BLCT Podcast W/Master Han Local Taekwon Do instructor

This is a podcast episode featuring Master Sengho Han, the instructor and owner of Han's Martial Arts in Lake City. He talks about his favorite businesses in the area, his studio's location and programs, his background in Taekwondo, the events and competitions they host, and his goals for the future. He also mentions being in a movie and provides contact information for those interested in joining his classes. Welcome, everyone, to the Joy Lake City Community Podcast. I'm today's host, Tessa Hall. This podcast is brought to you by Build Lake City Together in association with Aorta Artist Productions. Here with me today is Jeremy DeCorey with Aorta Artist Productions. Thanks for helping out, Jeremy. The goal of our podcast is to provide information for and about our Lake City community. Today, I'm excited to be hosting our guest, Master Sengho Han, who is the instructor and business owner of Han's Martial Arts. We are doing a business highlight on Han's Martial Arts in hopes that you'll check them out this month. Welcome, Master Han. Hello. Thank you for having me. Yeah, thanks for being here. I'm going to start off with some questions. I know that you live nearby this community. Do you have any favorite businesses or places that you like in Lake City, other than your own, of course? Yes. I really like Doria Sushi and Holly's School Mexican Restaurant. The owner and manager both used to be my students. No way. That's really neat that you have those connections in the community. Those are really great spots. Definitely a few of my favorites to eat around in this area as well. I'm going to start off with some questions. I know that you live nearby this community. Do you have any favorite businesses or places that you like in Lake City, other than your own, of course? Yes. I really like Doria Sushi and Holly's School Mexican Restaurant. The owner and manager both used to be my students. Yes. I really like Doria Sushi and Holly's School Mexican Restaurant. The owner and manager both used to be my students. No way. That's really neat that you have those connections in the community. Those are really great spots. Definitely a few of my favorites to eat around in this area as well. Master Han, for those who don't know anything about Han's Martial Arts, could you share a little bit about where you're located on Lake City Way, and a little bit more about what you do at your studio? Yes. We are at 12524 Lake City Way North East. I have been doing martial arts for 50 years, and a martial arts instructor for 30 years. I have been doing martial arts for 50 years, and a martial arts instructor for 30 years. Oh, wow. That's a long time. I'm sorry. I'm a teacher of Taekwondo. Taekwondo is a Korean martial art, and has been around for a long time. I'm sorry. I'm a teacher of Taekwondo. Taekwondo is a Korean martial art, and has been around for a long time. I'm sorry. I'm a teacher of Taekwondo. Taekwondo is a Korean martial art, and has been around for a long time. I'm sorry. I'm a teacher of Taekwondo. Taekwondo is a Korean martial art, and has been around for a long time. I'm sorry. I'm a teacher of Taekwondo. Taekwondo is a Korean martial art, and has been around for a long time. I'm sorry. I'm a teacher of Taekwondo. Taekwondo is a Korean martial art, and has been around for a long time. I'm sorry. I'm a teacher of Taekwondo. Taekwondo is a Korean martial art, and has been around for a long time. I'm sorry. I'm a teacher of Taekwondo. Taekwondo is a Korean martial art, and has been around for a long time. I'm sorry. I'm a teacher of Taekwondo. Taekwondo is a Korean martial art, and has been around for a long time. I'm sorry. I'm a teacher of Taekwondo. Taekwondo is a Korean martial art, and has been around for a long time. I'm sorry. I'm a teacher of Taekwondo. Taekwondo is good for all ages, especially children. It builds confidence, respect, discipline, and self-defense. For adults, it is a great way to release stress, get exercise, and have a peace of mind. I offer both children and adults classes. We have four programs. First one is called Little Dragons. The age range is between four and six years old. There is also a class for children ages between seven and 12 years old. The teenage class is between 13 and 17 years old, and adult ranges 18 and up. Wow, that's great that you're able to accommodate so many different age ranges. That makes it super flexible for everyone involved. About how many students would you say that you see on a monthly basis? Usually, we have about 120 students a month, but programs are just reopening, so we have about 50 right now. Wow, that's great. If you don't mind me asking, how did you first become interested in martial arts, and what drew you to teaching it as a career? I grew up in Korea. My family wanted to help me increase my confidence and defend myself. After that, I moved to Seoul, Korea, and joined my school's taekwondo team, which was the best taekwondo school in Korea. I later joined the national demonstration team, and I am a five-time national champion. I later moved to Seoul to teach taekwondo, and finally opened my own studio here in June of 1995. Oh, that's a long time. I had no idea that you've been in Lake City this long. A fun fact for everyone listening, one of his old studios was actually in our current space at 12700 Lake City Way, right across from the grocery outlet. So I was definitely amazed to learn that little bit of a fun fact and tidbit. I'm so glad that you're still right here in the area. Why did you decide that you wanted to open your studio so long ago? Yes, I knew I wanted to work for myself. I wanted a comfortable and successful life in the USA. Another reason I opened my own business is that I like to teach. I want to improve their leadership and teach students the skills, and to increase the confidence of the children and change their life. Giving back to the community I live in is the main goal and reason I wanted to open my own business. That's a great answer. Thank you so much for giving back to this area. I know that there are a lot of students and people who really appreciate the classes that you teach and the work that you do here. Just out of curiosity, do you ever host any competitions or events, or do students participate in more outside events? How does that work? Yes, we have all sort of events and competitions. Next Friday, we have a rockin' party for ages between 7 and 15 years old. And for competitions, we have done competitions at Adamund Community College and Shoreline Community College. And we have also done competitions here at our location in Lake City. There are high levels of judging and competitions for the Taekwondo. These competitions are very challenging but full for the student. I can imagine that they're super challenging, especially since you are serving students as young as 4 years old. How do you tailor your teaching approach to vastly different age groups and skill levels, and what are some of the challenges that you've had in doing that? When it comes to teaching Taekwondo to different age groups, staff may need to adjust their teaching methods to cater to the different learning styles and physical abilities of their students. For example, younger children may have shorter attention spans and may require more breaks, and more fun and engaging activities to keep them motivated and focused. In contrast, older students may prefer more structured and challenging training their focuses and refining their techniques and developing their stamina. Yeah, thanks for explaining that. I'm impressed that you're able to do that with all the ranges. I'm sure it's tricky to have such large ranges. Kind of switching subjects here, I've heard from some sources that you were in a movie. That's so cool. First off, what movie were you in, and how can we access it? Yes, when I was at elementary school, I was on the demonstration team and did an audition for the movie Thunder Ninja Kid. I was in 6th grade. It's called Thunder Ninja Kid Wonderful Mission. There is a free version on YouTube. On YouTube, okay. If I search Thunder Ninja Kid Wonderful Mission, it will show up on YouTube so we can access it? Yes. Wow, that's great. I'm going to have to check that out and definitely watch that movie for sure. I'll be sure to link that with this podcast for those who are interested in checking out that movie. Another question for you, Master Han. What are some of your future goals for Han's martial arts, and how do you plan to continue to grow and improve your programs in the coming years? I want to make Lake City better by improving the lives of families that live in the area. Sometimes I can see Lake City is struggling, but I want to do my part to create Lake City into a thriving business district. I also have another goal to develop the Korean Sports Association of Washington. Wow, those are some great goals, Master Han. Here at Build Lake City Together and all over Lake City, we really appreciate all that you're doing for the Lake City community, so thanks for sharing that out. Finally, how can adult students or even parents find out more about your program, and what should they do if they're interested in signing up themselves or their children for a class? Yes, it can be through our referral, walk-in, or my website. You can also call or e-mail me with any questions and sign up that way. My website is hmaausa.com. My phone number is 206-889-7500, and my e-mail address is hmaausa at gmail.com. Great. We can also link all of your contact information and website with this podcast online for easy viewership for everyone. Thank you. That was great. Awesome. Well, Master Han, thanks for coming over today to chat about Han's Martial Arts. We are super excited to have you here at Hearts Base at 12700 Lake City Way. Thank you so much for having me here. Yeah, of course. We're hoping to continue to do business highlights from our Lake City community. If anyone listening has suggestions or an interest in doing a business highlight, then please feel free to e-mail me at tessa.hall at chs-wa.org. One last special thanks to Jeremy at Aorta Artist Productions and Chris Leverson with Build Lake City Together and Master Sangho Han for being here with me today. Really appreciate you all so much. I'm Tessa Hall, and I hope that you enjoy Lake City. Thank you. Thank you.