Little Lions TaekwondoTaekwondo, taught in your living room by a Grandmaster.
Patient, confidence-building lessons for one to five students at a time. Forty minutes at home, with a teacher who ran his own schools for 31 years.
Private lessons $40. Groups from $25 per student. Typical lessons are weekly.
Questions? Email littlelionstkd@gmail.com or call 309-712-5771.
- 31 yearsrunning his own schools, Sung Kim Taekwondo in Peoria, IL
- Thousandsof students taught, including masters who now run their own schools
- Ages 5 to 13from a first lesson to black belt
- A parent at homefor every lesson, always
Real attention, with none of the carpool.
Large classes move at the pace of the room. At home, with one to five students, every child gets seen, corrected and encouraged.
He comes to you
No driving, no waiting room, no rush before dinner. Lessons happen in your living room, with a few friends or siblings if you like.
Instruction that fits your child
Shy kids open up. Energetic kids get a purpose. Every lesson is paced to the child in front of him.
Respect, focus and goals
Taekwondo builds courtesy, self-control and perseverance. Belt promotions give kids clear goals to work toward.
Getting started takes a few minutes.
Tell us about your kids
Share your neighborhood, your kids’ ages and a few times that work. Choose a private lesson, siblings together or a small group of up to five.
We arrive at your door
Master Kim arrives about five minutes early. A typical living room is all the space we need.
Kids move up, belt by belt
Typical lessons are weekly and 40 minutes long. They build skills step by step, with formal belt promotions along the way.
Master Sung Kon Kim
Black Belt Grandmaster
For 31 years, Master Kim ran his own schools, Sung Kim Taekwondo in East Peoria and Peoria, Illinois, teaching large group classes week after week. He coached the school’s competition team at numerous tournaments and has taught thousands of students, including students who now run martial arts schools of their own.
He also taught club classes at the Greater Peoria Family YMCA. Since 2006 he has added small-group and private lessons, hundreds of them, at First Christian Church and in students’ homes, and he has taught young children at Montessori Academy of Peoria.
- 1992–2023Owner and Master Instructor, large group classes and competition team, Sung Kim Taekwondo, East Peoria and Peoria, IL
- Peoria, ILClub classes at the Greater Peoria Family YMCA; private lessons at First Christian Church and in students’ homes; young children at Montessori Academy of Peoria
- 2006 onPrivate and small-group youth instruction
- 1984–1988Master Instructor, Kim’s Martial Arts Academy, Chicago
- StandardsBelt tests follow World Taekwondo standards, certified by Kim’s Tae Kwon Do Academy
Parent references, an updated background check report and proof of liability insurance are available on request. Lessons are planned with Dr. Richard Kim, a 4th Dan black belt who started taekwondo at age 3.
“Master Kim has been my coach, mentor and best friend in Taekwondo since day one. He encourages me, motivates me to continually perform better.”Zach W., black belt student, who started taekwondo lessons at age 5. From his black belt essay.
Real belts, earned the traditional way.
Promotion tests follow World Taekwondo standards. Official certificates are issued by Kim’s Tae Kwon Do Academy.
- White
- Yellow
- Green
- Blue
- Red, 3 levels
- Red & black
- Black
Red has three levels, marked by one, two and three stripes.
- White to greenTypically 6 weeks to 2 months per level, based on progress and performance
- Blue to blackTypically 2 to 8 months per level, based on progress and performance
- TestingStudents show poomsae (belt forms), self-defense forms, attack and defense combinations on targets, and board breaking
- TransfersYellow belt or above with proof of certification from a prior school? Your child continues from their current belt
Every child who signs up for their first month receives a free uniform with a white belt.
A birthday party kids will talk about.
Master Kim leads a high-energy taekwondo party for the birthday child and friends. Every child takes part, and the birthday child gets the spotlight.
- Nunchucks demonstration by Master Kim
- Board breaking for every child, with several boards for the birthday child (child-friendly breakable boards)
- Self-defense, plus punching and kicking lessons with target practice
- And more, tailored to your group
Inquire for details. Tell us the date, the number of kids and their ages, and we’ll send everything you need.
Inquire about birthday partiesTaekwondo for your students, on your schedule.
Master Kim brings structured, age-appropriate taekwondo to schools and enrichment programs, from weekly after-school clubs to short seasonal sessions. He has led large classes for decades and knows how to work gently and clearly with young learners.
- Calm, structured classes for ages 4 to 13
- Small groups with clear belt goals
- Weekly clubs or short seasonal sessions
East Nashville is home base.
Staying close keeps lessons on time and keeps rates low for our neighbors.
- Lockeland Springs
- Eastwood
- South Inglewood
- Inglewood
- Five Points
- Edgefield
Nearby neighborhoods such as Germantown, Downtown, 12 South and Green Hills are available with a travel fee starting at $10 per lesson.
Simple, affordable rates
- Private lesson1 student · about $160 a month$40
- Small group2 to 4 students · about $100 a month each$25 per student
- Full group5 students, the maximum · about $80 a month each$100 total, $20 each
Each lesson is 40 minutes at your home, and typical lessons are weekly. Monthly figures assume four lessons. Rates shown are for our East Nashville neighborhoods; other neighborhoods have a travel fee starting at $10 per lesson.
Get openingsCommon questions
Who are the lessons for?
Kids ages 5 to 13, from complete beginners to experienced students. A child who already holds a yellow belt or above, with proof of certification, continues from their current belt. School programs can include children as young as 4.
Can my child take private lessons, or train with a sibling?
Yes. Lessons are available for one student, for siblings together, or for small groups of up to five. A group needs at least two students for the $25 rate, so a pair of siblings qualifies. If you want a group but don’t have one yet, tell us and we’ll do our best to connect you with nearby families.
Are you background checked and insured?
Yes. An updated background check report on Master Kim and proof of liability insurance are always available to parents on request. Parent references are available too.
Is it safe?
A parent or guardian is home during every lesson. Techniques are introduced gradually, with respect and self-control first, and sparring comes later. Before the first lesson, families complete a short participation form with emergency contacts and any health notes.
How much space do we need?
A typical living room is enough. Clear the coffee table and we’re set. A garage, basement or backyard works too.
How do belt promotions work?
Students are promoted on progress, typically every 6 weeks to 2 months in the early belts and every 2 to 8 months at advanced levels. Promotion tests are held at home during a regular lesson, so there is no extra trip.
Is there a free uniform?
Yes. Every child who signs up for their first month of classes receives a free uniform with a white belt. Share your child’s height or size when you book.
What does it cost?
A private lesson is $40. Small groups of two to four students are $25 per student, and a full group of five is $100 total, or $20 per student. Lessons are 40 minutes and typically weekly. Weekly group lessons come to about $100 a month per student. These rates are for our East Nashville neighborhoods; other neighborhoods have a travel fee starting at $10 per lesson.
Do you teach at schools?
Yes. Master Kim leads after-school clubs and seasonal sessions for schools and enrichment programs, including for young children. Use the form below and choose “School or program.”
Do you do birthday parties?
Yes. Master Kim leads taekwondo birthday parties with a nunchucks demonstration, board breaking for every child, self-defense, and punching and kicking lessons with target practice. Use the form below, choose “Parent (birthday party),” and tell us the date, number of kids and their ages. We’ll reply with details.
How does scheduling work?
Lessons happen weekly at a regular time. Please give 24 hours’ notice to reschedule. If we need to cancel, we’ll make up the lesson.
Get rates and openings.
Tell us a little about your kids or your school and we’ll reply with rates, openings and next steps.
- East Nashville, TN
- littlelionstkd@gmail.com
- 309-712-5771
Thank you!
We got your request and will be in touch soon.