Chung's Taekwondo and Martial Arts USA — Attraction in Meridian Charter Township

It's difficult to exaggerate how much benefit I have received from my six+ years learning martial arts from Master Chung. Let's put it this way ... when I started - I was 43 years old - I couldn't even sit cross-legged without throwing my back out for a month, and that is no exaggeration. Roll the clock forward, in two weeks I test for my black-belt, and in all this time I have not been injured once ... and sitting cross-legged is my most comfortable position!

But for all the benefit I have received as a middle-aged man from his unique blend of skill, kindness, toughness and dedication to his craft, what Master Chung achieves with the children, teenagers and young adults is nothing short of miraculous to watch. The transformation that occurs as young people move through the colored belt system under his guidance is amazing; from jittery and wandering, to focused and calm; from impudent and boundary-less to respectful and safe; from meek or acting out to confident and articulate (and as he often points out through entertaining stories of his youth, he started out himself as the worst kind of young punk!). It takes time, but from my observation over the years, this transformation is nearly inevitable. It's a pleasure to see these young people mature, and touching to see the appreciation on the parents' faces.

Personally, I am busy, naturally curious and unfocused, I lack discipline, I'm full of excuses ... when it comes to my health. Business-wise, I'm a success. So I am particularly grateful that Master Chung has stuck with me, never shaming me, never forgetting that I am person, not just a customer and student. He's the coach I needed when I was 10!

If you have tried martial arts before or thought about it because you have an attraction to it for some reason, as I did; but have been unable to find a place that feels right, as I was; I encourage you to give Master Chung a try. He is different, and he is the real deal. He manages to translate the eastern values inherent in martial arts in a way that is simultaneously authentic and comfortable for westerners and native Asians alike. And he makes it fun. Oh ... and you learn how to kick some serious ass if, god-forbid, you ever need to.

Jump in, I'm certain you...

I have been a student of Master Chung for over 14 years, and started with him as a child. He has made a lasting impact in my life, and in many ways has stood as a secondary father figure. Not only is he one of the best martial arts instructors in Michigan (which I can personally attest to having attended other schools prior, and having witnessed other classes, and having competed regionally, nationally, and internationally), but he legitimately cares about his students. Master Chung is always looking out for the best interests of his students, calling when we are sick, asking about our school or jobs, and offering advice on how to be better people in our lives. As a devout christian, and advocate for the tenants of Taekwondo, Master Chung treats everyone with courtesy, and respect. In addition, he tries to elicit and foster those characteristics in his students, as well as discipline, dedication and focus. Master Chung expects that his students give their all in class, regardless of skill level or age. As an instructor in a traditional Korean martial art, he sometimes resorts to different techniques to encourage this dedication, from doing pushups (it is a workout class! ;) ) to jokingly referencing the fact that he is not a school teacher, and that one of the perks of teaching a martial art is that he can yell and kick butt! Occasionally a light jab at said fatty regions (no damage here!) accompanies these jokes, but that is all they are. It is obvious to all of his students that he is only joking, and although the nature of such a class is physical, he would never hurt a student, and takes additional precautions to make sure that all of his students are safe in class. Master Chung is one of the best people that I know. He has struggled through his life to become this amazing person, and I respect him more than anyone else I have ever met. It is because of him that I am the person...

When he was 12 years old I switched my son to Chungs TKD. He had been in a different studio for 6 years and had accomplished a junior black belt.This although, he still fell over when attempting certain moves; it was obvious he did not deserve the status he had been awarded through belt awards by time spent rather than skill mastered. I am a parent who believes in my children earning promotions and rewards through accomplishments and skill, and elected to move to Chung's because it appeared from my visits that Master Chung shared this view in interacting with his students. For the first year my child was not selected to attempt a belt test. He was instructed in the importance of working for the value of accomplishment rather than the expectation of effortless promotion. Master Chung worked with my son to master the skills he had missed at the previous studio and was a hard task master; he helped him to develop a pride in himself through mastery rather than meaningless attributes. Master Chung is a caring Master who works tirelessly to help our children grow into self actualizing adults. He is a firm taskmaster using the training he received while growing up in Korea to benefit his students. Everything I have ever seen him do is to help the growth of his wards. My son is now a young married man with a Masters degree and studying Law at MSU; he is a self actualizing man. The first thing he did when he moved back to attend MSU was to enroll himself and his young wife at Chungs TKD. Nothing more...