Today we’d like to introduce you to Chungkeun Lee.
Hi Chungkeun, 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 immigrated to the United States at the age of forty-five — not a young age, but with a heart full of determination and faith to begin a new journey. In Korea, my family and I lived a comfortable middle-class life, so leaving everything behind and starting over in a new country was not an easy decision. It required courage, especially from my wife and our two young daughters. Starting a Taekwondo school in a foreign land, with limited English and no guarantees, was truly a leap of faith.
During my first year in America, I traveled across several states, visiting Taekwondo schools to learn about the culture, the teaching styles, and the community. During that time, my closest American friend that I met in the army became a tremendous source of strength for our family. They supported us wholeheartedly during our early days in the U.S., and he even helped us find and secure a space for our first dojang.
In 2013, I opened CK Lee Taekwondo Academy in a modest 2,900-square-foot space next to a Kroger in Upper Arlington. I still remember the joy and gratitude I felt when our very first student walked through the door. Each new student that joined felt like welcoming another member into my family. From the very beginning, my wife and two daughters stood beside me, working tirelessly and sharing the same dream.
Even while helping at the dojang, both of my daughters managed their studies with great discipline and dedication. Through years of hard work and perseverance, their efforts blossomed into success — my older daughter was accepted into dental school, and my youngest daughter was accepted into medical school. Watching them grow into strong, compassionate young women while sharing the same journey as a family has been one of the greatest joys and blessings of my life. Every evening after returning home around 9 p.m., our family would gather for dinner, sharing stories from the day, reflecting on challenges, and talking about the future. Those moments of warmth and unity became the heartbeat of our family’s journey.
For the past seven years, our school has also given back to the community through our annual HealthKick fundraising event, supporting Nationwide Children’s Hospital. This tradition embodies the true spirit of Taekwondo: using our strength and unity to help others. So far, my students and the community around Upper Arlington have raised about $100,000, and we continue to aim higher each year.
Today, I teach with the same heart I had when I first arrived in America. My mission has never changed — to help students build strong minds and strong bodies, to teach them respect and humility, and to inspire them to use their strength to make the world a better and kinder place. That is, and always will be, the true spirit of Taekwondo.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Of course, the journey hasn’t always been smooth and easy. As time went on, the school continued to grow, and we eventually moved into a larger space next door. But soon after, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. It was one of the most challenging times, and like many small business owners, I faced uncertainty, fear, and financial strain. But my family and my staff stayed united and worked together to keep the spirit of Taekwondo alive through online classes so our students could stay connected and continue learning. Through faith, teamwork, and perseverance, we endured the pandemic and by the grace of God, an opportunity arose. A nearby restaurant that had closed during the pandemic became available for sale. Once again, I took a leap of faith. I purchased the building and fully remodeled it into new dojang. After years of hard work and prayer, we successfully moved into our beautifully renewed dojang. The joy and gratitude I felt on that day are beyond words.
The second major challenge has been cultural differences, especially when it comes to communication and work habits. Over the years, I’ve remodeled three different dojangs, and each project reminded me how different the pace and mindset are between Korea and the U.S. In Korea, things move incredibly fast; a renovation that might take one day there could take several days or even weeks here. It was hard to understand why each steps takes longer here, but I learned to be patient, to adapt, and to appreciate the different rhythm of life here in the States.
Through these challenges, I gained a deeper understanding of what it truly means to persevere — not just in business, but in life.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about CK Lee Taekwondo Academy?
At CK Lee Taekwondo Academy, our strength lies in both technical excellence and authentic World Taekwondo standards.
We proudly operate two elite teams: Demonstration Team and Sparring Team. These two elite teams have achieved outstanding results at state, national, and international tournaments.
Our Demo Team has earned an impressive record with seven championship titles across the Ohio State and Michigan State Championships, along with Top 5 placements at both the International Kukkiwon Open and the USAT National Championships.
Our Elite Sparring Team has produced three USA Taekwondo National Champions, and many more gold medalists in both sparring and poomsae divisions at state-level competitions.
As the President of the Ohio State Taekwondo Association, I take pride in ensuring that my students train under the official World Taekwondo curriculum and values, learning true discipline, respect, and confidence through every lesson.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
There are many memories, but the most fun and unforgettable one is growing up in the countryside and playing war games with my friends on the mountain behind my house with wooden toy guns.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.cktaekwondo.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ck.lee.tkd/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CkLeeTaekwondo/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ckleetkd1048/featured
