Today we’d like to introduce you to Regina Im.
Hi Regina, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I immigrated to New York City from South Korea when I was fifteen. Like many new immigrants, I came from a humble background — poor but determined. By sixteen, I was already working full-time while attending school. I later majored in Finance and Investment and minored in Political Science, chasing stability and success in the fast-paced world of business.
It wasn’t until college that I discovered Taekwondo — and that changed everything. What began as a hobby quickly became my anchor and identity as an Asian and Korean woman living in America. During my early career years in finance, Taekwondo was both my stress relief and my social community.
When the subprime crisis hit in 2008, I made a bold decision: to walk away from the finance industry and pursue what I truly loved. Around that time, I learned that the Korean government was working to introduce Taekwondo as a physical education program in New York City public schools. With support from many grandmasters, I helped adapt teaching methods and curriculum to suit American students — and I volunteered to teach Taekwondo as P.E. for free at fifteen NYC schools for an entire year. Our results spoke for themselves. Soon after, we signed an official contract with the New York City Department of Education, making Taekwondo an official part of the public-school physical education curriculum — the first program of its kind.
To make sure every student could participate, we secured uniform donations from the Korean government so that children from all backgrounds could proudly wear their doboks. From this foundation, I founded Korea Taekwondo (KTKD) with one mission: to help students become champions in life through Taekwondo training. Over the years, more than 40,000 students, parents, and teachers have experienced the educational and emotional power of Taekwondo through our programs.
We opened our first dojang in New York City — a small third-floor space with no signboard but nearly a hundred students. By 2015, we had tripled in size, and by 2021 we opened our second location. Today, according to Taekwondo Headquarters’ statistics, KTKD has one of the highest numbers of black belt students among all NYC Taekwondo schools.
With strong partnerships from both the NYC Department of Education and the Korean government, our organization continued to grow smoothly. I developed an Instructor Training Program designed to help American instructors and Korean masters work together — blending cultural understanding, modern pedagogy, and authentic Taekwondo tradition.
As a 1.5-generation Korean American, I understand both worlds — the discipline and depth of Korean martial arts and the creativity and openness of American education. That unique perspective has guided my leadership and teaching philosophy.
After the pandemic, we recognized that New York City had changed. My team and I wanted a new environment to continue growing — a place that offered balance, community, and opportunity. We researched the top 100 cities in the U.S., studying demographics, education, and martial arts markets. We narrowed it down to Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio — and finally chose Columbus for its energy, growth, and educational focus.
Now, we are preparing to open our third KTKD location in Dublin, Ohio, expected to launch at the end of October or early November. We’ve already partnered with Dublin City Schools to offer after-school Taekwondo programs and look forward to expanding our community there.
To support our continued growth, I authored the KTKD Curriculum and Instructor Manual, a comprehensive guide that combines martial arts training with leadership, character education, and life skills. My philosophy is simple yet powerful: Taekwondo is not just about kicking and punching — it’s about respect, discipline, and confidence, both inside and outside the dojang.
Today, KTKD stands for more than martial arts. It represents a bridge between cultures, a model for education, and a community that empowers the next generation of global leaders through the true spirit of Taekwondo.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It was never a smooth road — not even close. I came to New York City as a teenage immigrant who barely spoke English and started working full-time at sixteen to support myself and my family. My parents always needed my help, and for many years, survival came before dreams.
I had to take a semester off during high school to help my family financially and couldn’t attend the college I had dreamed of because of tuition costs. I eventually enrolled at City College, working full-time and holding a second part-time job while pursuing my degree. Those years taught me to be resourceful, disciplined, and relentless — qualities that later became the foundation of my teaching philosophy.
When I decided to leave my stable career in finance to teach Taekwondo, most people thought I was making a mistake. I had no investors, no background in education, and no blueprint to follow. In the beginning, I volunteered for an entire year, teaching Taekwondo as a P.E. subject at fifteen New York City public schools — unpaid — just to prove that it could work. I taught students from Pre-K through 12th grade and collaborated with fifteen different principals who became my mentors, helping me refine my curriculum and improve my teaching skills.
Convincing the school system was another challenge. I had to completely redevelop the concept of Taekwondo — transforming it from a traditional Korean martial art into an educational model that fit within the American school system. That meant rewriting lessons, creating age-appropriate programs, and training instructors who could connect across both cultures.
There were also cultural challenges. Korean masters and American instructors often had very different teaching styles, and it took years to build a bridge between them — one founded on mutual respect and shared purpose.
But every challenge became a lesson. Each obstacle forced me to grow as both an educator and a leader. I learned that real success isn’t about avoiding difficulties — it’s about transforming them into stepping stones toward a bigger mission.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Korea Taekwondo ?
Korea Taekwondo (KTKD) is New York City’s #1 Family Taekwondo Center — a place where parents and children grow together, side by side.
Our philosophy is simple but powerful: Be Better Every Day, and our mission is to be the home of Life Champions.
Founded to help students become champions in life through Taekwondo training, KTKD combines authentic Korean martial arts with modern American education. We successfully introduced Taekwondo as an official Physical Education subject through the New York City Department of Education — a historic milestone that has reached more than 40,000 students, parents, and teachers.
At KTKD, Taekwondo is more than kicking and punching — it’s a complete education system that builds confidence, discipline, respect, and focus. Families train together, learning teamwork, leadership, and mutual respect in a positive, goal-driven environment.
The lessons students gain through Taekwondo — focus, respect, perseverance, and self-control — are life skills that last long after the training ends.
What sets us apart is our strong focus on character development, educational excellence, and authenticity. Every class connects physical training with life lessons, helping students grow stronger not only in body but also in mind and heart. Our KTKD Instructor Manual and Character Development Series integrate martial arts, life skills, and education principles to shape future leaders.
We are proud to be a bridge between Korean tradition and American education. Our team includes both American instructors and Korean masters who train together under a shared instructor development system — blending authenticity with innovation.
Importantly, KTKD is a registered trademark, representing our commitment to the highest educational and instructional standards. The KTKD curriculum, materials, and teaching systems are exclusive to our organization and can only be used by certified KTKD schools and instructors.
Today, KTKD operates in New York City and is expanding to Columbus, Ohio, continuing one clear mission:
to inspire families and future leaders to Be Better Every Day.
What were you like growing up?
I was always independent, curious, and hardworking — maybe because I had to be. I grew up in South Korea and was part of an intensive gymnastics team that trained future Olympians. That experience taught me focus, endurance, and how to push through limits, both physically and mentally.
When I immigrated to New York City at fifteen, everything changed. I barely spoke English, but I was determined to adapt. I worked full-time while going to school, studied hard, and learned how to survive in a completely new world. Looking back, those years built my resilience, discipline, and empathy — the same qualities I try to pass on to my students today.
I’ve always been passionate about people — understanding them, motivating them, and helping them grow. Even before Taekwondo became my career, I naturally took on leadership roles — whether it was helping classmates, organizing events, or mentoring others. That’s always been who I am: someone who finds purpose in helping others reach their potential.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ktkdcolumbus.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ktkd.dublin/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ktkd.columbus/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nycreginaim/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/tkdtopia
- Other: https://newtopiaent.com/
