I've known Master Kim for almost 20 years now. I was a student at Dae Han when they used to be in the same shopping center as the Safeway on Contra Costa where Nation's is. I started taekwondo in middle school because I was an angry teenager who had a lot of pent up anger and didn't know how to channel or process my emotions. I stopped shortly before I started high school, because I wanted to play football in high school. Recently, I made the decision that I wanted to come back and earn my black belt and to lose weight. I've struggled with my weight my entire life, and I decided to make some changes, and when I was making the decisions on what my weight loss plan would look like, I decided that I wanted to restart taekwondo as part of my goals. It also helped that in the years between the time I stopped doing taekwondo to when I came back, I would run into Master Kim randomly around the community, from shopping at Costco, having dinner with friends, and whatever else, I always saw Master Kim in and around the community, so it helped us stay in touch If you're a parent with little kids and you're thinking about signing your kids up here, I hope you do. If you're an adult and you're thinking about signing up here, I hope you do. The teens and adults class (middle school and older) is directly after the kids classes. Whenever I hear Master Kim coaching up and encouraging the students, he uses the same gentleness and empowering techniques as 20 years ago. I looked at some of the other reviews from years past, and if you take the time to read some of them, you'll see the same thing from different parents, "My kid couldn't be more excited about coming to Dae Han after school" this, or "My kid's confidence has increased tenfold, a hundredfold," that. Coming back for me has been coming back to the same, positive environment that I left all those years ago, and I'm glad to be back. There's a culture here that Master Kim and Mrs. Kim worked hard to instill, and whether you're a parent or student, you'll see the difference it makes. For the other instructors, they're fantastic. I know and remember Mr. Konstantin from when he was also a student here from my first time here as a middle schooler. Himself, Master Josh, Master Edell, Mr. Nolan, Mr. Hayden, and Ms. Victoria are outstanding teachers who love what they do here. I can't speak to the other black belts, but in my limited interactions with them, they're also good communicators and great stewards and representatives of the values of taekwondo that taekwondo wants to instill in everyone who studies it. I'm glad to be back with Dae Han, and I look forward to seeing where the rest of the journey takes me. read more

My son is in his second year of the Tiny Tigers class and is thriving. I credit the welcoming and positive environment the coaches create. The students are incentivised to do their best through consistent recognition of their own successes and those of their peers. It's truly impressive to see a gaggle of five and six year olds line up each class, follow directions and engage with each other and the coaches with respect. read more

My son has been a student at Dae Han for nearly three years now, and from day one it has been a wonderful experience!! The instructors and staff are simply amazing. My son has developed a deeper understanding of respect for himself and others and the importance of being accountable and challenging himself. I am so grateful for Dae Han!! read more

My child has been here for 2+ years and it's been amazing and rewarding. The principles installed in Taekwondo has benefited him in other areas of school, sports, and confidence. The instructors make it feel like it's one on once instruction. Overall, they care and make the students feel it as well! My family crosses the Benicia bridge for the dojo because it's been so great. read more

I can't say enough good things about Dae Han Martial Arts Center! My child loves going to class and looks forward to it every week. Beyond the physical activity, they emphasize self-discipline and respect-- huge pluses for us as parents. The instructors are skilled, patient, and genuinely kind. Highly recommend this martial arts school! read more

We have been coming here for a few years now. Great classes and supportive teachers for our kids. Would highly recommend!

We have trained in Taekwondo for over five years, and my son is now close to the advanced level. The instructors are absolutely amazing, patient, kind, and incredibly supportive. Even with my younger child, who can be a bit challenging sometimes, they show a lot of care and understanding. We truly love this school and will proudly continue our journey here until both of my children achieve their black belts! read more

Daughter began attending in kindergarten and is now heading into her senior year of high school. It is a supportive family-run school that teaches safety, great morals, positive attitudes, and persistence. We are proud to be part of the Dae Han family. read more

Great Martial Arts place. All teachers motivate and inspire kids to self care, self respect, humbleness, and self control. I would highly recommend this Martial Arts Center. read more

Dae Han Martial Arts Center - Taekwondo Near Me - Martinez, California

Pros -Amazing classes for kids. I have a 6 year old attending. The instructors always talk bout respect and other topics us parents try to instill . - exercises that keep kids engaged - instructor to kid ratio is great always 5 or more black belts keeping kids engaged - learn some Korean :) - I see a confidence increase after 6 months. It's a great lesson for them once they earn their belts. And they have to earn their belts they arnt just given. - make up classes are simple and easy. Cant make the normal time of class? Just go to another class. No pre booking needed. Makes things so simple. -Master Kim and all the black belt instructors are so helpful and doing an amazing job. I can't stress that enough they are full of energy every single class. They arnt going through the motions they love what they do. - pizza, Safeway, sushi, Starbucks all near by. Con - parking depending on time can be tight - most all parents stay and watch. Some chairs are available. Not uncommon for there to be too many parents and folks wait outside. - I remember looking for info on prices and times on the website and it was confusing. Just contact them they will be there to answer all your questions and book an intro class get to know you and child. - price is high. However, experience putting kids in dance, gymnastics, swim, art and soccer none of those sports go over core values that any and all parents would want there child to know. read more

When starting any activity for your kids you hope to find a place that is caring, engaging, and fun. When you begin any martial art, you hope for a place that is competent, professional, and can convey ideas well. It was clear after the first day that Dae Han fulfills all this and more. Master Kim and all his staff are charming, flexible, and enjoy working with children. My son was excited and actively participated quickly after an initial welcome and sample class. He was dedicated to earning his white belt by fulfilling activities of discipline (and my wife and I enjoyed him cleaning up quickly to do so..). Activities are structured with whole and small group to support diverse learners in individualized activities. My son comes out of class proud and happy, and can clearly demonstrate skills taught to him. What's more is I have not found a parent who isn't thrilled with Dae Han. Many have several kids at different levels all excited to continue the tradition. I plan on doing the same for my daughter and can't recommend Dae Han enough. read more

Master Kim and his instructor are amazing! My son love going to class and he enjoy it. They teach him discipline, respect, teach him to be a good listener and stay humble. read more

We love Dae Han and all the instructors! The administrative staff is wonderful, too. Communication is timely and thorough. Our 5yo son has been attending classes since November of 2021. We tried him in a Kung Fu class when he was younger, and he hated it. There was so much yelling; it was not a good fit. Our son is developing good listening skills b/c of the work his instructors are doing with him at Dae Han. He's learning how to sit still (no small endeavor). He's learning to take turns talking. He's learning respect for his elders, for himself and for those around him. He's learning about perseverance, courtesy, self-control. These are things we bring home from Taekwando to talk about. All of the instructors are so encouraging of the young people, even when they don't get everything "right" or are off task - they direct them in such a gentle, affirming way - it's beautiful to watch. There's always an opportunity given for the student to correct their behavior. There's a camaraderie that we've seen develop between all the students in the class. Our son loves going and seeing his friends. Our son, who is 1/2 Korean-American, also gets to learn about Korean culture and learns some of the language, which is a huge plus for us. One add'l note: our son goes to Childtime for after-school care. He has class twice/week, and they go pick him up for class from the school! It doesn't get better than that. We're very happy here and feel grateful to have found the people / community at Dae Han. read more

My kids have been going to Dae Han for 9 months now and they love going to class. I like it for the lessons on respect, perseverance, and gratitude. The kids also gain confidence through the belt tests and performing in front of the class. Although the class sizes can be large, they also have a good number of instructors to break up into small groups. read more

I would give this place more stars if I could. My child enjoys coming to class at Dae Han every week. The staff is caring and patient. The set-up is family friendly, so you can watch the class inside or from video monitors in a different room. I don't know how they stay in business with all the instructors! Unlike previous experiences at different martial arts studios, the teacher student ratio here is intentionally low. There are usually 3 to 4 black belt instructors present at all times. The classes have about 10 to 25 students. Also, I like the fact sparring is optional at a different time with protective gear. It is not forced into the curriculum. read more

Dae Han Martial Arts Center - Notice the number of black belt instructors present. Awesome low teacher student ratio. - Taekwondo Near Me - Martinez, California

As said in another review, I would also give more than 5 stars if I could! Master Kim, as well as the other instructors, are amazing. Together, they provide a supportive and motivating environment, which brings out the best in students. My children attend classes twice per week and absolutely love it. As a parent, I highly value the program as it teaches and models respect, discipline, and hard work. read more

I am very impressed with changes in my daughter, 4years old, after starting Taekwondo at Dae Han Martial Arts center. Her confidence has grown up so much, and she now seems naturally respect others more than ever. Since COVID 19 has been around, I was worry a bit first, but they have very still regulations such as hand sanitizing, measuring temp, and social destancing, etc, so now, I am quite relieved. Even though parents can't join to watch them in person now, but there's a provided zoom link to check how my daughter is doing. Also, their communication is great, and staffs are very attentive and professional. I am very pleased that I found this amazing place. :) read more

Both of our Kids have been here now for going on two months. They love the class. We've never seen them this excited about learning martial arts. We had them in Kung Fu for nearly 2 years and they were never excited to go to class. With Dae Han, they practice at home and watch Youtube to learn Korean. The instructors are great and greet all of the parents during class. It's an overall very positive experience. read more

Our daughter has been attending Dae Han for about two months now. For the sake of full disclosure, this is our first experience with a martial arts school, so I really have no point of comparison. But what I do know is that my daughter loves it. On class days, she has a huge smile on her face when she's picked up from school while she proclaims in glee, "it's Tae Kwon Do day!" Master Kim and his instructors are great with the kids. They are learning some of life's most important lessons such as respect for themselves and others, self-confidence, self control, assertiveness. Even though it's only been a couple months, these traits are noticeably more present in my daughter than before. Even more telling is how present they are in the higher belt students who have been attending for some time. Regardless of age, size or gender, it is clear that the higher the belt the stronger they are in all these areas. It is very exciting to watch the traits develop right before your eyes. The support staff seems to have the place pretty well organized, so the chaos factor is pretty low, which must be tough when you are in the business of herding kittens. Parking in the plaza can be tough though, especially when one class is ending and another is beginning, which doubles the car load. There is also gym and day care center in the plaza, which makes things really crazy when they are at their busy times too. So even the parents get to learn a valuable life lesson: patience! read more

Looking for the best? Search no more! Master Kim and his team are the best! They are amazing with kids. they have been there for support and guidance during hard times/growing pains at home and school as well as in class- every experience has been met with a positive outcome! My son has been at Dae Han for 5 years and has blossomed in their dojang. I wouldn't change a thing and I look forward to him reaching his goals and continuing training for many more years to come . read more

This is the best place to train martial arts. I have two sons who are going to this school. They love their master and instructors who are teaching so well. I really appreciate master Kim's enthusiasm. Thank you. I can guarantee if you are willing to send your child here. read more

We started coming here last summer after winning a month-long trial at our school auction. My son loves it here. The classes are small, on average around 10-12 kids per 3-4 instructors. Every class has stretches, warm-ups, and then a belt-specific activity, such as kicking, sparring, or block maneuvers. In just 9 months my son has become stronger and more confident in himself and his abilities. The owners and instructors are wonderful, making sure the kids take it seriously without being harsh. They are respectful to the kids and the parents, and kindly demand respect and responsibility from their students in return. read more

Dear Master Kim, We would like to thank you for making our son's 4th birthday party a very special and memorable occasion! Everyone had a blast and it was such a joy to see all the kids laughing and running around. The kids loved all the activities you did. Thank you again and we will definitely recommend your business to our friends! Dan and Mariko read more

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Dae Han is a wonderful program, I am so happy the girls are learning TKD and overall life skills here with Master Kim and his staff. I like that they get to know each child and the areas they need to work on, in addition to all the positive feedback they give them - the kids love it! One of my girls was a bit behind on her form and Master Kim said I could bring her to an additional class on another day, as well as helped her one-on-one with getting up to speed. And she then rocked her belt test! Dae Han also hosts events outside of regular classes, which is great at developing the community of the school. read more

My son has been attending Dae Han for a little over a year now. Master Kim and all the instructors are very enthusiastic and make sure every session is fun and fast paced. They do a great job in building confidence, patience and discipline in addition to the form itself. The front desk is also very professional and is always able to provide an answer. My son looks forward going to every class and enjoys every minute of it. If a class is missed or some catch-up is needed on the form, they always accommodate a makeup session. Very pleased with the school! read more

We love it here! Master Kim and his staff are respectful and considerate of all students and parents, regardless of skill level. My 3 kids have had a great time learning Tae Kwon Do and getting valuable exercise. read more

My two kids have been attending Tae Kwon Do classes at Dae Han for almost two years now. It is the most enjoyable activity for them so they always look forward to class. Master & Mrs. Kim are excellent teachers who understand how to engage their students and help them master the necessary skills. read more

My son has been attending TKD for almost 3 years now and the classes have helped him become more social. I've noticed a big difference when he talks in front of his peers, he's more confident and is not shy. The instructors are very patient with the students. read more

Dae Han Martial Arts is the absolute best! Master Kim and Master Nadya are fantastic leaders and their passion is woven through every aspect of their program. In the nearly two years our children have been enrolled here they have learned so much from their instructors about character, discipline, self control, perseverance and respect. This academy teaches and reinforces all of the values our family holds dear. I'm so glad we found Dae Han. It's top notch! read more

I would highly recommend Dae Han Martial Arts Center. My daughter started taking Taekwondo last summer and since then we have seen so much growth in her. She is confident, strong, and has become more outgoing and respectful. I cannot say enough great things about Master Kim and the other instructors. They are so great with the kids; always positive and encouraging. Classes always have a lot of content but also include fun activities that the kids will enjoy. We are proud to be part of the Dae Han family! read more

I have done taekwondo for a significant part of my life, and I can honestly say that Dae Han is the best academy I have been to!! Master Kim is the most compassionate, understanding and inspiring Taekwondo master. He teaches every class so that every student understands it and loves the class. No one ever feels left out or unappreciated, even if you think that you are not doing too well Master Kim will always congratulate you and say "Good Job!" Dae Han is a very family friendly place and my mother has been going to classes with me for almost 4 years! So feel free to bring your family with you and learn self defense along with inner peace and patience! read more

I seriously can't say enough nice things about Dae Han. We were referred here through a friend and I could tell from the first class that the environment was going to be perfect for my son. I'd been struggling to find a sport that my son would really get into and this has been great! They expect the kids to be respectful and in turn, they are respected. They work hard but there is so much positive reinforcement. My son leaves with a giant smile after every single class and the fact that many of the instructors have come up through the studio is very encouraging for him. I'm looking forward to his continued growth here and to eventually sending my daughter. read more

Our son just turned 5 and has been taking the classes here for a year. He really enjoys it, and in addition to being good exercise, we really appreciate the discipline he is learning. Master Kim and his assistants do a wonderful job with kids this age. Despite the fact they are working hard and learning valuable skills, the kids all seem to be having a lot of fun. It's the one activity our son always wants to go to. read more

Yelp! Please stop filtering my review on this business!!! My goodness. Is it hard to believe that this place is AMAZING??? My daughter has been going to Dae Han since August 2010. While her little life has changed so much in the past year and a half, Master Kim, Mrs Kim and all of the Assistants have helped us keep her consistant with her independence and growing motivation within the class. They reward the children while holding them accountable for doing their very best in every aspect of their activities. The biggest thing my daughter has learned in the class is to be proud of her efforts even when she doesn't "win" or get called to do something. Being an only child, I feel as if she has a whole team of brothers and sisters ... some who she looks up to and some who look up to her. I am very proud of my little Grand Champion! read more

I have trained in various martial art environments and under many different instructors, and I would say this is by far the best school I have ever come across. The environment is incredibly positive and family friendly. The school is family owned, and you can easily tell that they care more about their students than about money. The prices are reasonable, and you get way more than what you pay for. Whether you're wanting to learn self defense, manage you're weight, build up your self confidence, etc- this is the school you want to go to. They know what they are doing and they teach based on your needs and experience levels. They have classes for young children, older children, teens, adults, and families. I seriously couldn't say anything bad about this school. 5 stars most definitely in all areas. This is the best there is. Highest quality to be found. I love it!! read more

In a few short months since joining Dae Han Martial Arts, I have witnessed some remarkable positive changes in my daughter: increased confidence, more respectful behavior at home, inner confidence, and a determination to work toward goals despite fears and personal obstacles. I am grateful to all the instructors at Dae Han for providing a safe and encouraging atmosphere where these attributes can grow and flourish. Each child and family is treated with respect, and we have the feeling of being a part of a large, extended family. I would recommend Dae Han Martial Arts to everyone! read more

Welcome to money making machine,now a days also called , American Martial Arts. We have been coming here for a long time (3 years to be exact) and our kid was learning a bit for few years but then the Dae Han merged with or bought out by a marketing machine called American Martial Arts. Their business model is fill as many kids in each class as possible. On average a kid gets 3 minutes of attention out of 45 minutes of filler activities. While the number of kids quadrupled, the number of instructors stayed the same. This is not a place with a mission or a soul to teach the fine art of Tae Kwondo, it is a money minting franchise. Go to a smaller place where your kids going to get one-on-one. Here they will running around in useless filler activities for $180/month. read more

Master Kim and his instructors are awesome! My 12 year old has been going here for over year, and LOVES it! He has played other sports, but never found something that he really loved, until Tae Kwon Do. Dae Han teaches respect, confidence, patience, and determination; it's great exercise too. We highly recommend Dae Han Martial Arts Center. read more

My son has been taking TKD here for a little over two years and we love it! We feel there is a perfect balance between high expectations and responsibility, and support and positive reinforcement. This is especially nice for the young students! The instructors and assistants are wonderful and have built a nice sense of community that extends into holiday gatherings, ceremonies, and so on. read more

My son has been going to Dae Han for almost 2 years and since he started his confidence has increased tremendously. He started out in the Little Dragons program and now is already in Advanced Juniors at 6 1/2 yrs old. Master Kim and his staff get to know each child and their strengths and areas for improvement. They have you fill out comprehensive forms about your child so they can focus on helping them whether it is with confidence, focus, strength, leadership, agility, respect, etc. Master Kim preaches about doing your best at school and respecting your parents, teachers and peersI I highly recommend using their 2 week free trial to see how they can help your child!!! read more