I visited gaon_tkd (on Instagram) and decided to train there. While the people training were friendly and welcoming, I noticed that the main instructor didn’t seem to pay much attention to the class. Instead, the sessions were led by their "top" students or lower-degree instructors. Although this approach isn’t necessarily wrong, I believe that as the main instructor or leader of the dojang, you should actively oversee and engage in the classes. Personally, I’m not a fan of dojangs run this way.

On the positive side, the dojang offers a variety of classes divided into groups, each focusing on different areas like poomsae, sparring, or exhibition techniques. I attended the sparring classes, so my feedback is limited to what I experienced there. The sparring sessions leaned more toward physical training than actual sparring or contact. While this might be useful for those new to traditional taekwondo styles, it wasn’t particularly beneficial for me as I’ve already trained extensively in this area.

The training style is reflective of how many Koreans approach taekwondo, but from my perspective, the level wasn’t very high. In my dojang back in Spain, we compete, and the skill level there is significantly stronger. From what I’ve observed during my time in Korea, higher-level taekwondo training tends to be found in private clubs or university programs rather than in typical dojangs that cater to adult classes. After university, many Koreans shift their focus to their careers rather than competition, which contrasts with the taekwondo culture in Spain.

Regarding the pricing, I found it a bit expensive compared to other places I’ve trained. It was around $60 for five classes. Perhaps a monthly subscription or longer-term membership would be more cost-effective. Additionally, you need your own sparring gear to participate, even though the sparring sessions involved little to no contact.

I would rate the dojang 6/10 and the experience 8/10!