Master Soon came to the United States from South Korea at the age of twelve when he and his sister were adopted by an American family. His birth mother was left destitute when Soon's father, the family's sole source of income, died suddenly. Her only recourse to save her children was to have them adopted by an American couple. Soon had studied Taekwondo in Korea from the tender age of seven, when his parents decided that its discipline and ethical code would be good for him. Taekwondo is a national sport in South Korea and is a required class in all elementary schools there. Soon trained eight hours a day, seven days a week. "It was a huge part of my life," he says. Realizing that the Korean culture was so important to Soon, his adoptive parents enrolled him in Taekwondo schools, even though it required a 30-minute drive to a larger city from their rural town, Scandinavia, Wisconsin (297 population). Family vacations were planned around Soon's competitions held in the cities across the United States .

Master Soon opened his very first Taekwondo Academy while attending the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh . Fate stepped in when Master Soon met Master Hwang, a graduate from Kyung Yee University and Korean Navy Seal, and began training with him six days a week, and sometimes up to eight hours a day. The two shared a dream to bring the Traditional as well as the Olympic styles of Taekwondo to the masses. "It was priceless what he taught me," says Master Soon. The two continue to have what is more like brotherhood than friendship to this day. Soon has been a Taekwondo Instructor for over twenty years and has held the distinction of being a National Coach, State Coach, as well as a recognized athlete. Soon has had a Masters Degree in Taekwondo for over ten years and currently holds a fifth Dan Black Belt from the Kukkiwon, the World Taekwondo Federation Headquarters, in Seoul , Korea . So, w hat is Taekwondo exactly? First of all, let's explain the meaning of the word itself: "Tae" means foot, or to kick; "Kwon" means fist or fight; and "Do" means the way or method. Put these words together and you will see the concepts behind this martial art. It is the right "way" of using fists and feet to defend oneself and also a way to use these parts of the body to stop fights to build a more peaceful world. And, while Taekwondo is the technique of unarmed combat for self defense, it is also a way of thinking that requires strict discipline and an emphasis on the student's moral character.

The earliest records of the practice of Taekwondo date back to about 50 B.C. Young men were trained in unarmed combat techniques to develop strength, speed, and survival skills. The early masters, called the Hwarang, set up a military school for the sons of royalty based on not only the combat techniques, but also the history of Taekwondo, Confucian philosophy, ethics and Buddhist morality. Taekwondo spread all throughout Korea and eventually was taught to the general public, as well as the military. Americans were first introduced to this master of all military arts when U. S. troops were stationed in Korea after World War II and received instructions in its use.
The first practitioners of Taekwondo did not use a series of colored belts to indicate their progress.  The belts they wore were simply there to keep their clothing in place and had no other significance.  Over time as they practiced, however, their belts became dirtier and darker.  Eventually, a dark belt came to symbolize someone who had been practicing the art for a long time and was therefore a person of advanced skill. Today, a black belt still indicates a Taekwondo practitioner with a high degree of skill.  Below the level of black belt, the various belt colors not only serve as an outward indicator of a student's level of proficiency, but also serve to reflect the philosophical growth the student is undergoing. 

Although individual schools may still employ variations of belt colors, the World Taekwondo Federation has standardized the progression of belts and now recognizes five colors below black belt: white, yellow, green, blue and red.  Beginning students wear a white belt.  The lack of color symbolizes purity and innocence as reflected by their lack of knowledge of Taekwondo.  The next belt is yellow, symbolizing the rising sun, which is the source of all life.  At this level, students are beginning to learn some basics of the art. The next belt is green, the color of growing things well rooted and reaching upwards toward the sky.  At this level, the students are beginning to develop power.  Next is blue, the color of sky, open and boundless, toward which growing things are reaching.  At this level, students begin to stabilize their power and develop a focus to their studies as they reach out to achieve their potentials.  The last color before black is red, the color of blood; the vital essence of life.  Students at this level are deepening their power and control.  Finally, there is black belt.  Black represents all of the colors combined.  At this highest stage the mastery of techniques is reflected by calm dignity and sincerity.

How can children benefit from learning Taekwondo? In addition to learning valuable self-defense skills and the health benefits of physical exercise, Taekwondo also teaches youth important lessons in ethical behavior. Written by a Buddhist scholar, Taekwondo was originally based on the following The Five Tenets of Taekwondo : Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control (physical and mental), and Indomitable Spirit. These original five tenets correspond to the so-called Eleven Commandments of modern day Taekwondo, which are: loyalty to your country, respect your parents, faithfulness to your spouse, respect your brothers and sisters, loyalty to your friends, respect your elders, respect your teacher, never take life unjustly, indomitable spirit, loyalty to your school, and finish what you begin. Children learn to respect themselves and others and that discipline is essential to achievement. The focus skills learned through Taekwondo have resulted in improved concentration in children with A.D.D. and A.D.H.D.
"We want to build in our youth the qualities of respect, character, focus and discipline," says Jonathan Liebe. "Adults can also benefit greatly from the practice of Taekwondo. Taekowndo results in improved concentration, physical fitness and stress management."

Master Soon has been involved with the Junior Olympics either as a competitor or coach for over 15 years. The medals he has brought home while representing the State of Wisconsin , number in the hundreds, 50% of which were gold medals. Master Soon hopes to bring that glory to Arizona . He is just the person to raise Arizona 's almost non-existent participation to making it a true presence at the 2007 National Junior Olympics to be held in San Jose , California this July. Master Soon and Liebe plan to show Arizona as a unified, talented and devoted state and to put it on the map in the world of Taekwondo.

Their studio, besides being the largest ever in Arizona , will be comprised of two main studios - one where only Taekwondo will be taught, and the other for classes in Yoga. Master Soon will teach Taekwondo, his wife, Nanette will teach yoga, and Jon will concentrate on running the business end of this new enterprise. Their studio will be oriented towards family fun. They have other instructors lined up when the business continues to grow. The partners have a goal of 500 members at the end of the first six months and hope to be able to reach 40,000 potential students within a five-mile radius.

"I have created the opportunity to instruct people of all ages and backgrounds and have led many individuals to obtain their black belts," says Master Soon. "In my years of teaching, I have recognized teaching ability in others and have instilled and guided such students to become Taekwondo Instructors as well. Instructing others and teaching Traditional as well as Olympic Style Taekwondo is second nature to me and is something I take great care and pride in."

Until Master Soon's Taekwondo facility is completed at the Summit Happy Valley site, approximately three months from now, Master Soon is conducting classes at Anthem Outlets in the space occupied by Kid's Place.