About the Dojo
A tradition of excellence
A family-run dojo where discipline, respect, and heart are taught alongside technique.
Our Story
I.S. Kim's Martial Arts has served the Pleasant Hill community for over two decades, training thousands of students in the traditional Korean and Japanese martial arts of Taekwondo and Judo.
Our coaches are nationally certified through USA Taekwondo and USA Judo, and have personally raised athletes who have competed and medaled at the highest levels of national competition.
But our deeper mission has always been the same: to build strong people. The mat is our classroom, but the lessons — discipline, humility, perseverance, courage — extend into every part of our students' lives.
Meet the Masters
Founder & Head Master
Grand Master In Shik Kim
Grand Master In Shik Kim founded I.S. Kim's Martial Arts in 1977 with a vision to develop strong character through disciplined martial arts training. A graduate of Yong In University — one of Korea's leading martial arts institutions — he has dedicated his life to preserving the traditions of Judo and Taekwondo while developing generations of students, instructors, and champions.
As a former chairman of the Korean Judo Association (US) and an AAU Chairman in Iowa, Master Kim's legacy extends beyond medals and titles. His greatest achievement is building a community rooted in discipline, respect, perseverance, and excellence.
Children's Program
Master Jennifer Kim
With over 35 years of martial arts experience, Jennifer Kim specializes in developing children through structured training that builds confidence, emotional resilience, focus, and strong character.
A graduate of UC Davis with a degree in Child Development, she combines high-level martial arts coaching with a deep understanding of how children learn and grow. She has competed and coached at the national and international levels.
Her classes help students develop confidence, self-discipline, focus, emotional control, respect, and the motivation to pursue excellence — growing stronger not just as athletes, but as people.
Competition Team
Master Josh Park
Josh Park has been practicing martial arts for over 32 years. He combines traditional martial arts values with modern competitive training to help students develop technical skill, toughness, confidence, and a mindset for growth.
Josh graduated from UC Davis with a degree in Economics. He has coached athletes at the national and international level and has consistently developed national champions. His focus is not simply producing winners in competition — but helping students become strong, capable, disciplined people.
His classes focus on developing good character, explosiveness, proper technique, range of motion, and strategy.
Our Values
Discipline
Show up. Train hard. Respect the mat, your training partners, and yourself.
Excellence
Pursue the next level — not perfection, but consistent, honest effort.
Character
Strength is meaningless without humility. We build people, not just athletes.