Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaehyun Jeong.
Hi jaehyun, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Have you ever experienced a dream or a persistent belief that there is something greater waiting for you in life? Jaehyun and Eunkyung Jeong, each raised in South Korea and enjoyed fulfilling lives there in their home country, had different aspirations for themselves and their future family. While living in South Korea, Jaehyun fostered dreams of relocating to the United States to establish a new life for his family and teach the sport of Taekwondo to the younger generations.
Jaehyun started studying Taekwondo at the young age of seven in his hometown, where his passion for the sport blossomed. This interest led him to pursue a major in Taekwondo studies at Keimyung University in Daegu, South Korea. Following his university years, he established a Taekwondo academy named JTA in Seoul, the capital of Korea, in 2010.
Jaehyun, a new entrepreneur enjoying his busy life and married to his beautiful bride, Eunkyung, (the couple married on March 1st, which is a very historical day and public holiday related to the Independence Movement of South Korea) loved living in South Korea. “We often would go on off-road trips to the mountains, rivers, and the sea,” he shares. “The countryside is beautiful in South Korea, and we enjoyed being outdoors.” However, Jaehyun sensed a desire for more fulfillment in his life. “My wife actively supported my long-standing dreams and goals of coming to the United States and opening a Taekwondo academy,” Jaehyun says.
Jaehyun and Eunkyung made a significant decision after a few years to relocate their family to the United States, allowing Jaehyun to pursue his aspirations of teaching Taekwondo in the U.S. Jaehyun, with his wife, Eunkyung, and their young son Jayden arrived in the U.S. on November 22, 2018, Jaehyun recalls, “It is one of the most cherished memories for us.” Although the decision to leave their homeland and immigrate to the U.S. was challenging, Jaehyun knew they were making a better life for themselves and their growing family. They first established a home for their family in Herndon, VA.
Soon, Eunkyung welcomed their second son, Leo, in 2020, and while she and the kids continued to settle into life in a new country, Jaehyun taught Taekwondo at an academy in Herndon and recalls the initial wave of settling in after the move, “When I lived in Herndon, I finished my Taekwondo work and drove Uber until the morning to support my family. I was very tired, but luckily, I met a lot of good people and worked happily.” A while later the family was ready for their next move and had their sights set on the Ashburn area and settled in Farmwell Hunt renting a home.
After a challenging year of juggling his jobs and relocating his family, he fulfilled his aspirations by finding a space to rent for his Taekwondo academy in Broadlands. He named it JTA, after the academy he first established in South Korea, but there was still work to be done. “I rented the space and got to work rebuilding the inside of the space myself so it could become a Taekwondo academy where I could teach future students,” he says. “Of course, there were a few people who were willing to help me with my work and to them, I want to express my sincerest gratitude.”
With life moving forward at such a fast pace, time moved quickly and Jaehyun officially opened his Taekwondo Academy in August of 2021. Fast forward two years, he was ready for his next move and that was to his family’s forever home in the Broadlands neighborhood.
After searching for many months for a new home in the Ashburn/Broadlands area to be close to the Taekwondo academy, Jaehyun found a house that he felt would give his family good luck. “I saw the house I live in (currently) on Redfin in late February 2024.” The house was going to be on the market, so he took the opportunity one rainy evening, wearing his Taekwondo uniform, and knocked on the (previous) owner’s door. “I rang the doorbell and met the owner and told him I really wanted to buy this house. And we met again the next day and talked a lot about each other’s lives,” recalling their conversation. “In particular, I explained my dream and said that my goal is to become a person who has a good influence on children especially as a member of the community here (Broadlands), so I really want to buy this house.”
Luckily for Jaehyun, the owner offered to sell him the house and he (Jaehyun) hadn’t even looked inside yet. “I only checked it a few days before the closing,” he jokes. “It was my first time in my life buying a house. Many people were worried, but the house was in excellent condition. My agent was surprised to see the first time in 25 years that a buyer had convinced the seller to sign a contract without the agent looking at it.”
In April of this year, we were lucky enough to buy their current home, a beautiful house that backs up to woods and is a 5-minute walk to the Taekwondo academy. Now settled in Broadlands and with an active fifteen-year-old son and six-year-old, Jaehyun and Eunkyung have not slowed down a bit.
Our oldest son, Jayden loves Taekwondo, just like his dad, and has been learning the sport since age three; he is now the highest level in their Taekwondo academy, his dad remarks. Jayden has participated in many competitions with his father and placed. In particular, he won a silver medal at the 2023 Korean American National Sports Festival held in New York and a gold medal at the Virginia and Maryland State Championships. He represented Virginia and participated in the AAU National Championship in Florida to win a bronze medal,2024. I also won a silver medal at the National Championship in TX; an American Olympian belongs to USAT.” Outside of the academy, Jayden’s favorite subject is math, and he is an extremely studious student achieving academic success and accolades such as Spelling Bee champion and the Presidential Golden Award for excellence at his previous elementary, and middle school.
Jayden came to taekwondo and helped his parents a lot. He spent most of his free time there after school, helping his dad teach the younger children and helping the kids with their homework in the after-school program.
We didn’t pay him an allowance for his help, but we saved the money for him. When he graduated from elementary school,he chose to donate the money to support the younger students at the school.
Then, about three years later, when he graduated from middle school, Jayden once again willingly donated what he had saved to help the younger students. “It was something he chose to do on his own, and we were very proud of him.”
Leo, the couple’s youngest son, is currently learning Taekwondo at the family’s academy and is excelling in the sport just like dad and his big brother. He loves to sing and dance and is always bringing a smile and song to the family’s faces.
Since settling in the U.S. and finding some time to get away from the family business, Jaehyun’s family has explored the local area and further reaching states. “So far, we have traveled to 10 states! In early July, we visited Florida and Texas for a week to participate and travel to the Taekwondo National Competition, where he won a silver, and his son, Jayden, won a bronze medal, in the competition. This coming year we plan to travel to California, but my family’s dream is to travel to every state in the United States.
Jaehyun’s ambition to make a better life for his family comes from his personal motto of “A right mind and strong confidence will change your life,” and this mindset is what he utilizes in his practices and teaching at his Taekwondo academy. I always teach my Taekwondo students this way. If I always treat others with a good heart and have confidence in my work, I can overcome no matter how difficult things are, and before I ask, other people come up to me first and help me. I got this motto by meeting many people through Taekwondo. Through hard work, grit, and perseverance, the Jeong family have created the life they dreamed for themselves back in South Korea. It was here in Broadlands that we opened our first place of business in America and purchased our first home to fulfill our family’s dreams. This is such a special and precious place for our family. My family has already met so many wonderful people, and we look forward to meeting good neighbors in the future. My family will also work hard to be neighbors to others who can make a good impact on our community.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Our journey here was far from easy, and we faced countless challenges along the way. In an ironic twist of fate, even as my students and I were achieving tremendous success—bringing home major titles from state championships across Virginia and Maryland, and ultimately the National Championships—our academy’s enrollment began to decline steeply.
Before long, keeping up with the commercial rent became an overwhelming struggle. The breaking point arrived on the very day we returned home celebrating our victory at the National Championship: I opened the mailbox to find an eviction court summons from our landlord.
With no family nearby to turn to for financial support, I had to swallow my pride. I spent an entire week holding open, heartfelt meetings with our academy parents, laying bare the reality of our situation and humbly asking for their advice and support to navigate the crisis. It was a vulnerable and painful process. One parent reacted harshly, questioning why I was bringing my business burdens to them—a reaction that broke my heart even more deeply because it came from a fellow Korean immigrant.
Yet, light found its way through that dark moment. The vast majority of our families rallied around us with astonishing generosity. Even knowing the dojang was on the brink of closing the very next month, several parents stepped forward to prepay a full year of tuition in advance. Some even lent me personal funds without setting repayment deadlines, placing their absolute trust in me.
If it hadn’t been for the financial support, practical wisdom, and unwavering belief of our parents—along with the devoted spirit of my students—my family would have lost our first home and the dream we had poured our lives into building here. They didn’t just save our school; they saved our foundation.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about JTA Jeong Jaehyun Taekwondo Academy?
About JTA Jeong Jaehyun Taekwondo Academy
At JTA Jeong Jaehyun Taekwondo Academy, our mission goes far beyond teaching kicks, punches, and traditional forms—we build confidence, resilience, and strong character in every student who steps onto our mats. Based in Northern Virginia, our academy serves students of all ages, from young children taking their first steps in martial arts to elite competitive athletes and adults seeking lifelong fitness and discipline.
What We Specialize In & What Sets Us Apart
Comprehensive Martial Arts Excellence: We provide structured, high-standard instruction covering traditional Poomsae, Olympic sparring, power breaking, and self-defense. Our curriculum balances authentic martial arts technique with modern, engaging teaching methods.
Championship-Caliber Training: Our demonstration and competition teams consistently excel at state and national championships. We emphasize athletic development, precision, mental focus, and good sportsmanship at every competitive level.
Character Development & Leadership: Martial arts is a vehicle for personal growth. We instill core life values—respect, perseverance, integrity, and focus—empowering students to become confident leaders at school, at home, and within their communities.
Community-Centered & Family Atmosphere: We take pride in being an active, supportive pillar of our local community through school cultural events, seasonal camps, community demonstrations, and family-oriented programs.
What We Are Most Proud Of
Brand-wise, we are most proud of the lasting impact we make on our students’ lives. Seeing a quiet child find their voice, a teenager develop genuine leadership skills, or our athletes stand proudly on the podium with humility and respect is what defines our success. At JTA Jeong Jaehyun Taekwondo Academy, we are dedicated to helping every individual unlock their full potential on and off the mat.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The most important quality to my success is leading by example with consistency and integrity.
True leadership and achievement come not from simply instructing others, but from walking the walk every day—whether on the training floor, in managing daily operations, or in mentoring the next generation. By holding myself to the highest standards of discipline, dedication, and respect, I build lasting trust with my community and inspire those around me to unlock their full potential.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jjhacademy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jta_again_forever?igsi=cTdycmdhbjBsbWJ6
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1HNay5zLJ7/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@jtajeongjaehyuntaekwondoac5243?si=R8UorNC1UqEFDY0a
