Our Team
Great Grandmaster Wan Sup Kim
School Founder
W. Kim Taekwondo has resided in the Chicagoland area for over 45 years. Our founder was one of the first pioneers from Korea to bring Taekwondo to the United States. He was a world class Taekwondo competitor as well as a world champion in 1964. He is in his 80’s and maintains a terrific physical condition. He serves as an inspiration to all the students at our school. He is a member of the Taekwondo Hall of Fame in recognition of his numerous achievements and contributions to the sport of Taekwondo in the U.S. He is very proud of what our school has become and proud of all of our students.
Grandmaster
Dae In Kim
Executive Director
Over the past 45 years, the growth and success of our school has soared to new heights because of Grandmaster Kim. He always leads by example and with his guidance, our school develops great leaders and role models. As a student, he was one of the toughest competitors. At Purdue University, he was president of the TKD club and graduated with a degree in engineering. His imprint on our school is crystal clear as our students learn in a focused, creative and energetic way ensuring their maximum success. His passion and vision is to continue to build W. Kim Taekwondo’s reputation as one of the finest schools in the country. His most recent rally call for us is: “Yes, I Can! Yes, I Will, Yes, I Must, Yes, I Believe.”
Headmaster Netzel
Director of the W. Kim Mount Prospect school. The first W. Kim student outside of the Kim family to achieve the level of Master. Not only is Taekwondo his passion and his life; it is also a family affair for him. His wife, mother, and sons are all Assistant Masters. He has trained at W. Kim for 30 years and expects nothing but the best from each student because that is what he requires of himself. He continually takes teaching and learning to a new level. W. Kim is his second home, and he considers the Kim’s as family.
Master ADam
He is a third-generation W. Kim martial artist who has been under the guidance of Great Grandmaster Kim and Grandmaster Kim for over 23 years. His extensive martial arts journey spans various disciplines, from competing in Taekwondo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments to MMA competitions. Currently holding a fourth-degree black belt in Taekwondo and a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, he dedicates himself to daily training sessions alongside elite professional athletes and current UFC fighters. His success across multiple martial arts platforms is attributed to the solid foundation and upbringing provided by W. Kim, instilling in him the traditional values and physical/mental discipline of Taekwondo. Acknowledging the profound impact of his martial arts background on all aspects of his life, he attributes his achievements to the teachings received under W. Kim's tutelage. With a commitment to giving back to the next generations of students, he aspires to share his wealth of experiences in martial arts, physical fitness, and mental discipline with the next generation of students at W. Kim Taekwondo, ensuring the continuity of martial arts excellence within the school.
Director Crystal
As a third-generation student of W. Kim Taekwondo, she upholds the esteemed martial arts legacy of the W. Kim family. As the direct lineage of Great Grandmaster Kim and Grandmaster Kim, martial arts excellence resonates deeply within her roots. Leveraging W. Kim Taekwondo as a conduit to success, she has seamlessly passed traditional martial arts boundaries to immerse herself in the competitive realm of basketball. Her journey has not only propelled her to the pinnacle of basketball competition but has also provided an exclusive vantage point for training and coaching alongside some of the nation's top basketball mentors and physical trainers. The combination of martial arts discipline and basketball ability in her journey exemplifies a steadfast commitment to excellence. By integrating the core tenets of W. Kim Taekwondo into her athletic endeavors, she has forged a path of comprehensive growth and accomplishment. Her pursuit is fueled by an unwavering passion to excel and make an enduring impact on martial arts and to other students aiming to succeed not only in Taekwondo but in all areas of their lives.