The sun had barely set, casting a warm orange glow through the windows of Kim’s White Tiger Taekwondo. Sophomore Claire Kim steps onto the mat with quiet confidence, her bare feet pressing into the soft floor.
“Ready stance!” she calls, her voice clear and calm.
The kids quickly copy Claire, snapping into position. Moving through the class, she adjusts their positions and shows them how to improve. Claire steps beside a boy, her hands hovering as she adjusts his stance. “Shift your weight here,” she said, guiding his back leg into position. When he tried the kick again, his eyes widened as it landed with power, and she gave him an approving nod.
Teaching taekwondo isn’t just a skill for Claire—it’s her way of helping kids feel strong and confident, just as she learned to be here.
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Taekwondo, a Korean martial art, had always been a family affair for Claire. Her parents both studied it in Korea before moving to North Carolina, later relocating to Texas. They opened their own Taekwondo studio there. As their daughter, Claire was naturally involved.
“My parents put me into Taekwondo when I was about three,” Claire said. “They did it in college, and they had me start early on. I didn’t really have a choice at first, but now I can’t imagine my life without it.”
Claire sees taekwondo as much more than a sport. For Claire, taekwondo is a way of instilling values like respect and discipline — qualities she’s learned to appreciate more deeply as she’s grown.
“When I was younger, I was pretty selfish,” she said. “Taekwondo has taught me to think about other people, to see things from their perspective.”
This transformation is something Claire notices in her students. She watches them evolve from being hesitant and self-centered to becoming more thoughtful and aware of those around them.
“It’s amazing to see how much they change,” Claire said. “When they first join, some kids don’t listen at all. But over time, they learn respect — not just for their instructors but for their classmates and even their parents.”
This growth is something Claire cherishes, as it reminds her of the personal journey she’s gone through.
“Working with the little kids is my favorite part,” Claire said. “They’re super cute, and it’s rewarding to see them learn and improve.”
However, it comes with its challenges. It requires patience and adaptability to understand each child’s unique personality. “You have to think about what type of person they are and what works best for them,” Claire said. “And I guess it’s the same thing as compromising between different personalities.”
“Some kids are really stubborn or just mean,” she said. “I’ve had to learn how to make compromises and be patient.”
Respect, Claire emphasizes, is at the core of taekwondo. Through all her experiences, Claire has come to see that respect isn’t just taught — it’s practiced in every interaction. “You bow to your opponent, to the judges, to your instructors — it’s just part of the culture,” Claire said. “It’s something I’ve carried into my everyday life.”
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Claire’s connection to her Korean heritage is another major part of her life. Her parents ensured she stayed rooted in her culture, enrolling her in Korean language school as a child and celebrating traditional holidays at home.
“I’ve always had a lot of Korean friends, so it’s easy to talk about those things with them,” Claire said. ”And since taekwondo is a Korean sport, I think a lot of Korean people do come to my taekwondo and I end up meeting people that way.”
Every three years, Claire visits Korea, where most of her extended family still lives. These trips are a mix of nostalgia and discovery.
“I love how walkable it is there, and everything is so aesthetically pleasing—the fashion, the atmosphere,” Claire said.
On one of her visits, she even joined a local taekwondo class where she bonded with peers her age.
“After class, we’d walk home together late at night and stop by convenience stores for snacks,” Claire said. “It’s one of my favorite memories.”
Currently in her typical weekday evenings, Claire assists in teaching three classes, which adds up to about eight hours per week. She is a sophomore instructor who supports the lead teachers.
“I don’t teach entire classes on my own yet, but I lead small groups sometimes,” Claire said. “We have main instructors and I’ll be helping them on the side.”
Despite the challenges of balancing her responsibilities, Claire credits her time at the studio with teaching her vital skills like leadership and communication.
Her busy daily schedule reflects her commitment to that life. After school, she heads straight to the studio, where she spends two hours assisting classes, leaving little room for rest. By the time she gets home, she dives into homework, driven by self-motivation that impresses her parents.
“They’ve never had to tell me to study,” Claire said. “I just want to make them proud.”
It’s this sense of responsibility that helps Claire maintain high grades despite her packed schedule.
“I’ve had to figure out what to prioritize,” Claire said. “Sometimes that means sacrificing hobbies or free time, but I’ve learned to be okay with that.”
Even with her busy routine, Claire has started taking steps to make her mark outside the family business. Inspired by advice from a family friend, she recently began organizing a taekwondo club at her high school.
“At first, I didn’t think I wanted to do it, but my friends and instructors encouraged me,” Claire said. “It feels good to take something I love and bring it into a new space.”
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While taekwondo will always be part of her life, Claire doesn’t see it as a career. Instead, she’s leaning toward a future in math or science, potentially in the medical field.
“I’m not sure yet, but I want to do something that challenges me,” Claire said. “Even if I don’t pursue taekwondo as a career, it’s always going to be part of who I am.”
Still, taekwondo remains a touchstone for Claire, a constant in her ever-changing world. “It’s shaped who I am,” she said. “I used to think of it as a chore, but now I see how much it’s given me—confidence, leadership skills, even just a way to express myself.”
It has become much more than a sport for Claire—it’s a deeply personal connection to her roots and her family’s values.
“It’s a symbol of my parents’ love,” she said finally. “It’s their legacy, something they passed down to me. And now, it’s something I can pass on to others.”
