Beyond Hollywood: Fort Lee's Tiger Twins

After playing roles as thugs in Hollywood martial arts movies like Exit Wounds (2001) with Steven Seagal and The Tuxedo (2002) with Jackie Chan, the Tiger Twins decided to return to their root values: Tae Kwon Do and community. 

Now instructors, James and Simon Kim of in Fort Lee describe fondly their decades-long successes and relationships with stars like Chuck Norris and Seagal, but say it was finally time to leave L.A.

“The unique thing about us was that we met one of the biggest Hollywood stars like Chuck Norris, Jet Li, and we fought with those guys on sets,” James Kim said. “But we felt for us that L.A. was more about meeting actors and stars rather than engaging in martial arts, so we decided to uphold our values and teach Tae Kwon Do in the Northeast.”

Teaching with five other instructors, the Tiger Twins are now stars of discipline and community in the Fort Lee area. James Kim said that to practice self-discipline relevant to Tae Kwon Do and community, the student must reflect a positive energy and a sense of duty. 

“We have life skills for both children and adults, such as respecting each other and parents, keeping the room clean, disciplining yourself to eat a balanced dose of vegetables and exercising,” he said. “If you keep to those basic disciplines, you will set an example for the community and a leadership role as martial artist.”

Aside from teaching leadership and life skills through Tae Kwon Do, the six-year-old academy also teaches Hapkido, Judo, gymnastics and Tae Kwon Do with weapons like nun-chucks and bo-staffs. But regardless of teaching these various disciplines, the Tiger Twins' motto is "leading one to lead others" and setting an example to never give up. 

“Our goal originates from teaching our father’s style of martial arts, which included focus and hard work,” James Kim said. “You can achieve anything you concentrate your full mind into.”

Tiger Twins Academy has separate programs for children and adults, but all students learn the same lessons and are put through the same  routines on their way up the ranks, from white to black belt status.

Aside from teaching Tae Kwon Do and other martial arts and instilling a sense of discipline in each student, the Tiger Twins Academy also plays another role in the community. For instance, they hold an eight-week-long summer camp, teaching young students Tae Kwon Do, arts and crafts, dance, and perhaps most importantly, connecting with one another through leadership and life skills. The academy is also offering discounted sign-ups this summer for $99.

Tae Kwon Do is a Korean martial art, but the Tiger Twins Academy attracts a good number of both Korean and non-Korean Americans from Fort Lee and beyond who come to learn structure and healthy routines.

“We have a strong connection around Fort Lee because we teach so many Korean kids,” Simon Kim said. "Their parents are very supportive in our martial arts training, and even non-Korean Americans love our culture with respect and discipline because they can see the difference it makes for their kids.”