keeping their eye on…read morethe kids. They show all kids attention. Good or bad. They will catch you if you're acting up, or if you're not doing the form right. Most places can't control such a huge class. So i definitely give kudos to them. Also they do things with the kids outside of the classes. Just 2wks ago they had fun day. Parents paid $25 for each child & the kids had a fun play day with the instructors including snacks & goodies. Our daughter had a blast with them & got to meet a lot of other kids outside of class. The biggest thing we love about this place is how Mr. Hamlet teaches the kids self discipline, & respect for adults and he doesn't show mercy to those that don't following the rules. :)

Heard about this dojo for a while now,since the first time it opened in Clayton started at $20 for…read morethe trial ,now it is $50 for 2 classes. After trial my daughter likes it, particularly the vibes there,Master Baek and staffs are very friendly. So decided to sign her up, I pay $250 a month for twice a week classes( 4 options for 4 difference classes) They do not accept cash,if you decide to sign up, Only direct deposit. And expects to 3-4% inflation after a year usually February. I KNOW EXPENSIVE right, NO! the lifetime experience, discipline, the skills that Master taught our kid is more valuable than anything, well for the price that I pay better be good ^^....so try it out today....come and see in person,bring your kid,make them busy.

Ji Sung Taekwondo the best place for my kids They enjoy…read moretheir training. The instructor are so great and positive.

Quick Review: Ji Sung Taekwondo is far more than a martial…read morearts studio - it is an extraordinary community led by passionate, highly skilled instructors who build confidence, discipline, respect, and leadership in every child. From transformative classes to unforgettable birthday parties, the staff consistently goes above and beyond to create a positive, empowering experience for both children and parents. Detailed Review: Our family has known this taekwondo studio since my brother and I were children. Some of my fondest memories growing up were attending TKD tournaments with my parents and cheering my brother on from the sidelines. Life has certainly evolved since then - my brother and I now have families of our own, and while we may no longer jump five feet in the air to break boards with a single kick (or perhaps we still can!), one thing has remained constant: the exceptional community at Ji Sung Taekwondo. Over the years, much has changed, yet the studio's core values have remained unwavering. Ji Sung Taekwondo continues to cultivate confidence, resilience, discipline, respect, teamwork, cultural appreciation, and outstanding martial arts skills - all while creating an environment where children genuinely enjoy learning. Not every instructor possesses the rare combination of being engaging, encouraging, patient, and deeply invested in their students. Just as classroom teachers vary, martial arts instructors do as well. At Ji Sung, however, you will find highly skilled, compassionate, and remarkably dedicated instructors who consistently go above and beyond for every child. After researching numerous TKD studios, I can confidently say this is the most impressive team I have encountered. As a parent, my goal is to raise confident, respectful, and capable future leaders, and Ji Sung reinforces those qualities beautifully. One of the most impressive things about the instructors at Ji Sung Taekwondo is how intentional and attentive they are with every child. They consistently call students by name to keep them engaged and focused, model positive behavior through clear examples, and offer meaningful praise and encouragement that builds both confidence and accountability in the children. Master Sahar is truly exceptional! She has an extraordinary ability to connect with children and capture their attention through positivity and encouragement. Rather than focusing on negative behavior, she reinforces good choices and models expectations in a way children immediately understand. The students genuinely want to succeed under her guidance, and it is remarkable how quickly they become more attentive, respectful, and confident in her classes. Miss Joy is equally outstanding - attentive, uplifting, and incredibly knowledgeable. She takes the time to ensure students learn proper technique correctly and thoughtfully refines movements with patience and precision. Master Kim leads with expertise, attentiveness, and high standards. He notices everything, maintains strong discipline, and motivates students to perform at their very best while still making them feel supported and encouraged. We deeply appreciate him and the incredible community he has built. We recently hosted a birthday party at Ji Sung Taekwondo, and it was one of the best decisions we could have made. Master Sahar, Miss Joy, and Esther exceeded every expectation and completely impressed both the children and parents in attendance. Within just an hour, the kids learned technique, discipline, and respect - and by the end of the party, each child successfully broke their own wooden board. It was such a meaningful confidence-building experience, and the children left feeling proud, empowered, and excited. When our children attended their first trial class, my four-year-old daughter was extremely shy and hesitant to leave my arms or step onto the mat independently. By the very next class, she confidently ran onto the mat on her own, and at home she now responds to my requests with, "Yes, ma'am!" every single time. It is absolutely adorable and makes me incredibly proud. That transformation is entirely thanks to the warmth, encouragement, and patience shown by Master Sahar and Miss Joy, along with Master Kim's supportive guidance for parents. Thank you to the entire Ji Sung team for the extraordinary energy, heart, and dedication you pour into every class. Your positivity, teamwork, perseverance, and kindness create an environment that truly shapes children for the better. This is far more than a taekwondo studio - it is a community that inspires children to become stronger, more confident, and more respectful versions of themselves.

The instructors spent much time with my son and he just graduated to an orange belt. So proud of…read morehim. Thank you to the the whole Ji Sung team

My daughter loves going to Team Dragons after school. Master Lee is a great human, instructor and…read moreleader. He and his family and staff are kind, patient and very encouraging.

Master Lee is my son favorite instructor. We choose him after we tried 3 other places. My son want…read moreto sign up asap after FREE TRIAL.

I am currently practicing and I attend classes in Iya taekwondo, it is a very friendly place and…read moreenvironment to be in. Everyone is welcomed and I really respect and like out coaches. They actually help and teach a lot of good techniques.

Don't usually agree with others' reviews by default but I do have to agree with this five star…read morerating. From the get go they have been very kind and very thorough, answering any and all questions and providing a comprehensive overview to their program. For a first timer, my daughter was nervous but the coaches have been kind and patient. They seem to just really "get" kids here. Very encouraging and positive which isn't always the case with kid sports. As a result my daughter is begging me to consistently go! There is a significant monthly cost but I think give the environment, physical activity, and positive focus it is well worth every penny. Check 'em out!

We've been with Master O for the last 5 years. He is an amazing instructor, we all learn so much…read morefrom him. He is truly the best! Highly recommended!

Master O is the absolute best. He doesn't rip off his customers for belt testing and he cares…read moreabout the adults and children who go to his classes. He is an old fashioned Korean Master and he upholds his standards as such. check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnDBDFuW3N4

My son's been a part of Black Tiger for two years and absolutely loves it. The instructors have…read morehigh expectations but are also patient and caring. I appreciate the emphasis on focus, discipline, and hard work. There is also great communication with families. My son has participated in two local tournaments and an inhouse tournament, and the instructors made sure he was prepared.

We are loving this place. The teachers are patient and kind, with great energy and really engage…read morethe kids. Safety is a priority and they take it seriously both general safety and Covid safety. The classes are when I'm at work and I love that I can watch on Facebook and see my kid having a great time. I'm so happy we found the studio and my daughter is really enjoying her experience. This is definitely a business run on respect and integrity.