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JL Taekwondo Academy

4.9 ★★★★★ 63 Google reviews · Taekwondo school in Apex, North Carolina

Taekwondo school Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Sparring

Affiliated school — reviews and the school's own info point to a recognized taekwondo organization or franchise (think ATA Martial Arts, Kukkiwon certification, World Taekwondo, or ITF). If credentials matter to you, ask which association the school belongs to and where the head instructor earned their black-belt (dan) rank and certification.

Plan your first class

  • Free trial or intro class most schools welcome new students with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
  • Kids & teens classes kids and teens taekwondo classes — built around discipline, focus, confidence, and anti-bully skills
  • Beginner-friendly all ages and levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Sparring sparring classes, from Olympic-style to point sparring — controlled, gear-on training that builds timing and confidence at your own pace
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule jlapex.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 919-267-4993

Hours

Monday 11 am–9 pm
Tuesday 11 am–9 pm
Wednesday 11 am–9 pm
Thursday 11 am–9 pm
Friday 11 am–9 pm
Saturday 10 am–2 pm
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, belt tests, and tournaments — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Taekwondo classes on the schedule at JL Taekwondo Academy, confirmed in students' own reviews and the school's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Taekwondo 33 mentions

“Master Jung and his assistant instructors have a talent to work with kids of all ages as they keep classes fun, engaging and productive.”

All schools that run kids taekwondo →

🎓 Belt Testing

“My daughter and I just passed our first-degree black belt test, and the experience was incredible.”

All schools that run belt testing →

Other martial arts here

Taekwondo schools are often multi-discipline. Here's what else students mention training under the same roof at JL Taekwondo Academy — mined from their reviews and the school's own info.

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the school's own info — they show what students have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want hapkido, karate, or judo alongside your taekwondo, confirm the current schedule with the school.

What students say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 63 Google reviews — in their own words.

🌱 welcoming to beginners 7 mentions

“Master Jung and his assistant instructors have a talent to work with kids of all ages as they keep classes fun, engaging and productive.”

🤝 friendly, family atmosphere 23 mentions

“W Jung is not only a skilled instructor but also very supportive and kind, creating a welcoming environment for all students.”

📘 strong forms & technique 2 mentions

“It motivates me training further to keep sharpening my technique.”

🧒 strong kids program 5 mentions

“This place has become so much more than just a school for our children. It has become a space of growth, confidence, discipline, and love for our entire family.”

certified & recognized school 19 mentions

“The Master and his assistants are really patient with the little ones and know how to keep them engaged while actually teaching them taekwondo basics.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 23 mentions

“The classes are well-structured, focusing on discipline, respect, and continuous improvement.”

From the reviews

My almost 5 year old has been attending for over a month now and classes bring him great joy during the week! They are well organized and structured, yet very fun both for kids to participate and parents to watch!

★★★★★ — Ilya, Apr 2021

I took my daughter into JL Taekwondo to get her started in Taekwondo. Master Jung setup an trial for and had me participate in the trial class with her and before you know it we both taking classes together. Master Jung is great with kids as well as adults. He is constantly pushing you to get better everyday.

★★★★★ — Rbattle05, Jan 2021

Our daughter started here when she was around 3, and now, a year and a half later, she still loves going to class. The Master and his assistants are really patient with the little ones and know how to keep them engaged while actually teaching them taekwondo basics.

★★★★★ — Safia, Sep 2025

My son has been attending JL TKD academy in Apex for the past 3 years. He received his black belt in March. It was one of his greatest accomplishments in his young life. Master Jung and his instructors are very professional, knowledgeable and great with the students.

★★★★★ — Ed, Sep 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 63 reviews →

New to taekwondo? Start at JL Taekwondo Academy

JL Taekwondo Academy comes up as a beginner-friendly school, going by their listing and students’ reviews. If you've never trained or set foot in a dojang, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and instructors scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable schools build fundamentals (stances, blocks, kicks, and basic forms) for weeks, sparring eases in gradually and with gear on, and instructors keep it controlled and safe. Third, all ages and all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most schools are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first taekwondo class at JL Taekwondo Academy

Nervous about walking into a taekwondo school for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good instructors expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic stances, blocks, and kicks with a partner or on pads — not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: loose athletic wear you can move in (or a dobok if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the floor. What to bring: water and a positive attitude — many schools lend a loaner dobok for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll get your own dobok and belt, and sparring gear (mouthguard, headgear, and guards) once you begin sparring. Sparring eases in gradually, once your fundamentals and forms are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the instructor. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Taekwondo is a martial art and a contact sport. Ease in, listen to your instructors, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find JL Taekwondo Academy

1423 Kelly Rd, Apex, NC27502

Get directions Instagram

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and student reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this school? Claim your listing — it's free.