Soft and Strong Taekwondo
Reviews
-
Deeply Disappointed by Breach of Professionalism When my wife and I first joined this academy, we… Read more about this listing
Place Categories: North Fort Myers Tae Kwon Do Academy
1 Reviews on “Soft and Strong Taekwondo”
Deeply Disappointed by Breach of Professionalism
When my wife and I first joined this academy, we both believed we had found a place built on respect, integrity, and community. I eventually stopped training, but my wife’s dedication was unwavering. Her hard work and perseverance earned her the honor of becoming the academy’s first black belt — an achievement that should have been a source of pure pride for her. Instead, it became overshadowed by one of the most troubling and disheartening experiences of our lives.
Over time, Master Park began crossing professional boundaries with my wife. Even after she declined his advances twice, he persisted, eventually pressuring her into joining him for a dinner. That evening stretched late into the night; she returned close to midnight, creating significant strain within our marriage and leaving emotional scars that still linger.
This was more than simple unprofessionalism — it was an abuse of authority. A martial arts instructor holds a position of trust and responsibility, especially toward their students. No teacher should exploit that trust or use their status to pressure someone into uncomfortable, inappropriate, or unwanted situations.
When confronted about his behavior, Master Do Hyun Park, owner of Soft and Strong Taekwondo attempted to excuse it by claiming that “in Korea, it’s normal to socialize with students.” Regardless of cultural customs, the expectations of professionalism, mutual respect, and clear boundaries are universal standards — and in this case, they were clearly violated.
We came to this academy with enthusiasm, loyalty, and the sincere belief that it would be a place where our family could learn and grow. What we found instead was a breach of trust that tarnished years of effort. My wife, who once dedicated herself fully to her training, left the academy feeling disrespected and betrayed, and she has no intention of returning practicing Taekwondo ever.
A martial arts school should be grounded in respect, discipline, and integrity. Sadly, our experience here showed us that these values were not upheld. We share this account so others can make an informed choice before putting their trust in this institution.
Claudio B.